United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel

I was disappointed that the Cadet Chapel is hidden in a giant box (until fall 2025), but it was great to see "Modern" architecture (the 1950s and 1960s) so beautifully preserved

GPS directions can be confusing, so put in 2306 Sijan Drive, Colorado Springs. Be sure to get off at N Gate Blvd (to enter off S Gate Blvd you'll need a visitor's pass). Then just follow signs to the Cadet Chapel.

Amazing architecture (17 spires that reach 150 feet upwards)! According to the website, it's the most visited man-made attraction in Colorado. The inside is great too, but hard to capture on camera because of the shape. Tons of different chapel segments: the main one for Protestants, then ones for Catholics, Jews, Buddhists, and a room for all-faiths.

On the walk from the parking lot to the Cadet Chapel, you pass through the Honor Court with tons of bronze statues of aviators and aircraft, and a giant 3-D triangle-ish piece of glass artwork.

I'd recommend stopping at the Visitor Center too, just follow the signs on Academy Dr past the chapel. You learn some Air Force Academy history and have the opportunity to buy merch.

p.s. There are open bathrooms at the Cadet Chapel!

Temporarily closed (chapel) through 2027 for refurbishment, but the rest of the academy has other sights to see. Posting because this detail is in tips, and might get overlooked. It's definitely on the official website.

The Cadet Chapel was the highlight of our first to the U. S. Air Force Academy. Our timing was fortuitous because it will be closed for 4 years to repair leaks in the 17 spires that rise 150 feet above the ground. Though the Jewish chapel was not open, we were impressed by both the Protestant (top level) and Catholic (lower level) chapels.

Very pretty place! Go check it out before they bring it down! I heard is coming down this summer!

Been to Colorado Springs 3x, but never visited the chapel till this time and I'm glad I did. It's beautiful inside with numerous static display of planes, both miniature in size and actual ones on the outside leading up to the chapel steps.

I have always wanted to visit the Air Force Academy since first reading about it. I think like most people, when I saw the chapel I was greatly impressed and wanted to count that as one of the places I always wanted to visit.

I finally got the opportunity today with my kids on our Colorado road trip. It's an inspiring sight to drive onto the Academy grounds and know that young adults have chosen a career that will benefit them and serve their country.

The Chapel, with its numerous spires and silver exterior is at once classic and modern. The interior of the main chapel almost defies description. The stain glass set between the spires creates a floor to ceiling color mosaic I have never seen before. While other churches show scenes or individuals in their stain glass, the creators of this chapel chose to use side-by-side patterns of colors. It proved to be a way to show the beauty of traditional stain glass in a non-traditional way.

I am so glad my kids and I got the opportunity to see this spectacular piece of architecture. It should also be noted there is a smaller Catholic chapel and rooms of worship for Jewish and Buddhist faiths. They should be visited as well as it does represent the individuals, regardless of faith, who have chosen to serve their nation.

This is a beautiful chapel a 1/3-mile walk from the visitor center. It's open to the public for viewing and features four chapels for prayer: Christian, Catholic, Buddhist/Muslim, Jewish. In addition, nearby is a prayer circle for Pagan followers. Every area and level is very beautiful. The grounds itself tend to be very windy, so mind your skirts ladies! I learned that the hard way as mine boldly flew over my head and showed everyone my secrets! Once inside, the wind sounds like the look of its architecture, fierce and serene.

There was a nice lady on-site who told us about the building's history and there are articles and pictures on the walls regarding its development. It's very interesting to hear of how inclusive the Air Force Academy is as it's not something you traditionally hear about with regards to the military. Perhaps the chapel will leave a good legacy for years to come.

A beautiful place to visit and take pictures! Stay on the main floor for that.

If you happen to be visiting for mass, the Catholic Church is in the basement. At the main entrance, take the steps down and the entrance is right there in front. I believe there are other Donominations on this floor as well but they are further back.

In the Catholic Church there are restrooms and water at the very back near the entrance.

A really cool spot if you have an appreciation for sacred spaces & architecture. In particular, the Protestant chapel upstairs is stunning. Interesting to keep in mind how non-traditional it is, for having been built in the 1950s.

Visiting notes:
* Stop in at the Visitors Center first; there are no public restrooms at the chapel.
* We drove over to the parking lot at the chapel, but it may be just as easy to walk over the trail from the Visitors Center. It may be a more dramatic introduction to walk across the plaza from the chapel parking lot, but I suspect it's not a shorter walk.
* You'll need to remove your shoes to enter the Buddhist chapel.
* Don't miss the 3D-printed representation of the Shroud of Turin just inside the Catholic chapel.