Manitou Lake

Manitou Lake is a short, easy loop hike in the Pikes Peak Ranger District of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests in Colorado, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is about 0.7 miles long, with a total elevation gain of just 11 feet, so it's a gentle outing that works well as a quick stop or a warm-up before exploring the surrounding area. The trail is surfaced with gravel, and bikes are allowed, which makes it a practical choice for riders as well as hikers. The route is a loop, so you can start and end at the same point. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from the nearby Monument, CO weather station show May highs around 68°F and September highs around 72°F, with July the warmest month at about 83°F. That station sits roughly 700 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the loop run a little cooler. Manitou Lake Pavilion and the North Loop are both about 0.1 mile away, and the Centennial Trail is about 0.4 mile off. For paddling, Trout Creek is about 0.7 mile away.