2023 Special Events Calendar

May 1 – North Slope Recreation Area Opens

ATTENTION FISHERMAN AND OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS - Crystal Reservoir, North Catamount and South Catamount Lakes open for fishing and the North Slope Recreation Area opens for the season. Grab your gear for a great day in the mountains.

North Catamount and South Catamount Reservoir: Due to parking limitations, a free parking pass required.  There are 120 parking spots available. A portion is available for reservation via the online store. The remaining will be on a space-available basis each day at the Gateway. Once the parking lots are full, the Catamount gate will be closed and it will be opened as visitors leave and parking becomes available. For additional information visit coloradosprings.gov/NorthSlope

May 7 - Inaugural Meeting of the Pikes Peak Nature Journaling Club, Crystal Creek Reservoir

Meet at 10 a.m. by the bigfoot statue in the parking lot of Crystal Reservoir, at mile 6 of the Pikes Peak Highway. You will not need to make a reservation but please let the Ranger at the tollgate know you are only going to the reservoir for the journaling club, the cost will then be $5 per adult and children under 16 will be free instead of the full $15/$5 rate. More event info.

May 14 – Mother’s Day Discount

Happy Mother's Day! Bring Mom for a day on Pikes Peak - America's Mountain. Mom will get in free of charge with a paid admission. Thank Mom for all that she does!

May 14 – Sunrise Opening Event

Celebrate Mom with sunrise on the Summit of Pikes Peak. The Gateway will open at 4:30 a.m. with last entry for the special event at 6:30 a.m. Admission fees must be purchased in advance online. There will be no at Gateway sales made and no access to the North Slope Recreation Area offered. This event is only offered a few times a year, and it’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss! All access is weather permitting.

June 2 – Sunrise Opening Event

Experience sunrise on the Summit of Pikes Peak. The Gateway will open at 4:30 a.m. with last entry for the special event at 6:30 a.m. A timed entry permit per vehicle and admission fees must be purchased in advance online. There will be no at Gateway sales made and no access to the North Slope Recreation Area offered. This event is only offered a few times a year, and it’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss! All access is weather permitting.

June 3 -4 – PPIHC Tire Testing

Pikes Peak - America's Mountain will be holding all uphill traffic to the summit until 8:30am for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Practice Days, June 3rd – 4th, and June 9th – 11th. There will still be access to the Catamount Reservoirs. We will open to the summit for normal tourist operations at 8:30am. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patronage. For additional information visit www.ppihc.com.

June 9 – 11 – PPIHC Tire Testing

Pikes Peak - America's Mountain will be holding all uphill traffic to the summit until 8:30am for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Practice Days, June 3rd – 4th, and June 9th – 11th. There will still be access to the Catamount Reservoirs. We will open to the summit for normal tourist operations at 8:30am. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patronage. For additional information visit www.ppihc.com.

June 18 – Father’s Day Discount

Happy Father's Day! Bring Dad for a day on Pikes Peak - America's Mountain. Dad will get in free of charge with a paid admission. Thank Dad for all that he does!

June 20 – 23 – PPIHC Race Week

Pikes Peak - America's Mountain will be holding all uphill traffic to the summit until 9:00am for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Practice Days, June 20th – 23rd.  There will still be access to the Catamount Reservoirs. We will open to the summit for normal tourist operations at 9:00am. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patronage. For additional information visit www.ppihc.com.

June 25 – Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

The Race to the Clouds will be run on the 12.42 mile course with 156 turns that begins at 9,390 feet and finishes at the 14,115 foot summit of Pikes Peak - America's Mountain! For more information regarding the race please visit www.ppihc.com.

IMPORTANT: Pikes Peak - America's Mountain is closed to all guests on the day of the race.

July 21 – Sunrise Opening Event

Experience sunrise on the Summit of Pikes Peak. The Gateway will open at 4:30 a.m. with last entry for the special event at 6:30 a.m. A timed entry permit per vehicle and admission fees must be purchased in advance online. There will be no at Gateway sales made and no access to the North Slope Recreation Area offered. This event is only offered a few times a year, and it’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss! All access is weather permitting.

August 1 – Sunrise Opening Event

Experience sunrise on the Summit of Pikes Peak. The Gateway will open at 4:30 a.m. with last entry for the special event at 6:30 a.m. A timed entry permit per vehicle and admission fees must be purchased in advance online. There will be no at Gateway sales made and no access to the North Slope Recreation Area offered. This event is only offered a few times a year, and it’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss! All access is weather permitting.

August 12 –Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb

The Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb, presented by The Broadmoor and the Anschutz Foundation, is a challenge cycling event for all comers! It includes a USA Cycling sanctioned bicycle race and an open Fun ride that ascends to the summit of Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain. The Pikes Peak Highway will delay opening to the Summit until 9am. The North Slope Recreation Area will open at 7:30am. For additional information visit www.coloradospringssports.org/pikespeakcyclinghillclimb/

September 9 – Pikes Peak Challenge

The Pikes Peak Challenge is a unique fundraising event that encourages registered participants to experience the excitement and success of hiking to the summit of Pikes Peak. Survivors of brain injury, family members and community supporters start their ascent up this magnificent 14,115-foot mountain at the base of Barr Trail in Manitou Springs. For additional information visit www.pikespeakchallenge.com

September 9 - Youth Fishing Derby

Join Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and volunteers for our Youth Fishing Derby on Saturday, September 9th from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Crystal Reservoir. Open to kids ages 6 - 15. No admission charge for registered child participants and their parents or guardians. Fishing equipment will be provided for the first 100 kids at the event and a short demonstration will be held to teach casting, knot tying, baiting, and fish handling before being released to the reservoir.  Fishing licenses are not required for youth participants. Prizes will be awarded for several fish categories.

A brief awards ceremony will be held at the end of the derby and a free lunch will be served. 

Come reel in some fish fun at Pikes Peak!

To register, visit https://bit.ly/PPAMFishingDerby

September 11 – Sunrise Opening Event

Experience sunrise on the Summit of Pikes Peak. The Gateway will open at 5:00 a.m. with last entry for the special event at 6:30 a.m. A timed entry permit per vehicle and admission fees must be purchased in advance online. There will be no at Gateway sales made and no access to the North Slope Recreation Area offered. This event is only offered a few times a year, and it’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss! All access is weather permitting.

September 16 - 17 – Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon

The 66th running of the Pikes Peak Ascent and Pikes Peak Marathon will once again redefine what most call running in America's Ultimate Challenge. On September 16th, the summit of Pikes Peak will be closed until 1:00 pm due to Ascent activities. Guests will be able to drive to Devils Playground at 16-mile only during this time frame. For additional information visit www.pikespeakmarathon.org.

October 9 – Sunrise Opening Event

Experience sunrise on the Summit of Pikes Peak. The Gateway will open at 5:45 a.m. with last entry for the special event at 6:30 a.m. A timed entry permit per vehicle and admission fees must be purchased in advance online. There will be no at Gateway sales made and no access to the North Slope Recreation Area offered. This event is only offered a few times a year, and it’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss! All access is weather permitting.

October 15 – North Slope Recreation Area Closes

ATTENTION FISHERMAN AND OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS – Today is the last day to fish and enjoy the North Slope Recreation Area. Crystal Reservoir, North Catamount and South Catamount Lakes CLOSE for fishing and the North Slope Recreation Area CLOSES for the season after today. For additional information visit coloradosprings.gov/NorthSlope.

November 11 – Veteran’s Day Discount

Pikes Peak - America's Mountain is pleased to offer free admission for all that have served including retired and active duty military with ID. We thank you for your service to our country.

November 16- Noon Closure

On November 16th Pikes Peak- America's Mountain will close early for staff development activities. The hours for November 16th are as follows: Uphill gate opens: 9 am, Uphill gate closes: 12 pm, Summit closes: 1pm, Downhill gate closes: 2 pm. Regular business hours will resume the following day.

November 18- Rocky Ram’s Holiday Spectacular

Kick off the holiday season with some family fun on Pikes Peak- America’s Mountain. Enjoy a pancake breakfast, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, kid-friendly crafts and more!

The official mascot of Pikes Peak, Rocky Ram, will be there with his pals Smokey Bear, Bigfoot, and a few other surprise guests for some festive fun. Don't miss out on seeing your favorite nature buddies!

  • When: Saturday, November 18 | 9 am-12 pm
  • Where: The Historic Glen Cove | 5089 Pikes Peak Highway, Cascade, CO 80809
  • Cost: $15/adult and $5/child for the highway toll. The pancake breakfast will be $10/adult, $5/child. All other activities will be donation based.

November 23 – Thanksgiving Day: Closed

December 25 – Christmas Day: Closed

December 31 – AdAmAn Fireworks Display:

The Pikes Peak AdAmAn Club has been a tradition since 1922. The unique group of mountaineers, who each year on December 30th and 31st, climb the icy slopes of the world-famous Pikes Peak - America's Mountain and at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve ignite a glorious fireworks display from the summit to usher in the New Year. For additional information visit www.adaman.org.