How the tours differ
Entry to the park is free, and you can drive or walk through it on your own. A tour adds a guide, a vehicle or a route you would not do alone. The main choices are a free audio tour, a guided nature walk on foot, an open trolley, jeeps, Segways and e-bikes.
The Visitor & Nature Center names Adventures Out West for vehicle and Segway tours, Amp'd Adventures for bike tours and Front Range Climbing Company for climbing. That is not a full list of licensed providers. Paid activities in the park need a commercial use permit from the city. This site is independent and does not sell tours itself.
Garden of the Gods tours compared
Prices per person as listed in 2026. Concession fees and other surcharges come on top, so the final price is higher.
| Tour | Length | Price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio tour | Self-paced | Free | Self-guided, headphones or car speakers |
| Guided nature walk | 45 to 60 minutes | $5 | Daily at 10:30 a.m. from the Visitor Center, reservation required |
| 1909 trolley | 35 to 45 minutes | $22 plus concession fee | Open vehicle, no stops, not ADA accessible |
| Jeep Garden & Glen | 90 minutes | $55 plus fee and Glen Eyrie admission | Park and Glen Eyrie |
| Jeep Garden & Queen's Canyon | 90 minutes | $75 plus concession fee | – |
| Jeep Garden, Tunnels & Waterfall | 2 hours | $90 plus concession fee | Park, Gold Camp Road and Helen Hunt Falls |
| Segway, Adventure level | 1.5 to 2 hours | $105 plus 18 percent, about $123.90 | Minimum age 12, briefing and ride check first |
| E-bike tours | 1.5 to 2.5 hours | – | 5 to 13.5 miles (8 to 21.7 km), reservation recommended |
| Bike and hike combos | – | – | Garden and Glen Combo, Adventure Premium, Bike-N-Hike and Sightseeing; Sunset & Wildlife runs in September and October only |
Our picks: tours compared
A Jeep tour, an e-bike tour and a longer trip that adds Pikes Peak.
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.
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Garden of the Gods and foothills Jeep tour
Two and a half hours in a Jeep with a guide, water included. Hotel transfer is not included.
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Garden of the Gods e-bike tour from Manitou Springs
Two hours on an e-bike, with the bike, a helmet and water included. No exclusions are listed.
Check availability →Garden of the Gods tours and day trips
Jeep, Segway and e-bike tours in the park and trips to Pikes Peak and beyond, with live prices and availability.
Pikes Peak tours
Pikes Peak is a separate trip. The Cog Railway does not leave from Garden of the Gods.
By Cog Railway
The train leaves from 515 Ruxton Avenue in Manitou Springs and runs all year, depending on the day's timetable. The round trip takes about 3 hours, and the operator suggests arriving at least 30 minutes early. Online reserved admission starts at $67 for adults and $57 for children, and Engineer's View at $96 and $86. Walk-up or phone reserved admission starts at $86 and $76. Taxes and extra fees come on top.
Pikes Peak →By highway
From 1 May to 30 November the toll is $18 for adults aged 16 and over and $8 for children aged 6 to 15. A carload of up to 5 people pays $65. From 22 May to 30 September 2026 private cars also need a timed-entry reservation for $2 per vehicle on top of the toll.
Pikes Peak →On a guided trip
Some tours combine Garden of the Gods with Pikes Peak. Ask whether highway fees or railway tickets are included, because a highway drive and a Cog Railway ticket are two different things. The summit is at 14,115 feet (4,302 m), so allow for altitude symptoms such as headache or dizziness.
Colorado Springs tours
Trips that go beyond the park.
The Garden, Tunnels & Waterfall route leaves the park by way of Gold Camp Road and Helen Hunt Falls, and the Garden & Glen route includes Glen Eyrie. The operator says that storms or road closures can change a route. Check the current plan with the provider before you go.
Other Colorado Springs attractions have their own tickets, such as Seven Falls and the zoo. They are covered on the Colorado Springs page. A day trip to the Royal Gorge is about 60 miles (97 km) each way according to its operator, and the Royal Gorge page has the details.
How to choose
Match the tour to your day.
Short on time
The trolley takes 35 to 45 minutes. A jeep route takes 90 minutes to 2 hours. A Segway tour takes 1.5 to 2 hours.
Jeep tours →Want to move yourself
The guided nature walk is 45 to 60 minutes on foot. E-bike tours cover 5 to 13.5 miles (8 to 21.7 km). Since 1 July 2025 e-bikes are banned on city open space, and a tour on roads is no proof that trails are open.
Trails →Limited mobility
The trolley is not ADA accessible. A lift jeep exists and needs a reservation in advance. Jeeps do not guarantee that you can get out at a stop, and the trolley does not stop at all.
Traveling with children
Segway riders must be at least 12. Rides on horseback start at age 8 for one hour and age 11 for two hours. See horseback riding.
What to check before you book
The wording differs more than the prices do.
What the price covers
Listed prices exclude the concession fee. One jeep route also needs Glen Eyrie admission. The Segway price is $105 before an 18 percent fee. Read the checkout total, not the headline price.
The timetable
The trolley is listed with departures hourly in one place and every 30 minutes in summer in another. Segway start times run hourly from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., subject to availability. Check the current timetable before you go.
Weather and thunderstorms
Summer thunderstorms are possible, and July and August are the wettest months. When you hear thunder, go into a solid building or a fully closed vehicle. See the best time page.
Parking and meeting points
Check where your tour starts. The Visitor Center lot has fewer than 200 spaces and can fill up. See parking.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where the tours fit.
Garden of the Gods tours: frequently asked questions
What is the best tour at Garden of the Gods?
That depends on your time, budget and mobility. The audio tour is free, the trolley is the shortest paid option, and jeep routes cover more ground. The table above compares the options and is not a ranking.
How much do the tours cost?
In 2026 the nature walk costs $5, the trolley $22, the jeep routes $55 to $90 and the Segway $105 per person. Concession fees and other surcharges come on top, so the final price is higher.
Do I need to book in advance?
The nature walk requires a reservation. For e-bike tours a reservation is recommended, and short-notice booking depends on availability. Segway start times are subject to availability.
Is there a free guided option?
The audio tour is free but self-guided. A guided nature walk costs $5. Both start from the Visitor & Nature Center.
Does the Cog Railway leave from Garden of the Gods?
No. It leaves from Manitou Springs, at 515 Ruxton Avenue. See the Pikes Peak page.