Garden of the Gods: A Geologic Wonder For Everyone To Enjoy
By Sarah McCosham|Published April 26, 2021
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Colorado is full of places that will take your breath away, and Garden of the Gods is one such place. A National Natural Landmark located in Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods is one of the most incredible geological wonders in the world. The park is an ecological melting pot where the grasslands of the Great Plains meet the mountains of the Southwest; this unique landscape is then drenched in the dreamy desert hues of Colorful Colorado. It’s a place wholly unique unto itself, and truly divine. The best part is, Garden of the Gods is accessible to all: admission is free, the park is open year-round, and its most popular trails are paved, so everyone can come and explore this heavenly haven.
Garden of the Gods is one of the most breathtaking places in the world.
It's a natural wonder 300 million years in the making, with some truly remarkable geological features.
Garden of the Gods features towering, 300-feet-tall sandstone rock formations in ruby red and rich sienna hues. These majestic rocks are absolutely awe-inspiring.
Named for objects they resemble -- Kissing Camels, Cathedral Spires, Keyhole Window, and Siamese Twins -- these geological formations are truly mesmerizing natural sculptures.
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An estimated four million people visit this Colorado park each year to experience this divine destination for themselves.
Garden of the Gods is a registered National Natural Landmark with a truly heartwarming history.
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The park was once home to Charles Elliott Perkins, head of the iconic Burlington Railroad. In 1879, Perkins purchased 240 acres in Colorado Springs for a summer home.
He later added to the property, known as Garden of the Gods -- but never built on it, preferring to leave the area in its natural state, for the public to enjoy. Perkins died in 1907, before making arrangements for the land to become a public park (even though it had been open to the public for years). In 1909, Perkins's children bequeathed his 480 acres to the City of Colorado Springs, to become a public park for all to enjoy.
Today, you can find a glimpse of what life was like in Colorado during the 1800s and 1900s when you visit Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site on-site.
A living history museum located on 230 acres at Garden of the Gods, Rock Ledge Ranch is a truly unique place to see. You'll get a hands-on Colorado history lesson, with historical interpreters and reenactments, tours, and demonstrations. At this beautiful ranch, visitors will understand why Perkins so loved the land.
One of the best ways to explore Garden of the Gods is by trail. Guests can choose from a variety of accessible trails, or opt for a guided nature walk.
One of the most popular trails in the park, the Perkins Central Garden Trail is a flat, 1.1-mile loop that ventures through some of the Garden's most stunning rock formations.
For a deeper dive into the park, you'll definitely want to book a Guided Nature Walk.
These walks take approximately 45-60 minutes and cover about a mile. Along the way, hikers will learn about the fascinating ecology, geology, and history of this magnificent place. You'll reserve your spots through the Garden of the Gods website.
The Bighorn Sheep are kind of a big deal here; the park even holds an annual festival in their honor. Colorado's state mammal, the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, are expert climbers found only in the Rockies. Getting to see them in the wild is a gift -- and at Garden of the Gods, the Bighorn make regular appearances.
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Another mammal you may encounter at Garden of the Gods is a horse - though, not in the wild.
For a truly enchanting experience of the park, you can take a horseback tour -- guided by real cowboys -- from Academy Riding Stables. Tours last between 1-2 hours and offer unparalleled panoramas of Colorado Springs. This once-in-a-lifetime experience definitely belongs on your Garden of the Gods bucket list.
Of course, in terms of "bucket-list" activities, scaling a 300-million-year-old rock wall is pretty extraordinary.
The road out of the park provides visitors one final parting shot of the stunning sandstone formations. It’s a picture-perfect way to end way to end a Garden of the Gods visit, and it’s especially scenic at sunset.
Perhaps the most incredible thing about this Colorado treasure is how very accessible it truly is.
Admission and parking are free; the park is open year-round; and popular trails are paved and handicap-accessible. But that isn't a surprise, as the park was originally founded with the dream of sharing the splendor of Colorful Colorado with everyone.
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Garden of the Gods is a little piece of heaven on Earth, and all are invited to revel in its resplendence.
There’s a whole world of beauty just waiting to be explored in Colorful Colorado, and Garden of the Gods is perhaps the best place to start. Read more about Garden of the Gods at their website. And for another bucket-list-worthy adventure in Colorado, Maroon Bells is one of the most beautiful places on Earth and will render you speechless.
General Information:
Accessibility: Garden of the Gods is incredibly accessible; there’s plenty of handicap parking near the entrance, and barrier-free access to the Visitor’s Center, which also offers plenty of room for wheelchairs. (If the parking lot is full, continue down Garden Drive to the dedicated accessible parking lot.) In the park, several of the trails are also designed to be wheelchair accessible.
Pet Friendly: Pets are welcome in the park but remain on a leash at all times, and all pet waste removed. Doggie cleanup bags are available at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center in the designated pet area.
Parking: Parking is free — but limited. There are 336 parking spaces inside the park, so plan your visit accordingly, and be patient during busy times.
Seasonal Access: Garden of the Gods is open year-round; the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center hours vary by season.
Cost: Both the Park and Visitor & Nature Center are free and open to the public.
Other: Rock Climbing permits and safety gear are required for any rock climbing activities inside the park. The same applies to bouldering. You can get a permit online or at the information desk in the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center.
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