
easy
3–4 hours
Minimal fitness required for the drive; be able to walk short paved and rocky sections at high elevation.
Climb Pikes Peak in a private Land Cruiser and reach 14,115 feet without the rush of a group bus. This three- to four-hour guided drive blends scenic overlooks, historic stops like Glen Cove Lodge, and a summit visit—timed-entry fees included.
The light green Land Cruiser waits where the parking lot meets the highway, engine idling like a calm animal ready to pull you up into the thin air. As you climb, the world reshapes: scrub pines flatten into krummholz, and the road curves past reservoirs that flash cold blue in the sun. Wind tugs at the windows; the mountain seems to measure your breath.

Drink water before your tour and sip during the drive—altitude can hit hard above 8,000 feet, so pace yourself at the summit.
Bring a windproof layer and hat; temperatures and wind at 14,115 ft change rapidly even on sunny days.
Book early morning slots to avoid summer afternoon thunderstorms and larger crowds at the Summit House.
Wear closed-toe, supportive shoes for short summit trails and uneven overlooks around Glen Cove.
Pikes Peak’s name honors explorer Zebulon Pike; the mountain and surrounding routes played a central role in early Colorado tourism and inspired the poem that became “America the Beautiful.”
The Pikes Peak Highway operates under strict permit controls and timed entries to limit traffic and erosion; visitors are asked to stay on roads and designated overlooks to protect fragile alpine soils.
Protects against cold, gusts, and rapid temperature changes at the summit.
High-altitude UV is intense—protect skin and eyes even on cloudy days.
summer specific
Needed for brief summit walks, boardwalks, and uneven overlook terrain.
Capture the sweeping vistas and distant peaks; binoculars help spot marmots or mountain goats.