Entry No. 24 — the Colorado Springs file — filed under: haunted
Haunted Manitou Ghost Tour
A 75-minute lantern-lit walking tour through downtown Manitou's dim alleys and back corners, unspooling a mile's worth of murders, hauntings, and forgotten gold-town history — running its 30th year.
The story
Manitou Springs was built on mineral water, gold rush spillover, and Victorian ambition, but behind the gingerbread porch trim sits three decades of accumulated dark history that the daytime souvenir shops prefer to gloss over. Now in its 30th year, this lantern-lit walking tour bypasses the sanitized postcard version of town, guiding small groups past dark brick alleys and hidden corners where 19th-century murders, strange encounters, and forgotten mining-era tragedies actually took place.
Your guide carries a flickering lantern through the dim streetlights, unspooling stories tied to documented local landmarks—from the historic Cliff House hotel to Victorian-era deaths and mountain folklore. There are no costumed actors jumping out from behind bushes here; the unsettling part is realizing how much dark history is embedded in the quiet backways you normally walk past without a second glance.
What it's like
Don't look for a commercial storefront or sign in a window—you're meeting your guide outside in Memorial Park on the El Paso Street side, right by the old cannon, the playground, and the vintage #2 train engine parked across Fountain Creek. Once twilight hits, you'll follow a lantern flame for 75 minutes along a one-mile loop through Manitou's shadowed side streets. Mountain air drops fast after dark, so bring a jacket and wear actual walking shoes; one stretch climbs a short, moderately steep sidewalk, though guides will route you around the incline if your knees demand it. Summer parking in downtown Manitou is notoriously ruthless, so give yourself plenty of extra time and grab a drink from the free public mineral-spring fountains near the park before the tour begins.
The move: Take the evening ghost walk through Manitou's darkened streets, then duck into a bar afterward to argue about which of the stories you actually believe.
📍 Before you go The tour gathers at Memorial Park (502 Manitou Ave), on the El Paso Street side near the cannon, the playground, and the old #2 train engine across the creek — look there, not at a storefront. It's an after-dark outdoor walk, so dress for cool mountain evenings and wear real shoes; one stretch climbs a short, moderately steep sidewalk, though guides offer an easier alternate route. Kids are welcome but must be with an adult. It runs evenings from late spring through fall, with more dates around Halloween — check ahead, and book early since nights sell out. Downtown parking is tight on summer evenings, so arrive with time to spare and sip from the free public mineral-springs fountains before you start.
- 📍 Manitou Springs
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Departs downtown Manitou Springs, CO 80829 (see hauntedmanitou.com)
Hours: ~1 mile walk, ~75 min. Jun–Sep most Thu–Sun 7:30 & 9pm; expanded Wed–Sun in October. Book via hauntedmanitou.com.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Haunted Lantern Tour at Cave of the Winds — Follow up the downtown street walk with an unlit, flame-lantern trek through the deep caverns in the canyon above town.
- Red Mountain — Hike Red Mountain by day where Emma Crawford's coffin famously slid down the slope, then walk the town below at night where local ghost lore lingers.
- Pikes Peak Phantom Ghost Tour — Compare Manitou's mineral-spring alleyways with a second night walk through downtown Colorado Springs' urban history fifteen minutes east.
Good to know
Where does the tour meet?
It meets outdoors at Memorial Park (502 Manitou Ave) on the El Paso Street side, right near the cannon, playground, and old train engine across the creek.
How long is the walk and what is the distance?
The tour lasts approximately 75 minutes and covers about one mile on foot through downtown Manitou Springs.
When does the tour operate?
Tours run from late spring through fall, typically Thursdays through Sundays at 7:30 PM and 9:00 PM from June through September, with an expanded schedule (Wednesdays through Sundays) in October.
Is the route accessible for strollers or mobility concerns?
The route follows paved sidewalks, though there is one moderately steep hill climb along the way. Guides offer an easier flat alternate route upon request.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance?
Yes, advance booking at hauntedmanitou.com is strongly recommended, as tour groups are kept limited and evening slots sell out quickly, especially around October.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · visitcos.com
last checked: 2026-06-04