The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway in Manitou Springs, Colorado

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Manitou Springs, Colorado · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesRuns year round; check the online schedule for departures

Since June 1891 the Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway has climbed from Manitou Springs to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak, and it remains the world's highest cog railroad and the highest railroad in the Northern Hemisphere.

  • Climbing Pikes Peak since 1891
  • World's highest cog railway
  • 9 miles to 14,115 feet
  • 3.5-hour round trip
  • Runs year round
  • New Summit Complex at the top

The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway at a glance

Hours
Year-round operation with several daily departures; times are on the online ticket page
Admission
As of October 2026, online reserved seats from $67 adults and $57 children; walk-up from $86 and $76 (taxes and fees extra)
Train rides
3.5-hour round trip to the Pikes Peak summit, year round
Plan for
About 3.5 hours for the round trip, plus time at the depot
Best for
Families with school-age kids, rail fans and first-time Colorado visitors
Best ages
Ages 5 and up

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Manitou Springs.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

A mule ride, a rack railway and America's Mountain

The Cog's story starts with Zalmon Simmons, who first reached the summit of Pikes Peak on the back of a mule and decided there had to be a better way up. He built the railway, and in June 1891 it claimed the title of the highest rack railway in the world. A rack, or cog, railway uses a toothed rail between the running rails so trains can grip and climb grades far too steep for ordinary track.

In 1926 Spencer Penrose, owner of The Broadmoor resort in Colorado Springs, bought the railway from Simmons, and it has been part of the Broadmoor family ever since, alongside Seven Falls, Broadmoor Outfitters, the Soaring Adventure zip lines and the Wilderness Experiences. The railway calls itself the world's highest and longest cog railroad, and it is one of only two cog railways in the United States and the only one that reaches the top of Pikes Peak.

The line has been renewed in recent years, and Colorado's tourism office now describes it as the most state-of-the-art cog railway in the world, while the climb and the views stay the same. Much of the character comes from the people: long-serving staff and conductors who point out sights and share history, stories and a few tall tales on the way up.

From the Ruxton Avenue depot to the top of Pikes Peak

Trips begin at the historic depot at 515 Ruxton Avenue in Manitou Springs, where the gift shop stocks Colorado-made goods, Cog memorabilia, trail mix and ice cream for before you board. The red train then climbs 9 miles through changing forest and wildlife country to the summit at 14,115 feet. Near the top, look for bristlecone pines, some of the oldest living things on earth; some on Pikes Peak are estimated at more than 2,000 years old.

At the summit, the views run 360 degrees, from the eastern plains to the snow-capped Continental Divide. On a clear day, riders may pick out the old mining camp of Cripple Creek and the skyscrapers of downtown Denver. There is time to walk around and explore the new Summit Complex before the ride back down, and active visitors can pair the train with a bike ride up or a hike down.

Don’t miss

  1. The summit at 14,115 feetThe whole point of the trip: a 360-degree view from the top of America's Mountain.
  2. The Summit ComplexThe new building at the top where riders can explore and warm up before the trip down.
  3. Engineer's View seatsFront row seats next to the engineer, from $96 for adults online as of October 2026.
  4. Ancient bristlecone pinesSome of the trees along the upper route are estimated to be over 2,000 years old.
  5. The Manitou Springs depotA historic depot with a gift shop full of Colorado goods and Cog souvenirs.

A mountain train for kids who can handle a long ride

For train-loving kids, a train that climbs a 14,000-foot mountain is hard to beat, and the conductors' stories help pass the time. Still, the round trip lasts about 3.5 hours, so it suits school-age children better than toddlers who need to get down and run. Pack snacks and layers, because the summit is far colder than the depot.

The railway does not recommend the trip for infants under six months or for anyone with a history of heart or breathing problems, a real consideration at 14,115 feet. Child fares start at $57 online as of October 2026.

Plan your visit: tips for The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway

  • Book online in advance for lower fares and your choice of seats.
  • Changes more than 7 days out are free; within 7 days, rescheduling or store credit costs $20.
  • Bring warm layers: the summit sits at 14,115 feet.
  • Not recommended for infants under six months or riders with heart or breathing problems.
  • Groups of 25 or more qualify for group rates.

Conductors, crews and the Broadmoor family

The Cog is owned and run by The Broadmoor, the Colorado Springs resort that has operated it since Spencer Penrose bought it in 1926. Its staff, many of whom have worked on the mountain for years, include conductors who narrate the climb. The railway hires seasonally and year round, and the best way to support it is simply to ride, shop at the depot and follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

More Pikes Peak region railroads

The Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad is about 15 miles away on the far side of the peak, and the Royal Gorge Route Railroad in Cañon City is about 33 miles. The Pueblo Railway Museum is about 44 miles off. See every train museum in Colorado to round out the trip.

Every train museum in Colorado

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a conductor in a blue suit shaking Rally's paw on the train
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

On the Cog, the conductors tell stories and a few tall tales all the way up the mountain, which sounds like exactly the right company for a long climb. In our book, it's Mr. Conductor in his blue uniform who reaches out a hand to Rally, and that small kindness is what Rally remembers. My mom always noticed people like that. If your family is getting ready for a big train day, our train books for toddlers list is a good warm-up.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Pikes Peak Cog Railway: 20 questions riders ask

How much are Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway tickets?

As of October 2026, reserved seats booked online start at $67 for adults and $57 for children. Engineer's View seats in the front row start at $96 for adults and $86 for children online. Walk-up and call-in fares are higher, starting at $86 for adults and $76 for children, and taxes and fees apply.

Where do I buy Pikes Peak Cog Railway tickets?

Buy online at cograilway.com for the best rates and to choose your exact seats. Walk-up tickets are sold at the depot in Manitou Springs when seats are available, and you can also book by phone at (719) 685-5401 at the walk-up rate. Payment can be cash, credit or debit card, or gift card.

How long is the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway ride?

The round trip takes about 3.5 hours, including the 9-mile climb from Manitou Springs to the 14,115-foot summit, time to explore at the top and the ride back down. Plan extra time before departure to park, pick up tickets and browse the depot gift shop.

Where do you park for the Pikes Peak Cog Railway?

The railway covers where to park in the trip planning section of cograilway.com, so read it before you go, since parking arrangements can change by season. The depot is at 515 Ruxton Ave in Manitou Springs. Call (719) 685-5401 if you have questions about parking or arriving with a larger vehicle.

What is Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway No. 1?

The railway does not post information about a locomotive or car numbered No. 1 on its website. For questions about specific historic equipment, call (719) 685-5401 or email info@cograilway.com, or ask the conductors on board, who share the line's history and stories during the climb.

What do Pikes Peak Cog Railway reviews say?

Local tourism offices call it one of Colorado's top attractions, and Colorado's tourism office describes it as the most state-of-the-art cog railway in the world. The railway's own guests and staff point to the summit views and the conductors' stories as highlights. Check Google and travel sites for the latest reviews.

Where can I see Pikes Peak Cog Railway photos?

The railway has a photo gallery on cograilway.com showing the train, the route and the summit, and its Instagram account, @pikespeakcograilway, posts frequent photos from the mountain. Its Facebook page also shares updates and pictures from riders.

Does the Pikes Peak Cog Railway run year round?

Yes. The railway operates year round, and the Purchase Tickets page always shows available dates and departure times. Weather on a 14,115-foot mountain can change fast, so check your booking details and dress for winter conditions at the summit no matter the season.

How high does the Pikes Peak Cog Railway go?

The train climbs to the summit of Pikes Peak at 14,115 feet. That makes it the world's highest cog railroad and the highest railroad in the United States and in the entire Northern Hemisphere. The trip from the depot to the top covers 9 miles.

When was the Pikes Peak Cog Railway built?

The railway began climbing Pikes Peak in June 1891, when it claimed the title of the highest rack railway in the world. It was built by Zalmon Simmons, who had first reached the summit on a mule. Spencer Penrose, owner of The Broadmoor, bought it from Simmons in 1926.

Who owns the Pikes Peak Cog Railway?

The railway is owned by The Broadmoor, the luxury resort in Colorado Springs, which is why its full name is The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Broadmoor owner Spencer Penrose bought it in 1926, and today it shares the Broadmoor family with Seven Falls, Soaring Adventure and the Wilderness Experiences.

Is the Pikes Peak Cog Railway safe for kids and babies?

The railway does not recommend the trip for infants under six months old or for anyone with a history of cardiac or respiratory problems, because of the high altitude. Older children ride at child fares starting at $57 online as of October 2026. Bring layers and snacks for the 3.5-hour round trip.

What are the Engineer's View seats on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway?

Engineer's View seats are the front row seats beside the engineer, giving you the view down the track as the train climbs. As of October 2026, they start at $96 for adults and $86 for children when booked online. They are limited, so book early if you want them.

What can you see from the top of Pikes Peak?

The summit has 360-degree views from the eastern plains to the Continental Divide along the snow-capped Rockies. On a clear day you may see the old mining camp of Cripple Creek and the skyscrapers of downtown Denver. The new Summit Complex is there to explore, and bristlecone pines grow along the upper route.

Can I cancel or change Pikes Peak Cog Railway tickets?

Yes. Tickets can be rescheduled or refunded without penalty if you ask more than 7 days before departure. Within 7 days, you can reschedule or take store credit for a $20 fee per reservation, and store credit is valid for one year. Call (719) 685-5401 to make changes.

Does the Pikes Peak Cog Railway offer group rates?

Yes, for groups of 25 or more, such as tour groups, student outings and family reunions. As of October 2026, off-peak group adult standard fares start at $63.50 and peak season (May to September) group adult standard fares at $66.13. Private car buyouts are also available. Use the group form on cograilway.com.

Can you hike or bike with the Pikes Peak Cog Railway?

Yes. The railway suggests combining the Cog with a bike ride up or a hike down the mountain. Check cograilway.com for the rules on one-way trips and what you need to arrange before you go, since Pikes Peak trails are long and high and require good preparation.

Is there a gift shop at the Pikes Peak Cog Railway depot?

Yes. The depot in Manitou Springs has a gift shop with Colorado-made goods, Cog Railway memorabilia, trail mix for the journey and ice cream to enjoy before you board. It is a good place to wait while the train pulls in.

How many cog railways are there in the United States?

The Pikes Peak Cog Railway says it is one of only two cog railways in the country, and the only one that takes passengers to the summit of Pikes Peak. It also describes itself as the world's highest and longest cog railroad.

What train rides are near the Pikes Peak Cog Railway?

The Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad is about 15 miles away, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad in Canon City about 33 miles, and the Pueblo Railway Museum about 44 miles. The Broadmoor's Seven Falls and Soaring Adventure zip lines are also nearby options for the same trip.

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