Garden of the Gods park is free
On a recent road trip through Colorado, we decided to make a stop in Colorado Springs to see Garden of the Gods which is a National Natural Landmark. I was excited to learn that this park is free.
interactive, educational visitors center
Our family enjoyed walking through the educational exhibits at the Visitor Center, which is also free. We learned that a new species of dinosaur was discovered here. Inside the Visitors Center you can also shop for souvenirs or grab a bite to eat.
outstanding views of pikes peak
From the Visitor Center viewing deck you can see Pikes Peak which reaches over 14,000 ft. in elevation. You can also see prominent rocks inside Garden of the Gods including (left to right) Gray Rock, South Gateway Rock, and North Gateway Rock.
unique Red rock formations
We took a drive around Garden of the Gods to spot some of the most well known rock formations including Balanced Rock, Twin Spires, and Siamese Twins.
kid-friendly hiking trails
We chose to hike on the Ridge Trail which is only a half mile round trip. We parked in the South Parking lot and climbed up through the red rocks. We enjoyed the unique landscape and surrounding views. Here is a map with additional hiking trails to explore.
Our visit was fast, fun, and free! Garden of the Gods and the surrounding area has much more to see. We look forward to returning to Colorado Springs in the future. You can learn more about planning a trip to Garden of the Gods at gardenofthegods.com.
rocky mountain tot 