Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods is a registered National Natural Landmark featuring 300-foot towering red rock formations against a backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak. The park spans 1,367 acres of dramatic geology—and admission is completely free.

The ancient sandstone formations began forming 300 million years ago, tilted vertically by the same geological forces that created the Rocky Mountains. Names like Balanced Rock, Kissing Camels, and Cathedral Spires hint at the imaginative shapes nature has carved over millennia.

Located just minutes from downtown Colorado Springs, the park welcomes over two million visitors annually. Despite the crowds, morning visits and weekday trips offer peaceful moments among these ancient giants. Whether you're hiking, rock climbing, or simply photographing the stunning scenery, Garden of the Gods delivers one of Colorado's most memorable experiences.

Admission: Free. The park is owned by Colorado Springs and has been free since it was donated in 1909 with the condition it remain free forever.

Hours: Open daily 5am to 9pm (summer) or 5am to 7pm (winter). The Visitor & Nature Center operates 9am-5pm with exhibits, gift shop, and cafe.

Best Time to Visit: Arrive before 8am or after 4pm to avoid crowds. Weekday mornings are least crowded. Spring and fall offer ideal weather and fewer visitors than summer.

Parking: Free parking lots throughout the park. Main lots fill by 10am on summer weekends—use the overflow lot and take the free shuttle, or park at the Trading Post and walk in.

Photography Tip: Sunrise lights up the east-facing rocks in brilliant orange. The Siamese Twins viewpoint frames Pikes Peak perfectly through the rock window.

Manitou Springs: Charming mountain town just south of the park with shops, restaurants, mineral springs, and the Pikes Peak Cog Railway.

Garden of the Gods Trading Post: Historic 1920s building with Native American art, local crafts, and a cafe. Free parking and restrooms.

Red Rock Canyon Open Space: Less crowded alternative just south of Garden of the Gods with similar red rock formations and excellent hiking trails.

Devil's Backbone: Loveland's dramatic hogback ridge with hiking trails through tilted sandstone fins. Less crowded than Boulder's Flatirons with equal drama.

Horsetooth Reservoir: Fort Collins' backyard playground with hiking, swimming, and rock formations along the shore. Combine with Old Town for a perfect day.

Maroon Bells: Colorado's most photographed peaks with alpine lakes and easy hiking. Different geology but equally iconic.