Overview
Palmer Lake is a town of 3,000 people (2019) in Colorado, USA about 20 miles north of Colorado Springs and about 5 miles (8 km) northwest of Monument.
2 sights · 5 things to do · 6 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Palmer Lake
Palmer Lake Star
On Sundance Mountain
Lucretia Vaile Museum
Santa Fe Regional Trail
Hike or bike.
Greenland Open Space Preserve
Hike or bike.
Spruce Mountain Open Space Preserve
Hike or mountain bike
Tri Lakes Center for the Arts
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Wettest: Jul and Aug. (climate data from nearby Colorado Springs)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- COS City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, Colorado Springs — 25 mi away (major hub). Directions
- DEN Denver International Airport, Denver — 53 mi away (major hub). Directions
From I25 in exit County Line Road at the northern border of El Paso County. Proceed west less than two miles, then turn left on Hwy 105 (just past the RR tracks) into downtown Palmer Lake.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Palmer Lake Star, Santa Fe Regional Trail
- Lunch B & E Filling Station
- Afternoon Spruce Mountain Open Space Preserve, Yule Log celebration
- Dinner The Bella Panini
- Evening O'Malley's Pub
Day 2
- Morning Lucretia Vaile Museum, Greenland Open Space Preserve
- Lunch Rock House Ice Cream
- Afternoon Tri Lakes Center for the Arts
- Dinner The Villa World Bistro
- Evening Speedtrap Cafe
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Get in
By car
From I25 in exit County Line Road at the northern border of El Paso County. Proceed west less than two miles, then turn left on Hwy 105 (just past the RR tracks) into downtown Palmer Lake.
By bus
The Airport shuttle between Colorado Springs and Denver stops at the park and ride lot in Monument. From there you'll have to get picked up by a friend. Otherwise you'll have to walk over a mile along the El Paso Trail or try to talk a cabbie into driving up from Monument just to carry you less than two miles.
See
See Lucretia Vaile Museum
Do
- Hike or mountain bike to the reservoirs above Palmer Lake
- Pinz Bowling Center - 855 Hwy 105, +1 719 487-7469.
Buy
Eat
Eat B & E Filling Station
Casual, intimate atmosphere for dinner $20-25 per person.
Eat The Bella Panini
Great Italian food with excellent service.
Eat Rock House Ice Cream
Great ice cream and yummy food too. Fun for all.
Eat The Villa World Bistro
Good Italian food with great ambience.
Eat The Depot Restaurant
Family friendly restaurant and lounge with a train theme.
Eat moZaic Restaurant at Palmer Divide
Serving classical European cuisine with a nuovo flair.
Drink
Drink O'Malley's Pub
Grill your own hamburgers and steaks, general bar fare. Karaoke on Saturday nights. Reasonably priced.
Drink Speedtrap Cafe
"Espresso Internet The Usual". Open 7 days a week. Featuring innovative live music and entertainment every W Sa evening.
Sleep
Go next
- The Santa Fe Regional trail - Trailhead and parking area is located off of County Line Road, just east of the lake.
- Lower and Upper Reservoir Trails - From highway 105, turn west onto S. Valley Rd., then left onto Crescent streets, which hooks right then terminates at the trailhead parking lot (0.5 mile west of 105).
Nearby
Monument
City / town · 6 listings · 3 mi away
Woodland Park
City / town · 5 listings · 11 mi away
Castle Rock
City / town · 16 listings · 18 mi away
Manitou Springs
City / town · 30 listings · 18 mi away
Colorado Springs
City / town · 60 listings · 20 mi away
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Park · 8 listings · 24 mi away
Cripple Creek
City / town · 14 listings · 30 mi away
Highlands Ranch
City / town · 6 listings · 30 mi away
My experience
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