• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
    • Year-round
      • Brewery Tours
      • Casinos & Gaming
      • Colorado Brands
      • Federal Lands
      • Food & Dining
      • Ghost Towns
      • Gondola & Chairlifts
      • Hot Springs
      • Mine Tours
      • Museums
      • Paintball
      • Public Parks
      • Scenic Drives
      • Shopping
      • Sports Teams
      • State Parks
      • Train Rides
      • Transportation
      • Wildlife
      • Zip Lines & Aerial Parks
    • Spring, Summer & Fall
      • Amusement Parks
      • ATV Rentals
      • Biking
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Drive-In Theaters
      • Fishing
      • Golf Courses
      • Hiking
      • Horseback Riding
      • Rock Climbing
      • Tubing & Paddling
      • Waterfalls
      • Whitewater Rafting
    • Winter
      • Cross Country Skiing
      • Dog Sledding
      • Ice Climbing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Ice Skating
      • Skiing & Snowboarding
      • Sleigh Rides
      • Snow Tubing
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Events
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
  • Lodging
    • Budget Hotels
    • Historic Hotels
    • Luxury Hotels
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Cabins & Glamping
    • Casinos with Lodging
    • Dude Ranches
    • Hot Spring with Lodging
    • Wineries with Lodging
    • Campgrounds
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Lodging
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
Exterior of the Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center Colorado
Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center, Colorado. Photo by: pikes-peak.com/summit-visitor-center

Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center – Cascade

FacebookTwitter

The new Pikes Peak Summit Complex and Visitor Center was made to reflect the natural beauty of its mountaintop location. Opened in June of 2021, visitors experience the breathtaking vistas and delicious donuts from the top of “America’s Mountain”.

The Summit Visitor Center was cut into the mountain to meet the “Living Building Challenge,” which sets the highest standards for sustainability in the world. It gives visitors the same amazing views as the first explorers who found the site. Even though the building is modern, the whole summit experience focuses on being environment-friendly and sturdy.

To reach the property, travelers get to drive up the scenic Pikes Peak Highway with stunning scenery all the way to the top. The other even more unique option is the Cog Railway, which is also open all year long, weather pending. Lastly, for the most adventurous souls with impressive endurance and time on their hands, hiking up from downtown Manitou Springs via Barr Trail.

Interpretive Experience

View of the Rocky Mountains outside a huge glass window in the Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center
The indoor viewing platform at the Pike Peak Summit Visitor Center. Photo by: City of COS

An indoor and outdoor exhibit tells about the mountain’s climate, history, topography, conservation projects, and ways to have fun. Inside, people can look around an exhibit gallery with interactive multimedia pieces that make the space come alive.

When venturing into the outdoor portion, remember that the high elevation means it will likely be cool even in the middle of summer, so you may want to bring along a jacket. Outside, interpretive rails go around the peak and talk about the area, point out major landscape features, and tell exciting side stories.

Take a break from your explorations to rest on a bench and take in the panoramic views from the peak.

People stand on the outdoor viewing platform at Pike Peak Summit Visitor Center
The outdoor viewing platform at the Pike Peak Summit Visitor Center. Photo by: City of COS

The outdoor interpretive loop, an ADA-accessible pathway, provides an interpretation of the spectacular vistas, historic landmarks, and significant focal points throughout the summit; To get the most out of your experience, download the Summit app and walk the circle.

Dining & Donuts

Cafeteria inside the Pike Peak Summit Visitor Center
The dining hall in the Pike Peak Summit Visitor Center. Photo by: City of COS

The only donuts in the world created at an elevation of more than 14,000 feet can be found on top of this magnificent mountain. Guests of all ages may still enjoy the same hot, fresh, fried delights that have been a tradition for many years.

Better still, you can now tailor your donut experience with toppings like chocolate, cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg. Donuts baked at the peak lose their fluffiness if you attempt to store them until you return to sea level, so don’t bother.

For those who want to take their preference for personalized snacks to the next level, there is also a trail mix bar. Other menu items like sandwiches, hot dogs, and soups are available to order and enjoy up top. On days with great weather, dine on the outside terrace with a view.

People perusing the gift shop inside the Pike Peak Summit Visitor Center
Gift shop in the Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center. Photo by: City of COS

Visitors may use the property’s other amenities, which include complimentary Wi-Fi, drink refill stations, and toilet facilities. The gift shop at the Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center sells a wide range of souvenirs, from t-shirts and keychains to jewelry, fresh fudge, and artwork.

Discover more to do at Pikes Peak, such as the many lakes found along the route up Pikes Peak Highway.

Two people get their photo taken with the Pikes Peak Summit sign
The Pikes Peak summit stands at 14,115 feet (4,302.31 meters). Photo by: Scott Costello

Details

Address: Top of the Pikes Peak Highway, Cascade, CO 80809 (near Manitou Springs)

Phone: 800-525-2250

Season: Year-round

Website: pikes-peak.com

Latest in Pikes Peak

Overlooking snow on Pikes Peak with view of highway switchbacks in distance

Things to do at Colorado’s Pikes Peak

Known as “America’s Mountain”, Pikes Peak features an impressive summit of 14,115 feet and plenty of…

Things to do at Colorado’s Pikes PeakRead More

Colorado Springs Tourist Attractions Magic Town

11 Colorado Springs Tourist Attractions

Colorado Springs sprawls over two hundred square miles in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, the…

11 Colorado Springs Tourist AttractionsRead More

Red Rocks, Colorado

12 Top Tourist Attractions in Colorado

Colorado is one of the most popular states for tourists and for great reason. It showcases…

12 Top Tourist Attractions in ColoradoRead More

Pikes Peak Colorado

Camping near Manitou Springs and Pikes Peak, by Highway 24 up Ute Pass

Moments west of Colorado Pass lies Ute Pass, which begins the upward climb of Highway 24…

Camping near Manitou Springs and Pikes Peak, by Highway 24 up Ute PassRead More

Read more Pikes Peak articles

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. —and never miss out again.

Recent Posts

  • 9 Colorado Ski & Snowboard Companies
  • Brief Timeline of Colorado’s Ski and Snowboard History
  • Fly Directly to these Colorado Ski Resorts with Airports Nearby
  • Things to do in February in Colorado
  • 15 Summer County Fairs in Colorado

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Disclaimer
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Cheers! Mile High Happy Hour shares showcases Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Federal Lands
  • Ghost Towns
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Ski Resorts
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks
  • Train Rides

Copyright © 2023 · Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise