Pikes Peak Cog Railway

Pikes Peak Cog Railway

Currently, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway is closed until 2021 for renovations.

We decided to take the Pikes Peak Cog Railway while the in-laws were here. The advance tickets sold out, so we got to the ticket office at 7 am for the 8 am train. The ride is about one hour each way, and you spend about 45 minutes at the summit. It was a brisk 30 degrees with a 19 degree windchill at the top, but the sky was so clear. So I would recommend packing a few extra layers to wear at the summit. I love the views and the photo opportunities that the Cog Railway offers.

The Pikes Peak Cog Railway

Address and location

You’ll find the Pikes Peak Cog Railway station at 515 Ruxton Avenue in Manitou Spring, Colorado.

The cog track on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway

Cost

Lot parking is $5 and is first come, first served. Once that fills up, you can find some street parking. During busy season, you’ll park in a lot in Manitou Springs and take a shuttle to the station. Tickets can be reserved online ahead of time. If those sell out, you can by day-of tickets at the station.

The summit of Pikes Peak
A way station along the Pikes Peak Cog Railway

What to do

You’ll get about 45 minutes at the summit to explore. The views from a mountain over 14,000 feet high are hard to beat. Be sure to get a photo with the summit sign. Then check out the Summit House. The Summit House has a restaurant (where you must try the donuts) and a gift shop. And make a pit stop before the ride back down the mountain.

Views from the Pikes Peak Cog Summit
The Pikes Peak summit
A view from the Pikes Peak summit
The Pikes Peak Cog Railway
A memorial to Zebulon Pike on Pikes Peak
Views from the Pikes Peak summit
America the Beautiful lyrics on the Pikes Peak summit
Views of the Sangre de Cristo range and New Mexico from Pikes Peak
A mile marker along the Pikes Peak Cog Railway