Early Bird registration will open on March 25, 2023, at 10:00 am MDT.

The Pikes Peak Birding and Nature Festival begins Thursday, May 18, 2023. All participants will need to pick up their packets before the festival begins. Packets can be picked up at Fountain Creek Nature Center on Thursday between 9 am and 4:30 pm, or on Friday between 9 am and 4 pm. 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 21, 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 venue is Fountain Creek Nature Center, in the town of Fountain, immediately south of Colorado Springs.

The primary festival venue is the Fountain Creek Nature Center, (map), telephone: 1-719-520-6745.

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

• Avelo Airlines: (346) 616-9500
• American Airlines: (800) 433-7300
• Delta Air Lines: (800) 221-1212
• Southwest Airlines: (800) 435-9792
• Sun Country Airlines: (651) 905-2737
• United Airlines: (800) 864-8331

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. Look for accommodations in southern Colorado Springs, as well as Manitou Springs, Fountain, Widefield, and Security. Many trips leave quite early from Fountain Creek Nature Center, at the south end of town, so keep that in mind when making reservations.

RVers

There are a number of RV campgrounds in the area.

Weather & Packing

The best clothing strategy is layers. That way you can peel off and adjust as the temperature rises or drops throughout the day. Remember to bring rain gear, just in case, and a hat for 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.

For comprehensive birding travel preparation and packing lists, visit BirdBound.com.