Garden of the Gods & Manitou Springs Jeep Tour with Old Stage Road

Summary

Red rocks, mountain towns, forest roads—Colorado’s wild side

You’ll ride through Garden of the Gods’ surreal red rocks, wander quirky Manitou Springs for a taste of natural mineral water, then climb into Colorado’s forests on Old Stage Road—all with a local guide and snacks along the way. Expect laughter, small surprises, and moments that linger after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect to start my morning wedged between strangers in a Jeep, but there we were, rolling through Colorado Springs toward Garden of the Gods. The rocks looked almost fake at first—like someone painted them that bright red on purpose. Our guide, Jamie, kept tossing out stories about old explorers and Ute legends while we stopped for photos. There was this moment when the sun hit the sandstone just right and it felt like everything around us glowed. I tried to capture it on my phone but… you know how that goes.

We made a pit stop at the Trading Post for snacks and bathrooms (pro tip: grab some fudge if they have it). Then it was off to Manitou Springs. The town’s got this oddball energy—crystal shops next to old diners, people wandering with cups from the natural springs. Jamie dared us to taste one; honestly, it tasted like pennies but everyone laughed when I made a face. Some guy at the corner tried explaining why each spring tastes different but I barely caught half of it over all the street music.

Old Stage Road was bumpier than I thought—a dirt road curling up into pine forests behind Cheyenne Mountain. The air changed up there: sharper, colder, with that pine-needle smell you only get in Colorado mountains. We passed a couple of locals in dusty pickups who waved like they knew Jamie (maybe they did). There was a quiet stretch where nobody talked for a minute or two—just tires crunching gravel and wind through open windows. That silence stuck with me more than anything else from the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs Tour

• Tour Garden of the Gods park
• Stop for photos and history
• Drive through Manitou Springs town
• Drink natural spring waters
• Take break at Trading Post
• Drive Old Stage Road forest route

Top questions

How long is the Garden of the Gods & Manitou Springs Jeep tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours from start to finish.

Is this tour suitable for young children?

Yes, ages 1 and older are welcome; infants can ride in a stroller or pram.

Does the tour include stops for photos?

Yes, there are several stops in Garden of the Gods for pictures and history.

What is included during the tour?

Bottled water and snacks are provided during your trip.

How many people fit in each Jeep?

Each Jeep holds up to 4 guests; total group size is 8 across two Jeeps.

Is there a restroom break on this tour?

Yes, there’s a 15-minute stop at Garden of the Gods Trading Post for restrooms and shopping.

Do you visit Old Stage Road on this tour?

Yes, you’ll take a short drive into the mountains along Old Stage Road.

Can I bring my service animal?

Service animals are allowed on this tour.

What’s included

Your day includes bottled water and snacks along the way, plus time to explore Garden of the Gods’ famous rock formations with your local guide before heading into Manitou Springs for spring water tasting—and finally a mountain drive up Old Stage Road before returning to town.