Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center — Attraction in Colorado Springs

This small but beautiful interpretive nature center sits at the mouth of Cheyenne Canon and the road entrance to Helen Hunt Falls. The center itself was once a historic home that was relocated during a special project. Inside the extended two story building there are always several exhibits, many of them interactive, about local and greater Colorado wildlife, plants, ecology, and human history.

There is a climbing wall, cool models, touchable rocks, minerals, feathers, bones, furs, skins, and learning puzzles. There is a small climbing wall, lovely art, and a number of taxidermied animals including a mountain lion.

There is an awesome back deck with covered area and a lower deck. Both are lovely places to view and listen to the creek roll by. There is one other covered pavillion located a small distance from the main building and there are picnic tables spread in different areas of the trails.

This is a good place to play in the water and enjoy the shade of many trees on a hot day or observe the water flowing under ice in winter. We saw evidence of foxes and a mother doesn't with her fawn right at the first trailhead.

Other qualities: Open all year, programs for children and adults, handicap accessible and parking by the building is present but limited by location. Two much larger parking lots are available within walking distance (and visible from there). Small Public restrooms available inside when the center is open. Access to running, hiking, and biking trails such as the Columbine trail. Dog friendly, outside. Great place for a family trip or to start good...

This is a good place to go and just walk following the trails (just stay in the main wide trail). Dress appropriately for a long walk, take water and probably a hat and a shirt or sweater (depending of the season) and probably a walking stick and some light gloves. The site is nice and it is free (it is kept, I believe by the Colorado Springs government). Their is a visitor place with volunteers that will help you and answer questions and also have some pictures about the history of the place and also about the type of animals and birds you can probably encounter. There is a nice parking lot just across of this visitor cabin. The visitor cabin and the parking are well kept. If you start at this place (you can also follow the road and park at several points to make the walk shorter) expect a long walk. I believe that at the end you can see a water fall. We tried to make it, but it was too long of a distance for us. You can see along the path very athletic people and also regular folks, so the place is for everybody. The place is very close to seven falls that is separate and not associated with the center (7 falls charge a fee and is closed or restricted). Depending of your interests and love for nature it can very well be a whole day visit. For a regular family, it can be a half day of walking and just...

My family just loves this place! The surrounding hiking trails are some of my very favorite in the WORLD, which is saying a lot, because we've hiked in many countries and states! We have mixed ages and abilities in my family, so I appreciate the variety of trails this area offers, along with the easy and beautiful access to the river! As for the Nature Center itself, the staff is fantastic, there is so much information that is fun to explore (pictures, hands-on things, when allowed, and so much more!). The exhibits are quite impressive for a facility this size, and you can tell that the staff truly enjoy what they're doing. We've been several times and will be going back!...