Best Options to Visit Pikes Peak with Kids

ByChristine Updated on

Pikes Peak is a great family destination. Your biggest decision point won’t be whether to visit Pikes Peak with kids or not, but which way to get to the top. Should you drive, take a shuttle, ride the cog railway up, or hike?

We drove, and if you want the most flexibility and most budget friendly option that is the way to go, but if not plan to ride the cog railway and get the most unique experience of reaching the top! We give you all the details so you can choose your own path.

Pikes Peak, America's Mountain, covered in snow and shining in the sun

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About Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak is a 14,000+ foot mountain and one of the top things to do in Colorado Springs, Colorado. You can easily reach the top of it simply by driving your car.

To be exact, Pikes Peak is 14,115 feet tall. It is North America’s most visited mountain, and the second most visited in the world. It is 31st tallest out of the 53 Colorado mountains over 14,000 feet tall.

Interestingly, it is known as America’s mountain, and was the inspiration for the song “America the Beautiful.”

Driving the Pikes Peak Road

You can drive your own vehicle to the top of Pikes Peak on the 19 mile Pikes Peak Road.

Pikes Peak Highway Entrance Station

You’ll pass through the entrance station where you’ll need to pay an entrance fee before driving up the mountain. The mountain is open year round depending on the weather.

Between May 23 and September 30 you’ll need to make a $2 timed entry reservation to drive this road, and then pay the day use ticket for entry online or at the entrance station.

Road to the Summit

As the road winds and climbs over the 19 miles, there are several scenic pull offs you can use to stop and enjoy the view. Depending on how often you pull over and how long you stay at the summit, roundtrip could take you 2 to 3 hours. We love stopping at these overlooks so drives like this always take us much longer.

Keep an eye out for wildlife that you might see including elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and marmots. It’ll help keep your kids entertained, and they’ll be really excited when they spot some of these animals.

When we drove up, we had some very nice views on the way up. Before we’d made it to the top though, the clouds started obscuring the view. It was actually very pretty, the way the wispy clouds first started rolling over the mountainside.

The Summit

At the summit you can take pictures at the summit sign, and check out the visitor center, which has been newly constructed since our last visit.

However, by the time we reached the top, the weather had completely closed in and there was not another view to be found. Keep in mind this can be a possibility. Otherwise you’d have more beautiful views from the top via observation platforms and walkways.

Inside, there is more to learn at the Visitor Center’s exhibits. There is a gift shop, which was absolutely packed when we visited. At the time, Pikes Peak definitely seemed much more touristy to us than Mt. Evans.

There is dining on site, and our stomach’s were growling so we indulged in what they called the “World Famous Pikes Peak Donut.” We were skeptical but it was surprisingly good. It’s a good treat for the whole family. They were fresh and cake-like with a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar.

The Cog Railway

The red cog railway engine and cars leaves the station to head up Pikes Peak.

The benefits of taking the Cog Railway are that it is a very unique experience and kids love all kinds of trains. Kids are sure to find this option most exciting.

You’ll get lots of time to enjoy the views on the approximately hour ride each way, and no one in your party has to be the one driving and not getting to look around as much. You’ll also learn more about what you are seeing as you ride.

One of the main drawbacks is that it is pretty pricey, even with the discount you can get with buying online in advance. You can pay for your entire carload to drive up for less than one person to ride the railway.

But this could be that magical experience during your trip that you’re willing to pay more for. I rode the Pikes Peak cog railway as a child, and it is one of those memories that has stuck with me through the years.

You are also limited to about 40 minutes at the summit. Though I haven’t ridden the Pikes Peak cog railway as an adult, I always find that the time limits on summits when riding these kinds of railways (as we’ve also done on the Mount Washington Cog Railway and Snowdon Mountain Railway) goes by way too quickly to feel like you’ve fully experienced everything.

The Pikes Peak Shuttle

Some people might find driving the high winding road daunting, so you could instead pay to take the shuttle if your visit is between May 23 and August 10 or on weekends throughout September.

The shuttle presents a nice option between driving yourself and taking the cog railway. You’ll have an audio tour on the way up with the ability to get out and back on at several stops.

You can stay longer at the summit as long as you catch the final shuttle. The cost is more per person than the self drive option, but still not nearly as much as the cog railway.

The Barr Trail

Hiking the Barr Trail from the base to the summit of the mountain is an option, but I’d only recommend it if you have older teens who are accustomed to hiking. It’s over 12 miles to the summit and is a difficult trail with intense elevation gains.

Then remember you’d either have to hike back down, or get a ride from the top on the cog railway or by having someone pick you up. Those of us with younger kids should choose one of the more comfortable options!

Considerations for Visiting Pikes Peak With Kids

When visiting with kids, you’ll want to make sure to keep them safe. Be aware of any edges and make sure your kids don’t get too close.

Also make sure to be mindful of the effects the altitude might have on them. Everyone should be sure to hydrate well so keep an eye on your kids as if they’re anything like ours we often have to remind them to drink more water.

Adults and kids alike should dress appropriately for the weather. As we experienced, the weather on the top can be drastically different and the temperature will be 30-40 degrees colder! You can view a Pikes Peak webcam to see what the weather looks like ahead of time.

If you enjoy visiting Pikes Peak with kids and you’re looking for another Colorado mountain to explore, one that is especially accessible for families to visit is Mount Evans.

Christine is the co-founder of Never Stop Adventuring, and an avid traveler who started traveling the world as a child growing up in a military family. She even lived in Germany for numerous years. Since then she has been to 48 U.S. states, 17 countries, and traveled the U.S. in an RV for over 7 years.

With her 3 kids, the adventures continued family travel style. She has planned and coordinated travel with kids for the last 10 years and shares family travel tips and tricks, destinations, costs and even the mistakes so you can be empowered to take your own family trips with confidence!