Like many travelers, I have an ongoing list of places I want to visit in the United States. And the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been near the top of that list for the longest time. I’ve always been fascinated by the towering mountains of the western US and the incredible rock formations in those areas. Pair that with the stunning photos I’ve seen of the Garden of the Gods, and it was a must on my bucket list.
I finally had the chance to visit this stunning area in August of this year, and it was just as beautiful as I hoped it would be! The towering cliffs, vivid colors, unique formations, and sweeping panoramas–how could I be disappointed?
But Garden of the Gods wasn’t quite what I thought it would be. Despite my interest in the area, I hadn’t done very much research on it before our visit (I was trusting the expertise of my friend who had been before), and I was a little surprised at what the experience actually entailed. Not only is it incredibly easy to navigate, but you can do tons of activities, from rock climbing to hiking and horseback riding!
So, for all you out there who are doing your due diligence and learning more about Garden of the Gods before you visit, good for you! And here’s what to expect…
What is Garden of the Gods?
I was very much under the impression that the Garden of the Gods was part of a State Park area or some other isolated wilderness. But I couldn’t have been more wrong!
The Garden of the Gods is actually a 480-acre public park that was donated to Colorado Springs by the Perkins family in 1909. Although Charles Perkins originally bought the land for a summer home, he never built there because he wanted to leave its natural beauty untouched for the public.
All these years later, it’s still absolutely gorgeous! The park is free to enter, and the many sidewalks and well-maintained trails make it easy for anyone to come in and enjoy the stunning rock formations. You can even bring your dogs here for a walk! (Just be sure to clean up after them and keep them on a 6-foot leash.)
However, if you want to dive deeper into all that the Garden of the Gods offers, you can book various tours, sign up for an adventure challenge, or check out the informative Visitor Center across the road.
The Geological Wonderland of the Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is famous for its unique rock formations. And up close, it’s certainly easy to see why. Not only are the colors and height stunning, but erosion has caused many of these rocks to look more like sculptures than natural formations!
For example, one of the most popular red rock formations is the “Kissing Camels,” which looks like two camels giving each other a peck! There’s also the impressive Balanced Rock (a bit scary to drive by!) and the Three Graces.
Most of the rocks here are bright orange-red sediment, but you’ll also see towering spires of white and gray rock breaking up the scene.
These rock formations come in all shapes and sizes, and you never know what you’ll discover around the path. Some formations have deep crevices you can climb into, while others have paths you can hike to get stunning views of the valley below!
Beyond the rock formations, you’ll also pass quite a few green areas, often overflowing with beautiful wildflowers! They add such a nice touch to the wild beauty of the gardens. And remember to keep your eyes peeled for some of the wild animals that live within the park, like mule deer, coyotes, bighorn sheep, red foxes, black bears, and more!
Fun Adventures at Garden of the Gods
Whether you’re in the mood for a peaceful walk, a riding tour, or something more intensive, you’ll have plenty of options! I had no idea there were so many ways to explore the Garden of the Gods. Now that I do, I wish we’d set aside more time to try a few.
Free Activities at Garden of the Gods
The most basic activity you can do is walking, of course. The sidewalks lead throughout the Garden, so you can take in the rock formations from all angles. The sidewalks are all extensive and even, making it easy to explore the park.
Occasionally, dirt trails will lead off from these paved sidewalks, leading you further into the scrub or higher up a formation. If you have the ability, check them out! There are a ton of different trails you can hike, and they vary in length and skill level. But sometimes, these trails are the only way to reach a scenic viewpoint or get a better angle on a particular rock formation. We only had time for a couple of trails, but each one had a gorgeous view at the end.
There’s also an area for mountain biking if that floats your boat and designated trails for horseback riding!
Paid Activities at Garden of the Gods
But if you don’t mind dropping a few dollars, there are even more ways to explore the park.
You can take guided tours by historic trolley, Jeep, segway, or e-bike to learn about the area’s history and interesting features while you explore. If you’re more into active sports, book a rock climbing tour for 2-6 hours and see the park from up above! If you have a group, you can also sign up for one of their outdoor Adventure Challenges, where groups compete in a friendly competition within the park.
Garden of the Gods Visitor’s Center
I also highly recommend checking out the Visitor’s Center across the street. It has lots of fascinating information about the park, its history, and the creatures that live in it! You can walk through exhibits for free or grab a ticket to the Geo-Trekker Theatre to learn more about the rock formations. There’s also a large gift shop, a cafe, and clean restrooms. Don’t forget to step out on their back patio to get a gorgeous view of the Garden of the Gods and see a map of the major formations.
I love that there is so much variety within the park and how accessible it is for people of all activity levels and interests. It has so many choices, and your visit can be customized to what you enjoy doing most!
Practical Info for Your Garden of the Gods Experience
The Garden of the Gods is located right in Colorado Springs, Colorado, so there’s a whole town nearby if you want to stay and explore further. There are also plenty of camping sites in the area if you’d prefer a night under the stars! But if you’re coming from Denver, it’s just an hour-and-a-half drive–and a gorgeous one at that!
There is limited parking within the Garden, but the Visitor’s Center has plenty of overflow parking, and free ADA-compliant shuttles transport guests to the Central Garden during peak summer season. Even at the end of August, we had to wait in a fairly long line and pass a couple of lots in the park to find a space, so keep that in mind. Once we got on the trails, we rarely felt crowded or overwhelmed by the number of people because the park was so large. But occasionally, we did have to wait our turn to take a picture with a certain formation or climb up a narrow trail.
The Garden of the Gods is open daily from 5 am to 9 pm, and the Visitor’s Center is open from 9 am to 5 pm (excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day). The address is 1805 N. 30th Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904.
I highly recommend bringing good walking or hiking shoes, a large bottle of water (you can refill at the Visitor’s Center), your camera, sunscreen, a jacket, and some light snacks.
Closing Thoughts about the Garden of the Gods
We had such a fantastic time exploring the Garden of the Gods! Going back through all my photos, the ones I took here are some of my favorites, even compared to the soaring peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park.
If I ever get back to Colorado, I would put this at the top of my list for a second visit because I know we only scraped the surface of what it offers. Plus, it’s such an easy and affordable way to experience some of Colorado’s timeless beauty. And with so many diverse activities, you could easily visit again and again without getting bored.
So, if you’re heading to Colorado, put this natural wonder on your bucket list and carve out plenty of time to soak it all in.
For more travel inspiration and tips on adventures in Colorado, take a peek at these posts, too:
- Need a Hot Springs Getaway? Mt. Princeton is the Best!
- Get Lost at Meow Wolf Convergence Station in Denver!
- 8 Reasons to Book a Stay at the Catbird Hotel Right Now
- How to Maximize Your Trip To The Bear Lake Corridor
See the Beauty of Garden of the Gods in My YouTube Video
Thanks so much for stopping by to read this post. I hope you found it helpful and that it inspired you to see these incredible formations for yourself. If you have questions or comments, drop them below, and I’ll reply ASAP. Don’t forget to save this post for future inspiration and share it with someone who would find it interesting!
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See you in the new year! Happy travels!
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