Stone cliff dwellings and a small museum in Manitou Springs, where you can walk around and through the rooms yourself, at your own pace. The paths have slopes, steps, narrow passages and gravel.
Know before you go. The museum doesn't list sensory hours or a quiet room. Here's what it does say about the paths, the rooms and the pace.
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Address
10 Cliff Dwellings Road, Manitou Springs (US 24, 5 miles west of Colorado Springs) Directions
Hours
Open every day, weather permitting. November 9 am to 4 pm; December to February 10 am to 4 pm; March 9 am to 4:30 pm. The park stays open 30 minutes after the gate closes. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
“You can walk around or through all the rooms (though it isn't appropriate or possible to go down into the kiva). Visitors who are slender and short enough can actually slip into some of the smaller rooms.” cliffdwellingsmuseum.com
Space
The dwellings have a “slope,” “steps, narrow passages inside and gravel surfaces.” cliffdwellingsmuseum.com
Waits
“You can pay for tickets upon arrival. Pre-purchased tickets are not required.” cliffdwellingsmuseum.com
Waits
“Spend the day at the Manitou Cliff Dwellings or just a few hours. It's up to you.” cliffdwellingsmuseum.com
Rules
Pets on a leash “can go wherever you go including the ruins and the museums.” cliffdwellingsmuseum.com
The dwellings aren't wheelchair or scooter accessible. A ramp from the parking lot leads to an outer view of the whole front of the dwellings, but not to the restrooms, museum or gift shop. Visitors in wheelchairs get in free; tell staff when you arrive.
The site is open year-round, weather permitting. Call before a snowy day.
You pay at the gate when you arrive; no tickets ahead. Then you walk at your own pace around and through the stone rooms, and visit the museum and gift shop. Stay as long as you like. The paths slope, with steps, narrow passages and gravel. Leashed dogs are allowed everywhere, even in the ruins. In winter the snack bar is closed, so bring lunch for the picnic patio. 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.
