Northwest Colorado Springs, also known as Rockrimmon, spans from just north of Garden of the Gods to the southern border of the Air Force Academy. This area is nestled in the foothills of the Rampart Range, and in addition to its naturally beautiful landscapes, is home to some amazing local businesses, so check out a few of our favorite places both indoors and out.
Things to do Outdoors in Northwest Colorado Springs
Ute Valley Park is located in the heart of Northwest Colorado Springs and is an ideal place for hiking or mountain biking. The park features a 3.4-mile heavily trafficked loop. The trail is moderately difficult and winds through interesting geological formations and hoodoos and offers some great views of the front range. You can certainly bring your dog but make sure to keep them on a leash.
Best Food in Northwest Colorado Springs
Salsa on the Rock, formerly the Rockrimmon Salsa Brava, just celebrated its first anniversary earlier this month. Air Academy graduate Scott Morrisey bought the restaurant after being part of the Salsa Brava team for five years. Scott and his wife Amy have kept Salsa on the Rock true to its roots. Enjoy the cozy cantina feel inside or dine on their open-air patio while the weather is warm.
Salsa on the Rocks features many of the same menu items as the original restaurant with delicious new specialties, such as the salsa slopper, so whether you’ve been coming to Salsa for years or are looking for a new date night favorite, you won’t be disappointed. If you’re lucky, you might even run into Scott and Amy, the restaurant’s friendly and attentive owners. Follow the restaurant’s Facebook page to get updates on specials and deals, such as their $5 anniversary party margaritas or daily happy-hour specials.
Where to take your Pets in Northwest Colorado Springs
Blodgett Peak Trail summits a 9,400 ft mountain located near W. Woodman Rd., just west of I-25. This 3.4-mile trail features beautiful views of Colorado Springs and Black Forest but is not for the faint of heart. The trail begins with a moderate incline that becomes increasingly steeper as you hike.
You will also encounter quite a bit of loose gravel near the summit, making portions of this trail rather slick, so make sure you and your pup are up for the journey.
Dogs must be kept on a leash, but this is a perfect hike for a high-energy dog, and once you see the view from the peak, you’ll forget about the challenges of the trail. If you and your pup are looking for something a little more low-key, check out the rest of Blodgett Peak Open Space, which features a number of trails with easy or moderate difficulty ratings. As always while hiking in Colorado, bring plenty of water for both you and your dog and make sure to pack sunscreen.
Drinks in Northwest Colorado Springs
Red Leg Brewing Company is a veteran-owned and operated brewery located near the intersection of I-25 and Garden of the Gods Rd. All of Red Leg’s beer is produced and canned in-house. They also sell kegs and crowlers of their craft beer, so make sure to pick up some to enjoy at home. On-site, you can choose between sitting in their cozy, modern taproom or taking a pint out to the patio or rooftop deck.
Red Leg brews six classic beers that range from kolsches to IPAs, in addition to limited-time specials such as their BlackBerry Orange Hefeweizen. Though they do not serve food at Red Leg, they do host a different food truck every night, so keep an eye out for the schedule on Facebook. Red Leg also hosts special events, such as musical bingo, making it a perfect place to meet friends for a fun Saturday night out.
Things to do for Families in Northwest Colorado Springs
Wilson Ranch Park, located at Centennial and Allegheny, features a deluxe outdoor pool, picnic pavilions, and sporting areas. The pool, which is run by the YMCA, features a lazy river, spiral water slide, and interactive play area, as well as a community room and family locker rooms.
If swimming isn’t your family’s activity of choice, however, there are still plenty of options for a fun weekend out. Maybe make use of the park’s sporting facilities to plan a pick-up basketball game or friendly tennis match, while your younger children enjoy the large, well-maintained playground.
Check out our other Local Lineups for other parts of Colorado Springs.