Indian Colours

The Apache in war paint on his appaloosa bearing down on Clint Eastwood uttering fearsome yells is a thing of the past, but the paint lives on. The spectacular geological wonders that lie in eastern plains in El Paso County, US, is the place where, 9000 years ago, native Americans used to collect clay that went into making not only war paint for themselves and their horses, but also the typical colourful pottery that American Indians are famous for. The out-of-the-world shapes of the sandstone formations, including spires, hoodoos, incised gullies and exposed layers of seienite clay and jasper of the Paint Mines Interpretive Park is one of America’s little known tourists pots. The weird shapes have been sculpted by nature’s elements over time. It is 750 acres of illusion that would have seemed magical to the red-skinned savages of the time—by a trick of light, the formations seem to change in size, position, and even form as the sun travels its arc. The colours boast quite a spectrum—from creamy white, to orange, purple, gray, rust, and chocolate brown. This is no ordinary tourist site; you won’t find a Pizza Hut or taco stand here. The fragile formations that is home to its own animal kingdom are protected by law. Sorry, no cars or dogs and no camping either. No one is allowed to touch anything either; the past is precious. Visitors are asked to strictly stay on the designated three mile track and stay off the sandstone formations.

Location: 29950 Paint Mines Road

Calhan, CO 8080

Visit: 5am to 11pm

Driving Directions:

Take highway 24 east from Colorado Springs to Calhan, turn south on Yoder Road/Calhan Highway, turn east on Paint Mines Road and look for the designated parking area.

Phone: (719) 520-7529