Pikes Peak Cog Railway & Garden of the Gods Tour

From$249
9 hours
Denver, USA

About this activity

Experience the natural wonders of Colorado with a guided tour of Garden of the Gods and a scenic ride on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, all in a single day trip from Denver.

Highlights

  • Scenic ride on Pikes Peak Cog Railway
  • Explore Garden of the Gods' stunning rock formations
  • Breathtaking panoramic views from Pikes Peak summit
  • Guided insights into local geology and history
  • Comfortable round-trip transportation from Denver

Full description

Discover the breathtaking beauty of Colorado's natural landscapes on this full-day excursion from Denver. Begin with a guided tour of Garden of the Gods, renowned for its towering red rock formations and panoramic vistas. Then, embark on a scenic ride aboard the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, ascending to the summit of Pikes Peak, where you'll be treated to unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. This tour offers a perfect blend of adventure, education, and relaxation, making it an ideal choice for nature enthusiasts and families alike.

Included / Excluded

  • Round-trip transportation from Denver
  • Guided tour of Garden of the Gods
  • Round-trip ride on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway
  • Meals and beverages

Meeting point

Start Location

Union Station, Union Station, Denver, CO 80202, USA

Important information

Know before you book

  • The tour operates in English; ensure you are comfortable with the language for the guided portions.
  • Check the weather forecast for the day of your tour to dress appropriately.
  • Be aware that the tour involves moderate walking; ensure you are comfortable with this level of activity.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear suitable for walking and varying weather conditions.
  • Bring a camera to capture the stunning landscapes and unique rock formations.
  • Consider bringing a light jacket, as temperatures can vary at higher elevations.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Accessibility

  • Easy Public Transport

Good to know

  • Sunglasses recommended!
  • Cancellations must be made at least 3 days prior to receive a full refund. Please call to make cancellation requests and amendments. Due to the ticketing process with the train, we must strictly adhere to this time constraint.
  • This tour departs from the city of Denver NOT from Colorado Springs.
  • Our friends at the COG railway reserve the right to delay or adjust train itineraries as needed due to inclemate weather, debris on the tracks, or mechanical issues. If an issue does arise, a partial refund will be issued to participants.
  • Children under the age of 8 ARE NOT permitted on this tour. Call Operator for exceptions.
  • Guests who will be using an assistive device such as a scooter or walker, please call our office to ensure our vehicle has accommodating space.
  • It will be significantly cooler on the summit of Pikes Peak than at our other stops. Please bring along a nice jacket or coat with you for the train ride to the summit.
  • We recommend to book directly with tour operator for more convenient cancellation policies.
  • Lunch Included - Please call local operator if you have dietary restrictions.
  • Lunch Policy for Late Bookings Please note that sandwich orders are placed 24 hours in advance of each tour. Reservations made within 24 hours of the tour start time will not include lunch. Guests booking last-minute are encouraged to bring their own lunch or plan to purchase food during the tour, if time and location allow.

Traveler reviews

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447 reviews
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Awesome way to spend a day to learn about the Denver area

What a wonderful day spent seeing a few of the things that the greater Denver area has to offer. Jed met us at Union Station at 10am and returned us around 7pm. It was an awesome day. Jed's whit and knowledge of the area was enjoyable. He was great to talk with in the group and with any one on one questions. Gardens of the Gods was amazing and we enjoyed our picnic lunch stop as well. The cog wheel train up to Pike's Peak is something you have to experience. It was a little warm while we waited to board the train - beautiful, sunny and mid 80's . . . but when the train left the station, you could feel the cooler temps by the minute. The weather sign at the train station said the temps on top of Pike's Peak were about 38 deg with wind chill. They weren't kidding! When we returned from Pike's Peak, Jed told us we had a little time to spend in Manitou Springs and gave us recommendations for all sorts of spots. The ride to/from was pleasant and Jed is a great driver, too! As we got closer to Union Station, Jed was also more than willing to offer additional tour/visit advice as well as recommendations for restaurants in the area.

Shannon_CAug 24, 2026VIATOR

Ride the rail!

The cog rail was fun, you were able to see things you would not have seen by car. One hour both ways and 40 min time allowed at the top. It was about 50 degrees, if you are cold you may want a jacket. They must be known for their donuts at the top, they were excellent. A fun experience

DebbieW489Aug 23, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Amazing Experience

The trip was extremely special with amazing views and experiences all day! Gable was an amazing guide and made the time to meet each of us. He was knowledgeable, fun, kind and very thoughtful. We will certainly use Aspire Tours again.

denisemV6595DKAug 22, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Rocky Mountain High

Jason was our guide. He made all of us feel relaxed and happy as a group. He is very knowledgeable and funny as well. This party of seven was a great company for a day long tour. On the way back to Denver we had a sing along…. Rocky Mountain High for sure. Would recommend this tour!

Coral_NAug 21, 2026VIATOR

A wonderful tour that...

A wonderful tour that exceeded my expectations. The COG train was fabulous, a comfortable, well commentated and scenic ride. Jerry was a great tour guide. Highly recommend.

Sandra_WAug 20, 2026VIATOR

Additional information

Sunglasses recommended! Cancellations must be made at least 3 days prior to receive a full refund. Please call to make cancellation requests and amendments. Due to the ticketing process with the train, we must strictly adhere to this time constraint. This tour departs from the city of Denver NOT from Colorado Springs. Our friends at the COG railway reserve the right to delay or adjust train itineraries as needed due to inclemate weather, debris on the tracks, or mechanical issues. If an issue does arise, a partial refund will be issued to participants. Children under the age of 8 ARE NOT permitted on this tour. Call Operator for exceptions. Guests who will be using an assistive device such as a scooter or walker, please call our office to ensure our vehicle has accommodating space. It will be significantly cooler on the summit of Pikes Peak than at our other stops. Please bring along a nice jacket or coat with you for the train ride to the summit. We recommend to book directly with tour operator for more convenient cancellation policies. Lunch Included - Please call local operator if you have dietary restrictions. Lunch Policy for Late Bookings Please note that sandwich orders are placed 24 hours in advance of each tour. Reservations made within 24 hours of the tour start time will not include lunch. Guests booking last-minute are encouraged to bring their own lunch or plan to purchase food during the tour, if time and location allow.