Mueller State Park

Review

Intro

When Mueller State Park opened its gates to the public in 1988, locals were intrigued.  The park was a collection of ranches and had been home to a working cattle ranch until 1978. Few humans had explored its forests and meadows, but wildlife felt perfectly at home here. Mueller covers more than 5,000 acres in the foothills northwest of Colorado Springs, and elevations top out at about 9,400 feet. This is a very accessible park with many opportunities for getting away from the crowds. We’ve been stopped on the main road by a turkey traffic jam, and we’ve rounded trails to come face to face with a bull elk.

What Makes It Great

Trails are accessible year-round and many offer stunning views of nearby Pikes Peak. Historic cabins and miners’ cabins are tucked into the hillsides, and there are even old glory holes and a mine shaft remaining from the gold rush of Cripple Creek at the end of the 19th century. In the fall, Mueller is a favorite haunt of photographers seeking the best shot of the aspen forests turning to gold.

The park offers a perfect solution for campers who want a bit of the backcountry but can’t imagine a camping trip without all the lux gear. Mueller has 132 campsites; 22 of them are walk-in sites, tucked in the aspen and mixed pine and spruce forest. Walk in a few hundred feet or a quarter of a mile and set up a camp that feels more like a backpacking trip (with restrooms nearby). Each site has a picnic table and fire pit with grate. 

Fill your days with hiking or mountain biking on Mueller’s 50 miles or trails, or watch for the numerous park residents including mule deer and a substantial elk herd. We’ve also seen badgers, porcupines, golden eagles, salamanders and great-horned owls here. Bluebirds flash through the meadows, along with dozens of species of migratory and resident birds. For those who don't want to leave behind all the comforts of home, Mueller has a cluster of luxury cabins that can be rented for groups of two to 10.

Who is Going to Love It

Campers can find anything they want: large drive-in campsites with electrical hook-ups, spacious sites for campers or other vehicles; tent-only sites with room to stretch out, and even luxury cabins that can be rented for one or more nights.

Directions, Parking, & Regulations

From Colorado Springs, take U.S. Highway 24 west to Divide. Turn left on Colorado Highway 67 and drive to the Mueller State Park entrance on your right.

Some of the camping areas are open year-round, but shower house and laundry facilities are closed in the winter.