Mueller State Park

Fast facts

• Size: more than 5,100 acres (21 km²)
• Elevation: about 9,600 feet (2,900 m) at the campground
• Trails: more than 44 miles (71 km) on 37 named and numbered trails
• Overnight: 138 campsites, 22 of them walk-in tent sites, plus three cabins, a backcountry yurt and four hike-in backcountry sites
• Dogs: allowed in the campground and picnic areas, not on any trail
• Gateway: Divide, 4 miles (6 km) north, and Woodland Park
• Managed by: Colorado Parks and Wildlife

The landscape

Mueller sits on the west side of Pikes Peak, which rises to 14,115 feet (4,302 m) directly east of the park. A paved road runs along a forested ridge, and from it the land falls away west into spring-fed meadows, aspen groves, small ponds and outcrops of pink Pikes Peak granite. The forest is a mix of spruce, Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, limber pine and aspen.

The Mueller family began buying up local ranches here in the 1950s to run cattle, then decided the land was worth more kept whole. It opened as a state park in August 1991, and the old homesteads are still out there: Cheesman Ranch in the northern meadows and the Osborn Homestead to the south. Elk, mule deer, black bears and mountain lions live in the park.

Best time to go

Summer is mild at this height, with wildflowers in the meadows and thunderstorms most afternoons. The aspens turn gold in late September, when the elk are bugling, and that is the busiest time of year. Winter brings snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and sledding, and part of the campground stays open. Spring comes late, with snow and mud on the trails well into May.

Getting there and around

Wapiti Road runs from the entrance past the visitor center, about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) in, and on along the ridge past the picnic areas and campground to the Grouse Mountain Trailhead at its north end. Trailheads sit along the road, and almost every trail starts high and drops into the valleys, so the climb comes on the way back. Horse trailers have their own parking area. Fuel and groceries are in Divide and Woodland Park.

Things to do

The trails range from half-hour walks to full days. Short ones lead to the Grouse Mountain Overlook, the Outlook Ridge overlooks and Dragonfly Pond, where a half-mile (0.8 km) children’s nature trail is wheelchair accessible. Longer loops reach Cheesman Ranch, the Osborn Homestead and Rock Pond. About 38 miles (61 km) of trail are open to mountain bikes and 35 miles (56 km) to horses; a few fragile areas are for hikers only.

Most people camp on the ridge, where every site except the walk-in tent sites has an electric hookup. For something quieter, four backcountry sites lie about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the Black Bear Trailhead, and a yurt stands in the aspens near Cheesman Ranch, 2.1 miles (3.4 km) from the Grouse Mountain Trailhead. Shore fishing is allowed at the ponds, and most of them are a walk of 1.5 to 2 miles (2.4 to 3.2 km).

Staying safe

The whole park is high enough to cause altitude sickness in visitors coming up from low elevation. Take the first day slowly, drink plenty of water, and go down if a headache or nausea does not ease. Thunderstorms build on most summer afternoons: plan to be off the ridges and out of the open meadows early, and stay away from hilltops and lone trees. Weather turns quickly, so carry a warm, waterproof layer even on a clear morning.

Black bears are seen from spring to fall, so store food and anything scented where they cannot get it. Mountain lions live here too. Carry a trail map, because 37 trails cross and recross and the junctions are known by number. Hunting is allowed in about 800 acres (3.2 km²) of the park beside the Dome Rock State Wildlife Area from the Tuesday after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day; wear bright colours there in season.

Know before you go

Every vehicle needs a Colorado State Parks pass, sold at the entrance. Dogs are not allowed on any trail or in the backcountry, which catches out many visitors. In winter the showers and laundry close and water comes from a single spigot at the comfort station. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm conditions, fire restrictions and reservations with Colorado Parks and Wildlife before you go.

Coordinates

38.8952, -105.1861

Magnetic declination

7.5° E (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

Best seasons

Summer, Fall (aspens and elk bugling), Winter (snowshoeing)

Difficulty

Easy to moderate

Access / trailheads

From Interstate 25 in Colorado Springs, take exit 141 and follow US 24 west for 25 miles (40 km) through Woodland Park to Divide, then turn south on Highway 67 for 3.5 miles (5.6 km) to the park entrance.

Water

Drinking water at the campground and visitor center in the warm months; in winter, one spigot at the comfort station. Carry what you need on the trails and do not drink from the ponds or streams untreated.

Cell / satellite coverage

Patchy; weak or absent in the valleys and the backcountry.

Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency

Emergencies: 911. Park office: 719-687-2366.

Permits & regulations

A Colorado State Parks pass is required for every vehicle. Campsites, cabins, the yurt and the four backcountry sites are reserved through Colorado Parks and Wildlife, up to six months ahead. Dogs are not allowed on any trail or in the backcountry.

Leave No Trace

Camp only in designated sites, store food from bears, stay on marked trails, leave dogs off the trails and pack out all waste.