Cheesman Ranch Trail

Cheesman Ranch Trail is Mueller State Park's premier long-distance loop, covering 9.3 miles through some of the finest wildlife habitat and mountain scenery on Colorado's Pikes Peak massif. The trail tours the terrain of the historic Cheesman Ranch, a working cattle operation that occupied this land before it became a state park, and the open meadows and aspen groves that characterized the ranch remain largely intact, creating ideal conditions for wildlife viewing throughout the year.

Elk are the star attraction — Mueller harbors one of the largest and most accessible elk herds in the Front Range, and the Cheesman Ranch Trail's meadow sections offer exceptional viewing opportunities, especially in early morning and evening. Pikes Peak looms prominently throughout the loop, providing a dramatic 14,115-foot backdrop visible from nearly every high point on the route. The 1,000-foot elevation gain is spread across the full 9.3 miles, resulting in rolling terrain rather than sustained climbs. Dogs are not permitted in Mueller State Park in order to protect the resident wildlife populations. The park charges $10 per vehicle and offers backcountry campsites that can be accessed via this trail.