Twin Spring, Manitou Springs, CO 80829

## Overview Twin Spring is one of the celebrated mineral springs of Manitou Springs, Colorado — a historic town at the foot of Pikes Peak renowned for its naturally carbonated mineral waters. Located along Ruxton Avenue, Twin Spring is part of a collection of public drinking springs that have drawn visitors to this area for well over a century. The mineral springs of Manitou Springs were long revered by the Ute, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and other Indigenous peoples, who considered the effervescent waters sacred and healing. The name "Manitou" itself is derived from the Algonquian word for "Great Spirit," reflecting the spiritual significance these springs held. European settlers arrived in the 1870s, and the town quickly became a fashionable health resort, with visitors traveling from across the country to "take the waters." Each spring in Manitou Springs has a distinct mineral profile, and Twin Spring — so named because it features two adjacent spouts — contributes its own unique taste and composition to the town's famous collection. The springs of Manitou Springs are fed by snowmelt and rain that percolates deep underground through layers of ancient sedimentary rock, picking up dissolved minerals including sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and naturally occurring carbon dioxide along the way. This geological process gives the water its characteristic light effervescence and mineral flavor. Twin Spring, like its neighbors, has historically been used as a public drinking water source, and visitors have long reported enjoying its naturally sparkling taste. Today, Twin Spring remains a free, publicly accessible drinking fountain maintained by the City of Manitou Springs. It sits at an elevation of approximately 6,320 feet in the charming Ruxton Avenue corridor, which also serves as the route to the famous Manitou Incline and the Pikes Peak Cog Railway depot. ## Directions 1. From Interstate 25, take **Exit 141** toward **US-24 West / Manitou Springs**. 2. Follow US-24 West for approximately 4 miles into the town of Manitou Springs. 3. Turn left (south) onto **Ruxton Avenue** — this is one of the main streets through the historic district. 4. Continue along Ruxton Avenue past shops and restaurants. Twin Spring is located near **121 Ruxton Avenue**, on the right side of the road. 5. Street parking is available along Ruxton Avenue, though it can be limited during peak tourist season. Additional public parking lots are available in downtown Manitou Springs, a short walk away. **GPS Coordinates:** 38.858433, -104.921263 ## What to Expect Twin Spring is an easy, walk-up public drinking spring right along the sidewalk on Ruxton Avenue — no hiking required. The spring features two spouts (hence the name "Twin"), and visitors can sample the naturally carbonated mineral water directly. The taste is distinctive and differs from the other Manitou springs, so many visitors enjoy a self-guided "spring tasting tour" of the town's various public fountains. The Ruxton Avenue area is lively and walkable, lined with local shops, galleries, and restaurants. The spring is close to the base of the Manitou Incline and the Cog Railway, making it a convenient stop before or after those popular excursions. The spring flows year-round, though flow rates can vary seasonally. Winter visitors should be aware that temperatures at this elevation can drop below freezing, and ice may occasionally form around the spout. Summer is the busiest season, and parking near the spring can be competitive — arriving early in the morning is recommended. The City of Manitou Springs periodically tests the water at its public springs, and results have historically shown the water to be of good quality. However, as with any natural spring, water conditions can change, and visitors should check for any posted advisories at the spring site.