Weekend Escapes in Colorado — Mueller State Park

There’s snow on the ground, a chill in the air and it seems like months before we’ll see warmer weather again.  And, believe it or not, it’s the perfect time to start mapping out your spring and summer camping plans.

Our family tries to take at least one “big” trip a year.  But between work, kids’ activities and other events, our calendar fills up way too quickly.  As a result, the bulk of our camping happens on the weekends.

Luckily, if you’re in or near Colorado, there’s no shortage of weekend destinations.  Why you can go your whole life and not hit them all.  That’s why I thought I’d start a series of posts highlighting some of our favorite spots. And there’s no better place to start than Mueller State Park.

About a forty-five minute drive from Colorado Springs, and just a few miles outside of Woodland Park, Mueller is one of Colorado’s best camping spots.  It’s a family favorite of ours, not just because of its peaceful setting and breathtaking views, but because there is so much to do and see in the area.

To start with the park itself is amazing.  Made up of over 5000 acres situated 9600 feet above sea level, a trip to Mueller will most definitely let you get away from it all.   Hike, bike, fish or just sit at your campsite and enjoy spectacular views of the Sangre de Cristos range.

Mueller has over 130 camping sites (many with electric hookups), plus a few cabins as well. Most are nestled in tall pine trees with lots of room to stretch out.  There’s even an awesome group camping area right near the main bathrooms and showers.

While we did our fair share of exploring, we spend a lot of time  just sitting at our campsite taking in the sights.  We saw all kinds of wildlife, including deer, elk and even a resident porcupine.  While there are black bear in the area, I am happy to report they are not usually seen in the camping areas.  But still, it’s best to practice some basic bear safety to prevent any unwanted visits.

Pikes Peak, photo courtesy of Bureau of Land Management

One of best things about Mueller is its prime location.  We made several trips into the surrounding areas to do some sightseeing.  In Colorado Springs we visited the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Garden of the Gods and made a much requested visit to the top of Pike’s Peak on the Cog Railway.  My kids still talk about this even now and I have a feeling we’ll be doing it again soon.

Just up the road from Mueller, you’ll also find Florrisant Fossil Beds National Monument.  Here you can see petrified redwood and thousands of plant and animal fossils dating back to prehistoric times.  And a trip east on Highway 24 will bring you all the way to the North Pole, Home of Santa’s Workshop.

Even though Mueller State Park feels so remote, it’s actually quite close to many of the comforts of home.  When we needed a trip to the store or wanted to grab a bite to eat, we simply headed into Woodland Park.  Best of all, Mueller State Park is just couple of hours away from our home.  So if you’re looking for a quick get-away this year, you may want to check it out.

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