Overview
Barr Trail is the longest and most demanding route to the summit of Pikes Peak (14,115 ft), climbing 7,400 feet over 13 miles from Manitou Springs. It is one of the longest continuously maintained trails to a mountain summit in the United States. Fred Barr, a local trail builder, constructed the trail between 1914 and 1921, and the USFS and Pikes Peak Regional Park have maintained it ever since. For context on the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, this trail represents the eastern anchor of a forest system that extends west to Mount Elbert and the Sawatch Range.
The trail is not technical. There is no scrambling, no ropes, no route-finding in good conditions. What it requires is fitness, time, and altitude tolerance. The 7,400-foot elevation gain is more than any other Fourteener standard route in Colorado except a handful of long approaches. The summit at 14,115 feet sits 7,400 feet above where you parked. That is a serious day by any measure.
Barr Camp at mile 6.5 changes the calculus for many hikers. The staffed cabin offers bunk beds, tent sites, a water source, and simple food service (as of 2026 — verify availability before relying on it). Breaking this into two days, with a night at Barr Camp, turns an extreme day hike into a very manageable two-day backpacking trip. The two-day approach also gives your body an extra night to adjust to higher elevation before the summit push.
A Summit Recreation Fee applies at the top ($15/person walk-up as of 2026). Verify current pricing with Pikes Peak Regional Park before your trip.
The Route
Miles 0 to 3: Manitou Springs to No-Name Creek. The trail begins at a signed trailhead near the base of the Manitou Incline. The lower miles climb through Engelmann spruce and ponderosa pine, switchbacking steadily up the canyon. Expect to gain about 2,000 feet in the first three miles. The grade is consistent and relentless — there are no flat sections on this trail. Watch for trail register signs and the painted mileage markers that count up from the trailhead.
Miles 3 to 6: Forest section. The trail continues climbing through dense forest, with occasional views opening to the east across the Manitou valley. The air is noticeably thinner above 10,000 feet, and many hikers find this middle section harder than expected. Barr Camp appears at approximately mile 6.5 (the distances vary slightly by source). This is the halfway point in mileage, with about 3,500 feet of gain behind you and 3,900 feet remaining to the summit.
Barr Camp (mile 6.5, ~10,200 ft). A full rest here is worth the time. Refill water, eat, and assess how you're feeling. The camp hosts year-round; call or email ahead to confirm availability if you plan to use the bunks or tent sites. The surrounding forest at Barr Camp is the last significant tree cover you'll see before the summit.
Miles 6.5 to 10: Timberline and above. Above Barr Camp the trail crosses timberline, and the terrain opens into a tundra landscape of krummholz (stunted, wind-shaped trees) and low tundra vegetation. The route continues climbing via long traverses and switchbacks. The summit remains visible but seems to recede as you climb. Exposed ridge sections begin around mile 8.
Miles 10 to 13: Summit approach. The final three miles are on open tundra and talus with full exposure to weather. This section has no shelter. If weather is building to the southwest, assess whether continuing is prudent. The Summit House comes into view at approximately mile 12, and the final push to the building feels anticlimactic after the long approach. The summit at 14,115 feet offers views of the plains to the east and the Colorado high country in all other directions.
When to Visit
June: The lower trail is snow-free, but the upper section above 11,000 feet may have snow patches through mid-June in average years. Microspikes are useful in early June. Barr Camp is typically open year-round.
July and August: The prime hiking window. Trails are clear, wildflowers are at their peak in the middle elevations, and the days are longest. The trade-off is afternoon thunderstorms. Start at 3 to 5 AM from the trailhead, or plan to summit no later than 10 AM. Storms build fast over the summit, and there is nowhere to shelter above treeline.
September: Crowds thin considerably after Labor Day. Weather is often more stable, with the monsoon pattern weakening. Fall colors appear in the aspens of the lower trail. Temperatures drop sharply above timberline; bring insulating layers.
October and later: The summit area sees early snow, and the upper trail becomes technical. Barr Trail is hikeable in good fall conditions but requires more preparation. The Pikes Peak Highway may be closed due to weather.
What to Bring
Carry layers appropriate to a 40-degree swing in temperature from trailhead to summit. Wind and cold are the primary hazards above 12,000 feet, even on clear summer days. Many hikers carry 2 to 3 liters of water and refill at Barr Camp for the upper section. High-energy snacks, a headlamp (for early starts), and sun protection are essential above treeline.
Trekking poles significantly reduce knee fatigue on the descent, which is long and steep. Gaiters help in early season when snow patches remain above treeline.
Practical Details
Trailhead access: The Barr Trail Trailhead is in Manitou Springs. Street parking is available in the neighborhoods below the trailhead, but it is limited and fills quickly on summer mornings. The Manitou Springs town parking lot (paid) is a short walk from the trailhead. Consider arriving by 4 AM on summer weekends to find parking.
Summit House: The Summit House at the top has a visitor center, food service, and restrooms. It is managed by the City of Colorado Springs. The famous high-altitude donuts at the summit are part of Pikes Peak lore.
Pikes Peak Cog Railway: The Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway offers a one-way downhill ticket for hikers who have climbed up. Book in advance; the railway does not accommodate walk-up downhill tickets reliably on busy days.
Altitude: The summit at 14,115 feet is higher than most people ever experience. Headache, nausea, and fatigue are common even for fit hikers. The America the Beautiful Pass does not apply to the Summit Recreation Fee, which is specific to Pikes Peak Regional Park.
Getting There
From downtown Colorado Springs, take US-24 west about 5 miles to Manitou Springs. Turn south on Ruxton Avenue and follow it uphill to the trailhead area near the base of the Manitou Incline. From Denver, take I-25 south to Colorado Springs (about 70 miles, 1 hour 15 minutes), then follow the directions above. Colorado Springs Airport (COS) is about 30 minutes from the trailhead.
Beyond Barr Trail
Barr Trail is the marquee route, but the Crags Trail on the south side of Pikes Peak offers a very different and much less demanding way to experience the mountain's lower slopes. For those who want to continue working through Colorado Fourteeners after Pikes Peak, the Mount Elbert South Ridge is the highest and offers a contrasting landscape, with the wide open Sawatch tundra replacing the Pikes Peak granite. Review Leave No Trace principles before your trip; Barr Trail is one of the most-used trails in the Rocky Mountains, and the fragile tundra above timberline is particularly vulnerable to off-trail traffic. Check current conditions for weather and road access before any high-altitude trip.