Are you a morning person or a night owl? Either way, you can enjoy special beauty with both sunrise and sunset on Pikes Peak this year. Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain is offering a handful of exclusive Sunrise Opening and Sunset Viewing events this summer and fall, with dates from July to October. And The Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway has brought back its Sunrise Trains for four early mornings this year too.
Like all good mountaintop adventures, this one begins early — very early. The in-the-dark kind of early. But its reward is the rare chance to watch the beauty of sunrise from the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak. And any regrets about losing some early morning sleep will evaporate with the lifting clouds as that glowing orange ball breaks above the horizon.
Just can’t bring yourself to wake up that early? You can kick back with the golden hour glow and watch that same fiery ball dip below the horizon. You just don’t have as many dates to choose from.
Here’s what you need to know to reach the Peak for these especially sunny sightings.
Here Are the 2026 Dates for Sunrise on Pikes Peak:
- July 4 Sunrise: Gates open at 4 a.m.
- July 4 Sunset: Gates reopen at 7 p.m.
- July 18 Sunrise: Gates open at 4 a.m.
- Aug. 1 Sunrise — Colorado Day, Colorado’s 150th Birthday: Gates open at 4:30 a.m.
- Aug. 1 Sunset: Gate reopen at 6:45 p.m.
- Aug. 15 Sunrise: Gates open at 4:30 a.m.
- Sept. 26 Sunrise: Gates open at 5 a.m.
- Oct. 12 Sunrise — Indigenous Peoples Day: Gates open at 5:30 a.m.
How to Drive the Pikes Peak Highway for Sunrise
If you’re driving, plan to start early so you can navigate the 190 miles and 150-some twists and turns of the scenic Pikes Peak Highway and have plenty of time to find your spot to savor that morning glow. That includes enjoying coffee or hot chocolate and those world-famous doughnuts as the first slivers of sunlight begin to glow on the horizon.
To drive yourself, you will need a timed entry permit, purchased in advance at Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain. Times vary by date for early entry and departure on the Pikes Peak Highway, and the Summit Visitor Center will be open during the special event. Admission is $2 per vehicle plus normal rates: $18 per adult, $8 for children ages 6-15 and free for 5 and under. You will not be able to buy sunrise admission tickets at the entrance to the Pikes Peak Highway.
You can also ride a Pikes Peak Shuttle, but you need a reservation for that too. Shuttles departure times range from 4 a.m. to 5:15 a.m. from the parking lot at The North Pole (0.3 miles from the Pikes Peak entrance). Tickets are $50 for adults, $17 for children.
Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain encourages visitors to plan ahead and call 719-385-7325 for current highway conditions.
How to Ride a Cog Railway Sunrise Train
Since the Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway opened in 1891, riding the train to see sunrise on Pikes Peak has been a rare experience. The cog railway only offered its select sunrise trains in 2023 and 2024, and they are back in 2026.
“Early risers can again take advantage of enjoying the comfort of the cog to reach the summit and capture this magical moment,” says Ted Johnston, cog railway manager. “It’s a wonderful way to experience the morning beauty of Colorado in an accessible way.”
These popular 5 a.m. cog railway rides can be purchased in advance on the cograilway.com. The cost is $99 per adult. As with all cog railway rides, this 3.5-hour trip begins its journey at the Manitou Depot where it departs on a scenic 9-mile journey to the 14,115-foot National Historic Landmark summit. If trains cannot summit for some reason due to weather, they will go as far as possible to enjoy the sunrise.
Here Are the Dates for Cog Railway Sunrise Trains
- July 11
- July 18
- Aug. 1: Colorado Day, Colorado’s 150th Birthday
- Sept. 26
The historic Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway is the highest railroad in the United States and the highest cog railway in the world. It is loved by train aficionados, but you don’t have to be a train fanatic to enjoy it. The scenery, wildlife sightings and rare experience of reaching the summit of a 14er by train make it a favorite of Colorado locals and visitors. You can read more about it in our Insider Tips for Riding the Pikes Peak Cog Railway.
Whether you go by road or rail, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy more of America’s Mountain with such an early start to your day,. You can find more ideas in our 47 Ways to Play on Pikes Peak.
