Driving Up Pikes Peak Colorado: What To Do On America’s Mountain

Driving up Pikes Peak, Colorado, is one of the most thrilling experiences in the state. Here are all the tips, updated for 2026, for making the Pikes Peak drive with your family.

One of the most iconic Colorado experiences is driving up the Pikes Peak Highway. Whether you’re here for the jaw-dropping views from the top or the experiences along the way, you’re bound to come home with unforgettable memories. There’s a lot more to the Pikes Peak drive than meets the eye, and after making the trip with my kids one memorable fall, experiencing every type of weather the mountain could throw at us, I’m here to share the best of it with you.

Driving up Pikes Peak was one of our all-time favorite family road trips in Colorado. My boys, then aged six and eight, were thrilled by the exciting drive and all the stops along the way. They were already old hands at high-altitude travel after our family’s adventures in Peru, but the view from the top of Pikes Peak was something else entirely. The journey up put an exclamation point on our time in Colorado, and it was a completely different beast from our gentler drive from Denver to Estes Park.

Pikes Peak is a 14,115-foot “fourteener” just west of Colorado Springs, and you can reach the summit three ways: driving the Pikes Peak Highway (my pick, about three hours), the newly rebuilt Cog Railway from Manitou Springs, or hiking the grueling Barr Trail. The single most important thing to know for 2026: from late May through September, you now need a timed-entry permit to drive to the summit, booked in advance.

About Pikes Peak, Colorado

Rising from the Colorado landscape to an astounding 14,115 ft, Pikes Peak is one of more than 50 “Fourteeners” in the state, mountains that top 14,000 ft (4,267 meters) above sea level. Being one of 50 might not sound so dramatic, but Pikes Peak is one of the very few Fourteeners the general public can reach without technical climbing gear.

Not only does Pikes Peak sit just a few minutes from Colorado Springs, but a paved toll road makes driving all the way to the summit possible. Be warned: this drive is not for the faint of heart.

A visit to Pikes Peak earned a spot on our list of the top things to do in Colorado with kids. Its breathtaking views and otherworldly landscape make it a genuinely unique experience. But you won’t be alone up there. Every year, nearly 500,000 people make the trip to “America’s Mountain.”

Why Is Pikes Peak Called America’s Mountain?

Long before Europeans arrived, this peak was sacred ground. The Ute people who called the region home referred to themselves as the Tabeguache, “People of Sun Mountain.” The mountain was renamed several times over the centuries before it was officially christened “Pikes Peak” in 1890, in honor of the American explorer Zebulon Pike, who tried and failed to summit it back in 1806.

But Pikes Peak truly earned its “America’s Mountain” fame thanks to a poet. In 1893, the writer Katharine Lee Bates took in the view from the summit and was so moved by the endless valleys below that she was inspired to pen the words to “America the Beautiful.” The poem was later set to music and quickly became one of the country’s most beloved patriotic songs. You’ll find a plaque bearing its words outside the Summit Visitor Center.

How To Get To The Pikes Peak Summit

Reaching the summit of Pikes Peak doesn’t have to mean driving, though that’s my favorite way to do it. There are several routes to the top, and every one of them makes the journey half the fun.

Driving Up Pikes Peak

Driving yourself is the most popular and most flexible way to reach the summit, and it’s the one I recommend. You control your own pace; you can stop wherever the view grabs you, and, on a day like ours, you might get lucky and drive out from under a summit blizzard into brilliant sunshine lower down.

Here’s the crucial 2026 update: from roughly late May through the end of September, you need a timed-entry permit to drive your personal vehicle to the summit. The permit assigns you an arrival window at the Gateway and is booked in advance at DrivePikesPeak.com, on top of the standard admission. Outside those summer months, no reservation is needed, and you simply pay at the Gateway. Book your window early on summer weekends, because they do sell out.

The drive itself takes about an hour each way without stops, so budget at least three hours round-trip to enjoy it. And know that summit access can still be limited by weather. When we arrived, a storm was rolling in, and the Gateway attendant asked about our comfort in bad weather, looked over our vehicle (a 2019 Toyota 4Runner), and noted that we had kids in car seats before waving us up while others were routed to the shuttle. The mountain makes the rules.

The Pikes Peak Cog Railway

The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway is the classic way to reach the top without gripping a steering wheel. Fully rebuilt from the rails up and reopened in 2021, its brand-new heated trains climb from the depot in Manitou Springs to the summit in about three hours round-trip, gliding past 2,000-year-old bristlecone pines and through four different life zones. It’s the most relaxing route to the top, and a wonderful option in winter when the highway is at its moodiest. Reserve four to eight weeks ahead in summer, since it books up fast, and note that strollers, carriers, and pets aren’t allowed on board.

Shuttle and Jeep Tours

Prefer to let someone else handle the switchbacks? Shuttle and guided jeep tours run from the Gateway and Colorado Springs to the summit, a great choice if the idea of the upper hairpins makes your palms sweat, or if summit parking is full. The shuttle stops at several points on the way up, so you can hop off and explore.

Hiking Up Pikes Peak

For those who want to earn the summit the old-fashioned way, the Barr Trail near Manitou Springs is the route. It’s a serious undertaking: about 13 miles (21 km) each way with a vertical gain of roughly 7,400 ft to the 14,115 ft summit. While Pikes Peak is considered one of the “easier” Fourteeners to hike, that is a deeply relative term, and most hikers break it into two days with a night at Barr Camp. A dedicated hiker shuttle can bring you back down so your knees don’t have to.

Biking Up (or Down) Pikes Peak

For the seriously fit, you can pedal up the highway. For everyone else, the smart move is to have your bike shuttled to the top and ride the 19 miles of scenic switchbacks down, all gravity and grins. Just make sure your brakes are in excellent shape, and expect your forearms to file a complaint.

Tips For Visiting Pikes Peak, Colorado

Visiting Pikes Peak is an incredible experience, but a little know-how makes all the difference.

What Are The Pikes Peak Hours And Costs?

Pikes Peak is open year-round, though access is entirely weather-dependent and storms can close the upper road with little warning. Hours run longest in summer (gates opening around 7:30 a.m.) and shorten considerably in winter, so always check the official Pikes Peak hours and rates page before you go.

Driving up isn’t a cheap Colorado activity, but the fee keeps visitor numbers sustainable and the highway in good repair. Expect a per-person admission charge with a discounted rate for a full vehicle, plus that small timed-entry permit in the summer season. Rates change, so confirm the current cost on the official site rather than trusting a number you read in an old blog post (including, one day, this one).

Pikes Peak Car Tips

Car maintenance matters here. There are no gas stations on the mountain and very few nearby, so fill up before you start. Your brakes need to be in top condition, because the drive down is long, steep, and hard on them. You’ll ride your low gears nearly the whole way, and don’t be surprised if a ranger flags you down at the brake-check station to point an infrared thermometer at your wheels. If your brakes are too hot, you’ll be parked until they cool. It’s not a suggestion.

How To Dress For The Drive Up Pikes Peak

Whatever the season, dress in layers. The temperature and weather can differ wildly between the base and the summit, where it can be 30 or 40 degrees colder and blowing a gale. At a minimum, pack a packable down jacket, a hat, and gloves. Scroll down to our summit photo if you doubt me: that blizzard hit in July.

Driving Up Pikes Peak With Kids

Pikes Peak is a fantastic family adventure, wonderful for kids who love a view from the window and even better for those who like to hop out and explore. The one thing to watch closely is altitude. As you climb toward 14,000 feet, keep an eye out for signs of altitude sickness (headache, nausea, unusual fussiness), which can be especially hard to spot in young children who can’t quite describe how they feel. Take it slow, hydrate hard, and don’t push it if someone’s struggling.

What To See On The Drive Up Pikes Peak

Any Pikes Peak veteran will tell you: this Colorado road trip is about the journey, not just the destination. That’s one big reason I recommend driving over riding the Cog. Our summit was a whiteout of snow and screaming wind, but everything below it was blue sky and glorious views, and driving let us stop and soak it all in.

Crystal Reservoir Visitor Center

Past the Gateway, you’ll climb through gorgeous forest and picnic areas to one of the first dramatic stops: Crystal Reservoir. The dam is actually part of the highway, and you’ll drive right across it. There’s a visitor center and gift shop here, a lovely spot for a snack and a photo, and you can rent non-motorized boats and fishing gear to explore the water

Halfway Picnic Area

The aptly named Halfway Picnic Area is a great place to stretch your legs. There are semi-private picnic spots, each with its own grill, plus restrooms. Grab one of the outer spots for the best views.

The Old Pikes Peak Ski Area

Yes, there was once a ski resort up here. The Pikes Peak ski area closed back in 1984, but backcountry skiers still earn their turns on the slopes. Just know the lifts are long gone, so everything is uphill on your own steam.

Devil’s Playground

One of the best leg-stretchers on the drive is Devil’s Playground, named for the way lightning is said to leap between the wild rock formations here (a cheerful thought at 13,000 feet). There’s a big parking lot, and a short scramble up the path rewards you with incredible views of the highway snaking through the valley below. It’s also where the last stretch of the summit hiking trail crosses the road.

The Pikes Peak Summit

At the summit, your white-knuckled hands finally get a rest. Step out, breathe the (very thin) air, and head into the Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center. The state-of-the-art building opened in June 2021 (so ignore any older guide that tells you it’s still under construction), and it’s a beauty, with floor-to-ceiling summit views, interpretive exhibits, a café, and a gift shop.

And you must try the famous high-altitude donuts. Getting dough to rise properly at 14,000 feet is a genuine culinary feat, and the Summit House chefs have cracked it. Don’t bother asking for the secret; they’ll never tell. We ate ours watching a July blizzard erase the view entirely, hot chocolate in hand, and honestly, it was perfect.

What To Do Near Pikes Peak, Colorado

A round-trip drive up Pikes Peak takes about three to four hours, which leaves plenty of the day to explore the wonderland at its feet. Here are my favorite stops nearby.

Explore Manitou Springs

The charming little town of Manitou Springs sits right at the foot of the mountain and is the perfect base for a Pikes Peak day. It’s a walkable, artsy, slightly eccentric place, dotted with free naturally carbonated mineral springs you can taste from public fountains, an old-school penny arcade the kids will beg to visit, and street after street of galleries and cafes. Don’t skip it.

Hike the Manitou Incline

If your legs aren’t tired enough after the mountain, the Manitou Incline will finish the job. This former funicular rail bed climbs roughly 2,000 vertical feet in under a mile, on more than 2,700 steps, at grades that hit 68 percent. It’s a bucket-list burner for fitness lovers. Free timed reservations are required, so book ahead, and pair it with our guide to the best family hikes in Colorado Springs.

Garden Of The Gods

If you didn’t get enough of the amazing landscapes while driving up Pikes Peak, head over to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs and prepare to have your mind blown. Garden of the Gods is a sprawling park with some of the most mind-blowing rock formations in the state.

Bring your hiking shoes and prepare to explore. It’s easy to spend the rest of the day after Pikes Peak wandering this completely free Colorado attraction. You can read more about the Garden of the Gods here. It’s also possible to sign up for a day tour that combines both Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods. You can learn more about that trip here.

Cave of the Winds Mountain Park

Just a short drive from Colorado Springs is the popular Cave of the Winds Mountain Park. Cave of the Winds offers a series of cave tours ranging from 45-minute explorations to immersive spelunking expeditions through some of the cave’s more remote sections.

Cave of the Winds also has challenge courses, zip-lines, and the Bat-a-Pult. This wild canyon swing drops visitors deep across a gorge on a thrilling ride. Cave of the Winds is a great experience for those visiting Pikes Peak with kids. You can read my complete guide to Cave of the Winds for families here.

North Pole: Santa’s Workshop

Right at the base of the highway in Cascade sits North Pole: Santa’s Workshop, a delightfully retro Christmas-themed amusement park that’s been charming Colorado families since 1956. With gentle rides, a petting zoo, and a year-round visit with Santa himself, it’s a magical, low-key add-on for families with younger kids, and it’s seasonal, so check the calendar before you go.

For more ways to fill out a Colorado Springs trip, see our full guide to things to do in Colorado with kids and the state’s incredible national and state parks.

Where To Eat Near Pikes Peak

You’ll want fuel for all that altitude, and the area delivers.

On the mountain itself, the Summit House is your only option, Summit house is famous for its high-altitude donuts, a special recip that allows the donuts to remain fluffy at this elevation. Grab a hot chocolate, coffee, and simple eats- the kind of food you want up there. The Crystal Reservoir gift shop lower down has snacks too.

The real feast is in Manitou Springs at the base. It punches well above its weight: The Loop for hearty Mexican, Adam’s Mountain Cafe (you can check out their Instagram here) for a farm-to-table breakfast or lunch, Manitou Brewing Company for craft beer and elevated pub fare, and Savelli’s for classic pizza and pasta.

Save room for a bag of saltwater taffy from Patsy’s Candies, a local institution. If you base yourself in Colorado Springs, the dining scene there is even broader.

Where To Stay Near Pikes Peak

If you’re visiting from out of town, it’s well worth turning a Pikes Peak day into an overnight (or three) so you can slow down and explore the whole area. Here are some standouts, all bookable on the major platforms like Booking and Expedia.

The Broadmoor

For a proper splurge, The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs is the grande dame of Colorado hotels, a five-star, Forbes-rated resort that’s hosted presidents and celebrities since 1918. Think lake-side grounds, a world-class spa, multiple pools, and a dozen restaurants. It also owns the Cog Railway and several nearby wilderness experiences, so it’s a natural hub for a Pikes Peak trip.

The Cliff House At Pikes Peak

Just 1.6 miles from the mountain in Manitou Springs, The Cliff House at Pikes Peak blends history and comfort beautifully. On the National Register of Historic Places and older than the state of Colorado itself, this Victorian charmer has 54 rooms, a complimentary breakfast, and thoughtful touches like heated toilet seats to take the chill off a mountain morning. You can check rates and availability here.

Garden Of The Gods Resort And Club

For a stay that pairs with that other jaw-dropping landscape, the Garden of the Gods Resort and Club offers upscale rooms and casitas, a stunning infinity pool, and some of the best red-rock views in the city. It’s a serene, grown-up base with easy access to both the park and the mountain. You can check out their current rates and availability here.

Cheyenne Mountain Resort

The Cheyenne Mountain Resort is a resort-style pick with indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, a spa, an 18-hole golf course, and even complimentary boat rentals on its 35-acre lake. Its blend of accessibility and remote-feeling calm makes for a lovely escape. You can check rates and availability here.

Planning to fold Pikes Peak into a wider Colorado trip? Our guides to where to stay in Denver and things to do in Denver with kids will help you round it out.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Pikes Peak

Have you ever made the drive up Pikes Peak? Tell us about your experience in the comments below, or visit our Facebook page or and share a photo of your adventure or tag our Instagram account with your adventure.

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