Pikes Peak By Rail - Manitou Springs, Colorado

Shanna W.

We had a wonderful experience taking the train up to Pikes Peak. The views from the train were breathtaking, and the seats were roomy and comfortable. The train station itself was charming, complete with a cute gift shop with souvenirs.

The views from the summit are absolutely amazing. You have some time to explore, take photos and visit the restaurant and the gift shop inside.

Since our visit was close to Christmas, the train station had a special holiday treat—Santa Claus and his helpers were there handing out cookies when we deboarded. It was a delightful experience, perfect for both children and adults who still appreciate the Christmas spirit!

Trina T.

Must visit destination.
Book ride tickets online in advance. Recommend pay to select seats.
Book early and choose seats preferably in Car 1.
We took the 920am ride.
Train seating starts at 9am.
There are rest rooms and a gift shop to visit.

Sandy B.

The narrator on the train was funny and told interesting things about everything. It was enjoyable. Bring layers. It was kind of hot down below and then pretty cold at the summit. There is food, water, and restrooms at the top. Be at the train ON TIME to leave or you will be left. Bring your own water bottle and snacks because there is nothing like that on the train for over an hour each way. Go to the restroom first. It costs around $75 per person and $25 to park. It is amazing.

Karen W.

Absolutely gorgeous! Must do! We drove the first time and it wore our brand new truck's transmission out. This was an excellent trip on the train. The visit at the top is 40 minutes, which goes fast. Will return.

Robert B.

Clean depot and trains. Very friendly staff except for one grumpy train engineer. Scenery is amazing! A little pricey but worth it. Parking in the depot lot is worth the money.

David H.

As everyone mentions, the views are beautiful. However I personally don't think it is worth the cost when there are other locations around there you can drive and see similar views. The train was packed and if you don't sit beside a window you really can not take in the views. Our trip was also cut short at the top due the them letting off workers along the route. We only had about 25 minutes to look through the gift shop and take pictures outside. I was just able to run around the top and take a few pictures before the whistle was blowing to reload.

Raleigh T.

Pikes Peak By Rail - A Memorable Visit with Room for Improvement

Our visit to Pikes Peak was a mix of awe-inspiring moments and some missed opportunities. First, I want to commend the seamless booking process. From confirmation emails to updates and reminders, everything was handled efficiently. The staff went above and beyond to accommodate our large family of 17 traveling from Atlanta, even allowing our sprinter van despite website policies restricting oversized vehicles. For this, we are truly grateful—5 stars for the initial experience!

The train ride to the summit was nothing short of magical. The views were breathtaking, leaving us speechless as we ascended to over 14,000 feet above sea level. Our conductor was fantastic, keeping everything on time and ensuring a smooth experience. Another 5 stars for the ride itself!

However, the Summit Center fell short of expectations. While the rail station clearly displayed information about altitude changes, the center did not seem prepared to address the needs of visitors unfamiliar with or unaccustomed to such significant changes. This can be especially critical for those with health conditions.

What stood out most was the poor customer service and lack of food availability at the Summit Center. At around 2:35 PM, the hot food boxes were empty, and the doughnuts—one of the signature items—tasted stale. The explanation provided, “Oh, our kitchen closes at 3:00 PM,” was disappointing. It felt unacceptable for a major attraction that charges nearly $100 per person to be so unprepared, especially given the volume of visitors contributing to the attraction’s success.

Altitude can already be overwhelming, and something as simple as ensuring a reliable food supply could make a big difference in how visitors experience the summit. It would help guests feel cared for and safe, especially when dealing with potential altitude-related symptoms.

Overall, while the train ride and scenery deserve 5 stars, the Summit Center’s lack of preparedness left us feeling let down. I hope this feedback helps improve operations and ensures future visitors have a consistently stellar experience from start to finish.

Srebrina M.

The views are amazing and the train station is in very good condition. Definitely a must see. With that being said - my one big issue was that the conductor on our train, her name was Mckayla, was not the best for sure. I get that they have to entertain although I'm sure everyone would be perfectly fine with just riding in silence. But she was condescending, borderline rude and just overall not a nice person. Maybe it was her delivery but she threatened multiple times to leave people at the peak if they don't come back to the train on time and overall had negative energy. Every rule was a threat from her, not a request. For what they charge, I don't want to be treated liked this by the staff even if she's just talking in general to everyone in the train. I don't think she is a good fit for this job at all. The train is great but there's no shade what so ever so if you get the more expensive front seats you'll be seriously blasted by the sun both ways. Bring a hat.