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Garden of the Gods: Colorado Springs
Date Hiked: September 26, 2017 & March 10, 2018
Length: 4-15 mi
Elevation Gain: 593 ft
Starting Elevation: 6520 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Distance from Denver: 1 hr 10 min
Sarah’s Ranking: 8/10
Total Hike Time: 1-4 hr
Parking: free, large lot
Best Time: Year Round
Features: Geologic Formations
Additional Information: AllTrails
About the Area:
Garden of the Gods is located in the city of Colorado Springs. The city itself is an amazing place to visit. There are so many incredible things to do, see, and hike! Among the most popular and most breathtaking attractions is Garden fo the Gods. This amazing, fictional looking landscape is a geologic and historical masterpiece.
The park is made up of 15 miles of trails with five different major hiking adventures. It also includes rock climbing opportunities, bicycle paths, and hosts numerous events including 5K runs. In addition, the park maintains a beautiful visitor center that displays informational exhibits including the identity of a brand new dinosaur species and movie theater! Both the park and visitor center are completely free to visit and park. If you’re interested in watching the park’s historical movie, the prices are incredibly cheap. Current park and visitor center hours can be found HERE.
How to Get There:
The Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center and parking lot is located HERE and the main hiking parking lot is located HERE. There are dozens of other parking options that can be found on this map.
From Denver, drive on I-25 South for about 64 miles. Once in Colorado Springs, you will take exit 146 and stay to the right to merge onto W Garden of the Gods Road. Stay on this for 2.3 miles, then take a left onto N 30th street. After a little over a mile, you will arrive in the park with the visitor center on your left.
Tip: The entrance to the Glen Eyrie Castle is located on your right about three-quarters of a mile before the visitor center! They are usually hosting large events here so be cautious and courteous.
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What to Bring:
For every hike, I am always sure to bring the ten hiking essentials and a good pair of sturdy hiking boots. The ten essentials are crucial to a comfortable and safe day of hiking and have saved me in a few extreme cases!
Most Iconic Hike in Colorado: Rocks & Vistas Loop
We have adventured into the Garden of the Gods Park numerous times now, and will probably continue to do so. It is a great place for a quick and easy hike and a wonderful place to bring visitors.
Our first time visiting the Garden of the Gods was on a blustery autumn afternoon. The park was nearly empty and we had the place to ourselves!
We began our journey at the Visitor Center. First, we explored each informational exhibit which, as a geologist, I was all about. We also studied the well made 3D map of the park they have in the visitor center before we were on our way! Apparently, we missed the fact that there are plenty of other parking locations while looking at the map because we eagerly just trecked all the way to the park from here.
Once we reached the official paths, we were greeted by giant red rock formations and wide paved pathways. The rock formations jet straight up and are quite the site to see!
We decided to hike around the formations and up to a few different viewpoints. On our way, we saw a few rock climbing groups (if you’re interested in rock climbing here, check out their information page).
We spent nearly three hours total in the park, both in the visitor center and around the trails but could have spent countless more exploring all of the other amazing hiking opportunities.
What’s Nearby?
Like I have mentioned before, Colorado Springs is a spectacular place to explore! For more outdoor adventures, you could hike the popular 14er Pikes Peak or Seven Falls. There is also the Glen Eyrie Castle, Cave of the Winds Mountain Park and the fascinating Manitou Cliff Dwellings.
As for food, the best place, hands down, we have visited is the Mountain Shadows Restaurant! It was made famous by Diners, Drive Ins and Dives and definitely lives up to the hype!
Tips:
- Arrive early to ensure a parking spot in the main hiking parking lot.
- If you don’t get a spot in the main lot, fear not! Here is a map with all of the parking options.
- Be sure to check out the visitor center while you are there! It worth your time and is free!
- Check the weather before you leave. Here is a live webcam to see current conditions.
- Don’t forget your ten hiking essentials before you leave for the trails!
- Pin this post for later!
Curious to see more dinosaurs? HERE is a great dinosaur hike just outside of Denver!
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