Garden of the Gods

As a Colorado Springs resident, Garden of the Gods is more prominent in my day to day life than any other attraction we offer. I go there in the early mornings to say hello to the birds, take pictures of frost and get ready for my day. If something is troubling me, I will often find a quiet spot in the park to mull over my feelings. Short hikes and walks throughout the park are a quick way for me to fill my happiness cup. When visiting Colorado Springs make it a priority to drive through Garden of the Gods, stop at the Nature Center and have lunch at their trading post.


The unique formations of the rocks spark the imagination of the residents much like searching for shapes in the clouds. Balanced Rock seems to defy gravity, Kissing Camels always make my children giggle, and the Hogbacks are popular with photographers. The Tower of Babel and the Fountain Formation is awe inspiring and deceiving.

The Nature Center at the entrance of the park provides tons of information about the geology, history, wildlife, and Native American culture. They hold daily presentations for visitors that are very informative, give tours and host community events. The Nature Center also provides many opportunities for guided tours by different modes of transportation. For first timers to the park, I highly suggest stopping in at the Nature Center.

The Trading Post on the other side of the park has a café in it, as well. My children love going into the Trading Post because of all of the trinkets they try to convince me to buy for them. I love the Trading Post because of the artwork they sell and garden in the back. Defiantly stop in on your way out of the park even if you do not plan on buying anything.

Enjoying the park can be done in many different ways. Maps are available at the Trading Post. The roads are paved, so won’t be too hard on your vehicle. Academy Riding Stables offers guided horseback tours, which is a fun way to experience the park. The trails are shared by bikes, hikers, and horses so be respectful of the surrounding nature and the people around you. There is also a wonderful paved pathway, the Perkins Central Garden Trail, which is perfect for strollers and wheelchairs. It is very important to stay on all designated trails no matter what mode of transportation.

The formations are available to rock climbers, and while visiting, it is not unusual to see these brave souls on a rock face. There are climbing regulations and registration is necessary. Scrambling is prohibited and very dangerous, so stay off the rocks.

How to Get There: From I-25 take exit 146 (Garden of the Gods) and head west. Turn left onto 30th street. The park entrance is on the right and is pretty obvious. The Nature Center is on the left side of the road, across from the entrance.