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September 2024 by Roshini Ganesh
I visited Pikes Peak in 2019, but this trip with my husband was an entirely new experience. They've now implemented timed entry to manage traffic, and we chose the 10-12pm slot. Even though it was a long weekend, traffic wasn’t bad at all. I recommend to spend about 4 hours, which includes driving up and down the mountain and take time to enjoy the stunning views along the way. The staff at the entrance were friendly and gave us tips on how to drive safely when descending. There’s plenty of parking, and the visitor center is well-maintained. Instead of taking the tram, we decided to drive ourselves, and it turned out to be an amazing experience. We loved it! The visitor center also has a small museum-like setup that shares the history of the mountain. The views from the top are absolutely breathtaking, and the entire experience was incredible. I highly recommend doing this with friends or family.
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September 2024 by Jim Dobbin
Although the scenery and visitor's center at the top are beautiful, the staff made it a 2 instead of a 5 for me. At the entrance, after paying $52 for our truck with 4 adults, the friendly attendant said the gift shop and cafe with its mountain donuts at the summit would be open until 7 pm! However, upon arriving at the summit, annoyingly, staff closed the cafe prior to 6:30 pm including the main public restrooms! All visitors up there had to get in a line to share just 2 private bathrooms since the main bathrooms had people cleaning them since they wanted to get out early. What a waste of our time up there to unneccesarily have to wait in a line! Same for the cafe, staff rudely said "we're closed!" So much for us trying any mountain donuts or a bottled water either. Oh and before I forget, staff were mopping the floors right around our feet even as we waited in line for the bathroom. Astonishingly, they didn't even acknowledge us while doing it. The message we got from staff is that you're in our way of getting out early...instead of making the experience a remarkable one for those paying good money for, likely, a once in a lifetime experience. I doubt any of us will go back or highly recommend that others pay their hard earned money to be disrespected by any and all cafe workers, gift shop workers and cleaning staff!
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September 2024 by cameron hoare
this is a fantastic site to visit.
you have to buy a vehicle pass (timed) and tickets per person.
the drive up is majestic, with fantastic views and plenty of spots to pull over and look at the view.
when you get to the top, you have plenty of parking, and a walk you can do aroound the top to get views from Every angle.
the visitors center has good information.
i would strongly advicse you spent a little bit of time at alititude before coming up.
I had already spent 10 days at altitude >7000 feet and got a headache coming up.
the seocond thing i would strongly recoomend would making sure your car is set up for alititude.
starting our rental car A bmw m3- multiple warnings came on. airbags and seat restraints, No 4wd- several assit functions unavalaible. sensors not working.
driving down the hill we had no power steering and our manual gears did not work.
we almost failed the break check and had to pull over at the gulch.
i would do it again!- but with a car that is set up for altutide.
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September 2024 by Tanycia Bourgeois
The drive can seem a little scary, but it's pretty easy and totally worth it. The view is amazing.
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September 2024 by Damien “Thoroxian”
Gorgeous drive, insane views, lots of areas without railing for those afraid of heights and it's very cold at the top!
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September 2024 by TinaEh VangLee
Came here on September 1st. Clear skies and no rain! We drove up to the top. Definitely not for drivers who don't trust themselves. The drive up is interesting. The drive down is challenging if you have more people and a bigger car because you will be using your brakes alot more going down hill. Just be sure to keep close attention to your brakes. There is a brake check at Glen Clove as you are coming down.
High elevation was a different experience for us as we have never experienced this sort of elevation before.
Beautiful views all around. 10/10 for anyone that wants to capture an amazing view.
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September 2024 by Emmanuel Gonzalez
Amazing experience, loved the history the service and overall atmosphere I would recommend this to anyone visiting Colorado Springs
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August 2024 by Heath Waggoner
Absolutely awe inspiring
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August 2024 by Jamie Sowers
While it is recommended to reserve a time slot in advance to guarantee entrance, we took a spur of the moment trip up Pikes Peak Hwy all the way to the top without a reservation and had no problem getting in and there was not a lot of traffic.
Drive slow, make sure you have good tires and brakes, and rely on downshifting if you can as opposed to riding the brakes, so that you don't risk burning them out. They have a mandatory break check point on the way back down because it does happen. This drive is not for the weary and is not for the timid driver. The road is 2 vehicle widths wide, no shoulder, and non-stop switch backs and blind corners, with no room for error as you are headed up over 14,000ft over a course of 19 miles with nothing in between you and the edge of the mountain. Do NOT let this deter you, this is just to give you a little insight on what to expect so that you are not caught off guard. Drive cautiously and confidently and you will have some of the most amazing views and memories of your life.
Be patient waiting for the incredible views as you slowly creep up above the tree line, but once you rise above to unobstructed views, you will feel like you are in another world. It is absolutely mesmerizing!!!!!
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August 2024 by Sue Laprise
However you manage to get your self to the top of this 14,000 foot peak it’s going to be spectacular
We took the train, loved the views and the Pike’s Peak donuts
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August 2024 by Jim
Third trip finally may it to summit.High high high
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August 2024 by Scott Boken
should be a bucket list item
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August 2024 by Allan Beeber
The ride up was good, though it was difficult to hear the speakers point out interesting highlights. Also, it is best to sit on the left side of the train with window seats facing each other.
One thing we wish as different was that we only had 45 minutes at the summit (note: all new buildings!)
Not enough time to read the displays, eat some food, bathroom break, etc.
However, no question it was worth the experience.
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August 2024 by Angela Perez
Amazing
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August 2024 by A C
Worth the trip. I would recommend driving it yourself so that you can stop at certain points if you want. Although they have a huge gift shop and kitchen, bringing your own food is best. And if you've heard about the donuts, well, yes, they sell them, but they taste weird. Not worth buying. Again, the trip is worth it for the views. Timed entries, so be aware of that. No big deal though. We went in the second time slot and still plenty of parking. The base temp was 82, peak was 54. Wore jeans and t shirts and were just fine.
