Things to do nearPikes Peak
Pikes Peak is Colorado's most iconic fourteener, drawing visitors with sweeping alpine vistas, a storied railway, and high-altitude wonder above Colorado Springs.
Pikes Peak has shaped American culture in ways that go well beyond its dramatic silhouette. When Katharine Lee Bates climbed the mountain in 1893, the view from the summit inspired her to write the words that became "America the Beautiful," giving the peak a permanent place in the national imagination. Long before that, the mountain served as a landmark for explorers, traders, and settlers crossing the Great Plains, visible from well over 100 miles away on a clear day.
Today, visitors reach the summit by several routes. The Pikes Peak Highway is a 19-mile toll road that winds through tundra and exposed ridgelines to the top. The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, one of the highest cog railways in the world, offers a narrated ride through spruce forests and above the treeline to a modern summit house designed to withstand the mountain's fierce winds. Hikers tackling the Barr Trail commit to a 13-mile climb each way, passing through distinct ecological zones on the way up.
The summit itself is a place of genuine drama. Rocks crumble underfoot, marmots dart between boulders, and clouds sometimes form at eye level rather than overhead. The Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center offers exhibits on the mountain's geology and history alongside warming food and the celebrated high-altitude doughnuts that have become a tradition for generations of visitors.
Pikes Peak sits within Pike National Forest and anchors an entire region of outdoor recreation, from the Garden of the Gods to the town of Manitou Springs just below. Few mountains in the country are this accessible and this rewarding at once, making Pikes Peak a destination that earns its reputation every single time.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Pikes Peak
Visit during late summer, from July through early September, when the summit road is most reliably clear of snow and ice.
Try the famous summit doughnuts at the Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center, a long-standing tradition that tastes especially good at altitude.
Bring a warm layer regardless of the season, as temperatures at the summit can be 30 to 40 degrees cooler than at the base.
Start the Barr Trail hike before dawn if you plan to reach the summit on foot, giving yourself enough time to descend before afternoon thunderstorms build.
Check the Pikes Peak Highway road conditions online the morning of your visit, as weather can close the upper section with little notice.
Top tours & experiences near Pikes Peak
Downtown Colorado Springs Food Tour
Taste five local stops and discover downtown Colorado Springs stories
Pikes Peak Summit Van Tour from Colorado Springs
Explore Pikes Peak's high-elevation scenery with a professional mountain driver
4-Hour Guided ATV Tour in Pike National Forest
Guided forest riding with creek beds, high-elevation views, and a Pikes Peak overlook
Self-Drive Guided Jeep Tour in Pike National Forest
Follow a guide through Pike National Forest in your own Jeep
Active Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mine Tour
Go behind the scenes of modern gold mining in Colorado's historic gold country
Pikes Peak Summit to Manitou Springs Hiker Shuttle
Ride down Pikes Peak after your Barr Trail hike
Guided Wildlife Jeep Tour in Woodland Park
Drive rugged Rocky Mountain trails with guide-led overlooks and wildlife viewing
Private Pikes Peak Highway Van Tour from Colorado Springs
Private van access to Pikes Peak’s summit, with pickup tailored to your group
Drive a Jeep on a 2-Hour Guided Tour in Woodland Park
Drive your own Jeep with a guide through Pike National Forest
Self-Drive Sunset Jeep Wildlife Tour in Pike National Forest
Drive a guided Jeep at sunset through Pike National Forest
45-Minute Slingshot Rental in Woodland Park
Take a quick Slingshot drive through Rocky Mountain scenery
Drive a 6-Hour Guided Jeep Tour in Woodland Park
Drive your own Jeep on a guided Pike National Forest adventure
4-Hour Slingshot Rental Near Woodland Park, CO
Ride a Polaris Slingshot for 4 hours with unlimited miles and a recommended route map
6-Hour Slingshot Rental Near Woodland Park
6 hours on a Polaris Slingshot with unlimited miles and a digital route map
Drive a Full-Day Slingshot Rental in Woodland Park
Rent a Slingshot for the day with unlimited miles and a digital map
Private Rock Climbing Tower Summits in Garden of the Gods
Tackle classic sandstone towers with a private guide and routes matched to your ability
Westcreek Sunset Wildlife UTV Guided Tour
Drive a UTV through Pike National Forest at sunset with guided wildlife viewing
Guided UTV Ride-Along Tour Near Woodland Park
Let a professional guide drive you through Rocky Mountain trails and scenic overlooks
Ice Castle Adventure
Explore dazzling ice slides and caverns on a family-friendly winter adventure
UTV Ride-Along Tour with Pikes Peak Views in Westcreek
Guided Rocky Mountain UTV sightseeing with creek crossings and a tour video
Explore Pikes Peak on a 3.5-Hour Jeep Tour
Ride to the 14,115-ft summit of Pikes Peak with a guide and driver
Westcreek Sunset Guided UTV Tour
Drive rugged forest trails at sunset with a guide and mountain overlooks
Explore Pikes Peak & Garden of the Gods Jeep Tour
See Garden of the Gods and reach the Pikes Peak summit by luxury Jeep
3-Hour Guided UTV Ride-Along Tour in Westcreek
Let a professional guide drive you through Rocky Mountain trails and scenic overlooks