Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun, also known as Will Rogers Shrine, is a commemorative tower and chapel on Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is named for Will Rogers, the American humorist, who died in a plane crash in Alaska in 1935 during construction of the shrine. It is also a tomb for the remains of Spencer Penrose – who built many of the city's prominent properties, including the neighboring Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and The Broadmoor resort – and his wife Julie. Completed by Penrose in 1937, the shrine is a 100ft, five story observation tower that overlooks The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, and Garden of the Gods.See Will Rogers Memorial Shrine of the Sun and all Colorado Springs has to offer by arranging your trip with our Colorado Springs trip planner.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 for its artistic and architectural qualities.
The Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun is located at 8,136ft in elevation. It is about 1,500ft in elevation above Colorado Springs, and is also above the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on the side of Cheyenne Mountain. Views of the Rampart Range, Colorado Springs, and the plains can be seen from the site on a promontory on the mountain, which is accessed via the Cheyenne Mountain Highway. The road to the shrine is restricted at the toll gate to individuals who have purchased Cheyenne Mountain Zoo tickets.
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Will Rogers Memorial Shrine of the Sun reviews
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From my understanding you can't purchase tickets to this alone. It's included with your Cheyenne Mountain Zoo admission and you can only go up on the day of your paid Zoo ticket. It makes sense...
From my understanding you can't purchase tickets to this alone. It's included with your Cheyenne Mountain Zoo admission and you can only go up on the day of your paid Zoo ticket. It makes sense... more »
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If you're visiting Colo Springs, make sure to visit this shrine. It's a cool place. You can also visit the zoo below (Cheyenne Mountain Zoo) and your zoo ticket INCLUDES a drive up to the shrine...
If you're visiting Colo Springs, make sure to visit this shrine. It's a cool place. You can also visit the zoo below (Cheyenne Mountain Zoo) and your zoo ticket INCLUDES a drive up to the shrine... more »
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Great view, the guide was super nice and knowledgeable. First let me say it kind of annoys me that the zoo doesn’t tell anyone about this place or advertise in anyway. If you buy a ticket for the Zoo you can pass through the gate to go to the Shrine. If you have 4 people in the car you have to have 4 Zoo tickets though. Also your Zoo ticket is good for 2 weeks to go to the Shrine. I wish i knew that before buying one on Monday and again on Thursday. The Shrine is very well cared for, they maintain the road up even in the winter months. There are clean restrooms in the building in the parking lot. The drive up is not scary just go slow and watch for cars coming around the narrow corners. The view is so cool! Ask the guide questions, it was so great chatting and learning from him. He pointed out all the sights that have plaques and explained a lot to me. It’s called the Shrine of the Sun because it is the first point the sun hits as it raises and the last thing as it sets. So cool. The stairs are not bad at all, there is a landing at each level to pause if you need to go slow and catch your breath. The shrine plays music every 15 mins and a whole song at certain hours each day. Such at fun little thing to do if you are already at the Zoo, don’t miss it.
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This was a beautiful stop! It's included with zoo admission and you drive through the zoo to get to the Shrine. Beautiful area at the top with a gorgeous view! There was about 96 stairs to the top but it wasn't too bad and there are rooms on several flights to take breaks at if need be.
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