When searching for extraordinary things to do in Colorado Springs, few experiences rival the breathtaking beauty of a sunrise hot air balloon adventure. Floating silently above the majestic Rocky Mountain Front Range as the first light of dawn paints the peaks in shades of pink and gold creates memories that last a lifetime. Adventures Out West offers locals and visitors alike the opportunity to witness Colorado’s stunning landscape from a perspective that transforms your understanding of the region’s natural grandeur.
The experience begins early—flights launch at 7am to capture the magical alpenglow that illuminates the mountains during those precious morning hours. As your balloon gently lifts off, you’ll find yourself soaring serenely in the wake of the Front Range, where panoramic vistas stretch from the Spanish Peaks to Longs Peak. This is truly where “the deer and the antelope play,” and from your aerial vantage point, you’ll understand why Colorado’s high country has inspired poets, photographers, and adventurers for generations.
Each hour-long flight becomes a unique journey guided by the winds and the expert skill of your FAA-certified pilot. What sets Adventures Out West apart from other balloon operators is their commitment to providing local pilots and crew who intimately know the region’s weather patterns, topography, and most spectacular viewing corridors. This local expertise ensures you’re not just taking a balloon ride—you’re experiencing Colorado Springs through the eyes of passionate professionals who call these mountains home.
The views from the basket are nothing short of spectacular. On clear mornings, you’ll enjoy 100-mile visibility in all directions, encompassing the entire Pikes Peak region, the sweeping grasslands to the east, and the dramatic wall of mountains marching northward along the Continental Divide. Take a moment to relax and truly relish this unforgettable soaring experience as you drift silently through the crisp mountain air, occasionally punctuated only by the gentle roar of the burner heating the balloon’s envelope.
Adventures Out West accommodates various special occasions and group configurations. Whether you’re celebrating a wedding, anniversary, family reunion, or simply gathering friends for an adventure, they customize experiences to match your vision. They also offer balloon glows and tethered balloon experiences for those seeking alternative ways to enjoy hot air ballooning.
Hot air balloon flights depend heavily on favorable weather conditions—safety always comes first. Historically, approximately 20% of scheduled flights require rescheduling due to weather factors like wind speed, precipitation, or visibility concerns. Adventures Out West strongly recommends booking your balloon experience early in your Colorado Springs vacation. This strategic timing provides additional opportunities to reschedule if needed, ensuring you don’t miss this bucket-list activity.
The company stands behind their weather-dependent service with full refunds for any flights cancelled due to unfavorable conditions. This commitment to both safety and customer satisfaction means you can book with confidence, knowing that Adventures Out West prioritizes your wellbeing above all else.
When budgeting for your adventure, note that the experience includes a 4% environmental fee dedicated to local conservation efforts—a meaningful contribution that helps improve and maintain the spectacular Colorado landscape for future generations. Additionally, there’s a 6% booking fee covering the reservation system and associated costs. No additional taxes apply to your balloon flight reservation.
The entire adventure typically spans three to four hours from check-in to landing celebration, providing ample time to savor every aspect of this bucket-list activity without feeling rushed.
To ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment during flight, Adventures Out West maintains specific participation requirements. All guests must be at least six years old, making this an excellent activity for families with school-age children seeking memorable things to do in Colorado Springs. The experience accommodates guests under 250 pounds, a standard weight restriction in the hot air balloon industry that ensures optimal flight performance and safety.
For the wellbeing of both mother and baby, pregnant guests cannot participate in balloon flights. The activity involves standing for the duration of the flight and navigating uneven terrain during landing, which presents unnecessary risks during pregnancy.
Don’t forget to bring a water bottle—staying hydrated at Colorado’s elevation is essential, especially during early morning activities. The dry mountain air can be dehydrating, and having water readily available ensures you remain comfortable throughout your three-to-four-hour adventure.
Your sunrise scenic flight package includes more than just the hour aloft. Upon landing, you’ll participate in the time-honored ballooning tradition of a champagne (or sparkling cider) celebration—a custom dating back to the earliest days of hot air ballooning in 18th-century France. Each new aeronaut also receives a personalized first flight certificate commemorating their aerial adventure, a wonderful keepsake to remember your Colorado Springs experience.
Your pilot will share fascinating information about ballooning history, local landmarks visible from the air, and the technical aspects of flight operations, enriching your experience with educational context that transforms simple sightseeing into genuine learning.
Dress in comfortable layers appropriate for the season. Mountain mornings can be chilly, even in summer, though temperatures moderate once the sun rises. Closed-toe shoes are essential—you’ll be walking through fields during setup and landing. Bring your camera or smartphone; the photography opportunities are truly exceptional, though be sure it’s secured with a strap since you’ll want both hands free during certain moments of the flight.
Consider arriving well-hydrated and having eaten a light breakfast. While ballooning is generally gentle on the stomach, some passengers prefer not to fly on a completely empty stomach. Most importantly, bring your sense of adventure and willingness to embrace an experience unlike anything you’ve encountered before.
After your morning balloon flight, you’ll have worked up an appetite for one of Colorado Springs’ other best things to do: a food tour in downtown Colorado Springs. Rocky Mountain Food Tours offers the perfect complement to your aerial adventure, taking you on a culinary journey through the city’s best local eateries and hidden gems. While hot air ballooning shows you Colorado Springs from above, our food tours in Colorado reveal the heart of the community through its flavors, stories, and passionate local food artisans who make our city’s dining scene so special.
A sunrise hot air balloon flight with Adventures Out West represents one of the most memorable things to do in Colorado Springs. The combination of local expertise, stunning natural beauty, and the pure magic of silent flight creates an experience that transcends typical tourist activities. Whether you’re visiting Colorado Springs for the first time or you’re a local seeking to see your home from a fresh perspective, floating above the Front Range at dawn will change how you view this remarkable landscape.
The peace of drifting with the wind, the spectacular 100-mile views, and the shared joy of fellow passengers make each flight a small celebration of adventure and natural beauty. Don’t let your Colorado Springs visit pass without experiencing the majesty of the Rockies from a hot air balloon basket. Book your sunrise adventure with Adventures Out West and prepare for an unforgettable journey guided by the winds, your skilled pilot, and the spectacular Colorado sunrise.
Rocky Mountain Food Tours is the most fun thing to do in Colorado. We are proud to promote other exceptional Colorado experiences. When you book a hot air balloon in Colorado Springs through our recommendations, you’re supporting local businesses while discovering the best of what our state has to offer.
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