The Magical Garden of the Gods – Colorado Springs, United States
What is It? – The Garden of the Gods is a truly magical place for enjoying the outdoors in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This public park is home to towering red sandstone rock formations, vibrant wildflowers, and an array of wildlife. It is popular among hikers, rock climbers, cyclists, and nature lovers. Designated as a National Natural Landmark, the garden receives an average of four million visitors each year and was ranked ninth in the world by Trip Advisor on its 2022 list of the “Best Things to Do” based on the “quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings”.
The Garden of the Gods has a geological history that dates back millions of years. The distinctive sedimentary rock formations of the garden were created as ancient mountains eroded and became buried in their own sediment. The area was known to several Native American tribes who believed the towering rocks had spiritual significance. While Spanish explorers and American traders also passed through the area starting in the 1600s, it wasn’t until 1879 that the land there was purchased for a summer home by Charles Elliott Perkins, a railroad executive. Taken by its beauty, Perkins never developed the garden but instead donated 480 acres to the city of Colorado Springs for preservation as a public park. Today, the Garden of the Gods is operated by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department in close cooperation with a private foundation which funds projects to maintain and improve the park.
What You Will See There- As you stroll through the park, you will feel dwarfed by towering sandstone rock formations which stand hundreds of feet tall. These red, orange, and pink rocks are a sight to behold and create a majestic contrast with the Rocky Mountains in the distance. The park is also home to a variety of flora and fauna. In the spring, there are many fields of wildflowers in bloom including Indian paintbrush, the Colorado state flower columbine, and lupine. Throughout the year, you may spot a range of alpine animals, including mule deer, foxes, coyotes, and reptiles.
The park has 21 miles of trails. The 1.5-mile-long Perkins Central Garden Trail is paved and takes people through a cluster of rock formations with only a small change of grade. Another popular trail is the Siamese Twins Trail which takes you on a separate mile loop through some of the park's iconic rock formations and is suitable for hikers of all skill levels. An iconic sight on the Siamese Twins Trail is Balanced Rock, a massive sandstone formation that seems to defy gravity. Standing at over 100 feet tall, this rock is a marvel of natural engineering with a massive boulder perched atop a slender foundation. You can climb up to the rock and get a close-up view of its impressive size and balance. Bold visitors may enjoy posing beneath its intimidating crevice for pictures. It is a truly breathtaking sight that is not to be missed. No matter which sites or trail you choose, you will find yourself in awe of the natural beauty of the Garden of the Gods.
Interesting Facts - In addition to providing a fun experience for both seasoned hikers and children, the park offers many other activities. Alternative recreation options offered by the visitor center and local tour operators include Segway and jeep tours, horseback riding, rock climbing, nature walks, and mountain biking; some of which require a permit.
When to Go – The altitude of Colorado Springs and the nearby barrier of the Rocky Mountains mean that the Garden of the Gods has a mild climate year round that is typical of alpine desert regions. While daytime high temperatures are usually above 60 degrees from April through October and can rise into the 80s during the summer, nighttime temperatures are considerably cooler throughout the year. Blizzard conditions can occur in winter.
How to Get Here - The park can be reached by car by driving south a short 75 minutes from Denver to Colorado Springs on Interstate 25 and taking Exit 146 to Garden of the Gods Road.
Cost - Admission is free to the park which is open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. from May to October and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the rest of the year.
This article was written by Jessica Crist, the Production Director of The Traveling American, who also provided photography.