Entry No. 82 — the Colorado Springs file — filed under: after-dark

Haunted Lantern Tour at Cave of the Winds

A 90-minute walk through the Manitou Grand Caverns lit only by a hand-carried flame lantern, down narrow tunnels and low passages while a guide tells ghost stories and unexplained-phenomena tales of the cave. It runs year-round (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day), with daily tours available from late morning into the evening (last slots around 8 p.m. in summer). Every October it expands into a longer, darker Director's Cut starting at 6 p.m. for ages 13 and up. Reservations are essential because weekend and holiday tours sell out.

The move: Share one lantern between you and pick your way through pitch-black cave passages as your guide spins ghost stories, jumping at every echo.

📍 Before you go Advance reservations essential; tours sell out on weekends/holidays. Ages 8+ for the standard tour; the October Director's Cut is 13+. Bring a jacket, the cave stays cool.

• 📍 Manitou Springs
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 100 Cave of the Winds Rd, Manitou Springs, CO 80829

Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-23