If you picture golf course living as little more than a home near a fairway, Kissing Camels may surprise you. This Colorado Springs community blends private club culture, striking mesa-top views, and close access to Garden of the Gods into a daily lifestyle that feels more resort-oriented than typical neighborhood living. If you are weighing a move here, it helps to understand how the golf course, housing options, HOA structure, and club access all fit together. Let’s dive in.
What defines Kissing Camels living
Kissing Camels Estates is a golf-centered residential community in Colorado Springs built around the Garden of the Gods Club and Kissing Camels Golf Course. The neighborhood developed subdivision by subdivision around the club-owned course, which helps explain why golf and scenery feel so central to the community identity.
The setting is a major part of the appeal. HOA design guidelines describe a mesa-top environment shaped by surrounding views, with an emphasis on architecture and landscaping that work with the land rather than compete with it. In practical terms, that means low-profile rooflines, private courtyards, and landscaping intended to preserve sightlines for residents who walk and cycle through the neighborhood.
Golf is the anchor amenity
For many buyers, the biggest draw is simple: golf is not an afterthought here. Kissing Camels offers 27 holes of golf, along with a practice range and short-game area. The club also offers PGA-led lessons, which adds to the neighborhood’s golf-focused lifestyle.
This is not a public golf neighborhood. The course is private and tied to member, guest, and overnight guest access. That distinction matters if you want a true club environment rather than the traffic and flow that can come with public play.
Club life goes beyond the course
The social side of Kissing Camels is a meaningful part of the experience. Garden of the Gods Resort & Club highlights a full social calendar, dining venues, tennis and pickleball, fitness classes, pools, a recreation center, and Kids’ Club programming.
That broader amenity package can shape your day-to-day routine just as much as the golf itself. For some homeowners, the value is as much about having wellness, recreation, dining, and social opportunities nearby as it is about tee times and fairway views.
Membership is not one-size-fits-all
One of the most important things to understand is that ownership and club access are separate issues. The HOA, the club, and any sub-association each represent different layers of community life, and they do not automatically provide the same privileges.
The club offers tiered memberships, including golf, young-professional, sports, and corporate options. Some membership categories do not include use of the Kissing Camels golf course and practice facilities. If golf access is a key reason you are considering the neighborhood, this is a detail worth clarifying early.
Garden of the Gods shapes the lifestyle
Few golf communities have a landmark as close and as recognizable as Garden of the Gods. The park entrance is about 1.5 miles away by car, and there is also a 2-mile paved sidewalk route for walking. That proximity gives Kissing Camels a lifestyle dimension that goes well beyond the gates of the neighborhood.
Garden of the Gods Park is a free, city-owned 1,341.3-acre regional park. The city describes it as a place for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, road biking, and technical rock climbing. For buyers who want both club living and ready access to outdoor recreation, this combination is a standout feature.
Resort feel with outdoor access
In many communities, you choose between private amenities and direct connection to nature. Kissing Camels offers a blend of both. You can have a golf-and-club routine while still being close to one of Colorado Springs’ signature outdoor destinations.
That creates a daily rhythm that feels distinct. A morning at the club, an afternoon walk with views, or a quick trip to the park can all be part of the same week without a long drive or complicated planning.
The housing mix is broader than many buyers expect
Kissing Camels is not a single-product neighborhood. HOA documents show a mix of detached homes and multiple sub-association enclaves, and the former townhomes project was later reorganized as a condominium project. Depending on where you look, you may find older custom homes, newer construction, or attached and condominium-style options.
That range gives buyers more than one way to enter the neighborhood. Some may prefer a larger detached residence with a more traditional custom-home feel, while others may be drawn to attached-home settings that can simplify upkeep.
The community is still evolving
Kissing Camels is not frozen in time. HOA documents note that homes are still being built on lots outside of HOAs and that new sub-associations are still being formed. For buyers, that means inventory may include both established homes and newer opportunities, depending on the enclave.
This evolving structure is one reason local guidance matters. Two properties with the same neighborhood name may come with different governance, services, or maintenance expectations based on the specific sub-association or location within the community.
HOA and sub-associations matter here
The polished feel of Kissing Camels is supported by a layered governance structure. KCPOA provides security, maintains roads and common-area landscaping, and oversees new development approvals. That base structure helps maintain consistency across the broader community.
Sub-associations may add another level of service. Depending on the enclave, these can include turf maintenance, common-area landscaping, driveway snow removal, and house painting. For buyers who value a more maintenance-oriented lifestyle, those details can be especially relevant.
Architectural review helps preserve cohesion
Architectural review is part of the neighborhood experience in Kissing Camels. New construction, remodels, and landscaping are subject to ARC review. The goal is to preserve a cohesive appearance and protect the view-friendly character described in the HOA design guidelines.
For some buyers, that added oversight is a benefit because it helps support the visual quality of the community. For others, it simply means understanding that exterior changes and new projects require a more structured process.
Who tends to appreciate Kissing Camels most
Kissing Camels often appeals to buyers who want a private club setting without giving up access to a major outdoor landmark. If your ideal day includes golf, dining, fitness, views, and nearby walking or recreation, the neighborhood offers a compelling combination.
It can also appeal to buyers looking for a second home or a lock-and-leave option, especially in attached-home enclaves or sub-associations with maintenance-oriented services. That appeal comes from the housing mix and governance structure rather than any single official label, but it is a practical factor for many lifestyle-focused buyers.
Questions to ask before you buy
Before you purchase in Kissing Camels, it helps to look beyond the views and the golf course itself. The details of ownership, access, and maintenance can shape your experience as much as the home you choose.
Here are a few smart questions to ask:
- Is the property in the main HOA only, or also in a sub-association?
- What services are included through that sub-association?
- Does ownership include any club privileges, or would club membership be separate?
- Which membership categories provide golf-course access?
- Are there ARC guidelines that could affect remodeling, landscaping, or exterior changes?
- Is the home in an older custom enclave, a newer section, or an attached-home setting?
In a neighborhood with multiple layers of governance and a variety of housing types, these questions can help you compare options clearly and avoid assumptions.
Why local guidance makes a difference
Kissing Camels has a distinct identity, but it is not always simple at first glance. The community includes private club amenities, different membership structures, multiple sub-associations, and a housing mix that spans detached and attached options. Understanding how those pieces fit together is essential if you want to buy with confidence.
That is where neighborhood-level experience matters. When you are evaluating a luxury or lifestyle purchase in Colorado Springs, clear guidance can help you focus on the homes and enclaves that best match how you actually want to live.
If you are considering Kissing Camels and want discreet, informed guidance on homes, community structure, and lifestyle fit, request a private consultation with Trish Ingels.
FAQs
Is Kissing Camels a public golf neighborhood in Colorado Springs?
- No. The Kissing Camels golf course is private and tied to member, guest, and overnight guest access.
Does owning a home in Kissing Camels include club membership?
- No. Ownership, HOA obligations, and club access are separate, and privileges vary by membership type and sub-association.
What types of homes are available in Kissing Camels?
- The community includes detached homes, sub-association enclaves, and attached or condominium-style options, with some ongoing new-home development.
How close is Kissing Camels to Garden of the Gods?
- The park entrance is about 1.5 miles away by car, and there is also a paved walking route of about 2 miles.
What does the Kissing Camels HOA handle?
- KCPOA provides security, maintains roads and common-area landscaping, and oversees new development approvals, while some sub-associations may provide added services.
Do Kissing Camels homes have architectural review requirements?
- Yes. New construction, remodels, and landscaping are subject to ARC review to help preserve the neighborhood’s cohesive, view-oriented appearance.
