Ok, I've read thru the boards and I'd like to ask 2 questions. Family trip to Co Springs for a week in June. Bringing parents & 2 teens & staying with relatives. First qu is for day-trip activities in the area besides Garden of Gods & the Pike's Peak cog railway.
Second qu is we've all agreed we'd like to take an overnight. Our first thought was that it should be north to RMNP, but now I wonder how many of you would choose to go southwest instead. Any advice for either of the questions? Thanks!

An interesting visit would be Mesa Verde NP. You couldn't go any further southwest in Co. It is, however a very long drive - 350 miles - and would require at least two nights out. There is a good day trip you could take going southwest - Great Sand Dunes National Monument. The teens would enjoy this place.

Spend a few hours at the Air Force Academy, it is gorgeous.
There is also a Cave tour, forget the name that is fun for teens.
There is a free tour of the Olympic training facility, it is Ok, nothing special.

Rocky Mountain National Park is a great destination in Mid-June. If you are there on a weekend, you should make a reservation at a motel/hotel because it is high season. Do your teens like hiking and nature activities? If yes, then, it is a good place. If no, then, maybe not. Stop or contact the visitor center there. There are campfire programs, specific nature hikes, full moon hikes. You can drive up Trail Ridge Raod. In Estes Park, there is horseback riding to the back country. And tourist type shopping.
On the other hand, Mesa Verde National Park is amazing. You can only see such sights in the Four Corners area. It will take you about 6 hours to drive there from Colorado Springs. Stay in Durango. The teens will like it. You can take a short raft trip. The water is cold and runs fast in mid-June. Likewise, horseback trips are available. Or you can spend the night in Pagosa Springs, and enjoy the hot springs. Unless, your teens are really into hiking and scenery, I would chose Durango/Mesa Verde. There is beautiful scenery along the way.
Another alternative is a trip to Taos, and Taos Pueblo. I think that is about a 4-5 hour drive from Col. Spgs. It is quite interesting there, too

The southwest corner of Colorado is incredible. Pagosa Springs, Telluride, Ouray, Mesa Verde, Durango-Silverton railroad. But it is a LONG drive from Colorado Springs. I think 6 hours is optimistic. You can't do anything down there with only one night and driving from Colo Springs. I wouldn't head the the Southwest corner unless I had at least 4-5 days to make it worth it and not feel cheated.

If you really only have one (or preferably at least two) nights - I would definately choose RMNP - it is fabulous. The park isn't terribly crowded in June and there is so much to do there. Make your reservations as soon as possible though!

What ever you choose - have a great time!

Thanks so much to all who offered advice. Too much to cover in a week! We'll probably take the trip to RMNP since it's considerably closer to Co Springs, then save the SW corner of the state for another trip.

The heat may be a factor too. Much cooler in many parts of Colorado than it will be in New Mexico.

Isn't RMNP a little bit far from Co. Springs? What about Mueller Park 12,000 plus acres - I think we hiked there one year and only saw 2 other people ALL day. Spectacular. http://parks.state.co.us/mueller/

If it isn't too late for your trip, I'd suggest Denver as an overnight trip. The Downtown hotels usually have pretty good weekend rates. If you go up on Friday, you can tour the Denver Mint and then on Saturday spend time browsing the 16th St. Mall.

Vail or Breckenridge would also make good overnight trips.

I'd also recommend going to the Olympic Training Center in the Springs.

You might find the Cave of the Winds in the Springs interesting. Keep in mind the GArden of the Gods is a two or so hour vist. Maybe even less. Mesa Verde would be a good visit but it would require a minimum of two nights on the road. The Royal Gorge, outside of Canon City would be a nice day trip. Another day visit from the Springs could be to the Great Sand Dunes National Monument.

there is a 4 hours jeep tour through the high country... I was concerned that it would be too much time bumping around trails, but it was the highlight of my trip. the views from Baldy Mt. were incredible...

I think the company is Adventures West... they offer other tours too.

also, you can wander around Old Colorado Historic area which is about an eight block area... shops and touristy restaurants that would suit teens.
enjoy.....

if you are up for it you can hike up barr trail on pikes peak. half way up is barr camp where you can spend the night. i saw this brochure about a castle somewhere in the mountains that one man was building but i havent seen it though. colorado is beautiful.