Does it cost money to get into the Garden of the Gods?
If you only have time for one trail, the paved Central Garden Trail is the best introduction to the geology and plants of the Garden. Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center is a Trip Advisor traveler's choice for the #1 park in the US. Admission to the park and the state-of-the-art visitor center is free.
We welcome all visitors to the Garden of the Gods to enjoy access to all open areas of the Park. To make sure that everyone can enjoy the park, your usage of trails, building structures, or equipment may not impede other guests or permitted commercial users. Commercial Use permits are non-exclusive.
What is the secret cave in the Garden of the Gods?
In the fall of 1848 a trapper named Jacob Spaulding discovered a great cavern hidden inside North Gateway Rock in the Garden of the Gods. The entrance was on the west side of the rock. It was nothing but a small, smooth hole - with barely enough room for a man to squeeze through.
Looking to sit down and enjoy a meal, join us in our café for breakfast and lunch. We feature a wide variety of faire, serving the needs of our vegan, vegetarian and gluten free friendly patrons. Voted Best Restaurant for Tourists 2024!
Can you do Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods in one day?
Yes you can visit both Garden of the Gods Park and Pikes Peak in one day. The trip up Pikes Peak via the Cog Railway or the Pikes Peak highway takes approx. 3 hours round trip.
Driving yourself through Garden of the Gods is free and only takes about 20 minutes (depending on how fast the car in front of you is going!) We still recommend you stop by the Trading Post for a map, but the loop is pretty easy to follow and most of the main formations are visible from the road.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the natural wonders of Garden of the Gods with this self-guided driving and walking tour. Discover red rock formations which rival Sedona—just an hour's drive from Denver! Marvel at Balanced Rock as it seems to defy the laws of physics.
Do not remove any of the park's natural features (rocks, plants, animals). There are many camping areas nearby. Stop by the Visitor & Nature Center for a list of locations where camping is allowed. Please note the park closes each night and there are no overnight stays.
The Garden of the Gods was gifted to the city of Colorado Springs in 1909 under 5 rules. One of which is that it remains forever free to the citizens of Colorado Springs. The city has long since expanded that rule to the general public, allowing millions of people to explore, and enjoy the Park without any fees. . .
The Pikes Peak Highway entrance is conveniently located just 15 minutes west of Colorado Springs on Highway 24 (see map). Plan for your roundtrip journey to the summit to take 2-3 hours.
Garden of the Gods can be explored by foot, car, or biking with hiking trails and bike lanes throughout the park. There are some wheelchair accessible trails. There are 16 hiking trails that range from 0.25 miles to 6 miles. Most of the trails are relatively easy, but there are a few trails with rockier terrains.
But there's more to this sky-scraping path than sheer beauty: this odyssey, which can anywhere take from 3 to 5 hours, boasts three different starting points and various loops.
Garden of the Gods is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Colorado Springs. The prominent landmark ascending from the ground with Pike's Peak looming high above in the background is considered a “must-see” for first-time visitors.
Explore the many walking trails along the way to get a close-up view of the stunning rock features including the Tower of Babel, Kissing Camels, and Montezuma Tower. Driving through Garden of the Gods gives a stunning insight into the unique sandstone formations that have evolved over 270 million years.
Can you hike the Path of the Gods without a guide?
Definitely don't need a guide. Yes, the walk from Bomerano to Nocelle is best Take the bus down from Nocelle to Positano, don't take the steps. I am not using a guide. But we are experienced hikers.
How hard is Garden of the Gods? Garden of the Gods is considered a moderate hike that covers 0.3 mi, with an elevation gain of 95 ft. It takes about 0.5–1 hr to complete. Moderate trails often feature gradual climbs or obstacles like rocks or roots.
