Ancient Colorado: Your Complete Guide to the Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Most visitors to Manitou Springs come for the mountain air, the mineral springs, or a shot at the summit of Pikes Peak. But just two miles west of our front door on Highway 24, something far older waits quietly among the red canyon walls: the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. These remarkably preserved Ancestral Puebloan structures are one of Colorado's most underrated historical sites, and they deserve a spot on every itinerary.
A Brief History of the Cliff Dwellings
The story of the Manitou Cliff Dwellings is itself a fascinating chapter in Colorado history. In the early 1900s, a group of archaeologists and preservationists, alarmed by the looting and deterioration of ancient ruins across southwestern Colorado, made the unconventional decision to relocate a collection of authentic Ancestral Puebloan structures to a protected site in Manitou Springs. Beginning in 1904, stone by stone, the dwellings were moved from the McElmo Canyon area and rebuilt beneath a natural red sandstone overhang — preserving them for future generations.
The result is something genuinely rare: authentic 700-to-1,400-year-old structures that you can walk through, touch, and examine up close without a shuttle ride or a backcountry permit. While Mesa Verde National Park (about four hours southwest) offers a grander sense of scale, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings offer something that no national park can — an intimate, self-guided experience with essentially no crowds.
What to Expect on Your Visit
The Cliff Dwellings Themselves
The dwellings are built into and beneath a 200-foot-wide sandstone overhang, creating a natural shelter that feels both ancient and alive. Wander through kivas (circular ceremonial rooms), storage chambers, and multi-room living structures — many still standing at their original height. Interpretive signs explain the purpose of each room and the daily life of the people who once called this canyon home. The site is open-air and self-guided, making it easy to move at your own pace and linger in the rooms that captivate you most.
The Cliff Palace Museum
Tucked beneath the same overhang is a small but excellent museum featuring original artifacts recovered from Colorado cliff dwelling sites — pottery, tools, jewelry, and woven textiles. It's a thoughtful companion to the outdoor experience, adding context to the architectural ruins you've just explored. Allow an extra 20 to 30 minutes to do it justice.
The Adobe Village & Grounds
Beyond the ruins, the site includes an Adobe Village with local artisan goods, turquoise jewelry, and the kind of fudge that's impossible to resist on the drive back. The grounds are beautifully maintained and surrounded by canyon walls that glow amber in the afternoon sun — it's one of the most photogenic spots in the Pikes Peak region.
The Outrider Tip
The site is just a five-minute drive west on Highway 24 from our front door. Combine it with the Pikes Peak Cog Railway — the depot is a five-minute walk from us — for a full day of local history and high-altitude adventure.
Practical Information
Getting There
The Manitou Cliff Dwellings are located at 10 Cliff Road in Manitou Springs, about two miles west of The Outrider on Highway 24. From our front door, drive west on Manitou Avenue, which becomes Highway 24. Look for the signs on your right just past the Pikes Peak Cog Railway depot. Parking is free and plentiful.
Hours & Admission
The site is open daily from May through October, with hours typically running 9 AM to 6 PM in peak summer months. Admission is free, though a small donation is welcomed. Check manitoucliff dwellings.com for current seasonal hours before your visit, as they vary by month.
Best Time to Visit
The dwellings are genuinely uncrowded compared to most Colorado attractions. Weekday mornings in June or September offer the most peaceful experience. The sandstone overhang keeps the ruins shaded and cool even on hot summer days — a welcome contrast to a sun-baked hike on the Incline.
The Outrider Tip
Wear shoes you can scramble in — the terrain around the ruins is uneven and some chambers require ducking low. A wide-brimmed hat keeps the afternoon sun at bay while you explore the open sections of the site.
Pairing the Cliff Dwellings with Your Stay
The Cliff Dwellings fit naturally into a broader Manitou Springs day. Start with a morning hike on Barr Trail or the Waldo Canyon loop, then drive the two miles to the Cliff Dwellings for a midday history break. From there, head to Miramont Castle or wander the galleries on Manitou Avenue before returning to The Outrider for a recovery session in our sauna or a long soak in the hot tub. It's the kind of day that reminds you why this corner of Colorado is so hard to leave.
The Outrider Tip
Pick up a piece of turquoise jewelry or a handmade ceramic from the Adobe Village gift shop — they make for genuinely meaningful souvenirs that travel a lot better than a refrigerator magnet.