Pikes Peak Tours

The mountain next to the park

Pikes Peak rises to 14,115 ft; the older figure of 14,110 ft still appears on some signs. The city brands it “America’s Mountain”, and Katharine Lee Bates wrote “America the Beautiful” after reaching the summit in 1893. It is visible from the park, and from the Siamese Twins Trail it appears through a natural rock window. The Summit Visitor Center opened in June 2021. The Pikes Peak or Garden of the Gods page looks at the two as separate trips.

Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Jeep Tour

The listing gives 4 hours in a custom open-air jeep, limited to 8, with morning departures chosen for the views and weather and to avoid the traffic. The route drives the 19-mile Pikes Peak Highway to the summit, allows time at the top, then tours Garden of the Gods. Included are heated rear seats, wool lap blankets, summit coats, emergency water and snacks, and the highway fees. Transport to the meeting point and meals are not included.

The meeting point is next to Rudy’s Little Hideaway restaurant, up a steep driveway, and from November to March the listing names the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center. Guests are asked to arrive 15 minutes early; the tour departs on time and missed tours are not refunded. The listing states it is not suitable for pregnant women, people with respiratory issues or pre-existing medical conditions, or babies under 1. Karen from the United States mentions the stories, historical facts and views; Kim from the United States the Colorado history. The jeep tour close-up has more.

From Denver: Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Guided Tour

The listing gives 8.5 hours in a small group limited to 12, meeting in front of the Blue Bear sculpture outside the Colorado Convention Center main entrance, 700 14th St, Denver. The itinerary visits Garden of the Gods first, then goes up to the Pikes Peak summit, drives through Manitou Springs and returns to Denver. The guide, entrance fees, round-trip transport, lunch and water refills are included; hotel pickup also appears in the listing, so pickup is worth confirming when booking. Children under 8 and pets cannot join. The listing notes that the Pikes Peak Highway is open year-round and that if the summit is closed by weather or road closures, the group goes to the highest point possible. The tours from Denver page walks through the day.

The two side by side

Pikes Peak without a tour

By car. The Pikes Peak Highway runs 19 miles to the summit and is open year-round, weather permitting. Its entrance is about 15 minutes west of Colorado Springs on US-24, and the city advises allowing 2 to 3 hours for the round trip. In 2026, vehicles passing Mile 7 need a timed-entry permit from May 22 to September 30, per the Gazette, and a shuttle from Mile 7 has run on set summer dates. An admission fee applies, with the permit fee on top in the timed-entry season; the city’s Pikes Peak Highway page has current rates and permits, and the Pikes Peak cost page explains how the fees work.

By train. The Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway climbs 9 miles from its depot in Manitou Springs and takes about 3 hours for the round trip. It reopened on May 20, 2021, after closing in 2017. Tickets are sold on the Cog Railway website.

Health. The Pikes Peak Highway’s own health advice is that people with a history of severe heart or breathing problems should not go to the summit, and that infants under 6 months should not be taken up. The who should not go up page covers it.

Check dates for the Pikes Peak jeep tour

Four hours by open-air jeep, the 19-mile highway to the summit, then Garden of the Gods, with highway fees included, per the listing.

Frequently asked questions