Top picks
- The best-known day trip from Denver
Small-group tour of Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods from Denver
- Denver
- Full day
- Viator
From $179 pp
Check availability → - Summit + Garden of the Gods in one day
From Denver: Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Guided Tour
- Denver
- 8.5 hours
- GetYourGuide
From $189 pp
Check availability → - Short summit trip if you're staying in the Springs
Colorado Springs: Pikes Peak Jeep Tour
- Colorado Springs
- 3 hours
- GetYourGuide
From $140 pp
Check availability →
Prices checked on the dates shown in the comparison below; the booking site has the live price. We may earn a commission.
Compare tours
| Tour | Starts | Length | From | Best for | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small-group tour of Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods from DenverViator | Denver | Full day | $179 pp | The best-known day trip from Denver | Check availability for Small-group tour of Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods from Denver on Viator → |
| From Denver: Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Guided TourOperator: Explorer ToursGetYourGuide | Denver | 8.5 hours | $189 pp | Summit + Garden of the Gods in one day | Check availability for From Denver: Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Guided Tour on GetYourGuide → |
| Colorado Springs: Pikes Peak Jeep TourOperator: Mountain JeepGetYourGuide | Colorado Springs | 3 hours | $140 pp | Short summit trip if you're staying in the Springs | Check availability for Colorado Springs: Pikes Peak Jeep Tour on GetYourGuide → |
| Colorado Springs: Pikes Peak Luxury Jeep TourOperator: Rapp Tour AdventuresGetYourGuide | Colorado Springs | 3–3.5 hours | $169 pp | Enclosed jeep with hotel pickup | Check availability for Colorado Springs: Pikes Peak Luxury Jeep Tour on GetYourGuide → |
| Pikes Peak COG Train & Garden of the Gods Private TourOperator: ScoutGetYourGuide | Denver | 10 hours | $799 per group | Private group with Cog Railway ride; price per group | Check availability for Pikes Peak COG Train & Garden of the Gods Private Tour on GetYourGuide → |
| Colorado Springs: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon FlightOperator: Adventures Out WestGetYourGuide | Colorado Springs | 3 hours | $290 pp | Splurge add-on: sunrise balloon | Check availability for Colorado Springs: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight on GetYourGuide → |
We list tours by fit, not by commission. We haven't taken every tour; details come from each operator's listing. “See price” means the listing showed only a non-USD price when we checked. Click through for live prices and availability.
What to expect
Day tours from Denver drive about 70 miles south to Colorado Springs, then take the 19-mile Pikes Peak Highway up to the summit visitor center at 14,115 feet. Most also stop at Garden of the Gods, a free city park with tall red sandstone fins, and some go through the small town of Manitou Springs. Plan on 8 to 8.5 hours.
Already in Colorado Springs? Shorter jeep tours (about 3 hours, from $140) cover just the summit drive, and the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway from Manitou Springs is a scenic alternative way up.
Driving yourself vs. taking a tour
For 2026 the City of Colorado Springs required a timed-entry permit for private vehicles going beyond Mile 7 of the highway from May 22 to September 30, plus a separate shuttle system (city announcement). A tour removes the permit, parking and mountain-driving stress, and you don't have to drive down steep switchbacks after a day at altitude.
How to choose
- Staying in Denver: pick a full-day Denver departure that includes Garden of the Gods (from $179–$189).
- Staying in Colorado Springs: a 3-hour jeep tour ($140–$169) is cheaper and leaves the afternoon free.
- Want the train: some tours, including a private tour below, combine the Cog Railway with Garden of the Gods.
- Special occasion: a sunrise hot air balloon flight over Colorado Springs ($290 per person) pairs well with a Pikes Peak day.
Altitude and weather tips
- The summit is roughly 2.6 miles higher than sea level. Drink water, go easy on exertion and tell your guide if you feel unwell.
- Bring layers. It's often much colder and windier on top than in town, even in July.
- The road can close for snow or wind in any month, and good tours will reroute or explain their weather policy.
Prices (checked October 11, 2026)
Viator's small-group tour from Denver lists from $179 (the report also saw $199 on some dates); GetYourGuide's Denver departure was $189. Colorado Springs jeep tours were $140–$169 per person. Private tours are priced per group.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do Pikes Peak as a day trip from Denver?
Yes. Guided tours from Denver take about 8–8.5 hours and usually include the summit and Garden of the Gods.
How much is a Pikes Peak tour?
Group tours from Denver cost about $179–$199 per person. Jeep tours starting in Colorado Springs start around $140.
Do I need a reservation to drive Pikes Peak?
In 2026 a timed-entry permit was required for private vehicles going past Mile 7 from May 22 to September 30. Tour guests don't need to arrange this themselves.
Is Garden of the Gods free?
Yes, Garden of the Gods is a free public park. Tours stop there because it's on the way.
What should I wear to the summit?
Layers and a warm jacket. The summit is at 14,115 feet and is usually much colder and windier than Colorado Springs.
Ready to book? Most tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before (check each listing).