TRAVEL INFORMATION

Early Bird registration will open on March 23, 2024, at 10:00 am MDT.

When

The Pikes Peak Birding and Nature Festival begins Thursday, May 15, 2025. All participants will need to pick up their packets before the festival begins. During registration you’ll choose if you’d rather pick up your festival packet at Fountain Creek Nature Center or Bear Creek Nature Center. Festival. T-shirts may also be picked up on Saturday at the “Birds, Brews & Bites” event at Bear Creek Regional Park Pavilions (on the west side of 21st Street). The last trip ends on Sunday, May 18, at 1:00 pm.

Where

Colorado Springs, the hub of the Pikes Peak Region, is located along Interstate 25 about an hour south of Denver. The festival’s main venues are Fountain Creek Nature Center and Bear Creek Nature Center. Field trips are all over the Pikes Peak Region with most trips in El Paso County but many heading into Teller, Pueblo, and Lincoln Counties.

Area Information

Explore the Visit Colorado Springs website for a complete list of local attractions, hotels, shopping, coupons, and other travel-related information.

Getting Here

Airlines

Western Bluebird

Rental car: While some hotels provide airport shuttle service, we strongly urge you to book a rental car. The festival does not provide shuttle service between airport, hotels, or festival venues. In addition, many trips require participants to drive or caravan.

Where to Stay

Hotels

A popular vacation destination, the Pikes Peak Region offers plenty of rooms within a price range to please any visitor. Festival activities take place across the region, so we recommend a central location with easy access to I-25 and Hwy 24.

The Festival Committee is pleased to receive sponsorship support from Element Hotel & Lumen8 Restaurant. If you choose to stay with Element or visit Lumen8, please thank them for their support!

RVers

There are a number of RV campgrounds in the area.

Weather & Packing

Mountain Bluebird

The best clothing strategy is layers. That way you can adjust as the temperature rises or drops throughout the day. Remember to bring rain gear, just in case, and a hat for the intense, high-altitude sun. Comfortable walking shoes are a must. Hiking boots are helpful on some trips.

Other items you might want to bring include binoculars, field guides, a day pack, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, bug spray, camera, and a spotting scope.