The Incline at a glance
The Manitou Incline is a steep stairway on the mountainside above Manitou Springs, Colorado. The city of Colorado Springs lists 2,768 steps and a climb of 2,000 feet (610 m) in less than 1 mile (1.61 km). A city shuttle flyer for 2026 gives 2,744 steps, so think of it as roughly 2,750. Either way, it is a hard and steady climb, not a stroll.
This is an independent guide. It is not run by the city or by any tour company, and you cannot make a reservation here. You book online through the city's Incline page. Rules and times below are as listed in October 2026 and can change.
How the reservation works
The reservation is the part most visitors miss.
Book online, free of charge
The reservation costs nothing. You make it online, and you sign a new waiver with every booking. Book before you drive to Manitou Springs, not at the bottom of the stairs.
Arrive in your 30-minute window
Each reservation comes with a 30-minute arrival window. The city allows 45 reservations per half hour.
No staff check does not mean no rule
Even if no staff member checks your reservation at the start, the requirement still applies.
Stay within the hours
Climbing outside the posted hours is prohibited. See the table below for the two seasons.
Tours and tickets around Manitou Springs
The Incline is a self-guided climb, so there is nothing to book for it on this page. If you would rather ride, take a guide or add a second stop, these tours and tickets start in and around Manitou Springs, with current prices and availability.
Hours by season
Listed by the city, 2026.
| Season | Dates | Open |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | 1 May to 31 October | 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Winter | 1 November to 30 April | 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
The winter closing time is three hours earlier than in summer. Build your climb, your rest at the top and your way down around it, and do not start late in the day.
Parking and the free shuttle
Sort out the last mile before you leave the hotel.
Dillon Mobility Hub
The city recommends the Dillon Mobility Hub at 134 Manitou Avenue. The first 2 hours are free. That is not a promise of free all-day parking, so read the posted rates if you plan to stay longer.
Shuttle Route 33
This free shuttle runs to the Incline and the Barr Trail and on to the Cog Railway. The published timetable covers 29 March to 24 October 2026. Check whether service continues before you rely on it later in the year.
Route 3 pilot
The city also names Route 3 as a free pilot service that began in March 2026. Check the current status before you plan around it.
For the town itself, with its mineral springs and the Cog Railway depot, see our Manitou Springs guide. If you are arriving from Denver, getting there covers the routes.
Coming down and what to bring
The shuttle flyer recommends walking down by the Barr Trail. Take enough water and snacks, and clothes for a change in the weather. Pets are not allowed.
The area lies high: the Colorado Springs airport weather station is at 6,181 feet (1,884 m), and the Incline gains 2,000 feet more. Go at an easy pace, drink often and turn around if you feel unwell.
Summer is the wetter season. Long-term averages at the airport station show 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain in July and 75 mm (3.0 in) in August (1991 to 2020 normals, not a forecast). In thunder, go into a solid building or a fully enclosed vehicle, because there is no fully safe place outdoors when lightning is close. The National Weather Service advises stopping outdoor activity in good time, and a bare mountain staircase is a poor place to wait.
Plan the rest of your day
Other stops close to the Incline and further afield.
Manitou Springs
Mineral springs, the main street and the starting point for the Incline.
Pikes Peak
Cog Railway from Manitou Springs, the highway and altitude advice.
Cave of the Winds
Cave tours, outdoor rides and 2026 prices near Manitou Springs.
Garden of the Gods trails
Easier walks for the day after the Incline.
Manitou Incline: frequently asked questions
Do I need a reservation for the Incline?
Yes. The reservation is free, made online, and needs a newly signed waiver each time. It comes with a 30-minute arrival window. The lack of staff checks on site does not remove the requirement.
What are the opening hours?
From 1 May to 31 October the Incline is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. From 1 November to 30 April it is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Climbing outside those hours is prohibited.
How many steps are there?
The city's Incline page says 2,768 steps. A 2026 city shuttle flyer says 2,744. Both agree on a climb of about 2,000 feet (610 m) in less than a mile.
Where do I park?
The city recommends the Dillon Mobility Hub at 134 Manitou Avenue, where the first 2 hours are free. The free Route 33 shuttle serves the Incline, the Barr Trail and the Cog Railway. The published timetable covers 29 March to 24 October 2026.
Can I bring my dog?
No. The 2026 shuttle flyer states that pets are not allowed on the Incline.
How should I get down?
The flyer recommends the Barr Trail. Carry water and snacks and clothing for changing weather. See Pikes Peak if you want to continue to the summit by rail or road.