Pikes Peak & Garden of the Gods: Small Group Day Trip Denver

Summary

Red rocks, quirky towns, and that thin mountain air from Denver

You’ll walk among fiery red rocks at Garden of the Gods, share lunch in quirky Manitou Springs (try that mineral water), then climb to Pikes Peak’s summit with a small group and local guide. Expect laughter, quiet moments above the clouds, and stories you’ll remember every time you see mountains again.

What’s the experience like?

We started out from Denver before I’d even finished my coffee, but by the time we rolled into Garden of the Gods, I was wide awake. The rocks really do look like they’re on fire in the morning sun — it’s hard not to stare. Our guide, Mike, kept pointing out shapes in the stone (I swear one looked like a sleeping dinosaur) and told us how the Ute people named this place long before Colorado was even a word. There were runners weaving between boulders and a couple taking wedding photos near Balanced Rock. I tried to get a picture but my phone kept fogging up — maybe nerves or just excitement.

Manitou Springs was our lunch stop, and honestly, I could’ve spent hours just people-watching there. It smells like pine needles and old candy shops. We grabbed sandwiches at a spot where locals drifted in for coffee and gossiped about snow coming early this year. Someone offered me a sip from one of those mineral springs — tasted like rusty coins, but hey, it’s tradition. I didn’t expect to laugh so much over something as simple as water.

The drive up Pikes Peak Highway is kind of surreal — switchbacks, patches of leftover snow even in summer, and then suddenly you’re above the tree line. My ears popped twice. At the summit (14,115 feet!), everything felt quieter than I thought it would. Windy too; my jacket barely helped. Mike handed out bottled water and warned us about altitude sickness (I felt fine but another guy sat down fast). The view… well, you can see forever if you squint past your own breath hanging in the air. On the way down we stopped for photos where marmots darted behind rocks — someone joked they were camera shy.

I still think about that weird silence at the top of Pikes Peak — how everyone just sort of stood there for a minute without talking. Not sure if it was awe or just catching our breath.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tour Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak

• Walk around Garden of the Gods
• Photo at Balanced Rock
• Drive to Manitou Springs
• Lunch in Manitou Springs
• Drive to Pikes Peak summit
• Enjoy 30 minutes at summit
• Photo stops driving back

Top questions

How long does the day trip from Denver to Pikes Peak & Garden of the Gods take?

The tour typically returns to Denver between 5:45 and 6:45PM depending on traffic.

Is lunch included on this small group tour?

No, lunch is not included but there is an hour-long stop in Manitou Springs where you can buy your own meal.

What should I bring for this Pikes Peak day trip?

Bring a warm jacket (it gets cold at high altitude) and comfortable shoes for walking around Garden of the Gods.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; check with your provider for meeting point details.

Are park admission fees included?

Yes, park admission is included in your tour price.

Can children join this tour?

No children under age 7 are allowed; private tours are suggested for families with younger kids.

Will we reach Pikes Peak summit if weather is bad?

If weather or road closures prevent reaching the summit, you'll go as high as possible on Pikes Peak Highway instead.

Is bottled water provided during the tour?

Yes, bottled water is included for all guests on this day trip.

What’s included

Your day includes entry fees to both Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak Highway plus bottled water along the way; fuel surcharges and local taxes are also covered so you can focus on exploring instead of logistics—just bring your own lunch money for Manitou Springs before heading back to Denver in late afternoon.