Garden of the Gods
4.9(58K)google
4.7(1.3K)yelp
FreeHikingMust-SeePhoto SpotRock Formation
Overview
Garden of the Gods (Arapaho: Ho3o’uu Niitko’usi’i) is a 1,341.3-acre (542.8 ha) public park located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. 862 acres (349 ha) of the park was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971.
Practical Info
Every day5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-4 hours
Best TimeOutstanding year-round, but May and September offer the finest ambient temperatures. Arriving at dawn during sunrise (5:30 AM–6:30 AM) is heavily recommended; the early morning sun ignites the towering red rock spires into glowing crimson hues, and you completely avoid the massive tourist crowds.
Getting ThereFor driving, take US-24 W from downtown Colorado Springs, turn right onto 26th St, and follow it north until it links with Gateway Road. Park entry is free. If the internal lots are full, park at the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center and ride the park's free seasonal shuttle service.
Travel Tips
- The interior one-way artery, Juniper Way Loop, encounters heavy congestion daily between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Avoid searching inside; park for free at the expansive Visitor & Nature Center lot located outside the rock gates, and board the high-frequency complimentary shuttle straight to the Central Garden.
- To capture the signature red rock formations at their optical peak, prioritize the sunrise window from 5:30 AM to 7:00 AM when direct light illuminates the eastern sandstone faces against Pikes Peak. Late afternoon visits place the primary monoliths into complete shadow, washing out the vivid orange tones.
- As a designated National Natural Landmark owned by Colorado Springs, flying any unmanned aircraft without a city-issued permit is illegal. Furthermore, scrambling or free-climbing any red sandstone structure without a pre-registered municipal Rock Climbing Permit carries severe fines and natural resource damage charges.
Reviews
Positive
- The towering, jagged red rock formations against the blue sky are visually stunning and fully live up to its grand name.
- This world-class geological wonder is completely free to enter, including its massive visitor center, offering incredible value.
- The main Perkins Central Garden Trail is smoothly paved and fully accessible, making it effortless for wheelchairs and strollers.
- The scenic drive is well-planned with one-way loops and plenty of roadside pull-outs to stop and snap photos.
Heads up
- Being famous and free, it is heavily crowded; finding a parking spot after 10 AM is a nightmare, forcing you to circle endlessly.
- The main paved trails are swarmed with noisy tour groups, making it feel more like a bustling theme park than a quiet nature escape.
- There is barely any shade, and the red rocks radiate intense heat in summer, making the open trails scorching hot.
- Due to high foot traffic, restrooms near the main trailheads often suffer from maintenance delays and toilet paper shortages by afternoon.