Staunton State Park opened to the public on May 18, 2013. It covers over 3800 acres of open grasslands, montane forests, towering granite cliffs and shapely outrops. This diverse habitat supports across 2,000' vertical gradient supports raptors, deer, elk, mountain lions and bears. A network of multi-use trails enable routes of varying length and difficulty across the park.

Aspen clonal colonies turn color at different times, providing a way to tell each group apart

The Mason Creek Trail runs to three of the park's highest trail-accessible points: Catamount Overlook (9,402’), Pikes Peak Overlook (9,509’) and Eagle Cliffs Overlook (9,579’)

Golden Banner is a member of the pea family; its similar appearance to lupine is reflected in its Genus name (Thermopsis)

Staunton Ranch was originally homesteaded by Dr. Rachel Staunton, who occupied the land in warmer months and provided medical care to local residents

The Pasque Flower is a perennial in the buttercup family, and is among the first flowers to bloom each spring

Aspen trees can regenerate vegetatively by shoots and suckers that extend from lateral roots, creating 'clones'

A 2002 USGS survey of Pikes Peak reset the official elevation to 14,115'

Remains of the turn-of-the-century homestead and later saw milling operation can be found throughout the park

About 1 billion years ago hot molten magma pushed up from the earth's crust to form a batholith, most simply described as a large mass of intrusive igneous rock that forms and cools deep in the earth's crust

Uplift and erosion exposed underlying granite and eroded most of the overlying Precambrian rock, creating the striking granite cliffs and outcrops found throughout Staunton State Park

The term 'batholith' comes from the Greek word 'bathos' meaning depth, and 'lithos' meaning rock

Thick forests open to sparsely treed grasslands along the Staunton Ranch Trail

Interconnecting trails and mild grades enable routes of varying length and difficulty across the park

Ponderosa pine trees are well-suited to survive periodic, low intensity fires primarily due to their thick, corky outer bark; deep roots insulated by soil and surface debris can also withstand fire and remain functional

Elk Falls Pond

Cliffs and formations such as Parkview Dome, Ranch Hand Dome and the Sawmill Crags are draw climbers from all over Colorado