Mueller State Park

Encompassing 5,000 acres west of Pikes Peak, Mueller State Park is a Rocky Mountain destination for horseback riders, mountain bikers, and wildlife watchers. The park and the surrounding region served as hunting grounds for the Ute Indians until pioneers settled the area in the 1860s. Prospectors quickly followed, and the area once had a population of around 50,000. The park encompasses the former Mueller family cattle ranch.

The park offers a large network of horseback riding and mountain biking trails that wind through a dense forest of spruce, aspen, and fir. On-site at Mueller State Park is a large equestrian facility, and both horseback riders and mountain bikers will find a trail network that extends for 36 miles of mix-and-match routes that can easily be lengthened for longer rides. Hikers will find additional pedestrian-only trails to enjoy. Much of the park is relatively flat and forested, but occasional views, like those from the Mueller State Park Visitor Center, showcase the surrounding Rocky Mountains, including Pikes Peak, Mount Ouray, and Pahlone Peak to the southwest. During the winter, Mueller State Park’s trails become ideal for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. 

Mueller State Park also offers learning opportunities for those interested in Rocky Mountain ecology. The Wapiti Trail is a self-guided interpretive nature trail, and brochures at the trailhead detail the park’s flora and fauna. The Mueller State Park Visitor Center offers its own exhibits, including mounted animal displays and tree samples. During the summer season, the park’s amphitheater presents educational programs. Wildlife at the park includes elk, black bear, hawks, and mule deer.

The campground at Mueller State Park is one of the largest in the area, offering 119 campsites and three fully furnished cabins. The large sites are ideal for RVs, and all sites provide electrical hookups with the exception of walk-in sites.

Hunting is allowed in the park during the winter season—check with park authorities for dates. Dragonfly Pond is stocked once annually; Rock Pond, Brook Pond, and Geer Pond have small trout populations.