Explore Colorado Springs with a Unique Scavenger Hunt by Operation City Quest

Colorado Springs becomes your game board in this self-guided scavenger hunt, which begins and ends at Acacia Park. Instead of following a guide through a fixed route, you use an app to solve riddles, find selected items or places, and complete tasks for points.

I like the freedom to choose your own order and the photo-based scoring, which gives the outing a clear purpose. The remote host chat is another useful touch, especially if the app or a clue leaves you scratching your head. The main drawback is that the hunt may feel less tied to Colorado Springs than some local scavenger hunts, and one booking had trouble getting started because of a Viator error.

Key points to know before you book

• Acacia Park is the starting and finishing point: Meet at 115 E Platte Ave in central Colorado Springs.
• Your phone runs the activity: You need your own smartphone, since an activity-owned phone is not provided.
• You choose the route: Riddles and tasks can be completed in any order during the roughly two-hour game.
• Photos earn your points: Capture each completed item through the app, then check your score on the leaderboard.
• A remote host is available: Use live chat for help instead of relying on an in-person guide.
• The price is low, but the experience is basic: At $10 per person, it works best as a casual city activity rather than a detailed sightseeing tour.

Acacia Park gives you a simple place to begin

The hunt starts at Acacia Park, 115 E Platte Ave, and finishes at the same place. That makes the logistics easy. You do not need to arrange a meeting with a guide in a hard-to-find corner of the city, and you know where to return when the two-hour session ends.

The starting point also places you in central Colorado Springs, where you can begin getting your bearings before the game gets moving. The activity does not provide a private vehicle, so you should plan to make your way to Acacia Park on your own. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are not driving.

From there, the app gives you a list of riddles and tasks. The supplied information does not give a fixed stop-by-stop route, and that is important. You are not promised a standard procession from one named landmark to the next. Instead, the app determines what you need to find, while you decide the order.

That format can work well for a group with mixed interests. One person may want to solve clues quickly, while another may prefer to pause and take photos. You can set your own rhythm rather than keeping up with a guide or a larger group.

The app turns sightseeing into a points game

Operation City Quest is built around a simple loop: read a clue, locate the requested item or place, complete the task, and take a photo through the app. Once the photo is submitted, the app records your points and shows your position on the leaderboard.

The competitive element gives the outing more energy than a plain self-guided walk. You are not only looking at Colorado Springs. You are also watching the score and deciding which task might be worth the effort. If you are playing with friends or family, that can create friendly arguments about the fastest route and the best way to handle a challenge.

You can complete the list in any order. This is one of the strongest parts of the design because it prevents the experience from feeling too rigid. If a clue sends you toward an area you already plan to visit, you can tackle it first. If a task seems inconvenient, you can leave it for later.

The game also lets you compare your score with teams across the country. That feature adds a wider contest, though it may matter more to competitive groups than to people who simply want to see the city. You should think of the leaderboard as an extra layer, not the main reason to book.

Expect clues and tasks, not a traditional city tour

The activity promises a way to find historic and important locations while solving clues. That gives the hunt some sightseeing value, but you should set your expectations carefully. This is not described as a guided history walk with a local expert explaining the story behind each building or public space.

The app may direct you to places with local significance, but the supplied details do not name the stops or explain the information attached to them. You will be doing the finding yourself, with the clue and the photo task guiding your attention.

That can be a good fit if you like discovering places through a challenge. You get a reason to look closely at your surroundings, and the hunt can help you notice details you might otherwise pass without a second glance. I also like that the activity encourages you to move around rather than sit through a presentation.

The tradeoff is depth. One available rating described the experience as only just okay and said it was not as city-specific or as difficult as other scavenger hunts. That criticism is useful. If you want detailed local stories, carefully chosen Colorado Springs references, or difficult puzzles built around the city, this may feel too general.

Two hours is enough for a casual outing

The activity lasts about two hours, with a remote interactive guide included during that time. That is a manageable length for a morning or afternoon plan. You can add it between other Colorado Springs activities without committing most of your day.

Because the game is self-guided, the two-hour period should feel different from a scheduled walking tour. You are not simply listening for a set time. You are deciding how quickly to solve clues, how long to spend taking photos, and how much attention to give the leaderboard.

There is also a practical limit. A fixed two-hour session means you should not assume you can wander indefinitely and finish later. If your group spends too long on an early clue, you may have less time for the remaining tasks. A quick look at the app and a rough plan at the start can help you avoid wasting the opening minutes.

I would allow a little extra time around the activity for getting to Acacia Park and settling in. The game itself is listed at approximately two hours, and the end point is the same as the start.

The remote host helps, but does not replace a local guide

A remote host is available through live chat while you play. This is a helpful safety net. If a clue seems unclear, or if you have trouble understanding how to submit a photo, you have a way to ask for assistance rather than abandoning the task.

Still, chat support is not the same as having a person beside you. A remote host cannot point across the street, explain the local setting in person, or adjust the route based on your group’s interests. The experience remains primarily app-led.

That distinction matters when you compare this with a standard walking tour. You are paying for the game system, the tasks, the scoring, and remote assistance. You are not paying for an in-person Colorado Springs guide who delivers a detailed running commentary.

The host chat should be especially useful for first-time players who are unsure how the game works. It may also help if a booking or app issue interrupts your start. One reported booking problem involved a Viator error, so I would check your confirmation and app access before heading to Acacia Park.

What the $10 price really buys you

At $10 per person, this is one of the cheaper organized activities you can add to a Colorado Springs itinerary. The fee includes all activities, GST, and two hours with the remote interactive guide. For a group that wants an inexpensive way to get outside and compete, the price is reasonable.

The value depends on what you expect. If you treat the hunt as a light activity that gives your group a reason to walk, take photos, and explore central areas, $10 is easy to justify. You do not need private transportation, and the private format means only your group participates.

If you expect a polished sightseeing tour with carefully written local clues and substantial historical explanation, the value is less certain. The available feedback points to a hunt that may not feel as specific or challenging as other city-based versions. A low price helps balance that weakness, but it does not remove it.

You should also remember that your own smartphone is required. The activity does not provide an activity-owned phone. Make sure your group has a suitable device and enough battery for the app, photos, and chat.

Who will enjoy the flexible format most

This activity suits people who like making their own choices. Families, pairs, and small groups can decide how seriously to take the competition. You can race for points, work through the clues casually, or use the game as a loose framework for seeing central Colorado Springs.

It also suits groups that do not want a formal guide. You will not be expected to stay with strangers, and this is a private activity for your group only. That gives you room to stop, regroup, or laugh over a bad answer without worrying about a larger party.

The format may work well for visitors who have already seen the city’s main sights and want something different. It can also fill a spare two-hour block when you want an activity with a clear start and finish.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is local history. The hunt refers to historic and important locations, but the details provided do not promise long explanations at each stop. The same applies if you want very hard puzzles. The available experience rating specifically found this version less fun and less difficult than other scavenger hunts.

Practical details for your Colorado Springs day

The activity is offered Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM for the stated operating period, which runs from June 30, 2020, through February 16, 2027. It is not listed as operating on Mondays, so check your selected date carefully before booking.

You receive confirmation at booking. Since the experience depends on an app and your own phone, I would read the confirmation before setting out and make sure you know how to access the game. This is especially sensible given the reported start-up issue connected with a booking error.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, but private transportation is not included. You are responsible for reaching Acacia Park and for any transport you need during the outing.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Within 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, and changes made that late are not accepted. That policy is worth noting if your Colorado Springs plans may shift.

Should you book Operation City Quest?

Book it if you want a low-cost, private, app-based game and like the idea of choosing your own route. The flexible order, photo challenges, leaderboard, and remote chat make it a practical two-hour activity for friends, families, or couples who enjoy a little competition.

Skip it if you are looking for a detailed local tour, a live guide walking beside you, or difficult clues built tightly around Colorado Springs. The experience may feel fairly general, and the reported start-up problem means you should check your confirmation and app access before arriving.

At $10 per person, the risk is modest. I would see it as a playful way to explore central Colorado Springs, not as your main history lesson or a must-do attraction.

FAQ

Where does the scavenger hunt start?

It starts at Acacia Park, 115 E Platte Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Acacia Park.

How long does the scavenger hunt last?

The game lasts approximately two hours.

What do I do during the game?

You use an app to solve riddles, find listed items or locations, complete tasks, and take photos through the app to earn points.

Can I complete the clues in any order?

Yes. You can complete the list in any order you choose.

Is a guide included?

Two hours with a remote interactive guide is included. You communicate with the host through live chat rather than meeting an in-person guide.

Do I need my own smartphone?

Yes. An activity-owned smartphone is not included, so you need to use your own phone.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included. The meeting point is near public transportation.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.