Bear Creek Regional Park and Nature Center

Bear Creek Regional Park and Nature Center is a regional park located in Colorado Springs, Colorado that has trails for hiking, horseback riding, running and cycling. Within the park is a nature center and the El Paso Park Headquarters.

There are tennis courts, soccer fields, basketball courts, and other sports fields and courts. A section of the park is dedicated as a dog park.

There are also soccer fields. Restrooms, pavilions and most picnic spots are wheelchair accessible.

At the eastern end of the park is a connection to a short trail called the Bear Creek Trail that meets up with the Pikes Peak Greenway. At the western edge of the park, a trail connects to the high-country Bear Creek Cañon Park.

From the late 1800s to 1983 or 1984, there was a residential poor farm located on land that became the Bear Creek Park. Gardens were operated for and by the residents to provide food. There was also the Pest House and Pauper's Cemetery on what became park land.

In 1873, and for many years, the only trail up to the Pikes Peak Signal Station started in Manitou Springs and went through Bear Creek Cañon. The 17 mile trail also passed through Seven Lakes, Jones Park and the past Lake House at Lake Morraine areas.

Media presentations, interpretive programs and special events are held at the nature center, located on the western side of the park on Bear Creek Road off of 26th Street and Lower Gold Camp Road. Visitors may take self-guided or guided tours of the trails which include interpretive signs about the park's animals and plants. Horses, pets and bicycles are not allowed on the nature center trail. The nature center is open Wednesday through Saturday throughout the year.

Nature Center

Bear Creek Terrace, the most developed part of the park, includes a picnic area with 5 pavilions, 3 play fields, volleyball area, horseshoe pits, an archery range, and tennis courts. Eight tennis courts are located at 2201 Argus Boulevard.

Bear Creek Terrace - Play field and play ground in the background

Bear Creek Terrace - Tennis courts 2

Bear Creek Terrace - Playground and picnic area

Bear Creek Terrace - Picnic area and trails

Bear Creek Terrace - Vita course

Bear Creek Terrace - Archery range

Bear Creek East also has a picnic area, playground, horseshoe pits and a volleyball court. Bear Creek flows through this area. The Park Headquarters are located in Bear Creek East. It is located east of 21st street.

Bear Creek East - Picnic Pavilion

Bear Creek East - Picnic area and playground

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