Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center

This is a beautiful place! I enjoyed the visitor center and there were lots of interactive information. The best part is the Garden of the Gods is free. There is a plaque on one of the rocks stating the original owner wanted everyone to enjoy this without cost. There is ample parking, the rocks are stunning. I only wish there were benches to sit and enjoy the view.

Garden of the Gods....

This was a truly inspiring, and wonderful experience. I am so very glad we were able to visit this park. As a normal "joe" type of guy, I can't say I was overly eager to go walk around outside another strange outdoor place, but this park really impressed me.

First of all, it's quite a magnificent spectacle of Creation. The park was public where plenty of people were out enjoying nature, yet private enough that I never felt like I was following the herd.
Absolutely I suggest starting at the Visitor's center. It's free. It's informative and it's chalked full of fun things to do and learn about, not to mention a souvenirs shop and restrooms.

Next, we proceeded entering the park via automobile, where we immediately encountered park rangers directing traffic carefully around mountain goats that were casually grazing along the shoulder of the road. We saw plenty of other wildlife before our trip was over.

I could write a book, probably, but I won't. Suffice it to say, this was a huge hit on our Colorado Springs getaway, and I recommend it to you and your family should you ever get out this way.

This is one of our favorite places the view is beautiful. The gift shop is well stocked. The museum section is informative and over all the staff are kind.
Try to aim for a day that's not super busy because the area can get crowded. Even with the crowds the bathrooms are magically clean.

Totally awesome scenery and plenty of walking and hiking trails. If you can't walk or don't have time, you can easily drive through the park. It was so awesome that we drove through 3 times! And it's free. No entrance fee.

Colorado Springs has invested a lot of money to make the visitor center truly welcoming. Many souvenirs for purchase. A fantastic view from the second floor viewing balcony.

This is a must visit place if you're in or near Colorado Springs! It's so great to feel so small in this world and see the beauty of these giant rock formations! We saw quite a bit of wildlife too! Everyone at the visitor center was friendly and helpful.

This visitor center is pretty cool. Here you can expect to find restrooms, visual and physical exhibits, a decent size gift shop, a miniature model of the park, a food bar/ restaurant, a small theatre, pick up for the tours and more. This is a great place for kids where they also have a lot of kid friendly things to do.

We came in the opposite end and drove to the park and ended up with the visiting center kind of last. There is some good information in here about the gardens of the gods Park. There's a neat place to take a 3D picture. There were some deer that were hanging out behind the visiting center. Got some pictures of those. There was no charge to enter

Amazing natural creations that just add to the beauty of Colorado Springs. It has a nice “drive-thru” path that still gets you up close to the formations while foot paths and roads are easily accessible for those adventurous types.

You can find trails which range from a short walk of a ¼ mile and longer trails up to 5 miles. The park is also handicap accessible.

For me, the best part about the visit to Garden of the Gods was being able to learn about the diverse fauna and flora of the area, take a walk along one of their trails and enjoy the dramatic red rock landscape.

Even though the park is free, just to note when you arrive if it is in the busiest part of the day you might struggle to find parking at the visitors centre and might need to be patient for a parking to become available.

I’ve added in a photo of where the kissing camels are, I only found them after my visit upon writing this article!

Absolutely beautiful and Super accessible to all. Beautifully maintained and the main trail is mostly paved. Great for all ages and abilities.

Beautiful facility with a historical and informative display of the park and the animals that call it home. Amazing gift shop but is a little pricey. Lots of deer congregating right near the entrance which was pretty neat. Highly recommend!

Superb site to visit. The sandstone and limestone formations are something from another world. The trail is mostly a sidewalk, so I would classify this hike mostly as a stroll. The visitor center is also nice and you can learn more information about the composition of the garden and its fauna and flora. I definitely recommend visiting this site, as the views are breathtaking. Especially with Pikes Peak in the backdrop.

Beautiful artifacts & love the gift store❤Hoodies for the cool weather, Jackets, hats & magnets❤ love all my souvenirs and snacks to nibble on while driving and hiking in the park🤘

I mostly went for water and maybe a map before continuing my walk. Turns out, there's a lot to do here! They were celebrating some kind of event themed around bighorn sheep; they had all sorts of skulls and all on display. There's a small natural history museum too.

They also had an animal presentation where they educated us about local wildlife while showing some rescues, including a bald eagle! I'm not from here, so I knew little about the local wildlife; it was a great event, and I feel lucky to have caught it.

And it was all free. If you want to spend some money, they have some ticketed things (like some kind of movie about the Garden of the Gods?), paid tours, a gift shop, and a café. I meant to buy some roasted nuts on the way out because they smelled so good, but I forgot.

I would have loved to hike on one of the trails in this free park which literally lives up to its name! If you do have limited time, a good place to start is the visitors center which has a lot of interesting info about how these rock were formed ( for geology buffs) and an interactive map of all the 'named' rock structures. This is also very close to the manitou cliff dwellings which is another interesting historical puebloan place to visit and learn about.

Title: Journey through Time - The Garden of the Gods Park, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Review:
A visit to Colorado might conjure images of snow-capped mountains and famous ski resorts, but the state has much more to offer, one of which is the mesmerizing Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs. The sight of this park, with its distinctive rock formations, feels more akin to a landscape you'd find in Arizona or Utah, showcasing a facet of Colorado many don’t often associate with the state.

The park itself is beautifully maintained, and for those planning a leisurely walk around the paved trails, it’s an absolute delight. However, if you are adventurous and wish to embark on a longer three to four-mile hike, be prepared. The intensity of the Colorado sun and the length of the trails can make the hike quite draining. Adequate hydration, sunscreen, and a hat are essential.

The paths within the park are well-paved, which can give the impression of an easy stroll, but don't be fooled. The longer hikes can be challenging, particularly for those not used to high altitude or arid conditions.

However, these trails offer a unique opportunity to experience the magnificent geological structures that took millions of years to form, up close. If you can handle the hike, it is absolutely worth the effort. But if hiking isn’t your thing, don’t worry. The park has an incredibly well-planned scenic drive that allows you to take in the stunning landscape from the comfort of your vehicle.

In essence, Garden of the Gods is a versatile and unique destination that offers a fascinating glimpse into Colorado's geological past. It’s a good hour and a half drive from Denver Airport, and although I wouldn't make this trip every time I visit Denver, it’s absolutely worth the journey for those visiting Denver for the first time, or for those who haven’t yet explored the southern side of the city.

In conclusion, the Garden of the Gods park is a treasure trove of natural beauty, a must-visit for any tourist in Colorado. Just remember to plan and prepare accordingly, especially if you intend to hike. I hope you find this review helpful for your upcoming visit to Colorado, and thank you for reading!

Amazing park. Many trails. Free admission.

Mini museum, café, information desk, theater, and gift shop, as well as restrooms and a great view.

Stunning views! The park is beautifully kept. We enjoyed walking and exploring! Don’t miss this experience!