Explore Monument · Outdoor recreation & local experiences
Things to Do in Monument, Colorado
From a morning hike above town to an afternoon on the golf course or a quiet walk along Monument Lake, the Tri-Lakes area makes it easy to spend time outside without driving into the city.
This guide covers Monument itself and worthwhile nearby stops in Palmer Lake, northern El Paso County and southern Douglas County. Local restrictions and public-versus-private access are explained along the way.
Local events worth getting out for
Coming up near Monument
Make a weekend of it with a lakeside fun run, a night of magic or a Halloween outing. Each event below links directly to its posted details and registration.
Palmer Lake .5K
A short, lighthearted run or walk with costumes, a doughnut stop and a lakeside celebration supporting Awake Palmer Lake. Walkers, strollers and dogs are welcome.
The Honest Cheat Show
Spend an evening at Palmer Lake Town Hall with a magic show presented by Funky Little Theater Company. Check the performance listing for tickets and admission details.
YMCA Creepy Crawl 5K
A costume-friendly run or walk at Palmer Lake and the Santa Fe Trail. The Kids Monster Dash starts at 10 a.m.; the main 5K follows at 10:30 a.m.
Listings checked October 15, 2026. All times are Mountain Time. Confirm ticket availability, schedules and weather changes with the organizer.
These featured dates have passed. Use the organizer links above for newly posted events.
Monument & the Tri-Lakes area
Pick a day. Find your kind of Colorado.
Monument is known for its mountain-town setting, but the recreation options aren’t limited to hiking. There are public and private golf courses, gravel trails, parks, fishing, seasonal events and short trips into nearby Palmer Lake.
Hiking & Trails
Explore pine forest walks, Mount Herman climbs and nearby mesa views.
Biking & Gravel Rides
See Santa Fe Trail access, local multi-use paths and rides toward Greenland.
Golf in Monument
Compare the public King’s Deer course with Woodmoor’s private club.
Lakes, Paddling & Fishing
Public recreation at Monument Lake and Palmer Lake, plus permitted lake access at Forest Lakes.
Parks & Families
Picnic areas, dog parks and playgrounds in the Tri-Lakes area.
Events & Things to Do
Downtown concerts, festivals, disc golf and seasonal outings.
Mount Herman & the foothills
Summit views, forest trails and room to explore.
Hike Mount Herman
Mount Herman rises west of Monument in Pike National Forest. The summit trail begins off Mount Herman Road and climbs about a mile each way, making the out-and-back roughly two miles from the upper trailhead. Expect a more demanding climb than the paths around the lake, with broad views rewarding the effort.
Use the Forest Service trail page and COTREX map for the trailhead and route. Bring water, check weather and road access, and allow for snow or ice outside the warmer months.
Explore the trails below the mountain
The Monument Preserve and connected foothill trails offer hiking, mountain biking, trail running and horseback riding on routes designated for those uses. These are separate choices from the summit hike; a bike or horse is not automatically permitted on every trail.
Forest walks, wildlife watching and photography make good lower-key outings. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are seasonal options in the Preserve when snow coverage and trail conditions allow.
Other nearby choices include Monument Rock, the wooded paths at Fox Run Regional Park and the mesa trails at Spruce Mountain.
Biking & regional connections
Gravel paths, forest trails and wide-open routes.
The New Santa Fe Regional Trail follows a former railroad corridor through Palmer Lake and Monument. El Paso County lists access from Palmer Lake, Third Street, Highway 105 and Baptist Road, and describes a generally smooth gravel surface through the northern portions.
Current 2026 trail alert: The segment through the U.S. Air Force Academy remains closed until further notice under installation access orders. Do not plan a continuous ride into Colorado Springs without first checking the latest Academy and County notices.
Other options include Fox Run’s shorter multi-use paths and the Greenland Open Space trail network just north of Palmer Lake. Douglas County lists approximately 11 miles of multi-use trails at Greenland, open to biking, hiking and horseback riding.
Trail surfaces, mud and access restrictions change seasonally. Use official maps and closures rather than relying on a single saved route.
Golf in Monument
Two championship courses. Two different ways to play.
Monument’s two traditional 18-hole golf courses offer entirely different experiences. King’s Deer accepts public tee times, while The Country Club at Woodmoor is a private club. They serve distinct neighborhoods and are not interchangeable when evaluating homes or course access.
Public golf · King’s Deer
King’s Deer Golf Club
An 18-hole, par-71 championship course that opened in 1999. The layout has a links-inspired feel, rolling fairways, a driving range, practice greens and views across the Palmer Divide. Public tee times can be booked through the club.
Private golf · Woodmoor
The Country Club at Woodmoor
A private 18-hole championship course designed by J. Press Maxwell, known for tree-lined fairways and an established country-club setting. Golf and other amenities are governed by club membership privileges.
Buying near a course? Proximity or subdivision membership does not automatically include golf privileges. Confirm club membership separately and review course-adjacent easements, HOA documents and insurance before buying.
Lakes, paddling & fishing
Get out on the water near Monument.
Monument Lake is open for public recreation, including paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing and fishing with the required Colorado license. Find launch, parking and lake-use details in the dedicated Monument Lake guide.
Palmer Lake is open to the public for lakeside recreation, with walking paths, picnic areas and nearby trails. Check the Town’s own lake-use rules before launching.
Forest Lakes offers permit-only lake recreation at Bristlecone Lake. A permit is required for lake and dock access and fishing; public park and trail access does not include lake use. Piñon Lake is not open for recreation.
Parks & family activities
Picnics, playgrounds and an easy afternoon out.
Fox Run Regional Park is an excellent option for families and dog owners. El Paso County lists playgrounds, picnic pavilions, two small lakes, an off-leash dog park and four miles of multi-use trails. Park hours are currently 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.; the dog park has its own operating rules.
Limbach Park, at 151 Front Street in downtown Monument, has a playground, picnic areas, a bandshell and room to meet before exploring historic downtown businesses. Town parks generally operate from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., with leash and special-event rules.
For disc golf, Rockin’ the Rails in Palmer Lake offers an 18-hole course beside the lake. The disc-golf course and surrounding trails share space, so walkers and other trail users have priority.
Events, culture & four seasons
More than a mountain backdrop.
Downtown Monument hosts recurring community traditions, including summer Concerts in the Park at Limbach Park and Monument’s annual Fourth of July Parade. Dates, vendors and programs change each year, so verify the Town’s calendar before planning a visit.
Fall brings quieter trails and colorful foothills; winter recreation may include cold-weather hikes and seasonal Nordic activities where permitted. In Palmer Lake, community celebrations and cultural stops add more options beyond the outdoors. The Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts and local museums help fill a rainy or snowy afternoon.
Monument also has recreational developments in planning. Planned attractions are not listed here as open until there is confirmed operational information.
Planning a visit or a move
Common questions about recreation in Monument
Can you paddleboard, kayak and fish at Monument Lake?
Yes. Public recreation includes paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing and fishing with the required Colorado license. Swimming is not allowed. The Monument Lake guide explains the separate lake-use rules.
Which Monument golf course is public?
King’s Deer Golf Club is public and accepts tee-time bookings. The Country Club at Woodmoor is private.
Where can I bike near Monument?
The New Santa Fe Regional Trail, Fox Run and the nearby Greenland Open Space network are options. The Santa Fe segment crossing the Air Force Academy is currently closed.
Are there hikes for beginners?
Fox Run’s network and lakeside walks are easier starting points than the steep Mount Herman climb. Check official maps and individual route conditions.
Can I take dogs to local parks?
Dogs are generally welcome on-leash in designated public park areas. Fox Run also has a fenced off-leash dog park with specific rules.
Are Palmer Lake and Monument the same town?
No. Palmer Lake is a separate municipality in ZIP code 80133; Monument is primarily 80132. Both are part of the wider Tri-Lakes area.
Official visitor information
Check conditions before heading out.
Park hours, trail restrictions, fishing rules, seasonal events and golf availability can change. Use the primary sources rather than relying on outdated visitor listings.
Local guide updated October 2026. Public access, trail closures and membership policies should be checked with the managing organization.