Independent guide. Not affiliated with the City of Colorado Springs, the Pikes Peak Highway or the Cog Railway.
Pikes Peak Trip PlannerTools, not brochures. Every figure dated and sourced.

Pikes Peak facts and figures

Elevations, prices, hours, distances and dates for Pikes Peak and the places around it, each one linked to where it was published and dated with the day it was checked.

122 facts from 56 sources, last checked 2026-11-03. 3 are marked "not published": no source we checked publishes that figure.

Every figure is dated and linked. The page is generated from the same fact register the rest of this guide uses, so it changes when the sources change. You are free to cite it; please link to this page.

Cite this page: Pikes Peak facts and figures, pikespeak.info, https://pikespeak.info/pikes-peak-facts/, last checked 2026-11-03.

The mountain

Planning guide: The mountain

Summit elevation, 2019 survey
14,115 ft

Wikipedia lead, citing P. K. McPherson, "Elevation of Pikes Peak" (2019).

Summit elevation, NAPGD2022 geodesy (2024 paper)
14,107 ft

Wikipedia infobox, citing Ahlgren et al., Journal of Geodesy (2024).

Summit temperature compared with the trailhead
about 40 °F colder

Stated for any season.

Pikes Peak Highway

Planning guide: Pikes Peak Highway

Pikes Peak Highway length
19 mi
Timed-entry permit fee
$2 per vehicle

Required past mile 7 of the Pikes Peak Highway, May 22 to September 30, 2026. Same-day permits are sold when space is available. Some annual passholders are exempt; see the city FAQ.

Highway shuttle fares, 2026
$40 adult (16+), $12 child (6 to 15)

Includes highway admission; no timed-entry permit needed.

Highway admission, adult 16 and over (May 1 to Nov 30)
18 USD per person

Official PDF 'Rate Structure and Hours of Operation', revision September 2026 (file dated 2026-09-26). Same on hours-rates page. 2027 rates not announced.

Highway admission, child 6 to 15 (May 1 to Nov 30)
8 USD per person

Children 5 and under: no admission price listed on the pages fetched (shuttle page says free for 5 and under).

Highway admission, carload up to 5 (May 1 to Nov 30)
65 USD per vehicle

Additional adults 13 USD each, additional children (6-15) 5 USD each.

Highway winter rates (Dec 1 to Apr 30)
Adult 10, child (6-15) 5, carload up to 5 = 35, extra adult 7, extra child 2, bicycle adult 10 / child 5 USD

Only in the PDF; the HTML hours-rates page lists only the May 1 - Nov 30 table.

How long Highway admission is valid
One year from date of purchase (adult, child and carload highway admissions)

Not valid for special events (sunrise openings, sunset viewings, Hill Climb).

Highway hours, October 1 to the Thursday before Memorial Day
Uphill gates open 9:00 am; last entry 3:00 pm; summit closes 4:00 pm; downhill gate closes 5:00 pm

PDF states 'Thursday before Memorial Day'. Hours-rates HTML says 'October 1 to May 27' (= Thursday before Memorial Day 2027).

Highway hours, Friday before Memorial Day to Labor Day
Uphill gates open 7:30 am; last entry 6:00 pm; summit closes 7:00 pm; downhill gate closes 8:00 pm

From PDF (Sept 2026 revision).

Highway hours, Tuesday after Labor Day to September 30
Uphill gates open 7:30 am; last entry 5:00 pm; summit closes 6:00 pm; downhill gate closes 7:00 pm

From PDF (Sept 2026 revision).

Highway in winter
Open year-round weather permitting; snow can limit how far up you can drive, call or check homepage

On 2026-11-03 the homepage widget showed 'Open to Crystal Reservoir (mi. 6)', uphill gate 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, downhill gate 5:00 pm. Winter extras: tubing hill at mile 11.5 (10,600 ft) when snowy, ranger-led snowshoe hikes typically Saturdays in Feb-Mar, backcountry skiing access at Glen Cove (mile 13). Tubing hill opening dates/pricing: not published (page says 'check back soon').

Timed-entry permit: who needs one
Required for vehicles driving past mile 7 (including motorcycles); 2 USD per vehicle, non-refundable; admission is a separate purchase

Introduced because summit parking is limited. Not needed for bicycles or for the shuttle. Reschedule allowed via online account; cancel request 48 h ahead but no refunds.

Timed-entry permit season
2026: Friday before Memorial Day (May 22) to Sep 30. Official site now shows May 28 - Sep 30 (inferred 2027 season).

2026 dates confirmed by a city release quoted in the Gazette (page not retrievable in full): 'from May 22 through September 30, 2026'. PDF rule: 'Friday before Memorial Day to September 30'. After Sep 30 no reservation needed.

Timed-entry arrival windows
One-hour arrival window at the Gateway inside a two-hour time block (the site swaps 'one-hour' and 'two-hour' between pages)

Individual slot start times: not published (shown only in the ticket store after choosing a date). Permits released for the season no later than April 15. Up to 5 vehicles per reservation.

Timed-entry permits on the day, and passholder exemption
Permits can be bought online or at the Gateway if not sold out; same-day availability depends on capacity. Annual-pass holders (Premier Individual, 14'er, 5-Trip, Premier Vehicle) skip the 2 USD permit if through the Gateway before 9 am and do not park at the summit.

Summit parking courtesy limit: 2 hours. Same-day re-entry allowed but cannot drive to the summit again on the expired reservation.

Highway shuttle: fares and what is included
Adults 16+ 40 USD, children 6-15 12 USD, children 5 and under free (lap); 40 USD fare includes admission; no timed-entry permit needed USD

Season 2026: daily from Friday before Memorial Day to Aug 9, then weekends and Labor Day to Sep 27; ended for 2026, 'will return in summer 2027'. Dates for 2027 not published.

Highway shuttle: where it leaves and how often
Mile 7 Shuttle Passenger Parking Area (9,300-9,400 ft); first shuttle 9:00 am from mile 7, last shuttle leaves summit 6:15 pm; about every 30 min. Stops: mile 7, Glen Cove (mile 13), Devils Playground (mile 16), Summit (mile 19)

Sunrise/sunset specials depart from the North Pole Santa's Workshop lot, 0.3 mi from the entrance. Drivers first pass the Gateway (tell the ranger you have shuttle tickets), then drive 7 miles up. Arrive at the Gateway at least 30 min before departure. Hikers cannot get a shuttle ride down.

Highway Gateway address
5089 Pikes Peak Highway, Cascade, CO 80809 (site says Google Maps 'Pikes Peak' directions are incorrect)

Visit Colorado Springs shows 5069 instead; use the official gateway page.

Highway mileposts and elevations
Gateway mile 3 (8,540 ft); Crystal Reservoir & visitor center mile 6 (9,160 ft); shuttle lot mile 7 (9,300 ft); Halfway Picnic Grounds mile 10 (9,930 ft); Tubing hill mile 11.5 (10,600 ft); Glen Cove mile 13 (11,440 ft); Devils Playground mile 16 (13,058 ft); Summit mile 19 (14,115 ft)

Mile numbers are the site's own 'Explore the Peak' markers (Gateway is labelled mile 3).

Highway vehicle restrictions
No trailers or pull-behind RVs; automatic transmissions need a '1' or 'L' gear; buses/RVs max 24 ft total length, 19 ft (228 in) wheelbase; no ATVs, mopeds, skateboards

Speed limit 30 mph; uphill traffic has right of way; brake-temperature checks at Glen Cove in busy periods.

Highway health advice
Travel to the summit not recommended for infants 6 months and younger or visitors with certain cardiovascular conditions; EMT station inside the summit gift shop
Highway length, Gateway to summit (official drive page)
19 miles

Official 'Drive Yourself' page: 19-mile route; 38-mile round trip takes at least two hours. Summit at mile 19.

Highway operating days and closures
Open year-round, weather permitting; closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and (per site) the Hill Climb race day

Staff update road info about 15 minutes before opening and as conditions change.

Where the official road status is published
Homepage of drivepikespeak.com (City of Colorado Springs 'Pikes Peak - America's Mountain') shows a 'current weather conditions' band: current temp, high, low, 'Uphill gate' hours, 'Downhill gate' time, and 'Open to <place> (mi. N)'

On 2026-11-03 it read: Now 19-20 deg, High 26, Low 17, Uphill gate 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Downhill gate 5:00 pm, Open to Crystal Reservoir (mi. 6).

How often the road status is updated
Staff update the info about 15 minutes before opening and then as conditions change during the day (official statement, same for the phone line)

No machine-readable 'last updated' timestamp for the 'Open to' value was found. HTTP Last-Modified on the homepage was 2026-11-03 08:31:45 GMT with cache-control max-age=0.

Road status by phone
Pre-recorded line 719-385-7325, select option 1 twice, for current road conditions and how far the highway is open
Summit webcams
Seven summit camera directions (N, NE, E, S, SW, W, NW) plus three Cog Railway cams, JPG stills from websvc.coloradosprings.gov/ppcam/<Name>.jpg, auto-refreshed about once a minute on the page, source updates every few minutes

On 2026-11-03 the page said images were not loading ('Image unavailable'); the image URLs returned nothing when requested directly. Reuse/hotlink rights: not published, would need the City's permission.

Cog Railway

Planning guide: Cog Railway

Cog Railway trip length
9 mi

Local TV coverage of the 2021 reopening calls it a nine-mile journey to 14,115 feet.

Cog Railway reopening date
May 27, 2021

Closed for repairs in 2017; runs seven days a week when conditions permit.

Cog Railway operator and depot address
The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, 515 Ruxton Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829; phone 1 (719) 685-5401

Manitou Springs sits at 6,320 ft; summit 14,115 ft; 9-mile route.

Cog fare, adult, booked online
from 67 USD per adult

'Starting at' price, taxes and additional fees apply. Page fetched 2026-11-03 (copyright 2026); season of the price not stated.

Cog fare, child, booked online
from 57 USD per child

Child age range is not defined on cograilway.com pages fetched. VisitCOS (city tourism bureau) lists 'Ages 12 and under' for the same 57 USD child fare.

Cog fare, Engineer's View front row, booked online
Adult from 96, child from 86 USD
Cog fare, walk-up or call-in
Adult from 86, child from 76 USD

Subject to availability at the Depot.

Cog: free tickets for small children
Not published not published as free: 'Tickets are required for all passengers, regardless of age'

Third-party Travelocity text claims under-2 free; no official confirmation found. Not recommended for infants under six months or anyone with cardiac or respiratory history. Strollers and baby carriers not allowed on the train.

Cog season and winter running
Operates year-round; tickets released a few months ahead

Summer: daily, departures about every 40 minutes. Fall and winter: condensed schedule shown on the Purchase Tickets page (dynamic, not fetched). Severe weather or excessive snow may stop the train short of the summit; no weather refund if the train reaches the summit. A Viator reviewer (search snippet) reports snow stopped a train at about 12,000 ft; unverified.

Cog round trip duration
About 3 hours round trip (1 h 10 min to the summit, about 40 min at the summit)

Home page says 3.5 hour round trip; arrive 30 minutes before departure, boarding starts 20 min before and passengers must be seated 10 min before.

Cog departures
Not published Summer: daily about every 40 minutes. Exact winter timetable: not published (loaded dynamically on the Purchase Tickets page)
Cog cancellation policy
Refund or reschedule free if requested more than 7 days before departure; within 7 days only reschedule or store credit for a 20 USD fee (whole reservation)
Parking at the Cog depot
20 USD for the railway lot and on-street parking; no free parking in Manitou Springs; free Route 33 shuttle from city lots USD

Parking in the railway lot is for riders only, not for hiking (Incline or Barr Trail).

Cog accessibility
Wheelchair or walker space must be reserved by phone (719-685-5401); ADA seating limited. Summit Visitor Center and walkways are ADA accessible

No restrooms on the train (restrooms at the Depot and at the summit). Not allowed on board: pets (service animals per policy), bikes, scooters, strollers, outside food.

Cog one-way tickets
Occasionally offered, extremely limited, sold only by Cog staff at the summit for the ride down

Hikers up Barr Trail cannot count on a ride down.

Summit Visitor Center

Planning guide: Summit Visitor Center

Summit Visitor Center opening
Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center opened June 2021

Cog Railway says it 'debuted in 2021' with the new facility (cashless).

What is inside the Summit Visitor Center
Interpretive exhibits, cafe, gift shop, restrooms, free guest Wi-Fi, water refill stations, EMT station inside the gift shop, ADA walkways, outdoor terrace, summit marker; world-famous high-altitude donuts; also burgers, pizza, nachos, pretzels, drinks (self-serve)

Built to the Living Building Challenge standard. Cog Railway says the center is cashless; highway site does not state this.

Summit Visitor Center hours
Summit closes 4:00 pm (Oct 1 - Thursday before Memorial Day), 7:00 pm (Friday before Memorial Day - Labor Day), 6:00 pm (Tuesday after Labor Day - Sep 30). No separate visitor-center hours were published; open year-round weather permitting

Site also says 'no time limit' at the top; shuttle riders have no fixed time limits.

Summit parking time limit
2 hours or less parked at the summit; trailhead parking at Devils Playground, across from Sheep Sign and at Elk Park for longer hikes

Barr Trail and Barr Camp

Planning guide: Barr Trail and Barr Camp

Barr Trail length, one way
13 mi
Barr Trail elevation gain (Wikipedia infobox)
7,390 ft
Barr Trail elevation gain (Colorado Springs CVB figure)
7,800 ft
Barr Trail trailhead elevation (Ruxton Avenue)
6,707 ft
Typical Barr Trail time to the summit
6 to 10 hours
Barr Trail lightning advice
Reach the summit around midday in summer and descend soon after; a 2008 Backpacker article advised being below treeline by noon.
No Name Creek on Barr Trail
About 3.2 mi from the trailhead (derived); race table gives 4.3 mi and 8,800 ft measured from Manitou City Hall start at 6,300 ft

Derived: race uses an offset of about 1.1 mi (Barr Camp 7.6 mi in race vs 6.5 mi per Barr Camp). Other sites give 3 to 3.5 mi. Treat as approximate.

Barr Camp location and elevation
6.5 mi up Barr Trail (Barr Camp's own figure), about 10,200 ft

Wikipedia: mile 6.3, 10,186 ft. Race table: 7.6 mi, 10,200 ft from City Hall. pikespeak.us.com says 6.8 mi (2020 article).

A-Frame shelter at treeline
About 9 mi, 12,000 - 12,098 ft

Wikipedia: mile 9, 12,098 ft ('Timberline A-frame shelter'). Race: 10.2 mi from City Hall, 12,000 ft. Other sites quote about 11,750 ft; treat the elevation as approximate.

Barr Camp beds and prices
Four accommodation types, sleeps up to 52 overnight; Bunkhouse (hostel style, sleeps 15, from 45 USD per person); Lean-tos (25 USD per person, max 3 per lean-to); Tent sites 20 USD per person; Upper cabin (sleeps up to 12, listed 110+ then 25 USD per person) USD

Rates 'subject to change based on date of booking'. Rates page text lost its row labels in extraction; tent and cabin amounts are matched by the order on the page and by the accommodation pages. Spaghetti dinner optional extra; pancake breakfast included.

Barr Camp reservations
Booked online through FareHarbor; reservations close 48 hours before; peak season June-September, book 3+ months ahead; refunds only if cancelled 15+ days before

Bring your own sleeping bag; camp about 15-20 deg F colder than town; accommodations unheated except caretaker cabin; no electricity; card payments accepted; water filter rental 5 USD.

Barr Camp day use
Open to the public daily 7 am - 8 pm in summer; bathrooms 24/7; snacks and drinks sold (no water)

Staffed year-round by caretakers.

Race mileage versus trail mileage
Pikes Peak Ascent/Marathon mileages start at Manitou City Hall (6,300 ft), not at the Barr Trail trailhead; do not mix the two

Manitou Incline

Planning guide: Manitou Incline

Manitou Incline length and climb
Under 1 mile (Wikipedia: about 0.88 mi) with about 2,000 ft elevation gain

City page: 'Gaining 2,000 feet of elevation in less than a mile via 2,768 steep steps'. Wikipedia notes counts vary (2,744 as of Sept 2025).

Manitou Incline base and top elevations
About 6,500 ft (infobox) or 6,600 ft (text) / about 8,590 ft ft

Wikipedia only; no official city figure found; Wikipedia contradicts itself on the base.

Manitou Incline grade
Average 45%, up to 68%

Wikipedia only.

Manitou Incline reservation
Yes: a free online reservation and signed waiver for every hiker, every time; no reservation = no hike

Reservation is described as a forecasting tool, 'not a ticketing system, attendants do not check reservations on-site'. Window: 30-minute arrival slot, no time limit to finish. Reservations open the 1st of each month for the next month, up to 8 weeks ahead. Maximum party 8. No dogs.

Manitou Incline fee and parking cost
Reservation is free (0 USD); parking costs apply USD

Iron Springs Chateau lot 15 USD per car for 4 hours, cash only; Dillon Mobility Hub (134 Manitou Ave, 91 spaces, 5 am - 6 pm) preferred; Hiawatha Gardens (The Duck Stop) with free Incline shuttle 6 am - 6 pm. A KKTV item (search snippet, March 2026) mentions Manitou Springs exploring paid reservations/parking; not confirmed.

Manitou Incline hours
Reservation required 7 days a week 6:00 am - 6:00 pm May 1 - Oct 31, and 6:00 am - 3:00 pm Nov 1 - Apr 30; access outside these hours prohibited year-round
Getting down from the Incline
Do not walk down the Incline. Use Barr Trail (about 2.8 mi, gentle grade, per Wikipedia) or the Northern Return Trail. Bail-out points: tie 396 (Ute Pass trail, 1/3 mile to trailhead) and tie 1300 at roughly halfway (1.5 mi back)

City page says 'do not climb down the Manitou Incline (use alternate trails)'.

Manitou Incline parking and shuttle
Do not park in Barr Lot (Barr Trail only) or at the Cog Railway; use Dillon Mobility Hub, Hiawatha Gardens/Duck Stop lot (free shuttle to Incline) or Iron Springs Chateau

Route 33 Manitou Springs shuttle was zero fare March 29 - Oct 24, 2026 (past); Route 3 fare-free pilot as of March 2026. Winter 2026-27 fares: not published.

Manitou Incline history
Built 1907 as a funicular for water-tank construction, later used by the Cog Railway; closed 1990 after rockslide; Manitou closed it March 2020; reopened with free reservation system from August 2020 agreement

Wikipedia.

Manitou Incline, number of steps
2,768 steps

City page: 'Gaining 2,000 feet of elevation in less than a mile via 2,768 steep steps'. Manitou Springs gives the same count. Wikipedia: the top step is numbered 2768 and the count changes with maintenance (2,744 as of September 2025). The live manitouspringsco.gov page refused automated fetches (Cloudflare block) on 2026-11-03; the source is the Internet Archive copy dated in its URL, fetched 2026-11-03.

Manitou Incline length (horizontal)
0.88 mi

Wikipedia: gains 2,011 ft in 0.88 miles horizontal. The city says less than a mile.

Manitou Incline elevation gain
2,011 ft

Wikipedia figure. The city and Manitou Springs round it to 2,000 ft.

Barr Trail descent from the top of the Incline
2.79 mi

Wikipedia: tie-in to the Barr Trail at the top, descent approximately 2.79 miles with a much gentler slope. Visit Colorado Springs says 'the bottom four miles of the Barr Trail'; not used.

Manitou Incline, typical time to climb
1 to 2 hours

Visit Colorado Springs (the regional tourism bureau): 'The average hiker completes the Manitou Incline hike in about 1-2 hours.' The page does not say whether the descent is included; this site reads it as the climb. No city figure found.

Incline reservations per 30-minute arrival window
45 reservations per 30 minutes

City: 45 reservations per half hour in both seasons; the 30-minute slot is only the arrival window, with no time limit to finish. Visit Colorado Springs still lists an older tiered schedule (65/45/25); not used.

When Incline reservations open
On the 1st of each month the following month opens, alongside the current month; up to 8 weeks ahead

City FAQ: 'On the 1st of every month, the following month's reservations are open and available, along with the current month' and 'up to 8 weeks in advance'. Manitou Springs: 'Reservations open on the first of each month for the current and following month.' Release time of day is not published. The live manitouspringsco.gov page refused automated fetches (Cloudflare block) on 2026-11-03; the source is the Internet Archive copy dated in its URL, fetched 2026-11-03.

Incline reservations: cancelling or running late
No cancellation needed; running late is fine; no reservation available means no hike

City FAQ: 'no further action is required' to cancel; behind schedule: 'Take your time and arrive safely'; no reservations left: 'No. In order to hike the Incline, a reservation is required.'

Incline reservations, largest group
8 people

City FAQ: 'We do not allow parties larger than 8 people.'

Manitou Incline closures
Occasional closures for special events or maintenance, announced on the Colorado Springs Parks Facebook page; no published weather or ice closure rule found

Incline Friends (volunteer partner of the city): hours are subject to change due to weather, construction or repair and city-specified closings. Manitou Springs advises micro-spikes or traction devices for icy conditions. The live manitouspringsco.gov page refused automated fetches (Cloudflare block) on 2026-11-03; the source is the Internet Archive copy dated in its URL, fetched 2026-11-03.

Manitou Incline, what to bring
No water on the trail and no trash cans; bring water, snacks, sunscreen and a hat; sturdy shoes; gloves and a windproof jacket in cooler months; micro-spikes for ice; poles help on the Barr Trail descent

City: bring plenty of water, snacks and sunscreen, hydrate the evening before, sturdy hiking boots or tennis shoes, no trash receptacles on the Incline (pack it out). Manitou Springs: no water on the trail, moisture-wicking layers, gloves and windproof jacket in cooler months, micro-spikes in winter, hiking poles recommended for the Barr Trail descent. The live manitouspringsco.gov page refused automated fetches (Cloudflare block) on 2026-11-03; the source is the Internet Archive copy dated in its URL, fetched 2026-11-03.

Manitou Incline, altitude and storms
Visitors from lower elevations should acclimate a few days before; summer thunderstorms are common and you do not want to be on the Incline when lightning is present

City, Be Prepared section. The city recommends the trail for physically active people adjusted to the elevation.

Manitou Incline rules
No pets; no smoking; no open fires; no littering; no shortcuts or new trails on the way down; do not climb down the Incline; use headphones for music; do not feed wildlife

City Rules section.

Manitou Incline exits on the way up
Lower Ute connector at step 395 (city: tie 396), Upper Ute connector at step 1300, Barr Trail bailout about two-thirds of the way up; false summit about three-quarters up

Wikipedia: the two Ute Pass connectors were added in 2020; the Barr Trail bailout is about 500 steps above step 1300; steepest just after it for about 200 ft to the false summit. City: tie 396 leads 1/3 mile back to the trailhead, tie 1300 leads 1.5 miles back.

Manitou Incline rescue access
No vehicle access; anyone injured must walk or be carried down

Wikipedia, Hiking trail section.

Dillon Mobility Hub parking (Incline)
134 Manitou Ave; 91 spaces including 4 ADA; open 5:00 am to 6:00 pm; the city's preferred lot for Incline hikers

Manitou Springs rate table (Internet Archive copy of 2026-03-05): 0 to 2 hours FREE, 3 hours 3.00 USD, 4 hours 6.00 USD, each hour after +3.00 USD, paid parking 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., plus a 0.40 USD Honk processing fee; the same table lists 86 spaces. Live rates are on Honk. The live page refused automated fetches on 2026-11-03.

Hiawatha Gardens lot and the free Incline shuttle
Hiawatha Gardens lot, 10 Old Man's Trail: pay at the meter; free shuttle from The Duck Stop to the Incline 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, not on Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's Day

City Parking tab. Rates for Hiawatha Gardens are on the Manitou Springs site (not checked). The city adds you can walk from the lot instead of waiting.

Iron Springs Chateau parking (Incline)
444 Ruxton Avenue; 15 USD per car for 4 hours, cash only; first come, first served; may close early if a show is scheduled

City Parking tab; closures are posted on the lot's Facebook page.

Mountain Metro bus routes to the Incline area
Route 3 (Dillon Hub to the Duck Stop) fare-free pilot since March 2026; Route 33 Manitou Springs Shuttle Mon to Fri 6 am to 5 pm every 15 minutes, 5 to 8 pm every 30; Sat and Sun 6 am to 5 pm every 10 minutes, 5 to 8 pm every 30

City Parking tab. Route 33 is listed as 'Zero fare, effective March 29, 2026 through October 24, 2026'; the fare after that date is not on the page. The Mountain Metro shuttle page refused automated fetches on 2026-11-03.

Incline: where not to park
Not in Barr Lot (Barr Trail users only; no Incline access if you park there) and not on Ruxton Ave or Winter St without a Manitou Springs residential permit

City Parking tab. Barr Lot and the Cog Railway lot are not for Incline hikers.

Garden of the Gods

Planning guide: Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods entry fee
Free: park and Visitor & Nature Center are both free and open to the public ('forever free' condition of the 1909 gift to the city)

National Natural Landmark, city park, not a state or national park.

Garden of the Gods park hours
5:00 am - 9:00 pm Nov 1 - Apr 30; 5:00 am - 10:00 pm May 1 - Oct 31

The home page banner on 2026-11-03 showed '5 am - 9 pm' on one page and '5 am - 10 pm' on another (stale banner); use the dated table on the directions page.

Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center hours
Open daily 9:00 am - 5:00 pm in winter; 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Memorial Day weekend - Labor Day weekend; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day

Center has exhibits, Geo Trekker movie theatre, Gateway Cafe, gift shop, information desk. Address 1805 N. 30th Street, Colorado Springs CO 80904; phone 719-634-6666.

Garden of the Gods free summer shuttle
Daily 9 am - 5 pm May 23-25 and June 5 - Aug 23, plus Labor Day weekend (Sept 4-7); about every 15 minutes between overflow lot, Visitor Center, Rock Ledge Ranch and Juniper Way Loop

2026 season has ended; 2027 dates not published. Visitor Center lot has fewer than 200 spaces.

Perkins Central Garden Trail length (mi)
1.5 mi

Official park site: 'an easy, 1.5 mile roundtrip path, with less than a 30-foot rise', in the heart of the park at the base of the highest rock formations. Surface: COTREX (Colorado DNR and Parks and Wildlife): 'paved with concrete and is easy for all ages and abilities', marked wheelchair friendly (its mapped featured route measures 1.1 mi). Visit Colorado Springs: paved, accessible for wheelchairs, mobility equipment and strollers. Wikipedia: starts at the North Parking lot off Juniper Way Loop.

Ridge Trail length (mi)
0.5 mi

Official park site: 'A moderate, 1/2 mile loop, with less than a 100-foot rise'. Surface (Visit Colorado Springs): rocky, uneven gravel with stairs in some sections; leads to the foot of the Sleeping Giant formation.

Siamese Twins Trail length (mi)
1 mi

Official park site: 'an easy 1-mile roundtrip, with less than a 150-foot rise', with a view of Pikes Peak through the natural window of the twins. Surface (Visit Colorado Springs): mostly gravel, narrow in places, some stairs.

Gateway and Central Garden trails from the Overflow Lot (mi)
2.5 mi

Official park site: an easy, low-grade 2.5-mile hike from the naturally surfaced Overflow Parking Lot at the main entrance along the paved Foothills Trail and paved Gateway Trail, across the road to the Central Garden Trail (1.5 miles of loops there) and back. Visit Colorado Springs: wide and paved, some stair sections you do not have to climb.

Balanced Rock Trail length (mi)
1.2 mi

Visit Colorado Springs only (not on the park site): moderate, 1.2 miles, 137 ft of gain, about half an hour; rocky, uneven gravel and dirt, often narrow and steep. Park rules: Parking Lot 16 is near Balanced Rock and the Trading Post. Wikipedia: Balanced Rock is a popular spot for photography.

Scotsman and Buckskin Charlie trails length (mi)
2 mi

Official park site: a moderate trail that loops through the park with distant views of the Central Garden from rolling, rocky trails (no length given). Visit Colorado Springs: 2 miles, sandy and rocky surface.

Bretag and Palmer trails length (mi)
2.5 mi

Visit Colorado Springs: moderate, 2.5 miles, less than 250 ft of gain, circles nearly the entire park; mostly gravel with uneven, narrow sections; shared with mountain bikes and horses.

Garden of the Gods trail network (mi)
21 to 22+ mi

Official park site: '22+ miles of trails', beginner to advanced, paved and dirt. Visit Colorado Springs and Wikipedia: 21 miles.

Garden of the Gods trail help and maps
Information desk on the 2nd level of the Visitor & Nature Center; free digital full-color trail maps

Official hiking page.

Garden of the Gods guided nature walk
Daily at 10:30 AM, 45 to 60 minutes, 5 USD, reservation required; from the Visitor & Nature Center along the Gateway Trail to the Central Garden Trail

Official hiking page.

Garden of the Gods parking
The Visitor Center lot has fewer than 200 spaces and can easily reach capacity during peak hours in summer and on holidays; overflow lot across the street off Gateway Road, with trail and pedestrian tunnel access to the Visitor Center and the park

Official directions page. Oversized vehicles drop off at the Visitor Center lot and park on the outer edge of the overflow lot. The shuttle page suggests parking in the lot across the street and riding the shuttle or walking through the tunnel. No official time of day when the lot fills was found.

Garden of the Gods accessible parking and trail
Fully accessible parking lot and ADA-compliant concrete trail from Parking Lot #4 into the Central Garden (2025 project, complete)

City project page: about 3,200 square feet of asphalt replaced for accessible parking nearer the Central Garden; concrete path from Lot #4 replaced and excessive slopes corrected.

Garden of the Gods rock climbing rules
Technical climbing only, in parties of 2 or more with proper equipment; every climber needs a free climbing permit

Official park rules: rock scrambling (more than 10 ft up without equipment) is illegal; no rappelling for sport; no chalk or substitutes; do not climb wet sandstone; seasonal route closures are signed; everyone at the base must be a permitted climber; leave pets at home.

Garden of the Gods dogs
Welcome on a leash of at least 6 ft at all times; owners pick up all waste

Official park rules: bags at the Visitor & Nature Center pet area; well-behaved pets allowed inside the center except the indoor dining and carpeted areas.

Garden of the Gods bikes
Paved bike lanes on the one-way park roads; the Garden Drive and Juniper Way loop is about 6 miles with hills up to a 15% grade at 6,400 ft; mountain bikes on designated trails only

Official park rules, Bike Rules. Mountain bike trails are shared with horses and hikers.

Driving through Garden of the Gods
Free to drive through in your own vehicle; 20 mph speed limit for all traffic; do not park or stop in the pedestrian and bike lane

Official park rules. Parking Lot 1 (Overflow) and Lot 16 (near Balanced Rock and the Trading Post) are the only lots built for large vehicles and trailers.

Garden of the Gods visitors per year
About 4.5 million

City of Colorado Springs project page: 'the most visited attraction in the Pikes Peak Region' with approximately 4.5 million visitors a year. The park site says over 4 million; Wikipedia says more than two million.

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

Planning guide: Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

Hill Climb 2027 race date
Sunday, June 27, 2027 (105th running, The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo)

Announced by PPIHC on July 9, 2026.

Hill Climb 2027 race week
Tech Inspection Monday June 21; practice and qualifying Tuesday June 22 - Friday June 25; Fan Fest Friday evening in downtown Colorado Springs; race Sunday June 27

Competitor applications, volunteer registration and race-week details still to be announced.

Hill Climb 2027 tickets
On sale December 1, 2026 (no prices announced)
Hill Climb 2026 race (past)
Sunday June 21, 2026 (104th running); highway ticket page said 'Closed for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Race (June 21, 2026)'

Past season, for reference.

Hill Climb course
12.42 miles, 156 turns, finish at 14,115 ft
Highway on Hill Climb race day
Yes: highway pages say closed on the race day (written as 'the third Sunday in June'); admission ticket page repeats it for 2026

CONFLICT: the 2027 race is the fourth Sunday (June 27). Treat the rule as 'closed on Hill Climb race day', not a weekday rule. Also, shuttle dates for 2026 skipped June 20 and 21 (race weekend).

Hill Climb practice days
Not published Practice sessions run on the weekdays before the race; spectator practice tickets 75 USD per day (older FAQ), gates 4:00 - 4:45 am. Whether the highway is closed to ordinary visitors on practice days for 2027: not published

A City notice (2025 notice; the page was not retrievable in full) said uphill traffic was held until 8:30 am on practice days. PPIHC FAQ page is partly stale (2024/2025 dates) so those practice prices are past-season.

Trail closures on race day
Devils Playground to summit trail (#753) temporarily closed on race day in 2024; Barr Trail #620 stayed open

Past season (2024) notice on the FAQ page.

Open data

Both files are generated from the same data as this page and are updated with it.

pikes-peak-facts.json
All 122 facts with section, label, value, unit, note and every source with its fetch date. The figures belong to their sources; the compilation is CC BY 4.0. Credit pikespeak.info with a link to https://pikespeak.info/pikes-peak-facts/.
barr-trail-profile.csv
Barr Trail elevation profile, 120 points from 6,676 ft at the trailhead to 14,082 ft at the summit, with a measured climb of 7,412 ft. Columns: point, trail_mi, osm_mi, lat, lon, elevation_ft, elevation_m. Distances along the OpenStreetMap line (11.84 mi) are stretched to the published one-way length of 13 mi in trail_mi; elevations are unchanged. Geometry © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0. Elevations: USGS 3DEP, public domain. The profile is drawn on the Barr Trail hike time calculator.

Facts on this page last checked 2026-11-03 by the pikespeak.info editor. Rules and prices change; confirm with the operator before you travel. See every figure with its source.