Dan and I visited Denver for a long weekend last October. After spending two days exploring the city and the neighboring towns of Golden and Boulder, we decided to venture into the great outdoors to experience one of Colorado’s many beautiful state parks. After some research we settled on the Garden of the Gods Park.
About the Park
Garden of the Gods is a public park in Colorado Springs, a town about 70 miles south of Denver. The park was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1971 and now attracts more than 2 million visitors a year. It’s a popular destination for hiking, biking, and rock climbing. There are more than 15 miles of trails; we chose the 1.5-mile trail that runs directly through the heart of the park. The path is paved and mostly flat, making it accessible for people of all ages (it’s even wheelchair accessible!).
The massive red rocks jutting out of the surrounding grasslands is striking and would certainly justify the name of the park. But the name Garden of the Gods has even more of an interesting back story — from Wikipedia:
The area now known as Garden of the Gods was first called Red Rock Corral by the Europeans. Then, in August 1859, two surveyors who helped to set up Colorado City explored the site. One of the surveyors, M. S. Beach, suggested that it would be a “capital place for a beer garden”. His companion, the young Rufus Cable, awestruck by the impressive rock formations, exclaimed, “Beer Garden! Why it is a fit place for the Gods to assemble. We will call it the Garden of the Gods.”
Visitor & Nature Center
A great place to start your visit is at the Visitor & Nature Center, where you can get advice on which route to take given your interests, mobility, and schedule. There are also educational exhibits with information on the geological history of the area that are free to visit. The Visitor Center also has a spectacular view of the park and Pikes Peak beyond.
Photo Gallery
How to Visit
Directions
Address for the Visitor & Nature Center: 1805 N 30th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
The only way to visit is by car –Garden of the Gods park is just an hour or so from Denver and only 15 minutes from the center of Colorado Springs. Directions from I-25 are as follows:
- Take Exit #146 (Garden of the Gods Road)
- Go West (towards the mountains) for 2.5 miles
- Turn Left onto 30th Street
- The Visitor & Nature Center will be on the left (a little over a mile)
Opening Hours
Park Hours:
5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center Hours:
9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Winter Months
8:00 am – 7:00 pm, Summer (Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day Weekend)
Admission
Both the Park and Visitor & Nature Center are free to visit!
Click here to read more about the park’s rules and other important information for visitors.
