Garden of the Gods Jeep Tour: Colorado Springs red rocks

Ride through red rock canyons without leaving the driver's seat to a guide

A 2.5-hour Jeep tour of Colorado Springs takes you through Garden of the Gods, North Cheyenne Canyon, Helen Hunt Falls, the Shortline Railroad's 100-year-old tunnels, Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs. A live English-speaking guide leads groups of up to six in open-air Jeeps, mixing paved roads with dirt tracks so you see the foothills and historical sites without arranging your own transport. Children from age 1 are welcome, and blankets are provided.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Colorado Springs landmarks

• Visit Garden of the Gods
• See North Cheyenne Canyon
• View Helen Hunt Falls
• Drive through Shortline Railroad tunnels
• Explore Old Colorado City
• Visit Manitou Springs

The experience

The tour rolls out in an open-air Jeep (the kind with no roof between you and the sky), which means every sight lines up in your camera frame without a windshield glare or a side window in the way. You'll spend roughly 70% of the route on paved roads and 30% on dirt, moving through North Cheyenne Canyon and past Helen Hunt Falls, then into the red rock formations of Garden of the Gods. The guide narrates the history as you go: the Shortline Railroad and its tunnels that have stood for a century, the old mining town of Colorado City, and the way the landscape shaped the region.

The pace is steady rather than rushed, 2.5 hours total, so you're not jumping in and out constantly, but you're also not sitting still. Manitou Springs comes near the end, a small mountain town tucked into the foothills. Groups max out at six people per booking, which keeps the Jeep from feeling crowded and means the guide can actually hear questions. The tour runs in all weather, so bring layers. Blankets are on board if the temperature drops. Children ride free from age 1 as long as an adult is with them, and if you have a service animal, it's welcome too.

What’s included

• Open-air Jeep with a live English-speaking guide.
• blankets for warmth.
• entry to Garden of the Gods and all stops along the route.
• all transport between attractions.

Information

Lasts 2h 30m, runs every day at 09:00 and 13:00, from US$ 140 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 6 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 13:00Last departure this season: 31 DecAnother time? ›

GroupUp to 6 · max 5 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Youth (1 to 12 years)

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Adventures Out West

Is this one for you?The 2.5-hour loop moves at a steady pace with no hiking or walking required. You stay in the Jeep the whole time, which suits anyone who wants to see the foothills and red rocks without the physical effort of a trail. Groups max at six, so it's small enough to hear the guide but shared, not private.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (1 to 12 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Helen Hunt Falls and why does the tour stop there?

Helen Hunt Falls is a waterfall in North Cheyenne Canyon, one of Colorado Springs' most visited natural sites. The tour includes it as part of the canyon route, so you see the water and the canyon walls without driving yourself.

How much of the tour is on dirt roads versus pavement?

The Jeep tour is approximately 70% paved roads and 30% dirt, so most of the route stays on standard surfaces. The dirt sections let you reach spots in the foothills and canyons that regular cars can't access.

What makes Garden of the Gods special enough to see in person?

Garden of the Gods is a 1,300-acre park of red rock formations rising from the plains around Colorado Springs. The Jeep tour takes you through the park itself, so you're driving past the rock faces and canyons rather than viewing them from a distance or a parking lot.

Do I need to be in good shape to do this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You're riding in a Jeep the whole time, not hiking or climbing, so the main requirement is comfort sitting for 2.5 hours.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes the Jeep ride, a live English-speaking guide, and blankets if you need them. You don't arrange your own transport to the attractions. The guide takes you to each one.