Plan Your Southeast Colorado Vacation Now

Go Play Colorado Springs, Cañon City and Pueblo

Chris Duthie

So much about Colorado is worthy of a backyard vacation or weekend getaway. That’s especially true in autumn, when the landscape is painted in exploding shades of ochre, green and gold, and daytime temperatures often prompt golfers to layer up before hitting the links.

That very much describes the state’s supernatural southeast, where in Colorado Springs, Cañon City and Pueblo the golf is world class, events and festivals remain in full swing, and the rural landscape is signaling fall harvest and riotous fall colors that prompt end-of-season special packages.

In Colorado Springs, nature’s sumptuous fall transformation already has begun on Pikes Peak. The 14,115-foot mountain is an eye-candy backdrop for golfers making their way to play the city’s challenging courses, including:

• Flying Horse Colorado. Overnight resort guests are pampered with newly completed luxury accommodations, 50,000-square-foot spa and athletic club, four pools, a nine-court tennis center and Tom Weiskopf signature golf.

• Cheyenne Mountain Resort. The Pete Dye-designed Country Club of Colorado anchors a superb guest amenities package that includes lavish guest rooms and suites, fine dining, spa, indoor/outdoor tennis, aquatics facility and kids camp.

• The Broadmoor. Three years from its 100^th birthday and hosting the 2018 U.S. Senior Open, GOLF magazine’s No. 1 North American golf resort has just opened a “canopy-soaring experience,” through the trees near the revamped attraction at Seven Falls, which also now features the haute Western 1858 Restaurant.

• Garden of the Gods Club & Resort. A new 2.5-acre short game practice area is just one of several major enhancements now offered at the 69-room property, which is complemented by 27 holes of J. Press Maxwell/Mark Rathert-designed golf.

• Event celebrants will be left breathless during the 39^th Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off Balloon Festival (Sept. 5-7). In addition to dozens of spectacular hot air balloons, the event will offer wakeboarding, live entertainment and an exciting freefall, canopy and formation demonstration from the U.S. Air Force’s Wings of Blue.

Cañon City visitors flock to world-famous Royal Gorge Bridge, but the place to play is 6,951-yard Four Mile Ranch, a multiple CAGGY award-winning golf experience crafted by Jim Engh. Trail fees are a flat-out bargain—$58 including cart. Don’t miss Cañon City’s popular Harvest Fest (Sept. 26-27), held annually on the grounds of the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey. Discover award-winning wines, artisan foods, live entertainment and a fun zone for kids.

Pueblo is anchored by public Walking Stick Golf Course, a 7,147-yard Arthur Hills design that has earned four stars from Golf Digest and is renowned for its high-value, $32 green fees. If you love outdoor events, schedule your southeast Colorado vacation around two Pueblo-based major events: the 140^th annual Colorado State Fair (Aug. 28-Sept. 7) and the 21^st annual Chile & Frijoles Festival (Sept. 26-28).

RELATED LINKS

Five-Star Camping at The Broadmoor

New Bounce in The Springs

Staying the Horse

Chris Duthie is a contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer, the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.