Manitou Springs, CO
The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway
4.5· 6,231 Google reviews
At a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-15- TypeThree-hour, nine-mile cog-railway round trips from Manitou Springs to the 14,115-foot Pikes Peak summit
- LocationManitou Springs, CO
- Rating4.5 ★6,231 Google reviews
- UpcomingSun, Aug 16
About The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway
The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway is the official public identity represented by the canonical Pikes Peak Cog Railway slug. Its round trip starts at the Ruxton Avenue depot in Manitou Springs, follows a nine-mile cog route through Ruxton Creek and Englemann Canyon, and climbs from 6,320 feet to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak. The published experience takes about three hours: roughly one hour and ten minutes uphill, about 40 minutes at the summit, and the descent. The operator sells Reserved Admission and a higher-priced Engineer's View seat; all passengers need tickets. Year-round operation is the stated policy, but the booking calendar is released only a few months at a time, so currently unpublished dates must not be inferred.
Plan the Cog Journey from Depot to Summit
Choose the visit that fits your groupScenic-rail travelers, first-time visitors, families prepared for altitude, photographers, and mountain-history travelers
Ride the three-hour summit round trip
Climb nine miles from Manitou Springs to 14,115 feet, use about 40 minutes at the summit, and return on the same train without intermediate passenger stops.
Advance planners, groups wanting specific seats, railfans, and visitors comparing price against sightline
Choose Reserved or Engineer's View admission
Use Reserved Admission to select a seat or pay more for the limited front-row Engineer's View; online prices and availability vary by departure.
View seekers, museum-minded travelers, mobility planners, families, and anyone prioritizing summit time
Use the 40-minute summit stop carefully
Visit the summit visitor center and exterior interpretive area within the railway's fixed turnaround; the train cannot wait for late passengers.
Upcoming Events
Complete official date check
2026–27 special-event calendar
The current official RocketRez calendar was traversed month by month in a fresh session on August 15. It exposes 134 exact Round Trip dates from August 16, 2026 through January 4, 2027. Every enabled date is enumerated below; unavailable calendar dates are not inferred as operating days. The calendar currently contains daily service through November 25, skips November 26, returns November 27–30, publishes selected December dates, and ends at January 4. The official FAQ says the railway operates year-round but releases tickets only a few months in advance, so January 5 onward is unpublished rather than closed. Live inventory controls departure times, seat categories, sellouts, prices, and the choice between two-car and three-car units. Recheck during synchronized freshness review. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- Trip LengthApproximately three hours total: about 1 hour 10 minutes uphill, about 40 minutes at the summit, then the descent
- ArriveArrive 30 minutes before departure; the operator asks guests not to reach the constrained depot earlier than that
- Parking$20 card-only Cog lot across from the depot, available only 30 minutes before departure; no buses, RVs, trailers, or Incline parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair or walker space is limited and must be reserved by phone at 719-685-5401; the requested time and same-party seating may not be available
- WeatherTrains may be limited below the summit by severe weather or excessive snow; no weather refund applies when a train can reach the summit
- RestroomsNo restrooms aboard; restrooms are at the depot and Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center
- Visitor Address515 Ruxton Avenue, Manitou Springs, CO 80829
- Current Calendar134 exact enabled round-trip dates from August 16, 2026 through January 4, 2027; later year-round dates are not yet published
- RouteNine miles from the Manitou Springs depot through Ruxton Creek and Englemann Canyon to the 14,115-foot Pikes Peak summit
- Published Starting FaresOnline Reserved Admission starts at $67 adult and $57 child; Engineer's View starts at $96 adult and $86 child; taxes and additional fees apply
- Walk Up Starting FaresDepot or phone Reserved Admission starts at $86 adult and $76 child, subject to availability
- City ShuttleCity lots generally cost $10–$20; free Route 33 serves the railway about every 15–20 minutes and stops at 8 p.m.
- AltitudeThe trip climbs from 6,320 feet to 14,115 feet; the operator warns that altitude effects can occur regardless of age or fitness
- Bags And FoodBring water and only a bag that fits on your lap or under the seat; bikes, scooters, skateboards, strollers, baby carriers, and outside open food or drink are prohibited
- AnimalsPets are not permitted; consult the operator's separately published service-animal policy for a trained service animal
- ContactCall 719-685-5401 or email info@cograilway.com for current ticket, access, parking, and trip questions
Find the Depot
The Trains
The current booking interface distinguishes blue-square three-car trains from orange-square two-car trains; the operator says the two-car units have a rear windshield and the three-car units do not. The 2021 reconstruction introduced modern Stadler trains from Switzerland and a Strub single-rail cog system while retaining the railway's long Swiss railcar lineage. No current official page ties a specific numbered unit to a future date, so photographs and equipment numbers identify the railway but never guarantee the consist.
History
The Manitou and Pikes Peak Railway Company was founded and construction began.
Three Baldwin steam locomotives arrived, and limited service reached the Halfway House Hotel.
A Denver church choir reached the Pikes Peak summit by train on June 30.
Spencer Penrose acquired the railway and added it to the Broadmoor family.
Gas-powered, 23-passenger railcar No. 7 made its first run.
Swiss Locomotive Works diesel-electric railcars Nos. 14 and 15 entered service.
Larger articulated Swiss railcars Nos. 18 and 19 entered service.
The railway did not reopen for spring service after a major infrastructure and equipment evaluation.
The rebuilt railway returned with modern Stadler trains, a Strub cog system, upgraded depot, and new summit visitor center.
See full history
The Manitou and Pikes Peak Railway Company was founded and construction began in 1889. Three Baldwin steam locomotives arrived in 1890, and the first passenger train reached the summit on June 30, 1891. Spencer Penrose acquired the railway in 1925. Gasoline railcar No. 7 entered service in 1938, followed by diesel-electric power and later Swiss-built railcars. After an infrastructure review, the railway did not reopen for spring 2018. A comprehensive reconstruction followed, and the 2021 return paired new Stadler trains with a Strub rack, rebuilt track, an upgraded Manitou depot, and the new summit visitor center.
Around the Depot
Pikes Peak Trolley Museum ranks first despite requiring a separate drive of about 5.5 miles straight-line because its 1888 roundhouse, original Colorado Springs streetcars, short demonstration ride, model layouts, and retired Pikes Peak Cog car No. 17 make it the strongest train-first companion. Miramont Castle Museum ranks second, about 0.5 mile straight-line from the Cog depot, for a substantial four-floor Manitou Springs history and architecture visit. Both are independent and require their own current-hours check.
Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Compare the attraction location with your airport or lodging before deciding whether a rental car fits the trip.
Compare rentals on Discover Cars →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Tours & Activities near Manitou Springs
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
Browse nearby tours →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Pikes Peak Cog Railway trip?
Allow about three hours. The operator publishes roughly one hour and ten minutes uphill, about 40 minutes at the summit, and the return to Manitou Springs.
Does the Cog Railway run year-round?
The operator says yes, but releases tickets only a few months ahead. On August 15, the live calendar exposed 134 exact dates from August 16, 2026 through January 4, 2027; later dates are not yet a public promise.
Is the train wheelchair-accessible?
Limited wheelchair and walker space is available only by calling 719-685-5401. The operator warns that a requested departure and seating for the entire party may not be available.
Are there restrooms on the train?
No. Restrooms are available at the Manitou depot and the Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center, so use the depot facility before boarding.
How much is parking at the Cog Railway?
The Cog lot is $20, card-only, across from the depot, and becomes available only 30 minutes before departure. City lots and the free Route 33 shuttle are the alternative for a longer Manitou visit.
What do the blue and orange squares mean in booking?
Blue identifies a three-car train; orange identifies a two-car train. The operator says the two-car train has a rear windshield while the three-car train does not.
Can weather keep the train from the summit?
Yes. Severe weather or excessive snow can limit a train below the summit. The operator does not issue a weather refund when the train is able to reach the summit.
Can I bring a stroller, pet, or outside food?
Strollers and baby carriers are not allowed aboard, pets are prohibited, and outside open food or drinks are restricted except water. Consult the separate service-animal policy for a trained service animal.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 15, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official homepage for current public identity, year-round operation, active attraction status, and contact
- Official live RocketRez booking page for all 134 enabled dates, train-unit indicators, seats, and current availability horizon
- Official rates page for Reserved and Engineer's View admission, current starting prices, payment, and change terms
- Official schedule page for year-round framing and daily summer operation
- Official FAQ for duration, summit time, altitude, access, seating, restrooms, weather, prohibited items, and staged calendar release
- Official route page for nine-mile corridor, Ruxton Creek, Englemann Canyon, upper landscape, and summit destination
- Official planning page for 30-minute arrival, summit altitude, temperature swing, hydration, and 40-minute summit stop
- Official parking page for $20 card-only Cog parking, timing, vehicle limits, city lots, and Route 33 shuttle
- Official railway history for foundation, first summit, motive-power eras, 2018 closure, and 2021 reconstruction
- Official service-animal policy referenced by the current FAQ
- Exact current railway hero image and CC0 rights record
- Exact modern route image and CC BY-SA 4.0 rights record
- Exact Manitou depot railcar image and CC BY-SA 2.0 rights record
- Exact articulated depot railcar image and CC BY-SA 2.0 rights record
- Exact summit-trains image and CC BY-SA 2.0 rights record
- Historic exact-railway steam locomotive image and CC BY-SA 2.0 rights record