New here? Start with these.

Just moved to Colorado Springs, or getting back into it after a while? These groups are beginner-friendly and welcoming — no need to be fast, experienced, or know a soul.

Trail Run⚠ Needs verification

Garden of the Gods & Summer Roundup Training Runs

Pikes Peak Road Runners

Weekly training runs, April–July

Garden of the Gods & area trails

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropDog-friendlyCost variesSummer

Group training runs leading up to the Garden of the Gods 10 Mile and Summer Roundup trail races.

Trail Run✓ Verified 2026-06-26

Trailblazers Wednesday Meetup

COS Trailblazers

Wednesdays, Apr–Oct · sign-in 3:00–8:30 PM, groups depart 6:00 PM

Trails End Taproom, 2925 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropDog-friendlyFreeSummer

Trail run, hike or mountain bike; log 8 visits to earn a shirt. Happy-hour pizza and beer after. Benefits local nonprofits.

Trail Run✓ Verified 2026-06-26

Monday Group Trail Run

Aravaipa Colorado

Mondays · check-in 5:00 PM, run starts 5:30 PM

Fossil Craft Beer Company, 2845 Ore Mill Rd #1, Colorado Springs

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropDog-friendlyFreeSummer

Run independently or with a group into Red Rock Canyon Open Space; brand-new trail runners welcome.

Cycling⚠ Needs verification

Tour de Latte

Colorado Springs Cycling

Saturday mornings · casual no-drop coffee-shop social ride

Around Colorado Springs (rotating coffee houses)

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFree

A led, no-drop social ride stopping at a different independent coffee house each week. Times posted on the club Meetup.

Cycling⚠ Needs verification

Sunday Social Ride

Colorado Springs Cycling

Sundays · casual 8–12 mph no-drop, 10–20 miles

Around Colorado Springs

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFree

Distance varies with weather and road conditions. Start time posted on the club Meetup calendar.

Cycling⚠ Needs verification

All-Women’s Ride

Colorado Springs Cycling

Summer season · women-only social ride

Around Colorado Springs

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFreeSummer

Day and time posted on the club Meetup calendar.

Cycling✓ Verified 2026-06-26

Buffalo Trails and Ales

Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort

Mondays, Apr–Oct · 5:30 PM · ride then craft beverages

Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, 2 El Paso Blvd, Manitou Springs

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFreeSummer

Evening ride exploring the Garden of the Gods area, followed by craft beverages back at the lodge.

Cycling✓ Verified 2026-06-26

The Wednesday Ride

PikeRide

Wednesdays through late Oct · 6:00 PM from the Lincoln Center

Lincoln Center, Colorado Springs

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFreeSummer

A laid-back roll through downtown on your own bike or a rented PikeRide e-bike from the Lincoln Center station.

MTB⚠ Needs verification

Community Group Rides

Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates

Group rides for all ages & abilities — see calendar

Pikes Peak region trails

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFreeSummer
Hiking⚠ Needs verification

Get Out, Spread Out Hikes

Trails & Open Space Coalition

Guided hikes & outings on regional trails — see events

Trails & open spaces around the Pikes Peak region

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropDog-friendlyFree

Free guided hikes connecting locals to the regional trails-and-open-space mission.

Hiking⚠ Needs verification

One Bag Challenge Cleanups

Trails & Open Space Coalition

Recurring volunteer cleanups & stewardship days

Parks & trails across Colorado Springs

Beginner-friendlyFree

Community trash-cleanup program; 110+ cleanups and 7,700+ lbs of litter removed since spring 2024.

Hiking⚠ Needs verification

Scheduled Hikes, Backpacks & 14ers

Colorado Mountain Club – Pikes Peak Group

Trips scheduled monthly, year-round — see calendar

Colorado Springs & Front Range trailheads

Beginner-friendlyCost varies

Hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, cycling and more, with trips posted on the CMC calendar.

Climbing⚠ Needs verification

Mountaineering & Trekking Schools

Colorado Mountain Club – Pikes Peak Group

Seasonal courses — Wilderness Trekking, Basic & High Altitude Mountaineering

Colorado Springs (classroom) & field sites

Beginner-friendlyPaid

Structured climbing and mountaineering schools plus wilderness first-aid clinics.

Climbing⚠ Needs verification

Peak & Climbing Outings

Pikes Peak Mountaineers

Member-organized training hikes, rock outings & 14ers — see Meetup

Pikes Peak region & Colorado mountains

Beginner-friendlyFree
Climbing⚠ Needs verification

Gym & Crag Meetups

Colorado Springs Climbers

Member-organized gym sessions & local crag trips — see Meetup

Colorado Springs gyms & local crags

Beginner-friendlyCost varies

All climbing styles and skill levels; a good way to find partners.

Climbing⚠ Needs verification

Rock, Ice & Alpine Courses

Pikes Peak Alpine School

Small-group courses & guided days — book by season

Pikes Peak region crags & alpine terrain

Beginner-friendlyPaid

Guiding and instruction since 1989; rock in summer, ice in winter.

Birding⚠ Needs verification

Monthly Program Meeting

Aiken Audubon Society

Third Wednesday, eight months a year · evening program

Colorado Parks & Wildlife building, 4255 Sinton Rd, Colorado Springs

Beginner-friendlyFree

Meets the third Wednesday of the month, eight times a year (no summer/winter break months).

Birding⚠ Needs verification

Bird Walks & Field Trips

Aiken Audubon Society

Regular field trips year-round · annual Christmas Bird Count

Pikes Peak region birding sites

Beginner-friendlyFree

Field trips throughout the year plus participation in seasonal bird counts.

Fly Fishing✓ Verified 2026-06-26

Monthly Club Meeting

Pikes Peak Flyfishers

First Monday · social 6:30 PM, meeting 7:00 PM

Colorado Parks & Wildlife building, 4255 Sinton Rd, Colorado Springs

Beginner-friendlyFree

First-Monday meeting (with occasional exceptions); social at 6:30 PM, program at 7:00 PM.

Fly Fishing⚠ Needs verification

Member Fishing Outings

Pikes Peak Flyfishers

Scheduled outings through the season + a members’ picnic

Local lakes & the Dream Stream

Beginner-friendlyCost variesSummer

Trips to South Slope, North Catamount, Tarryall and the Dream Stream, plus a June picnic at Manitou Lake.

Fly Fishing⚠ Needs verification

Conservation & Chapter Events

Pikes Peak Chapter, Trout Unlimited

Conservation projects, cleanups & chapter gatherings — see calendar

Pikes Peak region watersheds

Beginner-friendlyFree

Volunteer-driven cold-water fisheries conservation across the region.

Fly Fishing⚠ Needs verification

Free Orvis 101 Classes

Angler’s Covey

Free intro classes during summer · plus women’s clinics & camps

Angler’s Covey, 295 S 21st St, Colorado Springs

Beginner-friendlyFreeSummer

Free summer Orvis 101 on two on-site casting ponds; paid clinics, camps and women-only classes also offered.

Paddling⚠ Needs verification

Beginner Trips & River Runs

Pikes Peak Whitewater Club

Clinics, beginner trips & river-running events · paddling season

Front Range & Arkansas River runs

Beginner-friendlyCost variesSummer

Club trips covering rolling, playboating, creeking and safety skills. Membership $50/yr ($35 minors).

Paddling⚠ Needs verification

Whitewater Kayak Lessons

Pikes Peak River School

Progressive lessons & clinics — book by season

Colorado Springs & local rivers

Beginner-friendlyPaidSummer

Instruction taking paddlers from pool basics to local river running.

Nordic⚠ Needs verification

Intro to Cross-Country Skiing

CMC Pikes Peak Snow School

Winter course · classroom in Colorado Springs + field days

Colorado Springs (classroom) & area Nordic centers

Beginner-friendlyPaidWinter

Learn classic Nordic technique for backcountry trails; covers gear, clothing and avalanche awareness.

Hiking⚠ Needs verification

SOLE Outdoor Trips & Clinics

UCCS SOLE

Day & overnight trips and clinics each semester

Gallogly Rec & Wellness Center, UCCS, Colorado Springs

Beginner-friendlyPaid

14ers, float and kayak trips, climbing, sandboarding, ski days and Moab weekends for the UCCS community.

Hiking⚠ Needs verification

Outdoor Adventure Trips & Classes

USAFA Outdoor Adventure Program

Seasonal trips & skills classes for the Academy community

U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs

Beginner-friendlyPaid

Ski trips plus classes in kayaking, bike repair, GPS, fishing and fly tying, and outdoor skills.