Colorado has some amazing nature and it’s a great state to visit. The Rocky Mountains are of course a huge draw but there is a lot more to see and do off the slopes. There are great hikes to find, rafting to do in the Colorado River, waterfalls to find…it’s just a great place to be outdoors. I grew up taking family road trips to Colorado and I’ve been more times than I can even remember. One of the more unique places I’ve seen is Garden of the Gods. It has some crazy rock formations and is a stunning place. Here are my Garden of the Gods pictures and some things to do while you’re there!
About Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is a National Natural Landmark in Colorado Springs. It’s one of the most popular attractions in Colorado, alongside Rocky Mountain National Park, Mesa Verde and Pike’s Peak.
Mostly, people go to take in the scenery. It has some beautiful spots and formations to see. But it’s also a great place for some hiking and rock climbing. I wouldn’t say you need the whole day here. You can make it as long or as short of a visit as you like.
Trip Notes:
- There is a cafe on the property if you need a pit stop.
- The park is open from 5am-9pm so you can catch those sunrise and sunset shots. The best part about it is that admission to the park and visitors center is free!
- There are some add-ons that may require a fee. The guided nature walks are $5 per person and any rentals or additional tours would be additional.
- There’s also no camping in Garden of the Gods!
Note: As of February 2021, Commercial Photography is under consideration for a professional permit. If you plan on shooting Garden of the Gods pictures commercially, you may need to purchase a permit in the future. Likewise, any drone photography here requires a permit. Check for information here.
Things to Do at Garden of the Gods
Like I said before, Garden of the Gods is a nature place. You can hike around, walk leisurely or you can even just stay in your car and drive around.
Hike the Trails
There are several trails throughout the Garden of the Gods park. Here are some of the more popular trails to do:
- The Perkins Central Garden Trail (1.5 mi RT) is probably the most popular trail and it’s also the easiest. It’s a paved trail that takes you around some of the tallest formations (and has little incline!). You can also see the Kissing Camels rock formation on this trail.
- Siamese Twins Trail (.5 mi RT) takes you to two rocks that are ‘twins’. The two rocks create a window where you can see Pike’s Peak through the space between them.
- The Chambers Trail (3 miles) is a more moderate hike with rocky terrain and inclines less that 250 feet.
- The Buckskin Charlie Trail (1 mile) is a moderate, rocky loop through the park and you get distant views of the Central Garden from here.
- Ridge Trail (.5 mile RT) is moderate with less than 150 feet incline and let’s you see the rocks from a higher perspective.
See the Balanced Rock
One of the popular formations is the Balanced Rock. It’s pretty big and you drive right by it. It actually sort of creates a little rock wall to drive through. There’s a parking lot right next to it so it’s easy to get our and snap a picture.
Drive to the Most Popular Photo Spot
If you’re wanting to know where the most popular Garden of the Gods pictures are taken, it’s here. This spot. If you exit the parking lot from the main Perkins Central Garden Trail, there’s a little pull off just around the corner. This shot gives you a great perspective of the angled rocks jutting out of the earth.
Go Mountain Biking
You can take any of the designated mountain biking trails, as it’s only allowed off road. But you may be sharing the trails with hikers and/or horses!
Go Rock Climbing
There are evidently several spots you can rock climb around the area but before you do, you’ll need to get a rock climbing permit.
Visit the Trading Post
There’s also a trading post on-site that is a gift shop/art gallery. You can find your typical souvenirs as well as some Native American crafts. The trading post was actually built in the 1920’s and has kept it’s original look (from the outside anyway).
Be prepared for heavy crowds when you visit. The main scenic drive is one-way at times, so if you get stuck in traffic, you’ll be waiting awhile. It might also be hard to find parking if that’s the case. Obviously weekends and the warmer months will be busier.
But that still shouldn’t deter you. IF it’s busier, you can always switch trails and do a less crowded one or come at a different time of day (earlier in the morning or later in the evening).
Exploring Garden of the Gods is a highlight and a great way to spend the afternoon. If you’re in or around Colorado Springs, definitely check it out!
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The landscape here is incredible – I would love to visit and go on a hike!
It’s a great place to explore! Lots of good hikes in Colorado!
Wow, never heard of the Garden of th eGods but it looks absolutely amazing! I hope we can soon fly across the Atlantic, definitely putting this on the list for oiur next USA visit 🙂
Definitely! Colorado has some great places to see.