Getting Here – Via Barr Trail
Barr Camp is located 6.5 miles up the Barr Trail. Hiking up from the trailhead in Manitou Springs is the most common route to the camp. For a description of the hike up Barr Trail see our hiking page.
Public Transportation – See this page for information on public transport to Barr Trail.
Colorado Springs area map with transportation and driving routes.
Once in Manitou Springs, follow all traffic signs toward the COG Railway. The trailhead is located at the end Hydro Drive, a small steep side street, which is immediately on your right after you pass the train station.
Please email us if you have further questions.
Parking
- $30 per day per vehicle via an on-site parking kiosk.
- Rest Room is open year around.
Parking and shuttle Near City Hall / Memorial Park – This is located about one mile from the trail-head. Free Shuttles run through town, up Ruxton to the Cog year round.
- Signs on Manitou Avenue direct to parking on El Paso Blvd.
- Free Shuttle
- Public Composting toilets outside entrance of the city hall building, El Paso Blvd.
Manitou Springs Parking Information
Colorado Springs City Bus – Route #3 – The pick-up / drop-off location at Memorial Park. The bus runs between Manitou Springs and downtown Colorado Springs with service everyday.
Map
This map is to the Trailhead, not the camp. After parking at the trailhead you have a steep 6.5 mile hike to camp. View Larger Map
Other options of getting to Barr Camp
There are a few other ways to get here, but all of them involve hiking.
There are no roads (not even forest service roads) to Barr Camp.
Cog Railway or Vehicle Ride to the Summit, then Hike DOWN Barr Trail.
You cannot leave a vehicle on the summit. The Cog Railway requires a ticket to ride, and the vehicle drive to the top is via Pikes Peak Toll Road. Driving on the toll road and riding on The Cog requires reservations.
Barr Trail goes all the way to the summit of Pikes Peak. It is sometimes possible to get a ride to the top then hike down.
- CAUTION: It can be very demanding to hike downhill for thirteen miles. Some people find that downhill hiking is more difficult than uphill hiking due to the stress it puts on knees and joints.
Vehicle Ride to Elk Park Knoll, and Hike Down to Barr Camp.
This trail head is also on the Pikes Peak Toll Road. Overnight parking is NOT allowed so you must make it a day hike with plenty of time to depart the toll gate, or be dropped off at the Elk Park Trailhead. The trail is located along the Toll Road just above Glen Cove. It is about 6 miles to Barr Camp and it is a mostly down hill hike.
Lodging and Camping in the Colorado
Springs area
Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs have many hotels, bed & breakfast, and RV parks to choose from. Both Chamber of Commerce links are on our Links page.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park is a good place for tent camping away from the RV’s. It is located on the south side of Colorado Springs on Highway 115, across from the main gate at Fort Carson.
