Visiting Garden of the Gods in Colorado offers an exquisite landscape with hiking trails for all abilities. Here's what you need to know for your first visit.
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It’s comprised of giant red rock formations that were created during a geological upheaval along a fault line millions of years ago.
Balancing Rock
How was Garden of the Gods named?
In August 1859, two surveyors arrived in Colorado City (now Colorado Springs). While exploring locations, they came upon a beautiful area of sandstone formations. M.S. Beach suggested that it would be “a capital place for a beer garden,” when the country grew up. Beach’s companion, Rufus Cable, exclaimed, “Beer Garden! Why it is a fit place for the Gods to assemble. We will call it the Garden of the Gods.” And the name stuck.
In August 1859, two surveyors arrived in Colorado City (now Colorado Springs). While exploring locations, they came upon a beautiful area of sandstone formations. M.S. Beach suggested that it would be “a capital place for a beer garden,” when the country grew up. Beach’s companion, Rufus Cable, exclaimed, “Beer Garden! Why it is a fit place for the Gods to assemble. We will call it the Garden of the Gods.” And the name stuck.
If You Go
Begin your visit of the Garden of the Gods at the Visitor and Nature Center. There you’ll find hands-on interactive exhibits of the wildlife that lives in and around the park. Be sure to pick up a map of the hiking/biking trails (I’ve included a map at the end of the post too).
The best way to see and truly appreciate the park is to walk (or hike) one of the many trails. The 700 hundred ton Balanced Rock is best viewed this way.
Begin your visit of the Garden of the Gods at the Visitor and Nature Center. There you’ll find hands-on interactive exhibits of the wildlife that lives in and around the park. Be sure to pick up a map of the hiking/biking trails (I’ve included a map at the end of the post too).
The best way to see and truly appreciate the park is to walk (or hike) one of the many trails. The 700 hundred ton Balanced Rock is best viewed this way.
It was fun to be close up and be able to touch something that is millions of years old. And, of course, you have to take the obligatory photo(s).
There are more than 15 miles of trails in the park. The Perkins Central Garden Trail is a 1 1/2 paved trail that is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
When you get to the top of the trail you are facing the “Siamese Twins” rock formation. It looks as if they are attached in the middle, hence the name.
When you get to the top of the trail you are facing the “Siamese Twins” rock formation. It looks as if they are attached in the middle, hence the name.
Right below where the twins are attached is this natural framed view of another amazing sight–Pikes Peak!
If you are short on time, you can drive through the 1,367 acres and see many of the remarkable rock formations.
Both the park and the visitor center are free.
Have you visited Garden of the Gods? What is your favorite rock formation? Do you have any favorite hikes?
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