Looking for a unique destination to visit in the Rocky Mountains? Visiting Manitou Springs, only 15 minutes outside of Colorado Springs, and exploring the eight Manitou Mineral Springs offers just that!
The Manitou Mineral Springs are natural and drilled springs located throughout the small city of Manitou Springs. The spring waters are believed to have healing powers and have a long history of being used for both medical purposes and as a spa/tourist town.
Today, you can stroll the streets of Manitou Springs, visit the restored and protected springs, taste test them, and explore the many small, local boutiques and gift shops that line Manitou Avenue. We are going to take you through each of the springs so you can create your own self-guided tour of the Manitou Mineral Springs!
***The Navigating Mom (and this post) may contain affiliate links. If you purchase from one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.****
About the Manitou Mineral Springs
The Manitou Mineral Springs have been valued for centuries for their naturally carbonated water and unique mineral content. Long before the town was established, Native American tribes considered the springs sacred healing waters and traveled to the area for peace, gathering, and spiritual ceremonies.
In the late 1800s European settlers arrived and Manitou Springs quickly grew into a popular health resort destination as people flocked to the area believing the mineral waters could treat illnesses and improve their wellness.
Bathhouses, spas, hotels, and spring houses were built around the springs, transforming the small mountain town into a thriving Victorian-era wellness retreat. The springs were used both for drinking and therapeutic bathing, and the water was even bottled and sold across the country.
The Manitou Hot Springs are the result of rain water and snow melt from Pikes Peak & the surrounding mountains soaking into rock fractures. The water is heated and mineralized under the surface of the Earth. It then rises into cavernous limestone where it becomes carbonated, before flowing through the many natural and drilled Manitou Hot Springs. The process takes thousands of years to complete.
Parking in Manitou Springs
There are multiple parking options available in Manitou Springs, most of them paid between 7am and 6pm.
- Fields Park: Free parking located about a mile away from the 7 Minute Spring and start of your tour. The free shuttle stops here to bring you downtown.
- Hiawatha Gardens Parking Lot: Located near Memorial Park, the free shuttle bus is accessible from this parking area. Paid parking from 5am-6pm.
- Canon Lot: Located in downtown Manitou Springs closer to the Navajo Spring and Cheyenne Spring. Paid parking from 7am to 6pm.
- On-street parking is available throughout downtown Manitou Springs for a fee from 7am to 6pm.
Be sure to check current rates when planning your visit.
The 8 Manitou Mineral Springs
The Manitou Mineral Springs are listed in the order you would come upon them when doing a self-guided walking tour, starting at Memorial Park with the 7 Minute Spring.
7 Minute Spring
The 7 Minute Spring is often the starting point of the Manitou Mineral Springs walking tour, and is where we chose to start the tour. The 7 Minute Spring is a drilled spring that was created to improve the garden/grounds of the Mansions Hotel that was present in 1909.
The spring got its name because carbonation caused it to erupt every 7 minutes. The spring no longer erupts on that schedule today, but it remains one of the most popular mineral springs because of the artistic gazebo and park surrounding it.
The spring water has a mildly sweet and bubbly taste to it, making it one of the better tasting spring waters.
Shoshone Spring
Next on the walk is the Shoshone Spring. This spring is known for having some of the highest mineral content of the Manitou Springs. Located inside a historic sandstone spring house, this spring became famous during the late 1800’s when visitors traveled to Manitou seeking the healing properties of the mineral waters. Physicians often recommended Shoshone Spring because of its naturally occurring minerals, including calcium, zinc, and lithium.
The spring water taste is stronger than many of the other springs because of the high mineral content. Although some people do not like the strong taste, we think it is worth giving it a try, you never know!
Navajo Spring
Next on the list is the Navajo Spring. The Navajo Spring has long been associated with the Native American tribes who visited the area to enjoy the healing waters of the springs. The spring is now located beneath the popcorn and candy store.
This spring became one of the town’s most popular sources of mineral water during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Its naturally carbonated water was once used in beverages such as Manitou Ginger Champagne and other mineral-based drinks bottled in the area. It also supplied a large bath house (spa).
The spring water has a smoother and slightly sweeter taste than the other springs that many people like.
Manitou Mineral Springs: Cheyenne Spring
Cheyenne Spring is the next spring on the trail. It flows out of a bronze fountain along the sidewalk in downtown Manitou Springs. The water comes from deep limestone aquifers believed to be more than 20,000 years old, giving the spring its rich mineral composition.
During the height of Manitou Springs’ spa era, Cheyenne Spring was part of a larger resort area where visitors gathered to relax and enjoy the famous healing waters. It is often considered to be one of the best-tasting because of its naturally sweet soda-like flavor.
Wheeler Spring
Wheeler Spring is named after Jerome B. Wheeler, an important businessman who helped shape both Aspen and Manitou Springs during Colorado’s early resort era. The Wheeler Spring is located near a creek cutting through downtown Manitou Springs. It is a drilled soda spring.
The surrounding stone walls give it a unique look, making it one of the most attractive Manitou Mineral Springs. The mineral water at Wheeler Spring has a crisp, refreshing taste with lighter mineral content than some of the other springs.
Stratton Spring
The next stop on the self-guided tour is the Stratton Spring, located near Manitou Springs’ downtown loop. It is named after Winfield Scott Stratton, a famous Colorado gold miner and philanthropist who helped fund many community projects throughout the region. It is known for its fast-flowing mineral water and striking public art fountain.
The Stratton Spring was drilled by the Stratton Foundation to a depth of 283 feet in 1936. The spring water has a refreshing taste with moderate mineral content, making it one of the best tasting Manitou Mineral Springs.
Manitou Mineral Springs: Twin Spring
Twin Spring gets its name because it combines water flowing from two different underground sources into a single fountain. Twin Spring was one of our favorite because of the colorful design surrounding the spring. Located along Ruxton Avenue, the spring was originally drilled in the 1920’s and became known for its balanced flavor and naturally occurring lithium content.
Many locals consider Twin Spring one of the best-tasting springs in town because of its smoother and less intense mineral profile. The waters from this spring were often used for making lemonade (Manitou Lemonade and Manitou Mojitos).
Iron Spring Geyser
The last spring on the self-guided walking tour is the Iron Spring Geyser. The spring was drilled in 1910 to provide greater access to mineral water that was believed to have health benefits, particularly for people with iron deficiencies. The water contains high levels of iron and other minerals, giving it a bold metallic taste.
The Iron Spring Geyser is a little more out of the way (about 0.7 miles from Twin Spring) and located in a more remote area than most of the town’s mineral springs. The spring water has a very iron-rich taste, so it is not the most popular spring for drinking.
Other Things to Do in Manitou Springs
Aside from exploring the Manitou Mineral Springs, there are plenty of other activities for families to enjoy in Manitou Springs:
- Explore the Manitou Cliff Dwellings
- Cave of the Winds Adventure Park
- Go Hiking at Garden of the Gods
- Go shopping in downtown Manitou Springs
- Climb the Manitou Incline
- Take the Cog Railway to Pikes Peak
- Visit the Penny Arcade
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Manitou Springs mineral springs free?
Yes! All of the public mineral springs in Manitou Springs are completely free to visit and sample. Visitors are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle or cup to taste water from the different springs throughout town.
Why do the springs all taste different?
Each spring draws water from different underground mineral sources deep beneath the Rocky Mountains. The varying levels of minerals such as iron, calcium, lithium, magnesium, and sodium create distinct flavors ranging from mildly sweet and bubbly to strong and metallic.
Are the mineral springs safe to drink?
Yes, the springs are regularly tested and treated to meet public safety standards.
What should I bring when visiting the springs?
A reusable water bottle, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and a map of the springs are all helpful items to bring.
How long does it take to visit all eight springs?
Most visitors can complete the self-guided mineral springs walking tour in about 1–2 hours, depending on how often they stop to shop, eat, or explore downtown along the way.
How long is the walk to visit all the springs?
The round-trip walk to visit all the springs is around 2.3 miles.
***The Navigating Mom (and this post) may contain affiliate links. If you purchase from one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.****
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