Pikes Peak Summit
Cascade, CO
The 4,302 m summit reached by the toll Pikes Peak Highway or the cog railway from Manitou Springs. A timed-entry permit is required from late May to September, and brakes may be checked on the way down.
Pikes Peak rises 4,302 m (14,115 feet), about 2,400 m (8,000 feet) above Colorado Springs. You can reach the summit on the Pikes Peak Highway, built for cars in 1915, or on the Cog Railway from Manitou Springs. The railway is 14.3 km (8.9 miles) long, opened in 1891 and climbs at grades of up to 25%. In 1893 Katharine Lee Bates visited the summit and wrote "America the Beautiful." The mountain is named for Zebulon Pike, who never reached the top.
The 19-mile (31 km) road runs from Cascade to the summit; allow 3 to 4 hours for the full experience. Most recently, cars needed a reservation from May 23 to September 30, and none the rest of the year (as of October 2026; check the dates for the next season in advance). On the way down, rangers ask drivers to stop at Glen Cove to check brake temperature, so go easy on your brakes, for example by using a low gear. The summit is on average about 30°F (roughly 17°C) colder than the base, so bring warm clothing.
- Nearest town
- Cascade, CO
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 38.8409, -105.0423
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Peak View CampgroundMotorhome stopover8 mi from Pikes Peak SummitMotorhomesElectricity
- Conifer Ridge CampgroundMotorhome stopover8 mi from Pikes Peak SummitMotorhomesElectricity
- Garden of the Gods RV ResortMotorhome stopover8 mi from Pikes Peak SummitMotorhomes
- Foot of the Rockies RV ResortMotorhome stopover11 mi from Pikes Peak SummitMotorhomes
- Banks CampgroundCampsite18 mi from Pikes Peak Summit
- Sand Gulch CampgroundCampsite18 mi from Pikes Peak Summit
All campsites in Colorado · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Pikes Peak Summit?
Pikes Peak Summit is in Cascade, CO, at GPS 38.8409, -105.0423. It is about 7 mi from Manitou Springs.
Can you camp near Pikes Peak Summit?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Crags Campground, about 5 mi away; within 25 mi there are 62 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Pikes Peak Summit?
Pikes Peak Summit is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Pikes Peak, Cripple Creek and the Royal Gorge.
What is there to see near Pikes Peak Summit?
Places worth a stop nearby: Garden of the Gods (10 mi), Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument (14 mi), Royal Gorge Bridge (30 mi) and Red Rocks Amphitheatre (58 mi).
When is the best time to visit Pikes Peak Summit?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)