Mueller State Park
Mueller State Park encompasses 5,000 acres where outdoor enthusiasts can explore, learn and relax year-round. Home to elk, deer, black bear hawks and other wildlife, Mueller is a popular Colorado destination for those that enjoy wildlife viewing. Mueller also boasts 50 miles of trails that are calling out to hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, snowshoers and cross country skiers. With so much to see and do in Mueller State Park, you may want to plan on staying awhile in one of the 132 campsites available in the park.
| Park Office Address: | 21045 Highway 67 South | ||
| Park Office Phone: | 719-687-2366 | ||
| Park Email: | mueller.park@state.co.us | ||
| Visitor Center Hours: | Monday-Sunday 8:30am – 4:30pm | ||
| Park Hours: | Day Use – 5:00am -10:00pm year round | ||
| Nearest Town(s): | Woodland Park, Divide, Florissant |
Environment
Located in the western foothills of Pikes Peak, Mueller State Park supports a diverse selection of trees, plants and wildlife. The forested areas are a mix of Bristlecone pine, Ponderosa pine, Limber pine, Douglas-fir, Engelmann spruce and aspen trees. Many of the parks trails guide you through these mature tree forests. Plants found at the foot of the forest trees include; white stem gooseberry, raspberry, prickly currant and mountain mahogany. The northern portion of the park contains some vibrant meadows and grasslands. Wetlands are also found along the water tributaries, ponds and natural springs. These wetland areas attract numerous species of birds and wildlife.
Animal life is plentiful in Mueller State Park. More than 115 aviary species call Mueller home or stop here during their migratory flights. Enjoy the opportunity to view golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, great horned owls and turkey vultures. Enjoy the songs of the Steller’s jay, Clark’s nutcracker, mountain chickadee and mountain bluebird. And no Colorado mountain adventure would be complete without some time spent watching the hummingbirds sprinting around your campsite. There’s a good chance you’ll see larger animal species too. Elk, mule deer, mountain lions and black bear all live within the park boundaries. If you happen to encounter a bear or mountain lion while visiting the park, be careful! These animals can be dangerous.
Black bears, a smaller species of bear may look clumsy and cute, but remember, when running they can reach speeds of 30 mph. To better understand black bears and what to do in the event of a bear encounter, please take a moment to read this information assembled by Mueller State Park. We also suggest that you read the article “Camping and Hiking in Bear Country” produced by the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
Mountain lion encounters can also pose a serious danger if not handled correctly! Your initial instinct may be to get closer for a better view of this magnificent mountain cat, but remember, this is powerful and fast wild animal. If you come across a mountain lion, the Colorado Division of Wildlife gives this advise: “Stay calm if you come upon a lion. Talk calmly yet firmly to it. Move slowly. Stop or back away slowly. Do not run. Raise you arms to appear larger. If the lion behaves aggressively, throw stones, branches, or whatever you can get your hands on, without crouching down or turning your back. Fight back if a lion attacks you. Lions have been driven away by prey that fights back.” To learn more about this amazing feline, visit this Colorado Division of Wildlife page.
