Colorado · the United States

Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak

The Garden of the Gods, with red rock formations in front of the Rockies, Pikes Peak at 4,302 meters, reachable by road and cog railway to the summit, the Air Force Academy, and the spa town of Manitou Springs.

Rocky Mountains

In the photo: Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak, Colorado

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Colorado Springs lies at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, about 110 km south of Denver. It is the second-largest city in Colorado and grew in the late 19th century as a health and tourist resort, drawn by the dry air and mineral waters. Today it hosts military bases, the United States Olympic training center, and the Air Force Academy.

To the west of the city, red rock blades rise in front of the mountains at the Garden of the Gods, a public park managed by the city. Dominating the area is Pikes Peak, at 4,302 meters, whose summit view inspired the lyrics of the patriotic song “America the Beautiful.” You can reach the top by a mountain road or by a cog railway.

Adjacent to the city, Manitou Springs is a village of mineral springs and Victorian houses, and it is the departure point for the Pikes Peak train. Nearby are the Cave of the Winds and the Manitou Cliff Dwellings, replicas of stone dwellings of ancestral peoples of the Southwest.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak is

Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (public domain). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak

✈ Colorado Springs Airport (COS) · 15 km to Colorado Springs

✈ Denver International Airport (DEN), in Denver · 140 km to Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs Airport (COS) receives flights from several cities in the country. Denver International Airport (DEN), about 140 km away, offers more options. By car, I-25 connects Colorado Springs to Denver in about an hour and a half.

Suggested arrival point: Colorado Springs

Colorado · Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak Suggested arrival point

Colorado Springs

Second-largest city in Colorado, at the foot of the Rockies. To the west are the Garden of the Gods, with red rock formations in front of the mountains, and Pikes Peak, with a road to the summit. To the north, the Air Force Academy features a chapel of 17 aluminum spires. Downtown has the United States Olympic museum.

Colorado · Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak

Manitou Springs

Village of mineral springs and Victorian houses clinging to Colorado Springs, at the foot of Pikes Peak. The cog railway to the summit departs from here; nearby are Cave of the Winds and the Manitou Cliff Dwellings.

The local experience

Things to do in Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak

Colorado Springs · Colorado · Park

Garden of the Gods

Municipal park of red sandstone rock formations that rise in blades before Pikes Peak, with paved trails, climbing, and a visitor center.

Manitou Springs · Colorado · Heritage railway

Pikes Peak Cog Railway

Cog railway that climbs from Manitou Springs to the summit of Pikes Peak, at 4,302 meters, one of the highest railways in the world.

Manitou Springs · Colorado · Cave

Cave of the Winds

Limestone cave system on a slope above Manitou Springs, open to visitors since the 19th century, with guided tours and adventure attractions on the rim.

Colorado Springs · Colorado · Mountain

Pikes Peak

A 4,302-meter mountain west of Colorado Springs, with a 31 km road and a cog railway to the summit, where there is a visitor center.

See 2 more places in Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak

Colorado Springs · Colorado · Military institution

United States Air Force Academy

An officer training school of the Air Force north of Colorado Springs, with a visitor center and the Cadet Chapel, a modernist chapel with 17 aluminum spires.

Manitou Springs · Colorado · Museum

Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Stone dwellings of the ancestral peoples of the Southwest reconstructed on a slope of Manitou Springs in the early 20th century, with a museum about the region’s Indigenous cultures.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From June to September, when the road and the train usually reach the summit of Pikes Peak and trails are dry; afternoon lightning storms are common in summer. Spring and autumn days are generally mild. In winter, the summit can be closed by snow and wind.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two days allow you to see the Garden of the Gods, go up Pikes Peak, and visit Manitou Springs. With three days, include the Air Force Academy and a cave.

Which city to stay in

Downtown Colorado Springs and the Old Colorado City neighborhood are close to the attractions to the west. Manitou Springs has small inns and hotels near the mountains.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak

How many days to spend in Colorado Springs?

Two days for the Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and Manitou Springs. With three days, include the Air Force Academy.

Do you need a car in Colorado Springs?

Yes, it helps a lot: attractions are spread out and public transport is limited. The Pikes Peak train removes the need for a car for the ascent.

Can you do Denver to Colorado Springs as a day trip?

Yes: it’s about 110 km, a one-and-a-half-hour drive. One day lets you see the Garden of the Gods and go up Pikes Peak, if the ascent is booked.

Is the altitude of Pikes Peak harmful?

The summit is at 4,302 meters, and the thin air can cause headaches and shortness of breath. Ascend slowly, drink water, and descend if you don’t feel well.

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Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip