New Pikes Peak summit reservation system debuts

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The holiday weekend starts the busiest period of the year for the Pikes Peak Highway and Summit, and it also brings a new reservation system for anyone hoping to reach the top of America’s Mountain.

Visitors are now required to make an online reservation and pay a $2 fee for two-hour time slots at the summit. The new system is in place because of an increase in visitors and people spending more time at the top.

Officials say they want to manage crowds on the summit because there are now fewer parking spaces due to the new Summit Complex that opened last year.

A maximum of 140 visitors can be on the summit during each period, which corresponds to the same number of parking spaces.

The reservation system brought mixed reviews from visitors Monday, with some understanding and agreeing with the need for it, while others said that they were unaware of it and found no information about it in online searches.

Of course, a reservation isn’t much use if the summit is closed because of weather, as was the case Monday. Crews had just cleared the highway to the summit after the storm two weekends ago, and the summit was open Friday through Sunday before more snow fell overnight.

Visitors are allowed to reschedule their reservations before their time slot begins, and refunds will be considered on an individual basis.