This is truly America's mountain! This striking fourteener of the Rocky Mountains inspired America the Beautiful AKA the national anthem. If you aren't one to drive up the treacherous switchbacks, you can take the cog railway. It's a toll road so you'll have to pay either way, although if you drive the peak may be closed occasionally due to harsh winds and weather - there was a tornado three years ago on the mountain! If you decide to drive, there are several shops on the way. I would recommend heading straight up to the summit if it's open just so you get that out of the way before any chance of inclement weather spoils your plans. There's a roomy carpark at the top, and the visitor center has washrooms, gift shop, cafeteria, and also a small museum regarding the history of the mountain. I definitely felt breathless at the top, from the beauty or the thin air, I'm not sure... read more

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Absolutely amazing. We drove up the Pikes peak highway and there were numerous stops along the way with breath taking views. It was chilly so be well prepared and altitude sickness is real! We got hit pretty hard at the peak so be prepared. A sugary drink definitely helps with it. It was not a very clear day so our views were a bit cloudy at the top but it was beautiful either ways. Definitely worth doing and driving up vs the cog railway or shuttle. Entry was $18 per head. read more

Pikes Peak - America's Mountain - Hiking Near Me - Cascade, Colorado

We drove from Denver for our last big Colorado adventure together on the 4th of July! Here is the exact timeline of how our morning went and what to expect: The Timeline & Experience 2:00 AM - Woke up and packed our homebrewed coffee to stay awake for the drive 2:28 AM - Left the house in Denver. 3:50 AM - Arrived at the entrance. It was pitch black and so many people were already waiting in line to enter! 4:15 AM - Drive up the mountain. It wasn't bad at all, we just took our time as needed on the turns Arrival at the Summit - We made it to the top to find it was freezing! We didn't think about that since it was so hot in Denver. Summit Survival & Breakfast Thankfully the gift shop and cafeteria were open! We parked, went to the gift shop, and bought ourselves $65-$68 jackets. It was expensive, but worth it to enjoy the sunrise comfortably. I said thank you to the workers there that early! They were so kind and troopers for being there so we all could enjoy it! After buying sweaters, we went to the cafeteria for doughnuts, hot dogs, and water for breakfast The Sunrise View We headed outside to find a spot and it was magical. It was a bit smoky that day from the fires, which made the sun a deep red-orange color. You could even see the shape of the sun as it started peaking through right as the Cog Train arrived at the summit! We also saw shuttle buses bringing people up. Reservation Details- They only allow people up for sunrise a few times a year!- I got our reservation online on their website about a month before. It was $5 for the vehicle pass online, plus $25 per person in the car to get in. 100% worth it! Core Memories:This was the best way to start the 4th of July. read more

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Fun experience driving up America's mountain. The altitude hits you hard and its quite chilly at the top. The views are insane but you have to limit your time at the peak or you may get sick if not used to it. Heard a lot about the donuts in their cafe and had them but they are a hard pass. Its about $18 per person if you drive up, $40 for their shuttle service (you have to park at mile marker 7) and $65 for the cog railway. read more

Pikes Peak - America's Mountain - Hiking Near Me - Cascade, Colorado

Pikes Peak, known as "America's Mountain," is a must-visit destination with breathtaking views from over 14,000 feet above sea level. The summit overlooks the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs, and the surrounding plains, making it one of Colorado's most memorable attractions. Getting to the top is easy by scenic highway, Cog Railway, guided tour, or hiking trail, making it accessible for both adventurers and casual visitors. The summit offers stunning vistas, a visitor center, and educational exhibits about the mountain's history and environment. Be prepared for rapidly changing weather and temperatures that can be much colder than in Colorado Springs. Crowds and altitude can be drawbacks, and timed-entry reservations required during peak season but do not guarantee a parking spot at the summit. Tips: Visit in the morning for the best views and fewest crowds. Bring your own food, as the summit café is expensive and the famous donuts are overrated. Plan to spend about an hour at the top enjoying the scenery and exhibits. read more

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Great experience for the whole family. Amazing views. The visitors center at the summit is very nice and educational. Please consider elevation sickness when visiting this location as you may become dizzy and nauseous. read more

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I was reluctant about going to the touristy place but I understand the hoopla now because the views are definitely something to die for. They have a little cafeteria in case you need a little hot. Pick me up but the weather up top was in the '50s. Bring a light jacket. Lots of people. There's trains going up and down the mountain as well which take 2 hours. read more

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Was probably my favorite experience in Colorado Springs!! A very clear day with amazing views with a few fly bys by US airforce and seeing a cyclist makevit through a peak where cars could find it hard, just made it an even better experience. You have 3 options to make it to the summit, walk as in hike, Cog as in training and drive being the third. I chose the last option and I have to say I love it. At 14000 feet, you definitely can visualize the curvature of the earth. When you see it in a ocean you feel like the earth and the ocean meet but at this elevation you will see it curve. You can still find snow in September October at the summit. If you are in Denver, take a drive for this experience. Pick a clear day for great views and drive safely. read more

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Travelling on this train is a nice experience, it would be good if they at least offer a bottle of water, the seats are very close together.

I really enjoyed myself up there. It's a long drive to the top and a little scary after there are no more trees. I drove super slow, it was a little nerve wracking but it's worth it. We saw big horned sheep crossing the road and had to stop for a few minutes to let them cross. It was pretty cool. They say they have the world's best donuts up there because they are made at such a high altitude. They were just ok in my opinion. There was a big foot crossing sign on the way up. I meant to get a picture on the way back down but I forgot. read more

By train, with our tour group, took about 1hr. Negatives: 1. Seats are very uncomfortable, they're so close together, no place for backpacks. Lucky, mine was a shopping tote bag with our extra jackets, umbrella, Hydrapeak. We're touching toes! 2. Hard to take photos from inside the windows, because, people want some air, and when the windows are down, it blocks viewing making it unclear, and there are too many reflections, so all we're seeing are the people's reflections on the glass. Positives: 1. Very nice gift shops, top and bottom of the mountain. 2. Restrooms plenty & clean. 3. Views were magnificent! I suggest tour groups take a group photo here. My tour manager didn't think about that. But, that's another review. . . . coming! 4. I'm not complaining, since my seat were fine, and was able to take photos, just fine, and I'm in a shade, facing back, or forward going back. 5. Drink plenty of water! They have free refill faucet in the shop. Don't waste your money on Boost Oxygen Canister. Medical professionals consistently point out that . . . 'The small amount of oxygen they contain is used up in just a few breaths'. I'm a city girl, dressed in silk skirt, a slip, two lightweight jackets, a cotton hat, gloves, and comfortable Icon shoes. I was more worried getting my hat blown away, than being cold. I was comfortable at 58 degrees. While others were bundled up like Eskimos, and complain about being hot once they enter the shops or train, they start taking off their 'hiking clothing'. I suggest: don't drive there, and take the train down. Unless you plan on hiking back 10 hrs. and trying to find your car in the dark! Only paying train with tickets gets to ride up and down, same train. Save you car! If this is magnificent, at 14,000 ft. I suggest you take the hike to Mt. Washington in the Cog Railways, this was even higher at 26,000 ft. and you'll find no life but snow at the very top. read more

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Visiting Pikes Peak with my family was like stepping into a postcard--and then climbing straight into another climate. We took the Cog Railway up, and what started as a sunny, 100-degree day at the base turned into a chilly, 30-degree snowball fight at the summit. Total Colorado magic. The views from the top were unreal--endless layers of mountains, clouds brushing past, and that feeling like you're standing on top of the world. The train ride itself was fun and smooth, winding through forests and cliffs as the air got thinner and the scenery got even more breathtaking. It was the kind of trip that makes you feel small in the best way. Five stars all the way. Snow in the middle of summer? Yes, please. read more

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What a great experience, the views are unbelievable and our Engineer Jeff kept us safe and our Conductor/ Comedian Neil kept us informed and entertained the whole trip. I would highly recommend this experience if you are in Colorado Springs. read more

Pikes Peak - America's Mountain - Hiking Near Me - Cascade, Colorado

What an incredible view! You got a military discount going into the park, wasn't much but helpful all the same. We drove by in our Jeep rental, top down and quickly realize that it was going to be too cold to just ride carefree Lol we ended up pulling over to put the top on ^_^ anyway, there's a little map that explains each stop. We really wanted to get to the top so we only made about four stops that we all voted on. We saw so much wildlife! Honestly, if you're ever in Colorado Springs, please check this place out! Such a gem! Take your time to explore once you get to the top. Don't just hit up the building, walk around and see what there is all to explore. You can find inspiration in just about every corner. The gift shop was pricey and nothing really worth getting, but I did try their donuts. You could start to feel lightheaded, so make sure you pay attention to your body. read more

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Amazing drive and views. Feels like a completely different world up there. You are above clouds. Drive safe! read more

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One of 2 reasons anyone goes to Colorado Springs. The other is Garden of the God's. I felt the information about how to drive up Pikes Peak was really confusing so Ima break it down for you. 1. It's not a federal park. This worked out for us because we went during government shut down. Other federal parks we went to were closed. 2. I was told by my hotel you can't pay at the gate. Only online. 3. Online, this was even more confusing because you have to pay separate fees per car and per person. And I wanted to go on Oct 14 and there was no option for that date because it's a shoulder season. It left me wondering, is it closed or is it free? That was totally not obvious to me or my husband. But now that I know, it meant you still pay per person but the $2 timed entry was waived. There are Webcams and they all looked like a blizzard came through. Not reassuring over thoughts of my car sliding off the road to the bottomless pit. So I decided to take a jeep tour instead. Having an experienced driver allowed me to enjoy the views and feel safe. I learned so much than had I self drove. And it wasn't much more expensive for the value you got out of the tour. I am relatively fit and had already spent 2 days acclimating in Breckenridge. I was fine until I walked around a bit. Then I felt a little dizzy and out of breath. But no something alarming. There are at least 4 restrooms. But the drive up will only take 35 minutes. Weather can be really unpredictable there. Our guide said lightning and tornadoes are possible in addition to snow and ice. The views are amazing, spend time at all the lookout before the visitor center donuts and hot cocoa. read more

Pikes Peak - America's Mountain - We were up on the summit behind us - Hiking Near Me - Cascade, Colorado

I really enjoyed the drive up this magnificent mountain. There was a small entrance fee per person at the bottom, but they offered a good military discount. The train was another option but it was a lot more expensive and they only spend 30 minutes at the summit which would make me feel a little rushed to be honest. The air was definitely a lot more thin at its peak of 14,000 feet but I didn't have any symptoms of hypoxia which was good. The doughnuts at the visitors center were pretty good and they had a small gift shop and interactive museum to check out while up there. Don't forget to bring a jacket since even when we went in the spring it was still very cold at that altitude. Take it slow, especially if you're from an out of town low altitude state or country. read more

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Lovely place to visit when not crowded with parasite tourists and cheaper than Santa's Workshop. Pikes Peak has fishing camping and lots of great views and a nice gift shop. It truly is America's Mountain. read more

This was amazing 14,100 feet. We bought a can of boost oxygen to use because we are Tennesseans and that elevation was a bit problematic for breathing. The ride up took an hour and we spent 40 minutes at the visitors center and got some coffee and water. I must warn that you need to use the restroom at the train station as there are no bathrooms on the train, you have to wait till you get to the top. I highly recommended this ride. It is beautiful. read more

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Look, it's Pike's peak - arguably the most famous mountain in America, and for good reason. There's road access for those who want to drive (I sure did, it's a LONG road from the entrance station to the top!), or want to bike. It is a 14er that you can hike up if you are so inclined as well! You can also take the train up - I don't recall what it costs but it goes straight to the top and no doubt the views are ICONIC along the way. If you do opt to drive (I did!) they will tell you: when you come back down the mountain, you need to use a lower gear on your car or else your brakes can literally overheat which is dangerous (brakes that are too hot don't work ). They have a checkpoint about 1/3 of the way from the top on the way down that do a mandatory brake temp check and if your brakes are too hot they'll make you park and wait until they cool down enough. If you use your low gears though you don't need the brakes as much. They are absolutely right about all this - use those lower gears! At the top is a MASSIVE parking lot but you still need a reservation for a day/time - because that lot FILLS. They direct you at the entrance station where you show your ticket before making the drive up, then someone directs you toward where you can park at the top. The visitor center has SUPER clean bathrooms, a cafe with things like pizza, hot dogs etc, and of course lots of educational resources. You can go out the back too, truly there are 360 degree views up there. I even saw a couple casually getting married surrounded by folks near the visitor center... very interesting! Of note, the day res costs $18, and the timed entry which you ALSO need and buy separately is $2 - so $20 total. Do your best to pick a day when the weather is good so you can see father, and so it isn't snowy/icy because this is a STEEP ROAD - I would NEVER want to be caught in this road in snow/ice, sliding around. That would be truly terrifying... on a nice day though, you can't beat the views going up and at the top! I did see some marmots along the way which were mad cute. Overall - I think everyone should try to make a visit to Pike's peak at least once. It's a very beautiful place, and makes you feel patriotic at the least in the sense of how grand and gorgeous the country can be :) read more

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The best donuts with the best view! Donuts on a mountain up in the clouds?! Count us in! We ordered rhe cinnamon sugar donuts but they also had original and "donut of the day". If you get the chance to make it to the top of Pikes Peak, make sure to order the donuts! read more

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Yes! 14,110 times over. One person called it a once in a life time experience. Nope. It's one that should be repeated. One of my favorite 14ers. It's a bit peoplely at the summit, but what do you expect? Accessible from all directions, if you're willing to put in the effort. read more

A must do in Colorado. Not far away from Colorado Springs either! I am not yet at the level to hike a 14er, so being able to drive up to the top of Pikes Peak is more up my speed. You are so high up that apparently you can see five states: New Mexico, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Oklahoma on a clear day! The visitor center is cool. Lots of souvenirs to choose from. They've got food and drinks as well. There is a small museum area that tells a bit of the history of Pikes Peak. It is a super cool drive to the top! We did see some big horn sheep on our drive up the mountain from the road so that was cool. I think I actually liked the drive up and its views more than the views once we reached the summit. Things to know before you go: -Buy your tickets ahead of time. -Make sure you have a full tank of gas if driving. -Do not ride your breaks the whole way down. It is not nice to the people behind you, as well as your car. -If you are nervous to drive to the top, there is always the option for the train to the top! -Bring extra layers it is way colder at Pikes Peak then in the towns. -Come earlier vs later for better weather. -Stay hydrated. -If interested they have annual passes. I took a point off because it took at around 45 minutes of waiting before we could get through the gate, despite the timed entry. We had our kids in the car, and they do not like just sitting and waiting. read more

Views are amazing, donuts were nice, train ride to the top was nice, but then you deal with headaches, the rush of 40 minutes to do a ton of activities makes it worse, I missed half the experience because of the short time, "but couldn't you just wait for the best train?" I'm pretty sure that takes like 2 more hours, and I can do everything in an hour and a half, so 2 hours and forty minutes, minus one and a half, 1 hour and 10 minutes of nothing, yeah, boring. read more

Looooved this place , go hydrated ! Take a warm sweater or jacket , wear sweats and use the bathroom before getting on the train, car or hiking . The view is amazing the store up there is pricey but I loved it all read more

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Definitely a must do if you are in the area. We took the Cog Train up to the top. The air is certainly thinner, so take it easy. And yes donuts do taste better at 14,000 feet! read more

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One of my favorite 14ers to hike...sure it doesn't have the anus clenching thrill of Long's or Capital....but fear of death ain't everything. Two ways up: Barr Trail of via Crags campground (trust me you want the pleasant Barr Trail...unless you are into steep pain). The Barr trail is a wonderfully maintained trail (thank you CCC!!!) and can be done in one day ....albeit it is a 24-26 mile total round trip journey. You can also stay overnight at the Barr Camp which is a trip unto itself. You get a nice pasta ( very basic meal). I have done it in one day and also as a two day. Back before the COG rail was redone you could actually hike up and take the trail down.....great looks from all the tourists onboard. Last boring bit of detail....it is priceless finally reaching the summit and some rather rotund tourist is eating a donut and looks down to see you climb up....like you are an Alien from another planet. I believe his comment was," you climbed all the way up that?" Why yes Bucky I did...you should try it sometime. Highly Highly recommend you try it. Start early as Lightning is a true danger. Prepare Carry a pack with your ten essentials read more

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It was an awesome experience. Word of caution. If you just landed in Denver and you're not use to the elevation, don't go here just yet. Wait a day or two to get acclimated. The oxygen level at the top is 60%. As soon as I arrived, I got dizzy and had purple lips. It was just manageable but the experience shortened my stay. The drive up is an experience, but if you don't want to risk it on the drive, they have this train that goes from the bottom up. It is a bit pricey though. It's not very big on the peak, but enough to take about 45-60 mins of your time to wander around, shop, bask, and take photos. read more

Pikes Peak - America's Mountain - Visitor Center - Hiking Near Me - Cascade, Colorado

Need to get time reserved for entry and each person there's a $15 entry fee The drive to the peak is well tarred so any tiny car can get there. When get down please remember to use low gear so the car brakes won't be overheating. The ranger will check every car's brakes temperature going down and will make sure you pull aside to wait for the brake cooling down. The view at the peak is awesome, we also tried the donuts, it's awesome, even for people like me who don't like donuts. Many places to take pictures at the peak, we were having headaches after 2 hours. It's mild but we were still feeling quite discomfort. read more

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It has changed so much since I visited 15+ years ago. These changes have improved safety, resting, dining/snacks, parking, and of course... picture-perfect and viewing spots. The mile markers were helpful and our kids looked forward to each one-- even got to see Mountain Sheep on our way down, our kids were thrilled! During our visit, medics and search-and-rescue teams were there-- just want to applaud their calming presence and behavior-- as a mom with young children, this can raise many questions and worry, but they handled a challenging situation with high professionalism. I understand that resources are limited at such high altitudes, but restrooms were busy and several stalls, sinks & hand dryers were out of order. At our halfway point brake check (appreciate this!), restrooms also needed some cleanliness attention. As you plan to visit: --purchase your timed entry & admission online --fill up your gas tank --respect all road signs & ranger recommendations --respect nature all around and clean up after yourself --be prepared! (sweaters/jackets, pants, snacks for way up/down, consider oxygen-on-the-go (Walmart), blankets (especially with kids), $$ for spending, most importantly...patience) Pikes Peak is so beautiful, glad I was able to return and enjoy it all over again. *PP, have you considered selling oxygen-on-the-go? read more

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Pikes Peak Highway and Summit was on my agenda this weekend. Thrilled that I went. I've seen so much of Colorado the past 13 years. Somehow I skipped or overlooked this destination. Heads up that you will need to purchase tickets before entering the highway and park. They have a beautiful park entrance with rangers who check for reservations. You have the option to purchase a time sensitive pass. I chose the two hour pass and a visitors pass as well. I did this on my phone prior to driving up to the main entrance. The drive up and down Pikes Peak is stunning! Another reason and place that I feel fortunate to live in this gorgeous state! There are areas to pull off and park on the way up. Down too, of course. Rangers are friendly here. I enjoyed my experience so much that I'm planning to return soon. If you haven't been here, I highly recommend it! Get online and purchase those tickets for an enjoyable experience. Can't wait till my next visit! read more

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Drove to the top of pikes peak on a sunny day, but the higher we got, the cloudeir it got. But it was still worth it! It was a little chilly at the top, but I was okay in shorts. Had so much fun in the gift shop, but they were all out of post cards. They had so many stickers and magnets to choose from. I had to try the donuts. They were a little dry and crumbly but not expensive. The restrooms were so clean, and there were so many stalls you didn't have to wait. But only 2 hand dryers were working, so I did have to wait to dry my hands. You also need a reservation to drive up, and it costs about $50 for 1 car. It takes about 1 hour to drive to the top, and on the way down, they have a ranger station to check breaks, and if yours are too hot, they will ask you to pull over. If you are scared of heights, I recommend not being the driver due to cliff faces. I highly recommend driving up there at least once. Beautiful views and visitor center is so clean. read more

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The train ride and views at the top were unmatched but the food/drinks sold at the top were severely overpriced and very low quality. We went first thing in the morning and the food was hard and cold. read more

This is must-have experience for anyone residing in or visiting Colorado in my opinion. For the most part, the drive up the mountain is low threat as long as you go on a clear day. The views on the way up and down are just beautiful. Honestly, the only thing that can ruin this experience is the standard way that people drive in Colorado. For those that don't know about mountainside driving, make sure that you keep your car in the lowest gear or second to lowest gear depending on how steep the grade is. This will keep automatic cars from putting too much exertion on the drivetrain and transmission. There are intervals during the journey up and down that you can stop and let your car breathe as I call it. It is recommended to let it idle for a few minutes to disperse and he built up heat before turning it off. I'm not an expert by any means but this was advice that I was given by locals. Be sure to look out for the wildlife. There are signs that tell you what type of animals you should be looking for based on elevation we saw a family of Big Horn sheep and we're able to take pictures from only 6 or 7 ft away. I would advise everyone to stay in the car but stupid is as stupid does. We want to try and take the rail car to the top one time, but the price seemed a little steep hahaha. Great experience. I recommend. read more

Was quite the memorable experience! A bountiful amount of views, trails, and more. The center at the top was also very nice! Had a cafeteria, gift shop, and small museum. read more

Pikes Peak - America's Mountain - Hiking Near Me - Cascade, Colorado

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We had tried to ride up yesterday and we're told it was closed past mile marker 11 due to snowstorms. So we came back the next day and they had opened it til mile marker 13! My family decided to go ahead and pay to make our way up. It was $15/person, kiddos are a little less, but our total was $50. I'm not normally one to advocate paying that much, BUT the scenic view and experience was of a lifetime. The snow was still on the ground and you could see it piled up higher than the traffic signs towards the top. Incredible! Once we reached mile marker 13, there was a pullover spot the Park Rangers had everyone park or else you had to turn around. My family parked and got out to play in the snow! It was a great time. We took other people's photos for their families and in return they reciprocated. Everyone just wanted to enjoy their time. We definitely did! There is a visitors center/reservoir center that has restrooms - towards the bottom. In case you find yourself doing the potty dance. Also there's fudge and beautiful (expensive!!!) Colorado quilts. I wanted the Pikes Peak logo one but I can't pay $90. Especially when my kids are going to end up spilling stuff, can't have nothing nice! Haha. Anyway, just go! Take a drive. Or grab a COG railway ticket. Either way it's phenomenal. read more

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Pikes Peak - America's Mountain, is one of the most popular landmarks not just in Colorado, but in all the United States. And yet, standing at the summit at 14,115 feet, Pike's Peak is only the 31st tallest peak out of 54 in Colorado! To experience getting to the top, you have multiple options... 1. You can hike, which they say takes 6 - 8 hours. That doesn't sound so bad, but I believe there are more interesting ways to get there. 2. Cog Railway - this is an old fashioned red train that will transport you around the windy and twisty curves of Pike's Peak arriving in VIP fashion right next to the Summit Visitor Center. This Cog Railway is certainly the touristy way to go. And along the way it's scenic with 360-degree views and overall a fun family experience. It's $59 for a Standard Admission Ticket and general admission seating onto the train. But for $72, you can pick your exact seat. Purchase tickets at cograilway.com. 3. Drive your own vehicle to the summit. This is what I chose. It's a 19-mile drive and allows you to start and stop at your own leisure without being hostage to anyone's schedule. Well, let me back up there. Because of Pikes Peaks' popularity, it is highly suggested that you visit coloradosprings.gov and make a timed reservation slot for when you'd like to enter the 19-mile roadway. Because...if you randomly show up at the entrance gates during peak summer hours, capacity on the drive may be full and then you'll either be turned away or forced to pay and ride a shuttle bus. It's simple to book a timed slot online, and it's better to have peace of mind knowing you're guaranteed of getting to the summit. Now...for reserving your private vehicle online, each adult is $15, or up to one full carload of 5 passengers for $50. Also, when reserving your specific timeslot, it's another $2. Time slots are...10am - 12pm, 12pm - 2pm, 2pm - 4pm, 4pm - 6pm. The earlier times get sold out the quickest and afternoon times are what remain if booking at the last minute. After completing your reservation, they'll email you a QR Code to be scanned at the entrance. Sorry for all these details about just trying to make it to the summit. Let me talk about what you can expect out of Pikes Peak... - Along the 19-mile drive to and from the top, there's not much to see. I barely stopped at any roadside overlooks, which was a little bit of a letdown. - They make sure you arrive at the entrance gates with at least 3/4th's full tank of gas because the drive up is all inclined, you car will burn a lot of gas. Also before entering, you're instructed to return back down the mountain in 1st and 2nd gears. - On the drive up and down, it's advised to make stops on the way down because the road pull-offs will be from the righthand side accessible to returning cars. - Within the last few miles before getting to the top, the road was filled with switchbacks. It could be scary at times with no guardrails, so I'd suggest being alert. - Lol, finally at the summit, the views were wide open. They were nice, but not fantastic. You have a brownish looking alpine landscape with hovering peaks in the distance. It was a typical Colorado type of setting. Honestly, I feel like I had been there before and done it, like driving Independence Pass to the summit, a similar type of experience as here at Pikes Peak. - There's a landmark sign that you should take a photo with. It says..."14,115 feet - Pikes Peak Summit". It's hidden but located walking away from the Summit Visitor Center. It officially announces that you made it to the top, a memorable part of the journey. - You'll see the Cog Railway pulling in and out of the station here. Look to venture off the Cog Railway platform from the back section (which is permitted) and I believe you'll discover the best sights from high above, especially if you're here in the afternoon time with the sun behind you. - The Visitor Center has a gift shop but prices were outrageously high for souvenirs. I was content with keeping the park brochure I received back at the entrance as my little memento. - There's a cafeteria for eating lunch. Also, there's a walk through museum for better insight into what Pikes Peak is about. Btw, I had no cell reception at the summit, but the VC had terrific working WiFi. - Come prepared with a jacket. It was freezing walking around, lol. In total, maybe you'll need half the day to drive to the top of Pikes Peak and enjoy the sights and surroundings from 14,115 feet, and then making your way back down towards the base. One last thing...about halfway down Pikes Peak, there'll be a mandatory brake check to make sure your brakes aren't overheated or otherwise authorities will ask you to pull off the road and wait for your car to cool down. Pike's Peak is "America's Mountain". I had fun, but its personality didn't leave me speechless. But, within the context of all the great activities around Colorado Springs, it's still a worthwhile attraction. read more

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Went on an excursion yesterday to Pikes Peak. Words cannot describe it. So here are the pictures. Breathtaking was an understatement. read more

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Greeted at the pay station by someone who made a disparaging remark about California, the place from which I come. This guy claimed he was from Texas. He was probably trying to be funny, but at a tourist destination claiming to be America's Mountain, the remarks were inappropriate. read more

One of the few 14er's that you can drive up which was so cool! My friend and I landed in Denver in the morning and decided to drive over here after stopping at Garden of Gods. Fair warning, we were not used to the elevation and definitely felt super dizzy and had a headache at the top. I recommend making sure you are hydrated and bringing ibuprofen just in case. It was definitely a bit on the scary side driving up since the roads twisted but was very scenic! It was also cool to see the temperature drop 30 degrees at the top when compared to the base. You do have to purchase an entry pass per person and per vehicle which is timed. Luckily, we were able to get one since we visited on a weekday. The person at the gate checking us in was really nice and told us to make sure we drive using low gear on the way down. This helped from our brakes getting too hot, and they do check your brakes halfway down to make sure you are good. I recommend driving up to the top first and stopping on the way down since you have to make sure your brakes cool off. Unfortunately, we got there right as the restaurant closed at the top and couldn't experience the donuts. The welcome center at the top has a cool exhibit and some clean restrooms. Definitely check it out if you're in Denver! read more

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