The road upward is a change of pace from the animal exhibits below. After entering through Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the route begins climbing Cheyenne Mountain in a series of switchbacks, gates and narrow corners, gradually trading the busy feel of a zoo outing for a high, quiet overlook above Colorado Springs.
At the top, the shrine has the character of a destination within a destination: a distinctive tower, a small museum near the parking area and a setting that looks across the city, valley, mountain country and toward Pikes Peak. It is a scenic stop, certainly, but not just a place to step out, take in the view and leave.
The building invites a slower browse. Its painted rooms, stair landings and increasingly lofty viewpoints give the visit a natural sequence, while the mountain setting keeps the whole stop pleasantly uncluttered.
The Drive Is Part of the Ascent
The shrine is reached on the zoo’s mountain access road, not by a separate roadside entrance. The climb is steep in places and the turns can be tight, so the drive calls for care around grades and narrow corners.
Still, the road has a useful effect on the visit. By the time the parking area appears, you have traveled up through the zoo and well above the city, and the shrine reads less like a freestanding monument than a true mountaintop stop.
There is a picnic area near the parking lot, along with restrooms in the building nearby. Benches around the grounds offer another reason not to rush immediately into the tower.
Start With the Small Museum
The museum near the entrance gives the place its historical footing before the climb begins. It introduces Will Rogers and the people connected with both the shrine and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, putting names and stories around a structure that might otherwise be experienced only as a handsome overlook.
Staff members or caretakers can often answer questions and add informal context as you make your way through. That can be especially useful here, where the history is woven into the setting rather than presented as a large, formal museum circuit.
The pace is comfortably self-directed. You can spend a few minutes orienting yourself, or linger over the displays before going into the tower.
Painted Rooms and a Stairway Up
Inside, the tower is more than a staircase with a view at the end. Painted interior artwork gives the rooms and landings their own visual interest, so the ascent has several pauses built into it.
A lower room near the entrance includes a painting of Mary and Jesus. Higher up, the tower continues through multiple levels, with places to stop and look around before taking on the next run of steps.
The route to the upper level totals roughly 90 to 96 stairs. Landings and rooms break up the climb, which makes the trip upward feel more like a gradual exploration than one long push.
Food and drinks stay outside the shrine. That is easy enough to manage with the picnic area and outdoor space close to the parking lot.
A Small Patio With a Big Sweep of Country
The upper patio is compact, accommodating only a small group at once, but it opens onto the broadest reward of the visit. Colorado Springs spreads out below, with the valley, surrounding mountains and Pikes Peak all adding layers to the view.
Plaques at various viewpoints help identify landmarks, and guides may point out features in the landscape. Even without a running commentary, the high vantage makes it easy to understand why this stop pairs so well with a day on Cheyenne Mountain.
The views are not confined to the top. Lower overlooks and landings provide their own chances to look outward, which is welcome for anyone taking the stairs at an unhurried pace.
A Quiet Counterpoint to the Zoo
The shrine works neatly as an additional stop during a full Cheyenne Mountain Zoo visit, since access is included with zoo admission. After moving through exhibits and animal habitats, the tower offers a markedly quieter stretch of the day.
It can also serve as a scenic finish after time at the zoo. The rhythm shifts from walking among exhibits to driving uphill, browsing a compact museum, climbing through painted rooms and standing above the city.
A musical or chime feature plays at scheduled intervals, adding another small note of ceremony to the grounds. Its presence suits the reflective mood without changing the shrine into a highly programmed attraction.
A Few Things to Know Before Going Up
The historic tower is not fully wheelchair accessible, since the upper levels are reached by stairs. The first floor may be the most practical portion for someone using a wheelchair or walker.
The high tower and small upper patio may also be less comfortable for visitors uneasy with heights. Those who prefer to remain lower still have the museum, grounds, benches and mountain views to enjoy.
Weather can affect access, and the shrine may close when storms or deteriorating conditions move into the area. Zoo admission and return-visit terms can change, so current details are worth confirming when planning the outing.