Colorado Springs is Colorado's second-largest city and the natural partner to a Denver trip. It sits about 70 miles south along I-25 at the foot of Pikes Peak, the mountain that inspired the lyrics of "America the Beautiful." Its west side holds three of the best-known sights in the state within a few miles of each other: the red sandstone formations of Garden of the Gods, the spa town of Manitou Springs and the road and railway to the top of Pikes Peak.
Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is a city park, and that is part of its charm. Sandstone layers that were laid down flat were tilted on edge as the Rocky Mountains rose, leaving fins and towers of red rock standing vertically against the backdrop of Pikes Peak. The land was given to Colorado Springs in 1909 by the children of railroad magnate Charles Elliott Perkins on the condition that it stay free to the public, and it still is. The park is also a National Natural Landmark.
How to visit
- Start at the Visitor and Nature Center at 1805 N. 30th St. It has free exhibits, restrooms and a terrace with one of the best views of the formations framed by the peak.
- Walk the Perkins Central Garden Trail, a paved, mostly level loop of about a mile and a half through the tallest formations. It suits strollers and wheelchairs.
- Drive the one-way loop road with pullouts for Balanced Rock, the Kissing Camels and the Sleeping Giant.
- Get away from the crowds on the dirt trails on the park's west and south sides, which see far fewer people.
The park opens at 5 a.m. year-round and closes at 9 p.m. in winter and 10 p.m. from May through October, according to the city. Parking lots near the central formations fill quickly on summer weekends; arriving before 9 a.m. makes the visit much calmer. Technical rock climbing requires a permit from the city, and climbing on the formations without one is prohibited. Read the posted rules before leaving the trail.
Pikes Peak
At 14,115 feet, Pikes Peak is one of Colorado's fifty-plus "fourteeners" and the only one with both a highway and a railway to the summit. The summit visitor center opened in 2021 and offers food, exhibits and restrooms. There are three ways up.
The Pikes Peak Highway
The 19-mile toll road starts in Cascade, a few minutes west of Manitou Springs, and climbs through forest and tundra with many switchbacks. In 2026 the city required a low-cost timed-entry permit for vehicles traveling past mile 7 from May 22 through September 30, in addition to admission. A shuttle from mile 7 to Glen Cove, Devils Playground and the summit offered an alternative to driving the upper road and did not require the vehicle permit. Check the official site for current dates, prices and road conditions, which change with weather.
The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway
The cog railway climbs from a depot in Manitou Springs to the summit, a ride of around an hour each way with a stop at the top. It returned to service in 2021 after a full rebuild. Tickets sell out on summer days, so book in advance.
On foot
The Barr Trail climbs about 7,500 feet over roughly 13 miles from Manitou Springs to the summit. It is a serious undertaking for fit, acclimatized hikers, usually done by starting before dawn and riding the railway or a shuttle down. It is not a casual day-trip add-on.
Going from Denver to over 14,000 feet in an hour or two is a big jump. The CDC advises gradual ascent where possible. Drink water, move slowly at the summit, and head down if anyone develops a worsening headache, nausea or breathlessness at rest. Bring warm layers: the summit can be near freezing in July.
Manitou Springs
Tucked into a canyon at the base of Pikes Peak just west of Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs grew as a health resort around naturally carbonated mineral springs. Several public fountains around town let you taste the water, and each tastes different. The historic downtown has small shops, cafes and Victorian buildings. Nearby are the Manitou Cliff Dwellings, a privately owned museum of relocated Ancestral Puebloan stone structures, and the Cave of the Winds, a show cave with tours above Williams Canyon.
The Manitou Incline, a former funicular route that climbs about 2,000 feet in under a mile, is a famous, punishing workout. It has required free reservations for much of the year; check the city's page before you go.
More in Colorado Springs
- U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum: a modern museum downtown that opened in 2020, good for a hot or stormy afternoon.
- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: on the side of Cheyenne Mountain at about 6,800 feet, known for its large giraffe herd and hand-feeding platform.
- Old Colorado City: a historic district on the west side with independent shops and restaurants, a convenient stop between Garden of the Gods and Manitou.
- U.S. Air Force Academy: north of the city, with its striking Cadet Chapel. Visitor access depends on current base security rules; check before you go.
A one-day plan from Denver
- 7:00 a.m. Leave Denver on I-25 south.
- 8:15 a.m. Garden of the Gods: visitor center terrace, then the Central Garden loop.
- 10:30 a.m. Pikes Peak by cog railway from Manitou Springs, or drive to the highway gate in Cascade.
- 2:00 p.m. Late lunch in Manitou Springs; taste the mineral springs and walk downtown.
- 4:30 p.m. Optional stop in Old Colorado City, then drive back to Denver ahead of the evening rush.
Traffic on I-25 between Castle Rock and Denver can be heavy on Friday and Sunday afternoons. Starting home earlier or after 7 p.m. helps.
Frequently asked questions
Is Garden of the Gods free?
Yes. The City of Colorado Springs keeps both the park and the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center free, in keeping with the 1909 gift of the land to the city on the condition that it remain free to the public. Some extras, such as the visitor center film, guided tours and concessions, cost money.
What are Garden of the Gods park hours?
The city lists the park as open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. from November 1 to April 30 and 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. from May 1 to October 31. The visitor center keeps shorter daytime hours that change by season.
Do you need a reservation to drive Pikes Peak?
In summer 2026, vehicles going past mile 7 of the Pikes Peak Highway needed a timed-entry permit from May 22 through September 30, on top of highway admission. Shuttle riders parked at mile 7 and did not need the vehicle permit. Outside that window, admission is still charged and the upper road may close for weather.
Can you do Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak in one day from Denver?
Yes, with an early start. A realistic plan is Garden of the Gods in the morning, Pikes Peak by highway, shuttle or cog railway around midday, and Manitou Springs in the late afternoon before driving back.
Sources
Checked against official sources in October 2026. Hours, fees, reservation rules and road status change often; the agency or venue linked above is always the final word. See how we research.