Cave of the Winds Mountain Park: A Complete Visitor's Guide

Located west of Colorado Springs in the quaint foothill town of Manitou Springs is Cave of the Winds Mountain Park where the entire family can experience action-packed fun with a side of culture and history as you explore the caves that have existed in Colorado for millions of years.

Said to be discovered in 1881, these caves have stood the test of time, and are now available to tour with different tour packages. Jicarilla Apaches told tales of a cave in Manitou Springs that was home to the Great Spirit of the Wind. When the Pickett brothers came across these caves in 1881, they knew they had to be explored further, and thus, the Cave of the Winds Mountain Park was born.

There is a lot to be explored and much fun to be had on a day trip to Cave of the Winds. If you’re in the Colorado Springs and Royal Gorge area and are in need of a fun day activity, make your way to the park with this complete guide.

Cave Tour Options

There are two different cave tours that are available to book depending on the level of excitement you’re looking for.

Discovery Tour

This 45-60 minute tour is perfect for families and large groups as it winds through the electrically lit portion of the cave. Explore 15 different rooms, ½ mile of well-lit pathways, and 196 steps! Along the way, you will learn about the history of the cave, it’s geology, and marvel at some pretty incredible rock formations.

Please keep in mind that strollers can not be accommodated on this tour.

Haunted Lantern Tour

This dark tour is not for the faint of heart! Explore the Manitou Grand Caverns by candlelight and hear some of the frightening history, scary folklore, and explained happenings that have occurred throughout the Manitou Grands. This 90 minute tour includes almost a mile of walking through dark narrow tunnels, uneven stairs, and low passageways.

While the cave tours are the definitely the highlight and main draw for Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, you’ll find a number of other activities appealing to a wide variety of ages and adventure levels. Read on to see other attactions, or see the FAQ section below to learn about other rides at the park.

Other Mountain Park Activities

After you’ve finished your cave tour, you can stick around the park and enjoy plenty of more activities that are fun for the entire family.

Wind Walker Challenge Course

Put your aerial challenge course skills to the test with this fun and safe 3-story obstacle course. Your full body harness and overhead tracking system will keep you safe as you navigate your way across beams, ropes, and ladders. Don’t look down! This course is balanced atop Williams Canyon, a more than 600 foot drop!

Pan for Gemstones

If adrenaline-pumping courses aren’t for you, grab a pan and try your hand at sifting through fine sand to find your own gemstones. Every guest is guaranteed to find one or more gemstones that can be taken home as a souvenir.

How to Get to Cave of the Winds

Cave of the Winds Mountain Park is located just west of Colorado Springs in Manitou Springs, Colorado. The easiest way to get to the entrance is by car. Simply travel 6 miles west of I-25 on Highway 24 and you’ll pass right by the billboard that signals the entrance to the park.

You can also choose to take a bus from the main bus terminal in Colorado Springs. The buses run hourly and are easy to navigate. However, it’s important to note the time of your cave tour and allow for extra travel time.

Cave of the Winds FAQs

How much does Cave of the Winds cost?

There are a few different cave tours available. The Discovery Tour is a 45 minute tour; it’s also the most popular and affordable at the rate of $19 for ages 4-12, and $29 for ages 13 and up. You can also opt for the Haunted Lantern Tour, a 90 minute tour with rates of $25 for ages 8-12 and $35 for ages 13 and up. The Expedition Tour is the most adventurous at $99 per person. This tour requires everyone is at least 13 years of age and ready for adventure!

There are additional activities and rides at the park along with different packages to combine and save.

Can cave tours be reserved in advance?

Yes, visit the Cave of the Winds website and you can reserve the three main cave tours as well as additional attractions at the park.

Where is Cave of the Winds located?

Cave of the Winds is located in Manitou Springs, CO. Their physical address is 100 Cave of the Winds Road, Manitou Springs, CO, 80829. Parking is free for guests, and ample parking is available with oversized parking also available.

Is Cave of the Winds open year-round?

With the exception of Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, Cave of the Winds is open year-round.

Winter Hours: September through May
10 AM to 5 PM, last tour at 4:00 PM
Above Ground Attractions: 11 AM to 4 PM

Summer Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day
9 AM to 7 PM, last tour at 6:00 PM
Above Ground Attractions: 10 AM to 6 PM

How long does the Cave of the Winds tour take?

Cave of the Winds cave tours duration and details:

Discovery Tour: 45-60 minutes guided walking tour. You’ll cover a half mile of concrete walkways and a total of 196 stairs.

Haunted Lantern Tour: 90 minutes guided walking tour. You’ll travel nearly a mile while navigating dark narrow tunnels, low passageways, and caverns with muddy and uneven floors.

Expedition Tour: 2.5 to 3 hour guided cavern tour. This tour requires walking, crawling, and climbing through wet and muddy passages of various sizes. Must be at least 13 years of age for this tour!

Is Cave of the Winds good for kids?

Yes, Cave of the Winds Mountain Park is wonderful for families with kids. The Discovery cave tour is the best cave option for families with younger kids.

In addition to the cave tour, families may want to consider the Pioneer Package at a cost of $25 which includes the Wind Walker Challenge Course, a zipline ride called the Bat-a-Pult, Climbing Wall and more. All of these rides require participants to be at least 42″ tall.

How far is Cave of the Winds from Royal Gorge Cabins?

Cave of the Winds is just under 60 miles, or about one hour and 15 minutes from Royal Gorge Cabins. Travel via Colorado HWY 115 for the most direct and scenic route.

What is the Haunted Lantern Tour at Cave of the Winds?

The Haunted Lantern Tour is a 90-minute guided tour, and yes, your light source will be a lantern you’ll carry the whole way. Navigate narrow dark tunnels, low passagways, uneven terrain and even some muddy floored rooms. Your guide will teach you some of the history of the Cave of the Winds along with some scary stories and folklore from the area. Children under the age of 8 are not permitted, and guests with knee or back trouble will probably want to choose the easier Discovery Tour.

What is the Terror-Dactyl ride?

The Terror-dactyl is a canyon swing ride perched on the edge of Williams Canyon on-site at the Cave of the Winds Mountain Park. Up to two riders are secured into seat, afterwhich the experience starts with a 150 foot free fall into the canyon. You’ll travel at nearly 100 miles per hour with impressive 2.5 G-forces tugging at your body. The ride lasts about 6 minutes.

Riders must wear shorts or pants. Skirts cannot be accommodated due to the harness. Riders must be at least 48″ tall, and weigh between 100 and 250 pounts.

Tickets can be purchased online prior to arrival or on-site.

Is Cave of the Winds wheelchair accessible?

The actual cave is not accessible by wheelchair due to its narrow passageways and stairs. A complimentary visit into the first room in the Cave is available – this room highlights some of the formations deeper in the cave. Wheelchair access is available in the Nature Center, restaurant, gift shop and restrooms.

Adventure Awaits — And So Does a Great Night's Sleep

Cave of the Winds Mountain Park is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Royal Gorge Cabins — close enough for a half-day trip, leaving plenty of time to explore the Royal Gorge itself before or after. Whether you’re planning a full Colorado Springs day or just want to add a cave tour to your itinerary, our cabins on the Arkansas River make a comfortable, centrally located home base.

Families love our 2-bedroom Double King Cabins, with room for the whole crew after a big day out. Couples and solo adventurers can relax in our 1-bedroom Single King Cabins. Check our Summer Itineraries and Off Season Itineraries for pre-built trip ideas that pair Cave of the Winds with the best of the Royal Gorge area. Contact us at Royal Gorge Cabins if you’d like to learn more. 800-748-2953

More to Discover

This is just the start to a long list of fun activities that can be enjoyed on a day trip to Cave of the Winds Mountain Park. For a full list of packages and prices, check out their website.

And the adventures available at Cave of the Winds is just the start to an activity filled vacation to Colorado Springs and the Royal Gorge area. Since you’re in the vicinity, you may want to explore Seven Falls, also located in Manitou Springs. Check out additional things to do in Cañon City and beyond.

Enjoy some fun family time while learning about the geological and cultural history of the great state of Colorado.