Pikes Peak: Our most recommended tours and activities

Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods and Foothills Jeep Tour

1. Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods and Foothills Jeep Tour

Enjoy a Jeep ride in Colorado that will literally take your breath away. Marvel at the panoramic mountains, Colorado Springs, and other iconic sites as you enjoy a thrilling ride. Enjoy the Pikes Peak region on this historic sightseeing adventure. Get taken through time along the foothills of Pikes Peak by entertaining and informative cowboy guides, who will highlight the scenery and some of Colorado Springs’ most famous historical sights. Attractions include North Cheyenne Canyon, Helen Hunt Falls, the Shortline Railroad and its 100-year-old tunnels, Old Colorado City, Manitou Springs, and the spectacular red rock park Garden of the Gods.  In the open-air Jeeps, your photo opportunities are unobstructed. This tour is about 70% on paved roads and 30% on dirt and is offered year-round. Be sure to dress in layers with closed-toe shoes. Includes bottled water, sodas, light snacks, wool blankets, and the best cowboy Jeep guides in the west.

Colorado Springs: Pikes Peak Jeep Tour

2. Colorado Springs: Pikes Peak Jeep Tour

The drive up this historic highway is one you won't forget. You'll make several stops above and below the tree line to really soak in all the views that makes the experience so unique. Take in the incredible smell of the fresh air of large forests, the changing pine trees as we ascend the mountain, and the stunning views above tree line. You will walk around the summit while your guide points out interesting facts and information, and then allow you to explore the summit house. And of course, there are world famous Pikes Peak donuts at the summit house! Wildlife spotting is likely but not guaranteed. There are lots of wild flowers in the summer.

From Denver: Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Guided Tour

3. From Denver: Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Guided Tour

Check out some of Colorado's most beautiful scenery on this full-day tour departing from Denver. See the stunning sandstone rock formations at the Garden of the Gods and head to the Pikes Peak Summit and take in views of Colorado Springs and the rest of the Rocky Mountain ranges Admire the variety of red, pink, and white sandstone formations as you explore the Garden of the Gods. Make the most of the scenic photo opportunities as you wonder at the beauty of these ancient geological formations. Be sure to check out the Balanced Rock and the Kissing Camels formations. Head to the Pikes Peak, the tallest mountain in the southern front range of the Rocky Mountains. As you stand at the summit, admire views of Colorado Springs and the rest of the Rocky Mountain range. With the right conditions, you can see for miles into the distance. Descend the mountain and continue the tour with a drive through Manitou Springs, a small resort town located to the west of Colorado Springs. Finally, finish up back in central Denver.

Colorado Springs: Cripple Creek Backcountry Jeep Tour

4. Colorado Springs: Cripple Creek Backcountry Jeep Tour

Hop on board a Jeep equipped to drive up mountains and get ready for a personal and engaging experience with personable guides who's top priority is safety and ensuring you can kick back and enjoy the views and conversations. Frequent stops will be made to get off the Jeep and explore and take photos, should you decide you want to. We drive through the eclectic mountain town of Manitou Springs and drive up the Ute Pass on the north face of Pikes Peak. We'll soak in views of the mountain. It's about an hours drive to the historic mining and gaming town of Cripple Creek, but the views are unforgettable. The Sawatch Mountain Range grace the views on the horizon. Once over Tenderfoot Pass, we descend into historic Cripple Creek where the Sangre de Cristo Mountains will come into view. Once we leave Cripple Creek, we drive down Shelf Road. This is a dirt road that traverses canyons and valleys and this is a part of Colorado back country you can only experience this way! Spectacular scenery is an understatement. When we reach the end of Shelf Road, we will turn around and come back and stop at the Cripple Creek Heritage Center for a break. Scenic, historic, and fun!

Colorado Springs: Pikes Peak Luxury Jeep Tours

5. Colorado Springs: Pikes Peak Luxury Jeep Tours

At the summit, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains, including views of Mount Evans, Longs Peak, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The summit also features a visitor center, a gift shop, and a restaurant, where visitors can grab a bite to eat while taking in the stunning views. Pikes Peak is a majestic mountain located in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. The peak is named after Zebulon Pike, an explorer who attempted to climb the mountain in 1806. Pikes Peak is one of the most famous and iconic mountains in the United States and is known for its stunning views, diverse wildlife, and outdoor recreational opportunities. The summit of Pikes Peak rises to an elevation of 14,115 feet (4,302 meters) above sea level, making it one of Colorado's famous "fourteeners." Visitors can reach the summit via a scenic highway, the Pikes Peak Highway, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The highway is a 19-mile (31-kilometer) long drive that starts from the base of the mountain in Manitou Springs, and ascends to the summit. Overall, Pikes Peak is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Colorado. The views and experience are sure to leave a lasting impression. The summit is higher than any point in the United States east of its longitude!!!!

From Denver: Garden of the Gods & Manitou Springs Tour

6. From Denver: Garden of the Gods & Manitou Springs Tour

Community Impact: -This tour focuses on prioritizing “supporting local”, which is vital to positively impacting the Colorado Springs community and its economy. -This experience provides guests with the opportunity to contribute to the preservation of a one-of-a-kind natural habitat. -During our visit to Garden of the Gods and Colorado Springs, we will provide recommendations and offer opportunities to patronize small and local businesses. -We mindfully design our tours to explore areas on foot, thus doing our part to lessen our environmental impact. This six-hour tour highlights the best of Garden of the Gods and the nearby town of Manitou Springs. Your guide will be waiting for you outside Union Station, in the heart of downtown Denver. With a 90-minute drive out of Denver and towards the picturesque town of Colorado Springs, you’ll have time to get to know your guide, who in turn will get to know you and your party’s interests! Along the way, you’ll be able to take in the Colorado landscape, following along the rolling foothills of the Rocky Mountains. You’ll hear tales of intrepid western explorers and native peoples as well as the incredible geological formations passing by the window. Our first stop will be for a Garden of the Gods tour, taking in the iconic ancient rock formations tilted at seemingly impossible angles. The Visitor Center will set the tone for your experience through a variety of displays highlighting the wildlife of the area, connections to prehistoric dinosaurs, and the unique geology of the region. As you meander the paths of the park, your guide will fill you in on the fascinating processes of mountain building and erosion that eventually produced the amazing rock structures we see today. Weather permitting, you’ll also be able to get a view of Colorado Springs’ best-known “14’er”, Pikes Peak, its 14,115-foot promontory rising out of the High Plains. Our final leg of the trip includes a stop in Manitou Springs’s charming downtown, a late 19th-century spa resort with a meandering creek, mining-era buildings, and a variety of unique shops, souvenir stores, cafes, restaurants, and more. With its scenic backdrop, Manitou Springs is a great place to snap a few more pictures before the drive back to Denver.

Other Sightseeing Options in Pikes Peak

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What people are saying about Pikes Peak

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 127 reviews

I have taken 2 tours. Both times the guide was extremely knowledgeable and kind. Would recommend 10/10 to anyone looking to get a little more out of their visit to the springs! *Also recommend for locals, was great opportunity to ask questions and learn about the city we live in.

We had an awesome time with Prairie Dog as our guide. It was a memorable time we will keep for a lifetime. We we also treated very kind by the whole staff and even received help with our vehicle before heading home. Thanks again . Keith and Wendi Burch of Tx

Very nice trip seeing the sites in Colorado Springs. We saw the Garden of the Gods, some of the best restaurants in town, mountains and one of hotels Very pretty and informative drive

Our guide, Sidewinder, was exceptional. Knew the area, the history, the geography and geology. Was a gentleman and very personable.

We saw things you couldn’t see any other way! Our guide was great!