Bear Creek Nature Center Turns 50 — Free Family Party on August 22 in Colorado Springs
The Event
Bear Creek Nature Center is turning 50, and Colorado Springs families are invited to help celebrate. El Paso County Parks and Recreation is hosting a free Bear-thday Party on Saturday, August 22, from 10 AM to 2 PM at the nature center located at 245 Bear Creek Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906.
The event is free and open to the public, making it one of the more accessible family outings available this August. There's no admission fee to attend, though one activity — the Living Nature Hike — requires pre-registration. If that hike is on your list, secure your spot before the day of the event through El Paso County Parks at elpasoco.com.
What's Happening
The Bear-thday Party brings together a range of activities that work for different ages and interests. Here's what's planned:
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Advertise hereLiving-history hikes will take attendees through the site's history and the ecosystem it protects. Nature activities and book readings are designed with younger kids in mind. Art activities and educational exhibits will be on display throughout the event. Food vendors will be on-site. Community partners from across the Colorado Springs area will have tables set up.
The centerpiece of the event is the ribbon-cutting for a new exhibit: "Life in the Shadows." The exhibit explores the nocturnal and low-light ecosystems of the Bear Creek area — a look at what happens in this environment when most visitors aren't around. It's the kind of opening that gives kids and adults a new way to think about a place they may have visited for years.
The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners has adopted a proclamation recognizing the center's 50th anniversary and designating August 22 as a day of celebration in its honor.
Colorado's First Nature Center
Bear Creek Nature Center has a specific place in Colorado history. It opened in 1976 as the Solar Trails Center, and it became Colorado's first nature center — a designation that still stands 50 years later. In the decades since, it has served generations of Colorado Springs families through environmental education, conservation programming, and community events.
For many COS families, Bear Creek is already a familiar destination — weekend hikes, school field trips, the occasional rainy-day visit to the interpretive exhibits. The 50th anniversary party is a chance to mark that connection with something larger than a regular visit.
Quick Reference
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, August 22, 2026 |
| Time | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM MT |
| Location | 245 Bear Creek Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 |
| Cost | Free (Living Nature Hike requires pre-registration) |
| Activities | Living-history hikes, nature activities, book readings, art, exhibits, food, community partners |
| New exhibit | "Life in the Shadows" ribbon-cutting |
| Organizer | El Paso County Parks and Recreation |
What's Next
The Bear-thday Party is Saturday, August 22. If you want to join the Living Nature Hike, pre-register at elpasoco.com before spots fill. For other activities and exhibits, just show up — the event is free and open to the public throughout the 10 AM to 2 PM window.
Bear Creek Nature Center is at 245 Bear Creek Road in Colorado Springs. Parking is available on-site. For additional event details and registration, visit elpasoco.com/bcnc50.
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