If you’re planning a visit to Manitou Springs, don’t forget to bring a cup. Famous for its natural mineral springs, this small, eclectic town sits in the Pikes Peak region, a little over an hour south of Denver. After exploring the sights and enjoying a meal at one of the town’s cafes or restaurants, take a Springabout walking tour along the main streets to sample the eight well-known springs.
Each accessible spring — Shoshone, Navajo, Cheyenne, 7 Minute Spring, Iron Spring Geyser, Twin, Stratton and Wheeler — has its own mineral profile. Some springs have a lively, slightly carbonated taste, reflecting the long journey the water makes through rock. Having filtered through sandstone, granite, Manitou Limestone and dolomite for more than a thousand years, the waters are remarkably pure. An artesian aquifer underlies the area; its karst landscape both filters and stores rainwater. Nearby Cave of the Winds was once part of this aquifer system but now sits above the water table.
The name Manitou comes from Indigenous peoples of southern Colorado, who honored the springs as the “breath of the Great Spirit Manitou.” The area was historically a shared wintering ground for Plains tribes, including Cheyenne, Ute and Arapaho peoples. The springs were regarded as sacred and healing, and access to them was shared among tribes before forced removals changed the region’s human geography.
© Debra Bokur
In 1820, explorer Stephen Harriman Long brought wider attention to the springs. Later, railroad expansion encouraged visitors and developers alike, who recognized the area’s potential as a mountain health resort. Over time, some springs were covered or capped, but preservation efforts now protect what remains.
Today the Mineral Springs Foundation cares for the springs, and many water spouts are framed by attractive basins and fountains created by local artists. Visitors can obtain a walking map from the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau at 354 Manitou Ave., then set out at their own pace any time of year. Ask for a reusable, collapsible souvenir cup and a chart explaining each spring’s composition.
Printable maps and additional visitor information are available from the Manitou Springs website. The Mineral Springs Foundation also provides detailed descriptions and mineral analyses of each spring for those who want to learn more about the unique waters that define this historic mountain town.