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All the United States Colorado Calhan Paint Mines Interpretive Park
Sponsored by Visit Colorado

Paint Mines Interpretive Park

Wondrous sandstone hoodoos where Native Americans collected clay for pottery, 9,000 years ago.

Calhan, Colorado

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About

Fantastical sandstone hoodoos and other weird geological formations made of sand and colorful clay brought ancient Native Americans to this spot as far back as 9,000 years ago to collect clay for colorful pottery. Today, the Paint Mines Interpretive Park remains a geological wonder hidden on the eastern plains in El Paso County.

No doubt this was also a place where Native Americans collected clay to be used as war paint on their bodies, and on their horses. The weird stone shapes formed by water, wind, and erosion seem to shift size, position, and "expression" with the shifting light.

The spires come in shades from creamy white to orange, purple, gray, rust, and chocolate brown. The area is a protected site since the beautiful formations are fragile, as is the natural animal ecosystem that lives there. To preserve this delicate natural balance, dogs and other domesticated animals are not permitted on the land, nor are motorized vehicles, and no camping is allowed. Nothing in the park is to be disturbed, removed, or defaced.

The park also asks visitors to stay off the sandstone formations, and stick strictly to the trail, which winds in and around the park in a three-mile loop. There are no visitor centers or shops (however there are bathrooms), simply strange colors and shapes rising from the land all around. 

Related Tags

Rocks Nature Natural Wonders Geology Geological Oddities

Know Before You Go

The park can be found a mile south of the town of Calhan, in El Paso County, Colorado

Sponsored by Visit Colorado. Come to Life.

Community Contributors

Added By

larkspurtile

Edited By

EricGrundhauser, donaldgabernathy, WhiskeyBristles, breaingram...

  • EricGrundhauser
  • donaldgabernathy
  • WhiskeyBristles
  • breaingram
  • tarak9ten
  • Devin San Luis
  • juliemw80
  • Curious Crow
  • cccfromiowa
  • cimarronka
  • xtraxtra2010
  • robinfournet
  • rachelbaker1982

Published

July 8, 2014

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Sources
  • http://adm.elpasoco.com/CommunityServices/ParkOperations/Pages/PaintMinesInterpretivePark.aspx
  • http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g33338-d1166291-Reviews-The_Paint_Mines_Interpretive_Park-Calhan_El_Paso_County_Colorado.html
  • http://www.awayfromthegrind.com/blog/hiking/colorado/paint-mines-interpretive-park/
Paint Mines Interpretive Park
Paint Mines Interpretive Park
Calhan, Colorado, 80808
United States
39.014671, -104.271937
Get Directions

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