Two ways up Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak is the mountain you see behind the red rocks at Garden of the Gods. The summit is at 14,115 feet (4,302 m). You can ride the Cog Railway or drive the Pikes Peak Highway in your own vehicle. Both start outside the park. The railway leaves from Manitou Springs, not from Garden of the Gods.
Most visitors pick one. The train gives you a seat and a set trip. The highway gives you your own pace and costs less per person if you travel in a group of up to five.
Cog Railway or highway
The main differences, with published prices from 2026.
| Cog Railway | Pikes Peak Highway | |
|---|---|---|
| Start | 515 Ruxton Avenue, Manitou Springs | Highway gateway, your own vehicle |
| Time | About 3 hours round trip | Your own pace |
| Price | Adults from $67, children from $57 online | Adults (16 and older) $18, children (6 to 15) $8, or $65 per carload of up to 5 |
| Reservation | Booking ahead secures a seat | Timed entry for private vehicles, 22 May to 30 September 2026 |
| Season | Offered year-round | Year-round, depending on weather |
Our picks: Pikes Peak tours
A Jeep tour from Colorado Springs or a day trip from Denver.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Jeep tour
Four hours in a shared Jeep with the Pikes Peak Highway fees, blankets, heated seats, summit jackets and emergency water and snacks included. No cog railway ticket; tips are extra, and the meeting point changes with the season.
Check availability →
Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods day trip from Denver
A guided day with return transport from Denver and lunch included. Pikes Peak is reached by road without a cog railway ticket, and if the road is closed the tour goes to the highest point open.
Check availability →Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods tours
Guided jeep tours, day trips and combinations that include Pikes Peak, with live prices and availability.
Pikes Peak Cog Railway
The Cog Railway departs from 515 Ruxton Avenue in Manitou Springs and is offered year-round. The round trip takes about 3 hours. The railway recommends arriving at least 30 minutes before departure. Departure times change by day, so check the current timetable before you go.
Online reserved admission for adults starts at $67 and for children at $57. The Engineer's View seat starts at $96 for adults and $86 for children. Reserved admission by phone or at the depot starts at $86 and $76. Taxes and extra fees come on top. Booking ahead secures your seat, and spontaneous tickets at the depot depend on availability.
Manitou Springs is also the place for the Manitou Incline and the town's mineral springs. Read more in our Manitou Springs guide.
Pikes Peak Highway
Tolls, timed entry, hours and the summer shuttle, according to the city.
Tolls, 1 May to 30 November
Adults aged 16 and older pay $18. Children aged 6 to 15 pay $8. A carload of up to five people pays $65, and each additional adult pays $13 and each additional child $5. Do not apply this table to winter months.
Timed entry, 2026
From 22 May to 30 September 2026, private vehicles reserve a time window for $2 per vehicle, on top of the toll. You arrive at the gateway within the 2-hour window. The fee is not refundable, and rebooking depends on availability. This is a seasonal rule, not a year-round requirement.
Hours
The road is open year-round in principle, weather permitting. The city's table for 1 October to 21 May lists uphill traffic from 9 a.m., last entry at 3 p.m., summit closing at 4 p.m. and the lower exit gate closing at 5 p.m. Check the current hours before you drive.
Summer shuttle
A paid shuttle runs from mile 7 to the summit about every 30 minutes. It operates daily from 22 May to 9 August, then on weekends and Labor Day in September. Adults aged 16 and older pay $40, children aged 6 to 15 pay $12, and children up to 5 ride free on an adult's lap. It is not a free shuttle for every highway guest.
Altitude and weather at the summit
Plan for thin air and fast changes.
Altitude sickness
Signs include headache, dizziness, weakness and nausea. In severe cases, breathing becomes hard. The city advises going down to a lower elevation. It does not recommend the trip for infants under 6 months or for people with serious heart or lung conditions.
Cold and ice
The city warns that icy and slippery conditions are possible at the summit all year. Bring warmer clothes than you wear in town, and check the weather and road status on the day.
Thunderstorms
Summer storms are common. When you hear thunder, go into a solid building or a fully closed vehicle. Outside, no place is fully safe near lightning.
Weather by month →Combine it with the park
Pikes Peak works well as a second stop on a Garden of the Gods day.
Garden of the Gods is a free city park, and the summit trip is a separate paid outing. Some guided jeep tours combine both, so check whether highway fees are included. For a day trip from Denver, see the getting there guide.
Pikes Peak: frequently asked questions
Does the Cog Railway leave from Garden of the Gods?
No. It departs from 515 Ruxton Avenue in Manitou Springs. Garden of the Gods has no railway station.
How high is Pikes Peak?
The city gives the summit elevation as 14,115 feet (4,302 m).
Do I need a reservation for the Pikes Peak Highway?
For private vehicles in 2026, a timed entry reservation applies from 22 May to 30 September and costs $2 per vehicle on top of the toll. Outside that season, check the city's current rules.
How much does the Pikes Peak Highway cost?
From 1 May to 30 November, adults aged 16 and older pay $18 and children aged 6 to 15 pay $8. A carload of up to five people pays $65.
How much is the Cog Railway?
Online reserved admission starts at $67 for adults and $57 for children. Phone and walk-up reserved admission starts at $86 and $76. Taxes and fees are extra.
Can I get altitude sickness?
Yes, it can happen at the summit. If you feel headache, dizziness, weakness or nausea, go down to a lower elevation.