The Pikes Peak Cog Railway

How does the Pikes Peak Cog Railway work?

A toothed rack rail between the running rails lets the train climb grades a normal railroad never could. It runs about 9 miles from the Manitou Springs depot to the summit, with no stops on the way.

The route climbs beside Ruxton Creek, through Englemann Canyon and past Minnehaha Falls, then Deer Park, Son of a Gun Hill, the Icebox, the ruins of the Halfway House and the Mountain View siding before the trees give out and the summit comes into view.

• Which way you face: the train does not turn, so if you face forward going up, you ride backward coming down.
• How long: a little over an hour up, about 40 minutes on the summit, and a little longer down.
• The history: Spencer Penrose, owner of The Broadmoor, bought the railway in 1926, and Katharine Lee Bates' 1893 visit to the summit inspired "America the Beautiful".

Sources: Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the route, our story and FAQ pages; Cog Railway, know before you go.

When did the Pikes Peak Cog Railway reopen?

On 20 May 2021, after closing in October 2017 for a full rebuild with new track and new trains.

The old line closed on 29 October 2017, and in March 2018 the closure was made indefinite while the railway was rebuilt. The new railway has standard-gauge track, a maximum grade of 25%, and new Stadler trainsets. Today three new trains carry up to 263 passengers per trip, plus four refurbished railcars carrying 214 each.

The summit changed too. The Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center opened on 30 June 2021, a few weeks after the first trains came back up.

Sources: Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway, Wikipedia; Cog Railway, schedule page; City of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center.

How much are Pikes Peak Cog Railway tickets?

Online reserved tickets start at $67 for adults and $57 for children; walk-up and call-in tickets start at $86 and $76. Taxes and fees are extra, and prices move with the date.

The Cog's rates page, per person:

Tickets are required for every age. Changes and refunds are free more than 7 days out; inside 7 days you can reschedule or take store credit for a $20 fee per reservation. One-way tickets for the ride down are only occasionally sold at the summit, which matters to hikers on the 13-mile Barr Trail.

Booking ahead also decides your parking: without an advance ticket you will not get a space at the depot.

Sources: Cog Railway, rates page; Cog Railway FAQ; Cog Railway, parking page.

Where do you park for the Pikes Peak Cog Railway?

The Cog's own lot across the street costs $20 and opens to you 30 minutes before departure. The free Route 33 shuttle runs from the Manitou Springs city lots, which cost $10 to $20.

The depot is at 515 Ruxton Ave, Manitou Springs, at the top of a narrow street. What the Cog's parking page says:

• Cog lot: $20, card only at the kiosks, and no buses, RVs or trailers.
• Route 33 shuttle: free, every 15 to 20 minutes until 8 PM from late March to late October, and every 30 minutes until 6 PM from late October to late March.
• Timing: arrive 30 minutes before departure, not earlier. Use the depot restrooms; there are none on the train.

Leave strollers, bikes and pets behind (service animals only), and bring water: it is the only drink you can carry on. The trains are heated.

Sources: Cog Railway, parking page; Cog Railway FAQ; Cog Railway, know before you go.

Will you get altitude sickness on Pikes Peak?

Lightheadedness can hit anyone at 14,115 feet, the Cog says, whatever their age or fitness. Acclimate lower down first, skip hard exercise on your first day, and drink lots of water.

The train lifts you almost 8,000 feet in about an hour, which is fast for the body. The railway's own advice, in its words: "hydrate, hydrate, hydrate". A few more points:

• Not recommended for infants under 6 months or anyone with a history of cardiac or respiratory problems.
• Children, and anyone who cannot easily say how they feel, should go with caution.
• Pack a warm layer. The summit can be 30 to 40 degrees colder than Manitou Springs, even when July in town is hot.
• Coming from sea level? A day or two in Denver or Colorado Springs first helps.

The private tour's listing marks it as not suitable for people with altitude sickness, and its daypack includes blankets for the train.

Sources: Cog Railway, know before you go; Cog Railway FAQ; GetYourGuide listing.

What is at the top of Pikes Peak?

The Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center, opened on 30 June 2021 at 14,115 feet, with dining, restrooms, free Wi-Fi, an accessible interpretive loop and its famous high-altitude donuts.

The building is billed as the highest-altitude visitor center in the world. It cost about $65 million, was built to Living Building Challenge standards and is run by Pikes Peak - America's Mountain, part of the City of Colorado Springs. It is cashless, so bring a card or a phone that pays.

With about 40 minutes up top, our order is simple: the view first, while you still have the energy, then a donut and the exhibits inside. The Cog says its donuts are the only ones made above 14,000 feet.

Sources: Cog Railway, Pikes Peak Visitor Center page; City of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center.

The Cog to the summit, then Manitou Springs and the Garden of the Gods, with your own guide and a Suburban from Denver.

★ 4.9 · 10 hours · from $799

Explore the private Pikes Peak Cog Railway tour → Tour details

Does the Pikes Peak Cog Railway run in winter?

Yes, year-round, on a condensed schedule in fall and winter. Snow or severe weather can stop a train short of the summit, and there are no weather refunds when the train reaches the top.

In summer trains leave every 40 minutes, daily. In fall and winter there are fewer departures, listed on the Cog's ticket page for each date. The Cog points out that winter is the clearest time of year, when low humidity and snow keep dust out of the air.

Fall is the other favorite: the aspens on the mountain begin to turn in late September and run through mid-October. Our winter train rides post covers the Cog with Colorado's other winter trains.

Sources: Cog Railway, schedule page; Cog Railway, know before you go; Cog Railway FAQ.

Cog Railway or Pikes Peak Highway: which tour should you book?

Both reach the summit. The private tour rides the Cog Railway up and back; the group bus tour goes up the Pikes Peak Highway by road and includes lunch.

Two tours on this site take you to the top from Denver:

The Pikes Peak Highway is open year-round, and if weather closes the summit, the bus goes as high as it can, per the listing. Rodger, on the private tour: "We thoroughly enjoyed our day visiting Garden of Gods, downtown Manitou Springs, and the contrail trip to the top of Pike's Peak." (Jul 2026)

Want more track in the same trip? The Royal Gorge Route runs from Cañon City, and our Royal Gorge Route guide has the classes and fares.

Sources: GetYourGuide listings and review.

Frequently asked questions