I filled a cup from the Shoshone Spring fountain on Manitou Avenue and took a sip. The mineral water tasted like the earth — metallic, slightly fizzy, faintly sulfurous, and completely unlike anything from a tap. Each of Manitou Springs’ eight natural mineral springs has a different flavor profile depending on which minerals the water passes through on its way to the surface, and the Ute people considered them sacred healing waters long before the Victorian health tourists arrived. Walking along the main street with a cup, tasting each spring from its iron fountain, is a free and genuinely fascinating way to spend an hour. Manitou Springs is a place where the geology is not just a backdrop — it is the entire reason the town exists.
Tucked into a narrow canyon at the base of Pikes Peak at 6,320 feet, Manitou Springs feels like a pocket universe. Colorado Springs — a city of half a million — is five miles east and might as well be on another planet. Where the Springs is military bases, chain restaurants, and suburban sprawl, Manitou is Victorian storefronts, independent galleries, crystal shops, and the kind of funky creative energy that reminds me of small towns in Northern California. The town has been a destination since the 1870s when the mineral springs drew health-seekers and the Pikes Peak scenery drew everyone else. Today it serves as the gateway to Pikes Peak (via the Cog Railway and the Pikes Peak Highway), home to the infamous Manitou Incline fitness challenge, and Colorado’s most concentrated small-town arts scene.
Springs and Summits
Eight natural mineral springs flow through Victorian downtown streets — the 19th-century health resort at the foot of America's most famous mountain still dispensing its waters from iron fountains.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Manitou Springs?
The Manitou Incline is a straight-up endurance challenge that has become one of Colorado’s most popular fitness hikes. The route follows a former funicular railroad grade, climbing 2,000 vertical feet in less than one mile via roughly 2,744 railroad-tie steps. The average grade is 45%, with sections exceeding 68%. From the base at 6,600 feet to the top at 8,590 feet, the climb takes 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on your fitness level. There is no shade, no water, and no easy way out once you start — the only way down is a 4-mile trail (the Barr Trail) that loops back to the base. The Incline is free, open year-round, and draws thousands of visitors weekly. Go early in the morning (before 8 AM) to avoid crowds and heat.
Pikes Peak Cog Railway is the recently rebuilt rack-and-pinion railway that climbs from Manitou Springs to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak. The new trains (reopened in 2021 after a $100 million rebuild) are modern, comfortable, and the engineering is impressive — the railway gains over 7,500 vertical feet in nine miles. Round-trip tickets are $58 for adults, and the ride takes about 3 hours including 40 minutes at the summit. At the top, the new Summit Visitor Center has a cafe serving the famous Pikes Peak high-altitude donuts. The summit views extend from the Great Plains to the Sangre de Cristo range. Book online well in advance — this sells out throughout summer.
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park sits on Williams Canyon above Manitou Springs and offers cave tours that range from the family-friendly Discovery Tour ($30 for adults, 45 minutes through lit chambers with stalactites and stalagmites) to the Lantern Tour ($38, by candlelight through undeveloped sections) to the adventure-focused Explorer’s Trip ($125, crawling through tight passages in helmets and headlamps). Outside the caves, the mountain park has a via ferrata course, the Terror-Dactyl cliff swing (10-second freefall on a canyon swing, $20), and canyon ziplines. The cave temperature stays at a constant 54°F year-round.
Garden of the Gods is technically in Colorado Springs, but it is two miles from Manitou Springs and the two destinations are inseparable in practice. This city park features massive red sandstone formations — Balanced Rock, Kissing Camels, Cathedral Spires — rising from the earth against a backdrop of Pikes Peak. The park is free, open year-round, and the 15 miles of trails range from paved accessible paths to moderate hiking routes. Sunrise is the best time for photography, when the red rock glows against a blue sky.
Manitou Springs Mineral Springs Tour is a self-guided walk hitting all eight springs scattered through the downtown area. Each spring has a different mineral composition and flavor — from fizzy and sweet (Navajo Spring) to metallic and sharp (Iron Spring). The walk takes about an hour, is completely free, and the springs are marked with historical plaques. Pick up a map at the Chamber of Commerce on Manitou Avenue.
Miramont Castle Museum is a Victorian mansion built in 1895 with nine distinct architectural styles (Queen Anne, Romanesque, Tudor, English country, and five others) all crammed into one building. The eccentric French priest who commissioned it wanted to try everything. Admission is $12 for adults, and the interior — period furnishings, a miniature model of Colorado Springs in 1900, and a tea room — is worth about an hour.
2,744 Steps Straight Up
The Manitou Incline climbs 2,000 vertical feet in less than a mile — a former railroad grade turned into one of the most brutal and popular fitness challenges in Colorado.
Where to Eat in Manitou Springs
The Sahara Cafe is a Mediterranean restaurant on Manitou Avenue that consistently surprises visitors with its quality. Lamb kebabs, falafel platters, hummus, and shawarma for $14–24 per person. The indoor-outdoor seating along the creek is pleasant, and the food is authentic and generous. It is the best sit-down meal on the main strip.
Manitou Brewing Company occupies a prime corner of Manitou Avenue with craft beers, tacos, and a rooftop patio overlooking the town. The beers are solid (the Incline IPA is aptly named), and the tacos run $4–5 each. A flight of beers and three tacos for $22–28 is the post-Incline move.
Adam’s Mountain Cafe is a vegetarian-friendly restaurant with a bohemian atmosphere that perfectly captures Manitou’s vibe. Creative dishes — quinoa bowls, wild-caught fish, farmers’ market salads — run $14–22. The patio is shaded and quiet, and the breakfast menu (served until 2 PM) is excellent.
Savelli’s Pizza does thin-crust New York-style pizza that is better than it has any right to be in a mountain town. A slice and a drink for $8–10 is the quick lunch option, and the whole pies ($16–24) are the best value for families.
Kinfolks Mountain Shop is part coffee shop, part outdoor gear store, and the best morning coffee spot in town. Espresso drinks and pastries for $5–10, and you can browse climbing shoes and trail maps while your latte is being made.
Where to Stay in Manitou Springs
Cliff House at Pikes Peak is the historic luxury hotel in Manitou Springs, operating since 1874. The building has been beautifully renovated with Victorian elegance — fireplaces, four-poster beds, clawfoot tubs. Rooms run $200–375/night, and the dining room is one of the best restaurants in the Pikes Peak region. It is the splurge option, and the history (Teddy Roosevelt and Thomas Edison were guests) adds to the experience.
SunMountain Center offers vacation rental condos in a former resort complex, running $100–180/night with kitchens and mountain views. The units are spacious and the location — between downtown and the Incline trailhead — is convenient.
Silver Saddle Motel is the budget-friendly option on Manitou Avenue at $70–120/night. The rooms are basic but clean, the location is walkable to everything, and the price is remarkably fair for the Pikes Peak area. The vintage neon sign out front is a local landmark.
Garden of the Gods RV Resort is technically in Colorado Springs but is the closest campground to Manitou Springs. Tent sites run $40–55/night with amenities, and the red-rock setting near the park is beautiful. For true budget camping, Pike National Forest has dispersed camping options west of town.
Getting There and Around Manitou Springs
Manitou Springs is five miles west of Colorado Springs on US-24 — essentially a suburb, though it would bristle at the description. From Denver, it is 75 miles south on I-25 to Colorado Springs, then west on US-24 (about 90 minutes total). The drive is straightforward and rarely has the traffic issues that plague I-70 to the ski resorts.
Colorado Springs Airport (COS) is 15 miles east with service from most major airlines. A rental car or rideshare from the airport to Manitou Springs takes about 25 minutes and costs $30–40.
Downtown Manitou Springs is compact and entirely walkable — Manitou Avenue covers about eight blocks of shops, restaurants, and springs. The Incline trailhead is a 10-minute walk from downtown. For Garden of the Gods, you need a car or bike (2 miles). For Pikes Peak via the highway (not the Cog Railway), you need a car. The Cog Railway departs from the Manitou Springs depot on Ruxton Avenue, walkable from downtown.
Free parking exists on side streets but fills quickly on summer weekends. The town operates several small pay lots ($5–10/day) that are easier to find.
Best Time to Visit Manitou Springs
Summer (June–September) is peak season. All attractions are fully operational, the Cog Railway runs full schedules, and the outdoor dining scene is lively. Temperatures reach 80–90°F during the day — warmer than the mountain resorts but manageable at 6,320 feet. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, especially in July and August.
Fall (September–October) is excellent. The cottonwoods in the canyon turn gold, crowds thin after Labor Day, and temperatures cool to 65–75°F. The Incline is more comfortable without summer heat. The Cog Railway and Cave of the Winds operate into late fall.
Spring (March–May) is transitional but pleasant. Temperatures rise to 55–70°F, wildflowers appear in April, and rates are lower. The Incline can have ice patches into March — bring microspikes.
Winter (December–February) is quiet. The Cog Railway closes for maintenance in January, but the Incline stays open year-round (ice and snow on the steps are common — traction devices required). Garden of the Gods is spectacular with snow on the red rocks. Highs run 40–50°F on most days, with cold snaps to the teens.
Where the Springs Meet the Summit
From mineral springs at 6,320 feet to the summit of Pikes Peak at 14,115 feet — Manitou Springs covers nearly 8,000 feet of vertical in one extraordinary destination.
- Altitude: Manitou Springs sits at 6,320 feet — moderate and manageable for most visitors. The Incline tops at 8,590 feet, and Pikes Peak reaches 14,115 feet. The Cog Railway handles the altitude for you, but the Incline is a serious cardiovascular effort at altitude.
- Best time: September for comfortable temperatures, smaller crowds, and fall color in the canyon. June through August for full access to all attractions including the Cog Railway's peak schedule.
- Getting there: I-25 South from Denver to Colorado Springs (75 miles), then US-24 West for 5 miles. Total: 90 minutes. Colorado Springs Airport (COS) is 15 miles east with major airline service.
- Money: Budget $55–130/day. The mineral springs walk is free. Garden of the Gods is free. The Incline is free. Cog Railway is $58. Cave of the Winds is $30–125 depending on the tour. Lodging and food are more affordable than mountain resort towns.
- Don't miss: The Pikes Peak Cog Railway — the new trains are excellent, the engineering is impressive, and the summit views on a clear day extend from the Kansas border to the Sangre de Cristos. Book online weeks ahead in summer.
- Avoid: The Manitou Incline at midday in summer — no shade, no water, full sun exposure on a 45% grade at altitude. Start before 8 AM. Also avoid driving the Pikes Peak Highway without checking whether the summit is open (it closes for weather frequently).
- Packing: Bring a water bottle for the mineral springs walk (you will want to taste each one). Bring proper shoes for the Incline — running shoes minimum, hiking boots preferred. For Pikes Peak summit, bring a warm layer regardless of valley temperatures — it can be 30°F colder at 14,115 feet.
- Local tip: Taste all eight mineral springs with a map from the Chamber of Commerce — it is free, takes an hour, and the flavor differences between springs (some fizzy, some metallic, some sweet) are genuinely fascinating. The Navajo and Shoshone springs are most visitors' favorites.