Gated and patrolled
A staffed main gatehouse, three electronic resident gates and roving security patrols, run by the property owners association.
Kissing Camels, Colorado Springs · Kaylie Curtis
Kissing Camels Colorado Springs Homes for Sale
Searching for homes for sale in Kissing Camels, or thinking about selling yours? Kissing Camels Estates is a gated community on the mesa next to Garden of the Gods, built around a private 27-hole golf course. Kaylie Curtis helps buyers and sellers here with The Gold Standard Brokerage.
Background: gold contour illustration made for this page, not a photo of Kissing Camels
- LocationWest Colorado Springs, next to Garden of the Gods
- AccessGated, with a staffed main gatehouse
- GolfPrivate 27-hole Kissing Camels course
- SchoolsColorado Springs School District 11
Kissing Camels Overview
About Kissing Camels Estates
Kissing Camels Estates sits on the mesa on the west side of Colorado Springs, along Mesa Road and right next to Garden of the Gods Park. It shares its name with the Kissing Camels, a rock formation in the park, and many homes look out toward the red rocks and Pikes Peak.
The community has grown one subdivision at a time since 1960, all around the golf course now owned by Garden of the Gods Resort and Club. That long history is why you’ll find such a mix here: custom homes on private lots, newer homes in smaller enclaves, and condominiums near the club.
Kissing Camels is gated. The Kissing Camels Property Owners Association runs a staffed main gatehouse on Mesa Road and three electronic gates for residents, and it maintains the private streets inside. The resort itself sits just across Mesa Road.
At a Glance
Kissing Camels at a glance
Private golf club
Garden of the Gods Resort and Club owns the 27-hole Kissing Camels course, the tennis center and the recreation center inside the gates.
Garden of the Gods
The free, city-owned park and National Natural Landmark is next door, with the Visitor & Nature Center about 5 minutes away.
Schools
Kissing Camels is in Colorado Springs School District 11, with district schools a few minutes away. Confirm assignments by address.
Amenities
The club, the red rocks and the mesa
Life in Kissing Camels centers on a private club inside the gates and one of the most famous parks in Colorado just beyond them.
- Kissing Camels golf course: the club’s 27 holes play as three nines, the North, West and South courses, with pines and mountain views. The club credits J. Press Maxwell with the design and Mark Rathert with the newer nine. Golf is for members and resort guests only.
- Garden of the Gods Resort and Club: the club offers Premier and Associate golf memberships for ages 40 and up, a Young Professional membership for ages 21 to 39, and a Sports membership that covers everything except the golf course. Members also get the fitness center, dining and pools.
- Tennis, pickleball and pools: the M & M Tennis Center has 5 outdoor and 4 indoor tennis courts plus 7 pickleball courts, and the recreation center has a pool, a wading pool, a splash pad and a playground.
- Garden of the Gods Park: the 1,341-acre park was given to the city in 1909 on the condition that it stay free to the public. It has paved and dirt trails, rock climbing and the free Visitor & Nature Center on North 30th Street.
Membership types, fees and rules are set by the club and can change, so confirm current details with Garden of the Gods Resort and Club. Club property is for members, and the association asks residents not to walk dogs on it.
Homes, POA & Sub-Associations
Homes, the POA and the sub-associations
Because Kissing Camels was built in stages over decades, the rules that come with a home depend on which part of the community it’s in.
Custom homes and enclaves
Many homes sit on individual lots under the community’s master declaration. Others are in smaller enclaves such as Camels Ridge, The Park, Courtyard, The Greens, The Retreat and Signature Point.
Kissing Camels POA
The master association provides security, maintains all the roads, clears snow and approves new development. Its assessments are billed quarterly and include weekly trash pickup.
Sub-associations
Some enclaves have their own HOA that adds services like yard care or exterior painting, on top of the master association. Ask which associations apply and what each one covers.
Design review
New homes, exterior remodels and landscaping projects need advance approval from the Architectural Review Committee, and some enclaves add their own review.
The Townhomes condominiums near the club follow a different arrangement with the association, and most condo owners don’t get every association privilege, such as use of the North and East gates. For any home, ask for the covenants, the dues for every association and the design rules. My guide to metro districts in Colorado explains how to read the other taxing districts on a tax bill.
Everyday Life
Quiet streets, close to the west side
Inside the gates, Kissing Camels feels quiet and private, yet Old Colorado City is about 8 minutes away and downtown Colorado Springs about 11.
Many streets have a separate lane for walking, running and biking, and Mesa Road itself is a favorite drive, with a public overlook at the north edge of the mesa that frames the entrance to Garden of the Gods. Manitou Springs is about 12 minutes west.
Living this close to open land means wildlife. The association reminds residents that deer, coyotes, bobcats and even bears pass through. It also lists a Firewise certificate and an emergency evacuation manual, and residents can schedule a wildfire mitigation visit with the Colorado Springs Fire Department.
Location
Getting around from Kissing Camels
These are approximate driving distances and times from the main gatehouse at 3311 Mesa Road.
Drive times depend on traffic, weather and construction on I-25 and Highway 24, so test your own commute before you buy.
| Destination | Distance | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Holmes Middle School | About 1.3 miles | About 4 min |
| Coronado High School | About 1.4 miles | About 4 min |
| Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center | About 2 miles | About 5 min |
| Howbert Elementary | About 2.3 miles | About 5 min |
| Old Colorado City | About 3.1 miles | About 8 min |
| Downtown Colorado Springs | About 4.7 miles | About 11 min |
| Manitou Springs | About 5.8 miles | About 12 min |
| The Broadmoor | About 7.5 miles | About 17 min |
| Flying Horse Resort & Club | About 15.8 miles | About 23 min |
| Colorado Springs Airport | About 15.8 miles | About 26 min |
| Downtown Castle Rock | About 39.4 miles | About 46 min |
| Denver Union Station | About 69.5 miles | About 81 min |
| Denver International Airport | About 85.4 miles | About 94 min |
Schools
Schools near Kissing Camels
Kissing Camels is in Colorado Springs School District 11. These district schools are in or near the community:
- ElementaryHowbert Elementary: on North 31st Street, west of the mesa.
- MiddleHolmes Middle School: on Mesa Road, just south of the community.
- HighCoronado High School: on West Fillmore Street, a few minutes away.
Attendance areas are set by address and can change, so confirm the assigned schools for any home with the district’s Transportation InfoFinder.
Buyers
Buying a home in Kissing Camels
What to weigh before you make an offer in Kissing Camels.
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Know which associations apply
Every home pays the master association, and many also belong to a sub-association. Ask for the dues and covenants for each one early so you can compare homes on the full monthly cost.
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Decide how much the club matters
Buying a home doesn’t include golf or tennis. If the club is part of the appeal, talk with Garden of the Gods Resort and Club about memberships before you choose a home.
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Read the lot and the view
Homes on the course, near the gates or on the edge of the mesa can feel very different. Walk the lot, check views and privacy, and ask about golf ball exposure on fairway lots and wildfire mitigation.
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Inspect the house and the paperwork
Many homes here are decades old or have been remodeled, so look closely at roofs, decks, drainage and past permits. See my home inspection checklist and my guide to Colorado contract deadlines.
Sellers
Selling a home in Kissing Camels
Planning to sell in Kissing Camels? These are the areas Kaylie focuses on.
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Price by setting, not just square footage
Kaylie compares recent sales of similar homes, adjusted for golf frontage, red rock and Pikes Peak views, the enclave, lot size, updates and condition.
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Plan for the gate
Showings, inspections and appraisals all need gate access, because guests must be registered in advance. Planning access ahead of time helps buyers and their agents get in smoothly.
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Have the paperwork ready
Covenants for every association, any design approvals, the mitigation work you’ve done and a list of updates help buyers move forward with confidence. See what to expect in my cost to sell guide.
FAQ
Kissing Camels homes: common questions
Where is Kissing Camels?
Kissing Camels Estates is on the west side of Colorado Springs, on the mesa along Mesa Road, next to Garden of the Gods Park. Homes have Colorado Springs addresses in ZIP code 80904, and the main gatehouse is at 3311 Mesa Road. Downtown Colorado Springs is about 11 minutes away by car without traffic.
Is Kissing Camels a gated community?
Yes. The Kissing Camels Property Owners Association describes a staffed main gatehouse on Mesa Road plus three electronic gates that residents open with RFID tags. Guests and service providers must be registered in advance, and security also patrols the community.
Do you have to join the club to live in Kissing Camels?
No. The golf course, tennis center and recreation center inside the gates belong to Garden of the Gods Resort and Club, a private club, and membership is separate from owning a home. Many residents are members, and many members live elsewhere. Ask the club about current membership options before you buy if golf or tennis matters to you.
Does Kissing Camels have an HOA?
Yes. The Kissing Camels Property Owners Association is the master association for the whole community, handling security, the private roads, snow removal and approval of new development. It is also the HOA for homes outside a sub-association. Several neighborhoods, such as Camels Ridge, The Park and Courtyard, have their own sub-associations as well, so a home can come with two sets of rules and assessments.
What schools serve Kissing Camels?
Kissing Camels is served by Colorado Springs School District 11. District schools in or near the community include Howbert Elementary, Holmes Middle School on Mesa Road and Coronado High School. Confirm the assigned school for any address with the district’s Transportation InfoFinder.
Can I build a new home in Kissing Camels?
Sometimes. The association notes that homes are still being built on lots outside the sub-associations. Every new home, exterior remodel and landscaping plan needs approval in advance from the association’s Architectural Review Committee, and some sub-associations require their own approval too.
How far is Kissing Camels from Denver?
About 70 miles from the main gate to Denver Union Station, roughly 81 minutes without traffic, mostly on I-25. Downtown Castle Rock is about 46 minutes north. Drive it at your real commute hour, and check Monument Hill conditions in winter.
Does Kaylie work with buyers and sellers in Kissing Camels?
Yes. Colorado Springs is one of the areas Kaylie serves, along with Denver, Lakewood, Castle Pines, Highlands Ranch, Parker, Castle Rock, Broomfield and Elizabeth. She grew up in Castle Rock, just up I-25. Call or text 720-357-5785.
Keep Exploring
More of Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs luxury homes
Broadmoor, Flying Horse, Kissing Camels and more across the city.
Colorado Springs realtor
Work with Kaylie Curtis on a luxury home in Colorado Springs.
Broadmoor area homes
Historic neighborhoods around The Broadmoor in southwest Colorado Springs.
Flying Horse homes
Golf and the Club in north Colorado Springs.
Moving to Colorado Springs
Costs, taxes, utilities, weather, parks and areas of the city.
Denver vs. Colorado Springs
How the two cities compare on cost, weather and commute.
Golf communities south of Denver
A local guide from Kaylie’s blog.
Buying a luxury home
How Kaylie guides luxury buyers from search to closing.
All neighborhood guides
Every community guide, from Denver to Colorado Springs.
Sources: Kissing Camels Property Owners Association: resident information; governing documents; covenants and design guidelines; Garden of the Gods Resort and Club membership; golf; Colorado AvidGolfer (club feature); City of Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods; Colorado Springs School District 11 schools; D11 feeder system; D11 families; The Gazette, The Mesa Road story. Confirm school assignments, association rules and dues, gate access and club membership for a specific address.
Contact
Talk with Kaylie about Kissing Camels.
Buying or selling in Kissing Camels? Share a few details and Kaylie will reach out personally, or call or text her directly for a private conversation about your goals.
Kaylie Curtis
Luxury Real Estate Agent
The Gold Standard Brokerage
Tools for buyers and sellers
The Gold Standard Brokerage was founded by Sean Gribbons and is run by Sean Gribbons and Kaylie Curtis together.
Thank you.
Your inquiry is on its way to Kaylie, and she’ll be in touch with you personally. For anything time-sensitive, call or text 720-357-5785.