Only 15 minutes south of downtown Colorado Springs, Fountain Creek Regional Park is an “oasis on the plains” with ponds, marshes, meadows, cottonwood forests, and Fountain Creek itself. Fountain Creek Nature Center offers a unique look into the Cattail Marsh Wildlife Area and serves as an introduction to a variety of discovery experiences. Indoor exhibits offer information on aquatic macroinvertebrates, birds, local history, and sustainability. Fountain Creek Nature Center hosts interpretive programs, special events, group tours, and environmental education programs for schools year-round.
719-520-6745
Tuesday – Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, CO 80817
From I-25 Exit 132A, go east on CO 16 to US Highway 85, then south one-half mile. Turn west on Cattail Marsh Road to parking area.
Fountain Creek Nature Trail and Cattail Marsh Wildlife Area
This 0.7 mile loop trail winds through woodlands, meadows, and marshes as it wraps around the Nature Center pond. This area of Fountain Creek Regional Park, known as the Cattail Marsh Wildlife Area, is a haven for wildlife like great blue herons, bobcats, turtles, white-tailed deer, and bull snakes. This area of the park is ideal for photographers, bird watchers, and families to peacefully observe a variety of plant and animal species across multiple habitats.
To keep the area safe for wildlife and more enjoyable for park visitors, the following rules are enforced on the nature trail:
No Fishing
No Dogs
No Bicycles
No Horses
These activities are welcome in other areas of Fountain Creek Regional Park. Always stay on the trail and plan to pack out your trash.
To report violations, please create a service request at https://citizenconnect.elpasoco.com/ or call El Paso County Non-emergency Dispatch at 719-390-5555
Please call Fountain Creek Nature Center if you have questions at 719-520-6745.
In addition to interactive exhibits, Fountain Creek Nature Center also hosts a rotating art display. Each month the nature-related works of a local artist or photographer are on display and available for sale. Take home a piece to support El Paso County Nature Centers and a local creative!
Interested in participating? Submissions are open for July – December of 2025! Click here to apply.
If you discover a QR code along your walk near the Nature Center, scan it to hear something special about each area.
Here are those Audio Tour stops so you can listen anywhere.
Fountain Creek Nature Center Audio Tour – Stop 1 – The Nature Center Welcome to Fountain Creek Nature Center! Come on in if we’re open. Listen to discover who we are and what we offer. https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/wp-content/uploads/1-Front-Door.mp3 Transcript: Welcome to Fountain Creek Nature Center! The nature center was established in 1992 as part of El…
Fountain Creek Nature Center Audio Tour – Stop 2 – The Balcony Enjoy the view of the Cattail Marsh Wildlife Area and the distant Pikes Peak. Listen to discover how the two far apart formations are connected. https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2-Balcony.mp3 Transcript: From the balcony of Fountain Creek Nature Center, you have a stunning view of Pikes…
Fountain Creek Nature Center Audio Tour – Stop 3 – The Woodlands From the ground to the highest branches, the woodlands are home to many creatures. Listen to discover what animals may be in these woods. https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/wp-content/uploads/3-Woods-Habitat.mp3 Transcript: Pause for a moment and look deep into the woods. What do you see? Whitetail deer,…
Fountain Creek Nature Center Audio Tour – Stop 4 – The Milkweed Meadow Meadows filled with native grasses and flowers are havens for pollinators and herbivores. Listen to learn about the monarch butterfly and plant drama that goes on! https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/wp-content/uploads/4-Milkwood-Meadow.mp3 Transcript: Examine the plants growing here in the meadow, what do you notice?…
Fountain Creek Nature Center Audio Tour – Stop 5 – The Wetlands Where there is water, there is life! Listen to discover the plants and animals that depend on this unique habitat. https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/wp-content/uploads/5-Wetland-Habitat.mp3 Transcript: Look around the edges of the pond. What do you notice? Cattails grow in the saturated soil of the wetlands where…
Fountain Creek Nature Center Audio Tour – Stop 6 – Cottonwood Trees Cottonwood trees are the giants of the park, and many are older than any of today’s human visitors. Listen to hear a secret story happening inside our Grandfather Cottonwood. https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/wp-content/uploads/6-Cottonwood.mp3 Transcript: Humans have used storytelling as a way to record history, make sense…
Fountain Creek Nature Center Audio Tour – Stop 7 – Fountain Creek This creek has shaped nature and human history in the Pikes Peak region for thousands of years. Listen to discover how humans, plants, and animals use the water, and how we might effect it. https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/wp-content/uploads/7-Fountain-Creek.mp3 Transcript: Fountain Creek is the spine of our…
Fountain Creek Nature Center Audio Tour – Stop 8 – Chilcott Ditch Is this part of the creek? Why is it dry sometimes? Listen to hear the history and purpose of this water feature. https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/wp-content/uploads/8-Chilcott-Ditch.mp3 Transcript: How fast is the water flowing under the bridge? Is there any water flow at all? This is Chilcott…
Fountain Creek Nature Center Audio Tour – Stop 9 – The Ponds These ponds are homes for many fish, turtles, and birds. Listen to learn hear how turtles survive here year-round. https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/wp-content/uploads/9-Pond-Habitat.mp3 Transcript: How many ponds can you count from where you’re standing? There are 3 ponds here in Cattail Marsh Wildlife Area. Pond habitats…
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Partner in the Park for Fountain Creek Nature Center
