Pikes Peak - America's Mountain — Attraction in Cripple Creek

Driving up Pikes Peak is nothing short of epic. The 19‑mile Pikes Peak Highway winds through four distinct life zones, unveiling jaw‑dropping panoramas at every switchback . On the descent, flip into lower gear using manual mode to preserve brake health—this descent even includes a mandatory brake‑temperature check zone to ensure safety.

If the idea of piloting a mountain road doesn’t appeal, opt for the shuttle or the historic cog railway. Shuttles depart from Mile 7 through to the summit (Mile 19) with guided stops including Devils Playground and Glen Cove Inn—perfect for soaking in views without the driving stress . The cog railway, the world's highest, resumed full service in May 2021—another scenic, relaxed way up .

At the summit, you’re standing at 14,115 feet. The air is thin—oxygen levels are only around 60% of sea‑level—so a light dizziness initially is totally normal . But once you look out across snow‑dusted peaks, endless valleys, and intense blue skies, the altitude nearly becomes part of the magic.

Pikes Peak is also incredibly well‑equipped. The summit now features a modern visitor center (opened June 2021) with interpretive exhibits, expansive accessible walkways, paved parking, and a café that’s surprisingly well-stocked—don’t leave without trying their high‑altitude donuts, made fresh on site . There’s a large parking lot at the top with plenty of space, and you’re welcome to stay for up to two hours to explore, hike, and breathe it all in .

A few essential planning notes:

Reservations: From late May through September, drive‑up access beyond Mile 7 requires a $2 timed‑entry reservation per vehicle, securing a 2‑hour arrival window at the gateway . Tickets: Admission is separate—$18 per adult or a $65 carload rate (up to five people), with discounted rates for youth . Shuttle fares: $35 for adults, $10 for kids 6–15, with under‑6 riders free .

Pikes Peak delivers an exhilarating drive (or scenic ride), educational and comfortable summit amenities, and views that truly take your breath away—literally and figuratively. Just plan ahead with reservations and tickets, gear up for high‑altitude effects, and you’ll have one of the most unforgettable mountain experiences...

Beautiful view with great facilities at top thats worth the climb, but there's a coue of things every traveler should know:

Heres why I gave it only 4 stars, though:

They call it one of "Americas safest mountain roads", but I beg to differ. There are virtually no guardrails on the road going up & the road has narrow lanes & very few turn offs to stop for the view or to catch you breath (literally). Turn-offs they do have can only usually accommodate 2-3 cars. Once you get passed the treeline it looks/feels like you can literally fall off the edge easily (especially on the hairpin turns). Road is also very steep, & trucks are no allowed to use their engine break! I smelled a few folks burning up their transmissions going down because of this. Its therefore a pretty stressful way up & down. I also didn't see the road well-marked in relation to the map you were given & tgere were no mile markers. Up at the top was also VERY crowded. Not good for those bad with crowds or heights - though I must say the top has a great, new, & very sturdy looking infrastructure.

The positive:

Incredible views up top! Theres 2 pretty full parking lot stops with gift shops & facilities along the way, however, so it kinda' makes up for the lack of view pull-overs. The top is also a huge & awesome facility with a large gift shop, bathrooms, & cafe. Theres staff staged at around 3 areas of the highway & up top in case of accidents or medical emergencies. The air is very thin at 14,000 feet, so I'm sure breathing emergencies happen frequently. The road and grounds were also very well maintained (even though the road is narrow with few...

I recently visited Pikes Peak - America's Mountain and was blown away by the beauty of the new summit house! It’s truly a must-see destination with breathtaking views. However, I have to mention that the service in the café area was quite disappointing.

During my visit, it seemed like they were out of almost everything. I went to get coffee (which is essential when you’re selling those famous donuts), but they were completely out. When I asked an employee about it, he looked at me like I had three heads! I also encountered issues with getting napkins, and they were out of lids and cups for my fountain drink. The counters were a hot mess, and the bathrooms were similarly in disarray and out of toilet paper.

Despite these service issues, I’m still giving Pikes Peak a 5-star review because the experience and views are simply unmatched. I really hope they can improve their café operations—it would elevate the whole experience, especially given the volume of tourism they see. A new manager might be a good idea to help streamline things! Overall, it’s a fantastic place to visit, and I highly recommend it! Our car broke down on the way down and the park ranger was extremely helpful in educating us on what to do and even offered to give us a ride home but we had already ordered an Uber and they allowed us to leave the car there overnight and have a tow truck go get it in the morning free of charge....