Mueller State Park’s annual Outdoor Skills Day: equipment primer

Those of you that follow me on a regular basis know the value I put on outdoor activities. While many people would love to get involved with the outdoors, they are not sure where to start or are afraid to make an investment in equipment until they are sure they’ll like it.

Mueller State Park has a solution. It’s their annual Outdoor Skills Day on Saturday, June 23, which is free with a valid vehicle pass.

“This is a great way to try out some new activities in a safe and comfortable environment,” said Linda Groat, a representative from Mueller State Park. “You may just fall in love with an activity you never otherwise would have tried.”

All ages are welcome. There will be fishing, archery, target shooting, camping, a cave simulator, geocaching, fly-fishing, s’mores, prizes, crafts and more. Also learn about living and camping in bear country. At various stations, the guests will be taught the basic skills in each activity. The Air Force Academy will be on hand to demonstrate its falconing program.

A popular watchable wildlife area, Mueller is home to abundant wildlife including elk, black bear, hawks and mule deer. It has more than 5,000 acres of spring-fed meadows, forested ridges and massive rocks of Pikes Peak Granite with several ponds.

The park, two hours south of Denver and west of Colorado Springs, supports a variety of plant life ranging from native grasses and wildflowers to stands of spruce, fir, pine and aspen. Along with the elk, mule deer and bears, many small mammals and birds share the park’s habitat.

Visitors can enjoy yearround recreational opportunities including camping, picnicking, trail use, fishing and nature studies. Winter activities include sledding, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Mueller State Park features more than 130 campsites with access to over 40 miles of trails. It also has cabins available to rent.