Sandstone Ranch Open Space: It’s a 2,038-acre property with red rock formations, rolling meadows, ponderosa forest, and historic ranchland, and it still runs a small cattle herd in the pastures, as it has since the 1870s. Nearly 12 miles of trails serve hikers, bikers, and riders, and the Sandstone Ridge Trail climbs to views of Pikes Peak. Bring water, because there are no facilities along the trails.
Spruce Mountain Open Space: a wooded, gradual trail climbs to a loop around a rock rimmed flat top. The loop is about 5.5 miles round trip from the Spruce Mountain Road lot.
Greenland Open Space: good for runners and long walks, with the nearly 10 mile Kipps Loop.
Golf Club at Bear Dance: 753 acres of mountain terrain, grass valleys, and pine and oak. The public course has a clubhouse and restaurant, plus the Colorado PGA Historical Center.
Colorado Renaissance Festival (summer only): it runs June 13 through August 2 in 2026, so it’s done for this year but worth planning summer bookings around. Each weekend has a theme, including pirates, Celtic, wine, and romance.
Larkspur Autumn Arts & Crafts Fest: held September 19 and 20 in 2026 at Larkspur Community Park, a good one to note for next fall.
Eating in town: Charrito’s House, Hops and Vines, The Spur of the Moment, Larkspur Pizzeria & Cafe, and Rocky’s Pizza are all on Spruce Mountain Road. I’d confirm current hours before sending these to guests.
Devils Head Fire Lookout: a 1.4 mile trail with about 865 feet of gain, then 143 stairs to the lookout, with views about 100 miles in every direction. Go soon: Rampart Range Road usually closes from December to early April.
Castlewood Canyon State Park: 2,628 acres with views of the Front Range and Pikes Peak, good for hiking, picnics, climbing, and birding.
Roxborough State Park: red rock formations that are great for hiking and photography.
Garden of the Gods: an easy walking trail about 45 minutes away.
Pikes Peak: reachable by the Pikes Peak Highway, the Cog Railway from Manitou Springs, or the Barr Trail. Driving to the top may require a reservation.
Colorado Springs extras: the Air Force Academy offers free tours, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo lets you feed giraffes, and Cave of the Winds runs underground cave tours.
Downtown Denver and Red Rocks: Denver is about an hour from Larkspur, and Red Rocks makes a good sunset or concert outing.
Rockyard American Grill & Brewing, 880 W Castleton Rd. This is the longest running brewpub in Douglas County, opened in 1999 by four Colorado-raised siblings, and its beers have won medals at the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup. It serves a full grill menu, so it’s the best pick for a group dinner.
Great Divide Brewery & Roadhouse, 215 Wilcox St. It sits across from Festival Park downtown, is open daily for lunch and dinner with weekend brunch, and is the only Great Divide location that brews on site.
Wild Blue Yonder Brewing, 519 Wilcox St. This is downtown, with brewpub fare and snacks, plus hard cider, wine, and non-alcoholic options.
105 West Brewing Company, 1043 Park St. This is a small brewery, and tours are available on request.
Iron Mule Brewery, 514 Perry St. It has food trucks, welcomes dogs, and has a patio.
Battle Mountain Brewing Company, 330 Third St. It’s downtown and kid friendly.
