Fort Carson Colorado US Army Entrance
Entrance to Fort Carson, Colo. Photo: Fish Cop

Fort Carson, Colorado

Fort Carson is a 137,000-acre United States Army installation and census-designated place (CDP). It’s located 8 miles south of downtown Colorado Springs at an elevation of 5,814′.

In 2020 there was a recorded population of 14,951 residents. Situated in El Paso County, Fort Carson extends south into both Pueblo and Fremont counties as well. It has been nicknamed “The Best Hometown in the Army!” and supports hundreds of community events for the larger Colorado Springs area.

History

Fort Carson Colorado Tank
Tank in Fort Carson. Photo by: Chris Sack

The town was founded as Camp Carson in 1942 after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. The land had been purchased and donated to the War Department by the City of Colorado Springs. It was named after a famous Army scout, General Christopher “Kit” Carson, who had explored a lot of the American West in the 1800s.

In 1954 Camp Carson was designated as Fort Carson. There have been nine divisions of the US armed forces calling it home throughout Fort Carson’s history. Today, the post has relationships with 24 cities in Colorado, providing various assistance operations when needed.

Main Attractions

National guard member hanging from a rope
Members of the Colorado National Guard tackle an obstacle course on Fort Carson. Photo by: The National Guard

Fort Carson Military Base – This military base is one of the newest posts in the Army. It joins a myriad of other military posts in El Paso County, including the Air Force Academy, Schriever, Peterson and Buckley Air Force Bases and NORAD. Without a military ID, you are still able to access the base through one of the two visitor centers.

The populations served at this base include:

  • 4th Infantry Division
  • 1st Space Brigade
  • 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4ID
  • 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4ID
  • 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4ID
  • 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4ID
  • 4th Division Artillery, 4ID
  • 4th Engineer Battalion
  • 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4ID
  • 4th Security Force Assistance Brigade
  • 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
  • 13th Air Support Operations Squadron
  • 71st Ordnance Group
  • 627th Hospital Center
  • 759th Military Police Battalion
  • Army Field Support Battalion Carson
  • Dental Health Activity
  • Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4ID
  • U.S Army Garrison Fort Carson
  • Medical Department Activity
  • World Class Athlete Program

Recreation

Entry sign for cheyenne mountain state park
Entry sign for Cheyenne Mountain State Park, located near Fort Carson, CO. Photo by: Jeffrey Beall

Camping – 

  • Fort Carson Falcon campground is a military campground located right inside gate 6. It has no services, and must be reserved through the Fort Carson website to authorize use of the space.
  • Mountaindale Cabins & RV Resort is nestled in a quiet part of the forest, and has many options for camping, cabin rentals, or RV hookups.

Fishing – John Townsend Reservoir is located on Fort Carson and is a peaceful place to fish for catfish and trout.

Hiking – Cheyenne Mountain State Park is right to the west of Fort Carson and has some popular trails to explore. Limekiln Peak loop is a little over 6 miles and rated as moderately difficult. The Sundance and Talon trail loop is 6.3 miles and a combination of the two trails for a scenic trek.

Swimming – Read about these public swimming pools near Colorado Springs.

Accommodations

Hotel exterior
Candlewood Suites located on Fort Carson, CO. Photo by: IHG



Booking.com

Candlewood Suites – Located right on Fort Carson, this is the best place to be right in the mix of things. They have 128 suites, all with kitchenettes and even a lending library for special items that would make your stay more comfortable.

Microtel Inn & Suites – This low-key hotel is located just outside of Fort Carson, and has modern rooms with a complimentary breakfast buffet each morning.

Holiday Inn Express Suites – Right off of 1-25, this is a classic and comfortable place to stay during your visit. They have an indoor pool, daily breakfast, and a central location to shopping plazas and food options.

Dining

Red BBQ Food truck
Brisket Brothers food truck setup in Fort Carson, CO. Photo by: facebook.com/pitmastertoby

There are plenty of food options around town, and you can find a lot of chain restaurants such as Arby’s, QDOBA, and Charley’s Cheesesteaks. However, if you’re in the mood for some locally made cuisine, try either of these two spots:

Brisket Brothers – Southern fusion BBQ with homemade sides and desserts.

Mulligan’s Bar & Grill – Bright and airy space with a wide menu of burgers and wings.

Special Events

Flea market on a sunny day
Spring Flea Market and Festival held annually at Iron Horse Park. Photo by: facebook.com/carsonDFMWR

Mar – St.Paddy’s Day Crawl 5k – A ticket to this family friendly event will include a free beanie, meal, beverage, and sticker to commemorate your efforts.

Apr – Spring Flea Market and Festival – Make some money from your spring cleaning by renting out a flea market booth, or simply wander around and enjoy the nice weather and vendors at Iron Horse Park.

Jul – Freedom Fest – Hosted by Fort Carson at Iron Horse Park, this annual celebration of America features food vendors, a bungee trampoline, and fireworks to end the night.

Activities near Fort Carson

Towns:

Transportation:

View the town’s official website.