Everything in Manitou Springs is picture-perfect
To find the best Insta-worthy photo here this spring, all you need to do is point your camera and shoot.
Picture yourself hiking up a mountain or incline, exploring Cliff Dwellings or Rainbow Falls, then making it down in time to capture an amazing sunset. No need to adjust your focus.
If your time and phone storage space are limited, you’ll want to explore the most photogenic spots first. Here are our picks for the most Instagrammable pictures in Manitou Springs.
The Manitou Springs Incline
You’ll need reservations and plenty of stamina to hike Manitou Springs Incline, the most popular attraction in Manitou Springs. You won’t need money, but bring your camera and plenty of water. If you’re up for climbing up 2,744 steps (about 2,000 vertical feet,) you’ll get some fantastic shots for your #Fitspo page.
Reservations are available from 6 a.m to 2:30 p.m. until the end of March when the incline allows you to climb until 6 p.m. Plan to spend at least two hours getting to the top and back. Want a sunset pic? Keep in mind: The summit is in the shadow of Pikes Peak, so the sun sets about two hours earlier at the top than it does in town.
Barr Trail
You’ll use Barr Trail to make your way down from the Incline, so you might as well snap some more scenic shots. In the mood for another mountain view? Hike the 13-mile Barr Trail up to Pikes Peak, one of the best outdoor destinations in Colorado Springs and the rest of the country. The scenery is breathtaking, but the climb can literally take your breath away. These Instagram shots will definitely peak your followers’ interest.
Rainbow Falls
You don’t need a Nikon camera or DSLR to capture the bright colors, greens of summer, and sunny days at Rainbow Falls. You’ll have to plan this scenic tour for a weekend, since the park is only open on Saturdays and Sundays in April and May. Give yourself a few hours to explore the main falls and the five acres of trails. Take care if you’re taking a selfie. There’s a 45-foot drop to the bottom.
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
No Photoshop here! Walk through the ancient ruins while you learn about the Ancestral Puebloans who once lived in Southwest Colorado. The stones from the dwellings were shipped from Cortez and assembled here in the 1900s to preserve this piece of history. For the best photo, climb up to the top and grab a wide shot.
Cave of the Winds
About a mile and a half north of the Cliff Dwellings, you’ll find the Cave of the Winds. Turn on the flash and head underground. Take the hour tour and explore the geography, or choose the 90-minute lantern tour while listening to ghost stories. Prefer to stay above ground? Hold on tight to your camera and take a zipline across Frontier Canyon.
Miramont Castle Museum
You can rule your Insta by stepping back in time to the Victorian era. After posing in front of the 125-year-old castle, step inside and snap some pictures of the English Tudor and Byzantine designs. Enjoy some tea sandwiches and scones in the Queen’s Parlor tea room. This National Historic Landmark spans more than 14,000 square feet. #RoyalTreatment! #Yaskween.
Commonwheel Artists Co-op
While you’re out and about showcasing all of nature’s wonders, don’t pass up shooting your #POTD (Picture of the Day) at the Commonwheel Artists Co-op. Manitou Springs is a magnet for local artists. Across from the clocktower, you’ll find the Co-op. Schedule a private shopping date for you and your friends and check out the creativity from the region.
A stunning end to your day
End the day with a walk downtown and a #nofilter pic of the sun setting behind the mountains. You’ll shutter at the way you’ve been able to freeze time with the memories you’ve captured.
Brenda Stuart is a freelance writer and radio news broadcaster in Denver. When she’s not traveling around Colorado, she’s writing about her latest adventures.
