A cave park above Manitou Springs. The family tour is the Discovery Tour: 45 to 60 minutes with a guide, on lit walkways with 196 stairs, in a cave that stays 54 degrees all year. Thrill rides run on the canyon edge outside.
Know before you go. The park doesn't list sensory hours or a quiet room. Here's what it does say about the cave tour.
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
Address
100 Cave of the Winds Rd, Manitou Springs 80829 Directions
Hours
Open year-round except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. September to May, the park is open 10 am to 5 pm daily, with the last tour around 4 pm.
The Discovery Tour is “a walking tour through more than a dozen passages, half a mile of lit walkways, and 196 stairs.” caveofthewinds.com
Temperature
“The cave stays a pleasant 54°F (12°C) year-round no matter what the weather outside is up to, so bring a light jacket or sweater.” caveofthewinds.com
Waits
Discovery Tour: “45-60 min · All ages.” Tickets are good for the time you booked, “so please arrive 20 to 30 minutes early.” caveofthewinds.com
Rules
“Front carriers are allowed on the Discovery Tour only. Strollers and backpack carriers can't be accommodated.” The cave has low ceilings and narrow passageways. caveofthewinds.com
Light
The Haunted Lantern Tour is for ages 8 and up: “No electric lights on this one. Just you, a lantern, and a guide.” caveofthewinds.com
Sound
On the Frontier Zip Lines, 80 feet above the canyon: “Good luck not screaming.” The Terror-Dactyl drops riders about 140 feet into the canyon. caveofthewinds.com
“Your guide handles the storytelling. You just show up and look around.”
Our note The Discovery Tour is the one with lights on. The lantern tour is dark on purpose and starts at age 8.
Three things to know
Discovery Tour: $30 adult, $20 child 4 to 12, “Child 3 & Under free (Ticket required).” A $1 online fee per ticket is included.
You can reschedule or ask for a refund online up to one hour before your tour; after that, tickets are non-refundable. If the park closes for weather, you get a refund or a new date.
For a good choice of tour times, the park suggests booking 1 to 2 days ahead.
Terror-Dactyl and Frontier Zip Lines (thrill rides over the canyon; riders scream)not stated
Haunted Lantern Tour (dark on purpose, ages 8 and up)not stated
Quieter
Quiet roomnot stated
The cave isn't wheelchair accessible, but Canopy Hall, the first room, is open at no charge so you can still see formations. The nature center, pavilion, grill, gift shop and restrooms are accessible.
Pets aren't allowed in the park. Service animals are welcome.
From November to February, the above-ground rides are closed Tuesday and Wednesday except holiday weeks, and run weather permitting.
Phone 719-685-5444 ext 5 (10 am to 5 pm daily), info@caveofthewinds.com. Parking is free.
What the park doesn't say
not stated how many people are in a Discovery Tour group
not stated whether there is a restroom inside the cave
not stated whether the guide can pause for a break
Book a Discovery Tour time online and arrive 20 to 30 minutes early. A guide walks your group through more than a dozen passages on lit walkways, with 196 stairs along the way. The cave is 54 degrees, so bring a light jacket. Strollers and backpack carriers can't go in. Outside, the Terror-Dactyl and zip lines drop and fly over the canyon. Change anything.
Common questions
What if my child won't look at the schedule or story?
That is common at first. Leave it where the moment happens, point to one picture at a time, and keep it low-pressure. Many kids warm up to it after a few calm tries, in their own time.
Can I make this in Spanish?
Yes. Every tool and this page exist in Spanish, and the printed page comes out in the language you choose. Use the language switch at the top.
Do I need an account?
No. There is no signup, and we don’t keep what you type; anything you save stays on your device. Make it, print it, done.
