Where Do You Park For The Manitou Incline?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Parking is limited in the

Barr Trail lot and along Ruxton Road

. Other parking options include the reservation only lot or the parking lot by the Tahine Restaurant in Manitou Springs, where you can then take the free shuttle right to the Incline trailhead.

Where do you park to hike the Barr Trail?


Barr Lot

. Barr Lot is the designated parking lot reserved for those who are using the Barr Trail and/or Barr Camp. No Cog Railway parking is allowed at Barr Lot. Note: $5 refunds for every day spent at Barr Camp may be available.

How long does it take to hike up and down Pikes Peak?

The time to get to the top of Pikes Peak varies by hiker, but the average time is

between 6-10 hours

. Barr Camp is 6.5 miles from the trailhead and provides picnic tables, clean restrooms and indoor seating for hikers. Overnight camping is available for those who would like to spread the hike out into two days.

Are there bears on Pikes Peak?

During the summer,

it’s not uncommon to see black bears roaming through local neighborhoods looking for leftovers

. If you were wondering why Coloradans have their trash locked down tighter than their mountain bikes, it’s because of these guys!

Do you have to pay to hike Pikes Peak?

The trail head starts at the Barr Trail parking area by Hydro Street. The trail begins with steep elevation gain immediately. For those who are not interested in hiking Pikes Peak, you can drive up Pikes Peak Highway for

$15 per adult

. Otherwise it is 12 miles to the summit from the trailhead.

How much is parking at the Manitou Incline?

Where can I park? Please use the Manitou Springs FREE shuttle to avoid congestion on Ruxton Avenue. The shuttle and parking can be found at 10 Old Man’s Trail at the Hiawatha Gardens building. The parking at Hiawatha Gardens costs

$1/hour

.

Can you park overnight in Manitou Springs?

Parking in the town of Manitou Springs is essentially a nightmare.

The ONLY available overnight parking for hikers is at the trailhead

, which costs $20 for less than 24 hours of parking.

How many stairs is the Manitou Incline?

The once railroad track now consists of approximately

2,744 steps

made entirely of railroad ties! Although it’s only one mile in length, the ascension averages a 41% incline (68% at its highest) and a 2,000 foot climb in elevation! Phew! That’s a lot of stairs!

Do you need reservation for Barr Trail?


Reservations are available up to a year in advance

. Hikers can choose from an all-day or four-hour parking option. No matter which option you choose, the cost is $20. If you pick up a validated refund coupon from Barr Camp, you’ll get $5 off.

How long is Barr Trail from the top of the incline?

The difficult Manitou Incline and Barr Trail are tough workouts and great ways to take in the refreshing mountain air and achieve a great sense of accomplishment. Barr Trail is the

12+ mile

(one-way) hike gaining 7,800 vertical feet from Manitou Springs to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak-America’s Mountain.

How long does it take to hike Barr Trail?

On a good day, the average hiker can make it up in about

6-8 hours

. In the summer, the experienced folks at Barr Camp, which marks the middle of the hike, recommend you get to Barr Camp as early in the day as possible and try get to the top and be back below the tree line by 1 p.m. What do they recommend in the winter?

Which Colorado 14er is the easiest to climb?


Pikes Peak

is arguably the easiest 14er in Colorado, but if you are looking for a little more help on your first mountaineering trip, be sure to check out our Pikes Peak guided hiking tour.

How do I train to hike Pikes Peak?


Get out a few days per week with a loaded backpack. Gradually build up from just 1 hour of sustained hiking to as many as 8 hours of total effort

. Walking on dirt or rocky trails, preferably uphill, is the best way to emulate the challenges that await you on the slopes of the Peak.

What is the best time to go up Pikes Peak?

The day of your hike, start early-early, like before the sun comes up. You want to be off the mountain by the afternoon. A general rule of thumb for high-altitude climbing in Colorado is to be headed down the mountain

before noon

, due to afternoon showers and storms, even in the summer.

Are there mountain lions in Pikes Peak?

“You shouldn’t be afraid that the animals are there, but you should be conscious that

they’re out there

,” said Cody Wigner, assistant area wildlife manager for the Pikes Peak region of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “And you should know what to do when you see one.”

Are there Panthers in Colorado?


Colorado does have panthers

, also known as pumas or mountain lions. This is a wild big cat found in the more mountainous regions of the state.

Are there moose on Pikes Peak?


Pike National Forest is home to some of the most abundant wildlife viewing in the region that range from turkeys to Moose

.

How many miles is the hike up Pikes Peak?

This

13-mile

(one-way) hike gains 7,400 vertical feet in elevation from Manitou Springs to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak-America’s Mountain. Though many sections of Barr Tail are considered to be easy, the full hike to the summit of Pikes Peak is quite advanced.

How many miles is it to the top of Pikes Peak?

Drive the

19-mile

paved toll road to the summit of Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain. Built in 1915, this winding road is the perfect scenic drive, offering views of lakes, mountains, wildlife and the surrounding area.

How long does it take to hike Crags Trail Pikes Peak?

Hiking info for Pikes Peak via Devil’s Playground and Crags Trail, located in Pike National Forest, Colorado. This is a 14.1 mile out-and-back hike with 4400 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about

6-8 hours

to complete.

Are there bathrooms on the Manitou Incline?


There are no bathrooms at the top (only at the bottom)

and the bottom of the trail opens up onto the $5 lot and another bathroom. Follow the signs for the Cog Train and you’ll find the incline. The Cog Train has separate parking so they do not share with Incline people.

How hard is Manitou Incline?

With an average incline of 41%, the Manitou Incline is

one of the most challenging hikes in the Colorado Springs area

. This extreme trail attracts athletes and amateurs alike.

Is the Manitou Springs incline open?


The Incline is currently open

.

Is parking free after 6 Manitou Springs?

Pay to park in Manitou Springs

Manitou Ave and Cañon Ave:

pay for parking 7 am-6 pm, seven days a week

. Fees are … $1-$2/hr depending on which block you park in. Place your receipt on your windshield.

Is parking free on Sundays in Manitou?

The City of Manitou Springs and the Metro District has instituted

free parking effective Sunday, March 22

, for much of the par… king system — with some exceptions (Barr Trail Parking Lot and 400 block on Euston and Winter. 100-300 blocks of Ruxton Residential Parking only).

Is handicap parking free in Manitou Springs?

To allow for everybody to have easy access to our great amenities and businesses, the City of Manitou Springs is now offering

free ADA parking in all paid parking spaces across Manitou Springs

as part of our #PositiveParking initiative.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.