Climbing History: Ride the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway
From a mule ride to a $100 million modernization, the world’s highest cog railway continues to carry travelers to the summit of America’s Mountain
In 1926, Broadmoor founder Spencer Penrose purchased the Pikes Peak Cog Railway from Zalmon Simmons, who first reached the summit by mule.
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Key Experiences & Highlights
Saddle sore from the journey, Simmons resolved to build a railroad so that others could enjoy the breathtaking view without a bumpy ride. Today, The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway remains the world’s highest and longest cog railroad, and the highest railway in the Northern Hemisphere.
A $100 million renovation completed in 2021 modernized this historic journey with new and refurbished climate-controlled trains, new track, and an upgraded depot. Blending history with comfort, it remains one of the nation’s most iconic and inspiring travel experiences.
Group Planning Information
- Hours of Operation: Varies by season, please contact us or view our schedule online.
- Best Time for Group Visits: Summer and Fall
- Reservation Policy:
- Minimum of 25 tickets to qualify for group rates
- No deposit required; signed agreement holds seats
- One complimentary ticket for every 25 purchased
- Ticket quantities may be adjusted until two weeks prior to departure
- Payment Options: Card, ACH, or Check
- Cancelation Policy: Cancellations or ticket count changes are permitted up to two weeks before departure.
- Group Rates/Discounts:
- Off Season (January-April & October- December)
- Adult Standard: $63.50
- Adult Reserved: $68.23
- Child Standard: $53.00
- Child Reserved: $57.73
- Peak Season (May-September)
- Adult Standard: $66.13
- Adult Reserved: $70.33
- Child Standard: $55.63
- Child Reserved: $59.83
- Additional Rates
- Train/Car Buyout: $61.40 per person
- Youth/School Groups (outside Memorial Day–Labor Day): $50.37
- Off Season (January-April & October- December)
- Group Minimum/Maximum: 25–263 guests.
- Motorcoach Parking: Passenger drop off at the depot; off-site oversized parking available.
- Meal Options: Snack gift bags available for purchase. Summit concessions may be preordered.
- Accessibility Details: Fully accessible (limited) seating for guests using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility devices. Printed scripts of the narrated tour are available. ADA defined service dogs are welcome. Please contact us for ADA reservations.
- Special Services for Groups: Concierge assistance from motorcoach drop off through train seating. Gift bags and summit concessions available for preorder.
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“When a group boards the Cog, they’re stepping into a Colorado tradition that has connected people to the summit of Pikes Peak for generations. As the landscape opens and the mountain reveals its sweeping vistas, something remarkable happens — people experience a shared sense of wonder together. In a year when Colorado celebrates 150 years of statehood and the nation looks ahead to America’s 250th, the Cog Railway offers a rare opportunity to feel part of that larger story. It’s more than a journey; it’s a moment of collective awe. That’s why groups return year after year: the Cog gives them an experience they can share, and remember, long after the train glides back into Manitou Springs.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Boys Town
Q1: How long does it take to reach the summit?
It takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes to reach the summit, with about 40 minutes spent at the top. The full round‑trip experience is roughly 3 hours and 10 minutes
Q2: Where can we park a motorcoach?
Q2: Where can we park a motorcoach?
Your motorcoach may drop off passengers at the depot. After drop‑off, we will guide your driver to free oversized parking located 1.7 miles from the depot in Manitou Springs.
Q3: Is a deposit required at booking?
Q3: Is a deposit required at booking?
We will hold your reservation with a signed contract; no deposit is required.
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Renovation adds new dimensions
A $100 million–plus renovation of the historic railway adds new dimensions for modern visitors, with new and refurbished trains, a completely renovated depot, and the city of Colorado Springs’ Summit Visitor Center. Arriving 30 minutes before your scheduled departure is recommended, as are advance reservations. The round trip is about three hours— one hour and 10 minutes up, 40 minutes at the summit, and one hour and 10 minutes back down to the depot.
Imagine what you’ll discover on your 9-mile journey to the top of Pikes Peak, a 14,115-foot National Historic Landmark. This striking mountain of granite, carved by glaciers over millions of years, was home to the Ute Indians long before anyone explored the region. The Utes called it Ta-Wa-Ah-Gath or “Sun Mountain Sitting Big.” Beautiful scenery surrounds a range of wildlife, from foxes, coyotes, and elk to bighorn sheep and whistling yellow-bellied marmots above timberline. And then there’s the summit, with its sweeping 360-degree views of the Pikes Peak region, vistas that inspired the song of a nation and natural beauty that has drawn generations of explorers and travelers.
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PIKES PEAK COG UP / BIKE DOWN
Combine two adventures in one day with a ride up The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway before gearing up for a thrilling 13.5-mile bike descent from a 14,000-foot mountain.
Feel the rush of adrenaline on this 19.5-mile downhill adventure from the summit of the country’s most famous mountain, Pikes Peak. During this 5.5-hour adventure you travel to the top of Pikes Peak on the Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Once atop Pikes Peak you will have a chance to check out the all-new Summit House and soak in the views afforded by one of Colorado’s most accessible 14’er. After enjoying the ride up the Cog and taking in the views, the biking adventure begins!
The 19.5-mile downhill adventure begins with the safety briefing and gear up. While there is risk in every activity, we aim to keep you safe by providing full face helmets, gloves, hi-visibility vests and custom-built GT 29″ cruisers.
After gearing up, your downhill adventure begins. This fully supported ride has both a lead guide to moderate the group’s speed and a sweep van in case any participant decides to exit the ride early.
This guided ride offers some of the most sweeping views of Colorado’s magnificent, rugged mountain landscape, and an exhilarating feeling you’ll never forget.
Biking experience is required.
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