Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center

Visitor centre · Colorado Springs

Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center

Visitor centre · Colorado Springs

1

1805 N 30th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, USA

Photos

Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null
Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center by null

Highlights

Rock formations, trails, history museum, and stunning vistas await.  

Placeholder
Placeholder

1805 N 30th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, USA Get directions

gardenofgods.com
@gardenofthegodsvisitorcenter

Information

Static Map

1805 N 30th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, USA Get directions

+1 719 634 6666
gardenofgods.com
@gardenofthegodsvisitorcenter

Features

payment credit card
Tap to pay

Last updated

Sep 8, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@postcardnews

The city’s signature landscape is famously free, with a visitor center of no-cost exhibits and daily ranger tips. Consistently highlighted by Lonely Planet and U.S. News Travel, it’s the essential first stop for trails, geology, and sunrise-to-sunset scenery.

https://coloradosprings.gov/cultural-services/GOG
Free Attractions in Colorado Springs (2025)
View Postcard for Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center

Mousie

Google
Visited the Visitor Center on Sunday 7/20. Was down in the Springs and decided to check out Garden of the Gods when the sky made other plans. As I love museums, we decided to check out the Center and it was pretty cool. A little crowded due to the weather. The exhibits were informative, the cafe smelled tasty, and the gift shop had some nifty gifts. Prices were about what you'd expect from a tourist destination. The views were beautiful. We will definitely be going back.

Prat Prathnadi

Google
It was wonderful. The walk from the visitor center, looping around the majestic rocks back was about 3.3 miles with about 400 feet elevation change (see photo). The walk was easy for folks in the 60s and young kids, even along the non-paved but highly managed trail side. Beautiful greens every where (I am visiting from California) and the red rock was just amazingly out of place. We came in late July and the weather was perfect although we heard some distant thunder around 1:30 pm time. As I was told, some place gets afternoon rain during that time of the year. If it rains, it would be a late afternoon ones. Short 5- 10 min rain as I was told by the local. A must visit and a hike if you are there. The visitor center is very clean but also crowded on a Friday afternoon.

Kolt Bundy

Google
Super awesome, not very many easy sport routes. Beautiful views, lots of people watching you climb. The climbing permit is free online which is nice. They have a free shuttle from the visitors center to the main park every 15min

Dave Rogers

Google
This was probably our best visit in Colorado. It was amazing to see that these rocks in the Garden of the Gods were so much different from all the other canyon and mountain rock that we saw. This is a very unique place. I recommend that you go to the Garden of the Gods information center first. So you can get an idea of what you're looking at. From there you can drive around the park, hike on the trails, and there's also a minibus that rides people around to show you the whole park. More than a Billion years of history here.

Mavis Wallace

Google
It was a very beautiful site to see such formations! I suggest looking and marking the location where you want to go first, since there are different points to go visit! Area is very clean and well maintained. Gift shop also has all kinds of goodies And the car decals are super cute and affordable! About $7 each!! The place seemed super pet friendly! Everyone had their dogs inside the building and out, and they all behaved very well! Parking is a little rough! But there’s constantly people coming and going so you will find a spot. The staff was nice and the vehicles they use for the tour guides are super neat looking!! We did get tickets to see the video about the rock formations. Although it was kind of cool, I don’t really recommend it! It’s about $12 a ticket and it’s only about an eight minute video. You can look it up for free on YouTube. And although you would expect it to be a very cool experience, you just sit on platforms And watch a video on a grid screen…. It wasn’t the best lol definitely not for $36 for three people.

Sarah Anderson

Google
A fantastic visitor center for all ages it it’s completely free! It felt like a mini museum with a beautiful view overlooking Garden of the Gods. There are tours you can pay for but we did not do that. The drive through Garden of the Gods was breathtaking with lots to do and see. Many hikes and rocks to climb. It rained when we were there but that didn’t stop us from seeing everything. This was my favorite part of visiting Colorado Springs!

Jackie Lunzmann

Google
Highly recommend the 1909 Trolley! We were blessed to have Jack Aspen as our trolley driver/guide. He was very informative & friendly. It was only $21/person & about a 45 minute ride. Note: If you're doing the 9:00am trolley be aware that the building does not open until exactly 9:00am (and even if you book online in advance you do have to check-in in the building, prior to riding). Reservation says to arrive 15 minutes early but no reason to b/c nothing is open- great way to get rock star parking though! :)

Jason B

Google
The folks at the visitor center were super helpful in planning our driving and hiking around the area. Nice café staff and the sandwichs were tasty. Also a nice gift shop on site and a trading post gift shop, also serving food and ice cream, if you drive around the area recommend path. A beautiful place.
google avatar

Mel C.

Yelp
What a great place for a fairly easy hike with your family or friends. It really is an all ages area to enjoy and we loved being able to also bring our dogs on leash. Reading about the rock formations and history of the Garden of the Gods was interesting and educational. There is currently construction going on so some areas are closed off. The scenery is rich in color and views of Pikes Peak in the background are breathtaking. It's a shame that some rocks appear to have initials carved on them, but this area is well maintained and there are bear proof garbage bins along the path. Check out the unique areas for fun photo opportunities. The parking lot fills up fast so definitely recommend coming as early as you can if you want to park near the entrance of the path.
google avatar

Candace L.

Yelp
My son was at work and I was dilly dallying around town. I'd been wanting to check out Garden of the Gods and decided to drive over for a peek. I was solo and it was pretty chilly out so I didn't stay out for an extended length of time seeing as though even in some borrowed Winter essentials I was still pretty cold. The pro to visiting in this temp, zero crowds. Garden of the Gods was magical and serene. It was snowing while I was there and I checked out a few key points on the map, after stopping at the Visitor Center to ask a couple of questions about highlights, etc. I drove through and made occasional stops at points I wanted to see, while getting out of the car for short periods of time. I can see how this is a great spot for some light hiking in different temps. I can't wait to hike some local 14kers in coming months and return to GOTG. I love spending time alone and I can see where Garden of the Gods is a great option for that. If you're a National Parks pass holder, this will remind you a tiny bit of Zion and Bryce or even Sedona, on a much, much smaller scale. Pretty nonetheless and close enough to town to make it a destination outdoor activity. Had a very yummy London Fog oat latte from the Trade Post, definitely worth a stop.
google avatar

Ashley S.

Yelp
This park/ preserve area is gorgeous! I didn't get to see the most famous areas because the roads were closed, but we were able to drive part of it and walk the gateway trail to enjoy the views. We saw a bunch of deer, a mountain goat, turkeys, and various birds. The views and photo ops are stunning. This area is definitely a must if you're in the area. I would like to go back if I get the chance to see the rest of the area.
google avatar

Megan W.

Yelp
Beautiful mountains and wonderful visitor center. A great place to stop before or after your hike around (and through) the Garden of the Gods. There are a lot of informative displays, videos, and fossils. There is also a cafe and an extensive gift shop with plenty of stuffed animals and shirts. There is a nice second floor viewing deck to take in the mountains while sipping a coffee/hot cocoa/refreshing cold drink (depending on the season you go). I went in to the Garden of the Gods in the fall and it was a great way to enjoy the views at a great temperature and with less crowds.
google avatar

James A.

Yelp
As a kid I went here and as an adult it's just as cool, back in the day i got to meet the climber that got stuck on the kissing camels rock formation. The roads were clear and the wildlife was everywhere, a great place to take kids.
google avatar

Victoria W.

Yelp
A beautiful free outdoor park with walking trails and scenic sights galore! There is not a lot of parking so your best bet is to come early in the morning or late at night close to sunset. We arrived 30 minutes prior to sunset and still had difficulty finding a parking spot, and had to loop several times in the main parking lot before we were finally able to park our car.
google avatar

Aparajita S.

Yelp
When in Colorado, everyone definitely recommends to visit this place and I can see why! The park is completely free and there are a good number of spots to park in at the visitor center. They have clean bathrooms, a cafe and restaurant, some information about the history and a gift shop. Downstairs, you can go book guided tours on jeeps, Segway's, and other vehicles. We ended up booking a tour and highly recommend it as our tour guide pointed out the different formations and was able to get us in and out in 30min. The cafe is really nice and features views of the nearby mountains including Pikes Peak. They serve Caribou Coffee and have a wide assortment of beverages and food items at a reasonable price.
google avatar

Nehal A.

Yelp
Garden of Gods is such a beautiful landmark, surrounded by huge red rock peaks, covered with layer of green trees. It really feels godly in the park. Many different trails along the rocky hills. The main area has several designated parking zones. It's difficult to find a spot in the main one which is P4. But you can easily go around by parking in P6 or P7. The park is maintained very well. No trash, no eye sore. Roads are mainly one way. Markings are pretty good to find different spots.
google avatar

Hank C.

Yelp
Beautiful park here, the nature center opens later, but you can go at the crack of dawn (5am) and walk around yourself, drive through and park. Lots of fresh air and great views. Totally free park to visit and walk around in, lovely in the summer, closed in winter, I believe. Three biomes connect here, red cliff rocks, white rocks, a desert and coniferous tree forest all connect in the park. Stony fingers rising up to the sky and lots of birds and animals in the park. The single main lane looping throughout the park is a one-way, and you have some great views and viewpoints. The parking lot close to the main rocks can fill up quickly, the lower parking lots are big but farther from the rocks and hiking trails. You need to get a permit to climb the rocks. The walkways are well-paved and there are plenty of lookout areas. The park itself, well-put together, a lot of families, dogs, and joggers and walkers in the morning. Bathrooms, and lots of trash cans. Biking trails, as well. ATV and horseback and jeep tours, as well. Gift shop, info desk, cafe, and tours from the visitor center. Gets very crowded in the day, so go early or late, otherwise parking and traffic become problematic.
google avatar

Joyce T.

Yelp
Kissing Carmel is amazing, we love to walk around the central garden, most of the trails were well maintained, easy walk. There's also a balancing rock which is awesome but you'll have to drive a bit more.
google avatar

Seth A.

Yelp
Garden of the Gods! One of my favorite landmark attractions located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I just visited for the 3rd time and things never get old. I'm always in awe of the colorful geographical landscape this place offers. That's why the name..."Garden of the Gods" is perfectly titled. Coming here is like entering a world only the Gods could have created! So...with that introduction, guess what else I have to relay which astonishes me every time, and hasn't changed since the beginning...it is FREE. Yes, exploring around Garden of the Gods is free and I'm puzzled by that because if they charged $25 or $35 or $45 per vehicle, people would still pay those prices. It's so popular to come here, probably too touristy for a lot of folks. But that's how magical those red rocks and jagged peaks can appear. I will say, Colorado is a beautiful state and I've had memorable experiences exploring the great outdoors here. But the colorful terrain puts Garden of the Gods on a top-notch level, quite possibly with Utah, and Utah offers some of the best sceneries in the United States. I'll just relay this last thought before getting into details about the park...Colorado Springs is a big city, and yet I'm baffled that Garden of the Gods could be located so close by and still feature a terrific setting among nature. It's free to visit, like I keep mentioning, lol. I'd suggest arriving early in the morning. This way you avoid the crowds, sun and rising heat temperatures. Plus, there'll be parking spaces. I showed up Sunday at 7:30am and got a spot in the main parking lot. Hours are like 5am - 10pm, pretty much for as long as there's daylight. The most popular way of seeing the sights is hiking the Central Garden Pedestrian Walkway. It's a simple, paved path that's not elevated. I'm not exactly sure how far the hike is, but basically, it's walk at your leisure making a circular loop. Along the way there's playful opportunities to climb the rocks. You can be in and out of the Central Garden Trail within 2 hours and that's including taking your time and stopping for pictures. I did recall connecting with the Upper Loop Trail which was worthwhile for getting a bird's eye view looking down on the incredible topographical surroundings. Just to throw this in there...dogs are allowed on the trails so that's incentive to bring them along. Also, there were people rock climbing. I took a few minutes to watch climbers challenge themselves to their limits. Another point...even though it can get packed with tourists, there's enough spacing not to feel bombarded by strangers. Would it be nice to have less people? Sure. But still, for a Sunday over the summertime, I didn't feel overwhelmed by the crowds. After completing the Central Garden Walkway, I headed over to the Visitor Center which opens at 9am. Bought a few souvenirs, plus they have a theater film and a cafe if you'd like to grab a bite to eat. Outside the cafe has an observation lookout offering panoramic 180-degree views of the distant landscape. You can drive around Garden of the Gods. It's about a 5-mile loop, but parking can be limited at the pull-off points. One of the popular stops is Balanced Rock, a rock that appears to be hanging onto the cliffside without falling over. There was a wait in line to get a picture with it around 1pm. Finally, right near Balanced Rock is Garden of the Gods Trading Post. It's to the Visitor Center near the entrance. The Trading Post is much less crowded and has a better selection of souvenirs at cheaper prices. They also have a cafeteria and a charming garden with trees and protection from the sun to take a break and eat lunch. In the end, Garden of the Gods is special. These enormous rock towers can have you speechless. When visiting Colorado Springs, I believe it's a MUST DO for everyone. Plus, nearby you have Pike's Peak, Seven Falls, Manitou Incline and Manitou Cliff Dwellings just to name a few of the amazing sightseeing attractions offered in this part of Colorado.
google avatar

Angelique R.

Yelp
We attempted to go to the Garden of the Gods, but unfortunately it was so crowded and the parking lots were full, so we just drove the loop around and left. It was however very beautiful and I will definitely have to go back next time I'm out in Colorado.

Karina M.

Yelp
Nice teail hike. Don't recommend with stroller but manageable. Great outback trail. Highly recommend a morning hike. This trail is heavily active.
google avatar

Michael C.

Yelp
Such a beautiful experience here. Nature really is amazing, and this is a perfect example of it. Must see for anyone going to the Denver area.
google avatar

Jennifer D.

Yelp
Breathtaking beautiful park. Free makes it even better! The natural beauty and history just can't be available to be described in words. If you have the opportunity to go here, do it! We went in October and the beauty of the vivid autumn colors just made it heavenly.
google avatar

Kaliko P.

Yelp
"Garden Of The Gods [Monstercat Release]" - Hausman, Discognition & Lumynesynth That song above brings chills to my skin after having driven through the Garden Of The Gods. It really was a WOW moment. Ethereal, unreal, beautiful, magical, stunning, awe-inspiring, thought-provoking, inspirational and phenomenal, and it was FREE to enter the park! We only got out of our car once to snap some photos of a trailhead (many here), but that was because there was absolutely no parking on a Saturday afternoon around 2:30 PM and we were temporarily parked in a "no parking" zone. That's how crowded this place gets. If you don't even want to get out of your car, you can just drive the loop and snap photos from your window. We had some time to kill between Denver and Manitou Springs waiting for our hotel, so we drove through here to buy some souvenirs at the Trading Post, use the bathroom and check out this magical place. This is a multi-use park with runners, joggers, Segway tours, bikers and hikers, so be prepared to slow down and keep your eyes on the road as you soak in the beauty. Return factor: definitely, next time will go very early and maybe do a short hike!
google avatar

Sheyenne H.

Yelp
The Garden of the Gods is a complex of red rock and other stones structures of other colors, grey rock, white rock etc. It's a huge park with numerous trails, paved and rugged alike. If pressed for time, it can be enjoyed and viewed from the car while driving. There are a few structures that are on the road allowing for a quick stopover, though parking is sparse. It's an amazing and highly enjoyable if not only for the pleasant views. A must visit is the world-class visitor center which provides stunning vistas of the park.
google avatar

Colten G.

Yelp
The name matches perfectly. This is truly the garden of the gods. It is stunning! We took a day out of our 4 day trip to Colorado to drive down to Colorado Springs to see garden of the gods and it was worth it. I cant even really explain the beauty of this place it's just incredible. It's structured in a one road system all through the attraction with a few mini parking lots and about one or two big ones. You can also see pikes peak in the background, as well as obviously these tall red rock structures that garden of the gods is known for. If you're ever in Colorado Springs or in Colorado it is worth it to drive over to garden of the gods. You won't regret it.
google avatar

Bradley L.

Yelp
A beautiful park. So many places to get out and take walks and so many sites to see. Definitely got a bit crowded but for something as beautiful as this with this much accessibility it's to be expected. The visitor center was super helpful in helping us figure out what to do
google avatar

Tj B.

Yelp
This is my place Ive come to for many years to relax and gather my thoughts. Very scenic and majestic. Im going to miss Colorado.
google avatar

Jessica O.

Yelp
Wow I am blessed to live in Colorado where I can visit Garden of the Gods any day I would like! The rocks are absolutely beautiful, towering over above with bright red color. We were able to see Pikes Peak well on our hike since there was not a cloud in the sky! On our way into the park there was a herd of big horn sheep pretty close to the road. We also some a few deer while walking the trails. There are lots of beautiful birds that live in the rocks in the park too. We came in February the day after snowfall. The snow was still fresh and on the rocks and the leaves of the trees. It was absolutely stunning! If you plan on visiting in these conditions I highly recommend it, but also keep in mind to bring hiking shoes to have good traction. The hiking shoes we have are goretex and our feet were nice and warm and stayed dry from the snow. It was not very crowded on the trails, as you can see from the pictures from our visit. We had no problem finding a parking spot in the main lot. There are nice bathrooms close by the parking lot too. They even have a family restroom. And if things could not get any better this is free to visit! A must visit on a trip to Colorado! For the families: You can definitely bring a stroller and walk the paved paths. We brought our hiking backpack and front pack for our kids since some of the trails that we did were not paved and had stairs. It's up to you how much you want to explore with your young kids. The paved paths are a mile and a half long, so if you want to walk around more than that I recommend bringing a pack.
google avatar

Gigi S.

Yelp
How do you review a garden built by God himself?! Well this place is pretty cool because it's free. That's the agreement made long ago. As the years passed there was a Chuck Wagon BBQ stand that was taken out, and there are nice public restrooms on site and deer and rattlesnakes are still easily found there which means it hasn't been ruined by human hands-too much. People with the proper licensing and gear may also climb here, and it is regularly highly populated. So the only possible issue I can foresee....is that it's free. Lol The walking paths look like they see a ton of traffic. Can't imagine what upkeep is, but it's a very worthy stop!
google avatar

Emily J.

Yelp
One of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. It is definitely worth the drive if you are visiting Colorado at any point. It has easy trails as well as some more difficult trails, there are benches and multiple picnic areas. Perfect for walking your do as well. Bonus: I love then stopping in Manitou Springs afterwards for a coffee or lunch.
google avatar

Christy S.

Yelp
An easy hike with amazing views! I loved the evening we spent here exploring, and happily would have spent longer. If I am back in the area, I will definitely return. It is beautiful, well kept, and fun for all ages.
google avatar

Joe B.

Yelp
Amazing! Beautiful! What a cool place! Free for all to check out. We only had about 90 minutes to walk around and take in the sights, but we could have easily stayed for a few hours. There are many trails and countless gorgeous views to enjoy. The main trail was easy. You don't need to be an experienced hiker to walk around and enjoy your time there. Go ahead and bring grandma or even uncle Greg who's on crutches. It will be fine, they'll like it.
google avatar

Ashley R.

Yelp
Very nice place to walk through and sight see for visitors. We were a bit confused with where to park and walk and drove around twice. However, beautiful views and you can bring your pet. It was a very nice spot.
google avatar

Erin T.

Yelp
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful views! This was definitely one of the highlights on my trip to Colorado. We got to the Garden of the Gods around 9:30am and walked around for around 1.5 hours. It seemed to get crowded once we were leaving, so I definitely recommend coming earlier in the morning if you're trying to beat the crowds. Since it was emptier when we were there, it was easier to get the photos that we wanted. The snow was amazing. The scenery is just so tranquil. It was such a unique and spectacular experience. Would strongly recommend coming here on your trip to Colorado!
google avatar

Michele O.

Yelp
This is one of the most beautiful natural parks I've ever visited, with something for everyone! It's not as big as many other impressive parks, but it holds its own in regards to the amount of things to see and do! I ran and hiked some trails the first time I came, and drove the road (6+ miles) the second time. It's totally free, there are tons of parking areas, and it's clean and safe!
google avatar

Mimi W.

Yelp
A scenic park with easy trails, great for the family! No entrance fee and free parking at the visitor's center, which is a quick 15 mins walk to the entrance or a free shuttle ride away. The visitor's center is fairly large with lots of information and displays. Lots of great views from the various trails and photo ops! Some people did rock climbing and kids loved running around and climbing the rocks. Lots of people also brought their dogs for a nice walk. Even on a cool and windy day, the sun got really hot, don't forget your sunscreen!
google avatar

Crissy R.

Yelp
The trip back to see Garden of the Gods was a must, now that I live in Colorado. Admission is free and if you arrive early enough, there is plenty of different locations for parking within the park itself. There is also the option of parking at the visitors center and taking the shuttle. That is also a free option. My roommate and I decided to explore on our own and picked one of the many trails within the park to trek. The weekends can be pretty hectic, but arriving early helped. Garden of the Gods is quite the sight to see and marveling at red rocks is part of the experience. Whether visiting for a short time or staying for a long time, this is definitely a must if in the Colorado Springs area.
google avatar

Lauren R.

Yelp
Garden of the Gods is a must-do for visitors to Colorado. It's easily a 1/2 day activity, if you go to the visitors center, bring a picnic (or eat at the cafe) and do a hike/walk. For folks bringing a stroller or wheeled assistive devices there are several paved paths. The volunteers and staff are super helpful with recommendations of what parts of the park to visit.
google avatar

Thomas S.

Yelp
Nice manned two story visitor center with a small exhibition area. There is a cafe on the second floor with a great view of the Garden of the God's. Bathrooms are large and clean. There are lots of parking spaces.
google avatar

Erik S.

Yelp
Put plainly.. a must visit for lovers of nature's beauty whenever you visit Colorado. This incredible state-owned park was actually gifted to the city of Colorado Springs by the family who originally owned the land when the last surviving family member passed. Their stipulations were that it always be kept open and free to the public to enjoy. They have held true to that promise. Navigating this park is easy, it's mostly a loop that you can casually drive in your car. Definitely recommend parking and taking in several of the sights. If you're willing to take on some slightly more difficult hikes, you can catch excellent views of the surrounding land, especially Pike's peak. The view of Pike's at sunset from the "Siamese Twins" rock formation is one that you should not miss. Once again, it's totally free. You would be missing out on a lot of great hikes and incredible views if you skip this. Check my photos!
google avatar

Viviana O.

Yelp
The Visitor Center is informative, busy and can get loud when packed. Mobile and paper maps of trails are available, as well as paid and complimentary shuttle service or tours. If driving into GG, be careful & patient and be prepared to find (or not) your preferred parking location-- it took us two tries before parking where we wanted. Whatever path you take, go prepared with water & snacks, walking/hiking gets the best of you! Not all locations have bathrooms nearby, so consider that as well, especially if you have kiddos. Otherwise, breathtaking views with both paved & dirt trails. Park Rangers attentive and monitoring busy areas.
google avatar

John B.

Yelp
One drives by many majestic sites on the way here, but this spot is something else. The striking rock formations, distinctive flora and fauna, and the views of distant mountains were all impressive as expected. I underestimated how user-friendly the trails would be. I had to look for parking because it was a busy area, but it was free to enter with no gate, and I found a space reasonably quickly. There was a paved path circling the center of the most striking rock pillars, with occasional historical signage. Other signs continually cautioned the visitor to stay on the path, and not to climb anything big without a permit. The site had enough accessible areas that I think the balance between conservation and visitor experience was reasonable. The surprising downside was they closed all the restrooms for winter, despite it being a beautiful sunny day in early November. To be fair, there were traces of snow on the ground. More rugged paths looped around the inner showcase, and I encountered a few interesting critters. Frequent rustling in the bushes turned out to be not rattlesnakes but birds. If anything, the deer were probably more dangerous, given the risks of a tick bite. Even given the plethora of outdoor sights in the greater Denver area, this one was certainly worth going out of my way for.
google avatar

Chastity W.

Yelp
Lovely trail. Easy to walk with children or dogs. The horse poop can be annoying but other wise amazing views.
google avatar

Jonathan N.

Yelp
This is a great spot for a nature walk!. There are trails for miles that take you to many interesting rock formations. Go early and you can have the place to yourself. There are several good viewing spots and you could have a picnic just about anywhere there. Parking can be tough if you go when its busy.
google avatar

B. Nutz H.

Yelp
*They have drive through and hiking options* Came to CO to visit a friend of mine and watch her graduate from her Master's program. I wanted to see the Garden of Gods- while the other guests she had are not heavy on the hiking side of life we took a drive through GoG and made a short walk/stop for photos. As much as I wanted to get out and hike, I was freezing having just come from CA 90* weather to 49* CO air, so the drive through option was fine. A beautiful sight through protected land, relaxing and good for the soul. Somewhat reminds me of driving saddleback on the big island of HI. Also reminds me of Radiator springs lol Highly recommend whether you are an active thrill seeker or looking for a nice drive with views.
google avatar

Kenji Y.

Yelp
Beautiful, safe and free! It was worth the trip from Denver! Went on a Sunday afternoon and parking was easy. Even with a lot of other people, it was a nice quiet hike. Bring a hat and water because a lot of areas are just open. The hike is very short. I'd say 1-1.5 miles depending on the routes you want to take and mostly flat. One of the easiest hikes you can take, but the sun is rough.
google avatar

Rebecca R.

Yelp
I love visiting Garden of the Gods when I'm in the area. It really has a lot to offer for people of all abilities. The nature center has some interesting exhibits, nice views, food for purchase, and a good gift shop. The park itself is amazing, especially for out of towners who are still amazed by these rock structures. The park is a driving loop with opportunities to pull off and park for mini hikes. You could hike the whole park or do some mini walks to get some fresh air and see the structures up close. The siamese twins trail is a standout with a short hike that most kids can do with a little help up the steps. It has some great photo opportunities and scenic views at the top. The whole park is free and makes a nice activity that can last anywhere from 1 hour to all day depending how much you want to hang around.
google avatar

JiHae L.

Yelp
These are sandstone rocks right near Pikes Peak. There are various trails throughout the park for walkers/ dog walkers, runners, or bikers. There is a visitor center nearby that you can swing by to learn more of this place. The Air Force academy is nearby, and you have to by pass, which is cool to see. You can see Pikes Peak in the background, which is also a destination to get to on the way from Garden of the God's. All the views in this park are scenic and amazing. There are no bad views or places to take pictures here.
google avatar

Allison P.

Yelp
I stopped here with my partner while we were driving through Colorado Springs in May and I'm so glad I did. It was a beautiful place to see! We stopped at the visitor center which had a great gift shop and some good information. The drive through the garden itself was gorgeous. A thunderstorm started to roll in as we were visiting and that made for some great pictures. I would definitely go back!
google avatar

Alessia C.

Yelp
It was such a beautiful scenery Definitely coming back So orange-red! I heard bats and saw close up deer so cute! Highly recommend if you love rocks and mountains
google avatar

J Warren R.

Yelp
This is a magical place for me. I cannot go to Colorado Springs without a visit to the Garden of the Gods. On a recent visit the wildlife was in full show. Big Horn Sheep and deer kept us entertained and on the lookout for more. The Garden of the Gods is such a peaceful, beautiful, natural place. Be sure to get an overview of the park at the Visitor Center, then take time to drive around the loop and then walk the (easy) trails and see some amazing geology and if you are lucky see the Deer and Sheep. Mornings are best. Thanks to Mr. Charles Elliott Perkins who gave these 250 acres to the city "that they be forever free to the public." Here is a philanthropic man who knew the value of natural beauty. You'll need 1-4 hours to enjoy this beautiful garden.
google avatar

Abby T.

Yelp
After walking around the park, we stopped here for souvenirs. There is a lookout that gives the most breathtaking view of the garden of the gods and pikes peak! Their gift shop is so cute and has some very cool t shirts and magnets! I got a magnet and a sticker! Our friends from out of town loved the selection and got a few items. They also have lots of educational stuff, which is so fun! I recommend stopping here after your visit!
google avatar

Gabrielle B.

Yelp
This is a beautiful park that's fun to visit if you're visiting Colorado Springs or fun to go to if you're a local. I recently joined a run club that has helped me to discover some of the amazing trails within the park. It's not always easy to know where to go and I used to always just end up walking on the path which can be very crowded. I much prefer the nature trails that offer incredible views and lots of opportunities for deer sightings.
google avatar

Meg B.

Yelp
I've had the enormous privilege of traveling here since I was a kid, and each time we come back, even into my adulthood, I am completely blown away by it's beauty. Not only is it free to explore, it's very walkable for anyone ranging from 1-101, depending where you go. The colors are goregous and depending when you go, it can be bright in your photos or dark and moody from the richness of the reds and oranges in the rocks. It's definitely worth the drive if you're in Denver, but when we come visit family in CO springs.
google avatar

Henry's T.

Yelp
Trail Series, Part 21 So just as I'm entering the "Garden of the Gods National Natural Landmark," through my speaker I hear Bob Dylan launch into "Knockin' On Heaven's Door." No joke! Coincidence or incredible timing, I'll let you be the judge. Easily accessible from all parts of The Springs, I'm not sure that you can rightfully claim that you've visited this area without stopping here. Hikers, runners, leashed dogs, (more equestrians than I've seen on a trail in quite awhile), rock climbers, and even guided Segway tours are all welcomed here. Although numerous portions of the trails feature challenging sections, there is a wide and paved walkway that provides access to the heart of this landmark for those with mobility concerns. Although ample parking is provided, you may need to walk a bit (especially on weekends and holidays). Admission is free and the views are spectacular (including some of Pikes Peak), so keep that camera handy. Bringing water for everyone in your party is highly recommended and I'd suggest setting aside a minimum of 2 hours for your visit. And that's...Henry's Take. #gardenofthegods #knockinonheavensdoor
google avatar

Vivek D.

Yelp
What an amazing sight! We came here and spent the course of two days enjoying nature and the trails alike. We were amazing walking through the Perkins central garden trails on one day and then spending a good amount of time at the infamous Balanced Rock, taking plenty of photos and hiking around. All of this can be done in a day, but it's worth splitting over two if possible. The visitor center is also pretty cool with its exhibits and viewpoints. I recommend everyone to visit.