Garden of the Gods Reviews

We are 50 something teachers from the eastern part of the US.
Garden of the gods is a beautiful if small example of nature's geology.
Where we struggled with it is how commercialized it is. When you arrive you are greeted by a " cowboy " who looks like they just stepped out of a western. You can take a tour in bus that looks like something out of the Beverly Hillbillies. Upstairs you can buy a map of the attractions...or a ticket to the movie.
You get the idea
With that said the self guided tour is nice might take you 45 minutes and the walking trails are well laid out and easy to follow.
If you are passing through it's a nice stop but we don't think it is place that you would want to spend more than an hour or 2

Upon arrival, I was immediately impressed by the aesthetic appeal of the location and everything around it. The amazing rocks, sculpture! 🤩⛰️ #Arrival #Rocks #Sculpture

My brother, sister-in-law and I went to visit the Garden of the Gods. My mother's wishes when she passed were to have her ashes scattered there. We did the driving route and stopped at many of the scenic pull-offs. There were great hiking trails for all abilities, some paved and some dirt paths. I only wished I had more time to do more hikes!

First of all, this is FREE to visit & is a really well kept places with facilities & remarkable views throughout the park. You'd be foolish to miss the opportunity to visit this place, If you possibly can, try to visit at sunrise or sunset to capture some remarkable views. It was extremely busy during the day (we went back 3 times). Absolutely stunning.

Magnificent setting. We did a jeep tour through the park and farther into the mountains. Our guide Arrow was informative and entertaining. Highly recommend doing a jeep tour. The visitor center and gift shop is good. Prices are what you expect at specialty stores on site, high.

We drove from nearby Hotel to the Garden of Gods one hour before sunset. There are a few of viewings parking spots along the oneway driving circle. Having taken landscapes pictures, we had tons of the happy smiling photos.

We went on a jeep tour which included going over to see Helen Hunt falls and a trip down the old railway route and through two of the tunnels - amazing views into the valley below. Great tour around Valley of the Gods too. Rounder was a great driver and very knowledgeable.

We also drove around the park by ourselves the next day at a different time, amazing how the change in light makes the rocks look so different. Lucky enough to see a small herd of Bighorn.

Been here a couple times now and it is beautiful each time. It does get very busy so parking maybe a bit of a hassle, but worth it to get out and walk around.

We had no idea this area existed. And we were amazed with wonder. What a beautiful area. If I were more prepared I would have hiked around... if our stay was longer, do a run around the park. I wonder if it's about a 5K.

We drove around and stopped and gazed a bit... but would love to come back and experience it more.

Saw some wildlife - bighorn sheep - which caused a traffic jab for a while... pretty cool that they were there, sitting, relaxing... it was quite the site.

Beautiful place to hike and walk around. You will need to get here early because in the afternoon it’s almost impossible to find a parking place.

I was surprised to learn that this beautiful area is a free public park. As such, it is very popular, and finding parking can be tough. The signature trail is the paved Perkins Central Garden Trail, which has the biggest formations, but is also most crowded.

I also hiked the Scotsman and Siamese Twins Trails, which were a little quieter. If you're looking for a more serene experience, definitely arrive early (the park opens at 5 AM). The visitor center is nice and features exhibits, a gift shop, and a cafe.

This has to be seen to be appreciated. I'd ike to thank Charles Elliot Perkins and his family for donating the Garden of the Gods to the State of Colorado so that it will be explored by all for free forever. What a gift.

Absolutely, breathtaking! We hiked around and there wasnt a bad view. Very clean and beautiful surroundings. I will go back and hike

Gorgeous… it was excellently named. This place is beautiful. There are sooo many photo spots. The trails are great. We took picture after picture. It was such a great place with such great views. Amazing rock formations. Saw a herd of mountain goats — up close. Loved the day here.

Absolutely beautiful experience. The trolley tour was reasonably priced and a great way to scope everything out before you drive/walk around. Driver is very knowledgeable. Highly recommend.

Exceptional, easy to reach from the main road.
Free access, ample parking, sanitary facilities.
Breathtaking views
Not to be missed

Excellent visitors center. Would have liked a paper map but they only had QR code to website. Large gift shop with good sized cafe. Took shuttle which was very popular. Not enough parking along the loop. Very large trading post with food and gifts.

Great hike for the family. If you like history this one is cool and it’s free. Can get crowded and very few parking spots so make sure you come earlier in the day.

Absolutely amazing! My favorite part about this is the balancing rock!! I have no idea how it never moves but it’s been there for life!

This was a beautiful natural area that is worth the visit. Parking can be difficult, but if you continue driving and are willing to walk, there is space further down. The hiking trails are moderately intense with some hills but should be doable for most. It definitely requires a few hours to adequately explore but can also be visited in an hour.

This was a wonderful experience. We watched the $6.00, 14-minute information film at the visitor's center. We did the free drive-through tour with the rock formations. We tailgated in the shaded part of the parking lot. We were glad we watched the film because they did not have free printed information only scan-on-your-phone.

Gorgeous landscape just 90 minutes from Denver. Colorado is filled with beautiful vistas and unique features but the Garden of the Gods is not to be missed.

So wish we’d had more time to spend here! Easy to walk trail with benches along the way. Beautiful scenery and birds.

It's good to stop by the visitor center first so you can understand the park better. You can drive through the park. Most of it is one way and you have to go about 10 miles an hour and cannot stop unless they're designated parking or areas to get to the side of the road.
It's just beautiful here. You can see the multiple pictures posted already with the red rocks. You can hike many trails as well. The visitor shop has coffee, tea and ice cream and they are very helpful to navigate you through the Park and nearby areas.
If you are near Colorado Springs or in Denver, you should definitely rent a car and drive 85 miles to get there.
Afterward, you could drive into the small town of Manito Springs and there are lots of shops and places to eat.

I visited the Garden of the Gods many times over the years. This year I avoided the main part with the paved walk ways as it is always crowed. Instead we went to a backside trial. You still get great views, but you walking on dirt trials that can be a little ruff. No matter were you go in the park you get great views.

So beautiful & free! One of my favorite parks if not my favorite. There are paved walkways and unpaved hikes. Long hikes short hikes. You can drive through and park at spots and hike a bit (go early some spots have limited parking). It’s gorgeous and lots of different levels of sightseeing & hiking etc. wish I went every day. Just amazing. Trading post is big and great as well.

Was very similar to Arches and the Badlands in that you can drive the park and see much from the road.. lots of parking lots and overlooks... we parked by Balance Rock. Hiked the Siamese Twins trail .. a few other short hikes too .. spent around 3 hours.. can also be biked and they rent bikes I believe

This gigantic park is breathtaking and a truly stunning experience, and a wonderful way to enjoy nature at its finest. There are plenty of trails to hike and gorgeous views - I didn't see a single bad view in the entire park. The air felt crisp and clean, which made the experience even better; it was abundantly clear that they take very good care of this park. The Visitors' Center was thoughtfully organized, with exhibits on the geological history, the Nuu-ciu people who've lived here for generations, and the flora and fauna in the park. It was a bit crowded when we arrived, even though it's the off-season, so thankfully we didn't come over the summer.

It was amazing it was the best thing since Jurassic Park I'm telling you I'm definitely going to go back sometime soon. Such a beautiful view it's unexplainable to put in words you'll just have to check it out yourself hopefully sooner the better because Colorado is the Dopest.

This is amazing! We stopped in the Visitor & Nature Center before driving the Park. You will find an interactive Museum exhibits, Souvenir shop, Cafe. The drive through the park has many stops to go and take a hike.

Such an amazing spot with incredible views and plenty of great hiking trails. Everywhere you turn, there’s another picture-perfect view — seriously one of the best places for photos. We went in October, and the weather was perfect — not too hot, not too cold. Just a little tip: watch out for bees, especially if you’re stopping for a snack. Definitely a must-see if you’re in the area!

Views were incredible! We went on a day where it had snowed and was really cold so we didn’t walk around too much. You can drive through if you don’t want to walk, the park is free! We went to the Red Leg Brewery afterwards down the street about a mile and it was fantastic!

Must visit!! We visited twice during our visit. Once at sunset and once during the day. The colors on the rocks are incredible. We drove around the entire loop several times. Next visit we will hike around. Highly recommend!

Gorgeous rock formations. Other worldly. Flat walk, either hard packed trail or concrete walkways, depending upon where one parks.

We went a bit after 11 on a weekday and tried several parking lots before waiting a few minutes for an opening in parking lot 10.

We intended to do the large loop but somehow routed ourselves to a shorter inner loop. Walked about an hour and a half, including picture stops and rest stops

It's a place one could spend many hours at.

Bouldering requires a permit. Seeing a No Climbing sign, I told some people standing on the rocks for pictures to get down, only to see up close the sign read No Climbing above 10 feet.

Lots of strollers. Not many wheelchairs or motorized assistive devices, but they would have little to no problem.

No trash on the pathways. Yay respect!

A visit to the Garden of the Gods is other-worldly. We started with the visitor center, where you'll find the most breathtaking scenery you've ever seen in a gift shop or a snack bar! We took the 1909 Trolley Tour for a great quick overview of the park and the amazing rock structures. Later, we came back and drove through those same formations in our own car with a guided online tour (URL available in the visitor center) and the ability to stop along the way. There's also lots of hiking and other tours available. This is a spot not to be missed.

This place is amazing and a natural beauty and should not be missed. Allow a good 3-4 hours to really experience the different areas. Best part is it's completely free. Paid tours are available but we opted to grab a map and explore ourselves and do not regret that. Parking can be difficult during busy periods.

Excellent free attraction to stop off at in Colorado Springs. I took advantage of a break on a drive from Denver to Pueblo and walked around the red rock formations for about 45 minutes before continuing on.

There's bathrooms and clean, well maintained walking paths. Ample parking on a Monday at around 1pm.

If you miss this while in the Springs you’ll be sorry. It amazing how these rocks jut out of the ground. There are multiple trails to hike in and around the stones. They change color depending on the time of day and it’s free. The visitors center is great to walk through. It’s located in Old Colorado Springs. Definitely go if you’re in the vicinity.

Took the trolley tour bus around the entire location. Driver was Sidewinder who provided a fun, humorous and educational tour. Involved many passengers and taught us so much. He enjoys his work as was clear to see and was a highlight if our Colorado trip. Don't miss this tour!

Garden of the Gods is an absolutely stunning place! There’s plenty of space to walk, and the views are breathtaking from every angle. The trails are well-maintained, making it a great spot for a relaxing stroll or a more active hike. Our dog loves walking here (always on a leash, of course), and it’s the perfect way to start our weekend mornings. My favorite view is the rock formation that looks like two camels kissing such a unique sight! Whether you’re a nature lover, photographer, or just looking for a peaceful escape, this place is a must-visit.

There were so many paths we could not have done them all.
We chose to rent electric bikes from in town and they were delivered to Garden of the Gods. There were a lot of people there but I never felt rushed or overcrowded. Simply beautiful

Took the trolley tour and Gizmo was our guide. 5 stars for such a jungle cruise like experience. Also mentioned the Colorado City Creamery has 68 flavors including Butter Brickle which my husband has been on the hunt for since 1987 and was sooooo happy to go get some. Beautiful views, nice weather, sunset time would be gorgeous!

Absolutely stunning park! Garden of the Gods is accesible and has just the right amount of trails for a nice walk. Try the winter months instead of the summer!

I have visited Garden of the Gods twice and I love it. Once we hiked through and the other time we took a Segway tour. What a beautiful park. The rock formations are amazing. There are beautiful plants, birds and Big Horn Sheep.

The views were incredible. This was a beautiful place to get out and walk around. We could have stayed here much longer than we did.

Definitely a must see on your sight seeing itinerary. We really appreciated that it was free to visit. Also, pretty great that you can explore the gardens walking, driving, biking, horse back riding, or on a tour.

I highly recommend, especially if you enjoy the outdoors. This place is beautiful & amazing. We saw mule deer, I believe they're called, that didn't even run away. I also would suggest getting there early. We got there about 730 & there wasn't a bunch of people. So it was quiet & peaceful. Not a lot of rush, rush like when we were leaving. Definitely worth visiting. Quite a bit of walking. I had a purse/ back pack which helped a lot.

We stopped here on our way from Estes Park , Co to the Great Sand Dunes NP.
This isn't a quick stop if you plan to walk around the paths or explore. The 1st thing you need to do is stop at the information Visitor Center so you have some kind of idea of what the history is and what you are looking at. It's pretty and you can either walk, hike or drive around it if you chose.
We had planned to go to the town to have lunch but time got away from us .
There is an amazing gift store there. You could easily stay in that place for 45 minutes or more depending on what your might be looking for. Sad to report we only went in to use the bathroom.

We purchased the Jeep Tour of Garden of the Gods and it was well worth the money! Our driver, Ponderosa, was fantastic!!! The best way to get the most out of experiencing the Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs!

A really well done park (of course nature and creation did the heavy lifting). The rock formations are so interesting and the walk paths take you close to many of them. I would have welcomed a little more signage but that's a minor complaint.

While getting out and walking is the best way to see everything, I would equally recommend driving through the entire park.

Beautiful park! Loved all of the rock formations, don’t miss this free stop! We did the driving tour, my husband and son took one hike. It does get hot and parking lots fill up fast, so go as early on the morning as you manage!

We visited this gorgeous natural area on a Friday, and it was very busy. Nevertheless, it is a stunningly beautiful park, and the red rocks, lush green mountain trees and meadows, deep blue skies, and fluffy white cotton candy clouds are not easily forgotten.

The park is fairly compact with a one-way road for drive through visitors. There are a few lots and pullouts along the road, but they were all understandably pretty crowded. Still, we always found a spot. These spots allow you to get out of the car and get much more personal views of the beautiful rock features that are the star here. Do not stop outside of these parking areas! The park rangers are vigilant in their enforcement of the park rules.

Better yet, park at the very nice visitor center (terrific museum and gift shop with food service) and walk through the park. There are wide, smooth trails with only modest slope in most places. Much is pretty level. This is really the best way to see it, IMO.

It’s probably best avoided on weekends if you don’t like crowds, but this park is a real gem, with more amazing scenery per square inch than most places, and I live near Yosemite, so that’s really a solid endorsement! If you’re in the Colorado Springs area, don’t miss it!

The views of the red rocks are amazing! A great place to hike (with plenty of water) and take in the scenery. Also enjoyed seeing deer and other wild life. Nature at its best!

Absolutely incredible, we could not stop taking photos! What a beautiful place to walk around and enjoy the majestic scenery around you. We went very early to avoid the midday sun and heat in August which worked out really well! Absolutely worth every second spent here. Remember your sun screen and water to stay hydrated!

This park is absolutely stunning and FREE to visit. You can drive through and stop at all the lookouts, you can hike or ride, something everyone should do and not to miss to visit this gem. This is small example of nature's geology and canvas of spectacular landscape, hence infinite photo opportunities for visitors.

The large red rock formations are absolutely breathtaking, and the trails are well marked and easy to follow. Garden of the Gods is a spectacular place to hike and to see beautiful scenery. Its truly a prime attraction in Colorado Springs. We all thoroughly enjoyed our stay over there.

Outstanding stop! Worth the visit. Wear sturdy shoes, no flip-flops. parking is a little confusing, just park as soon as you find a spot. It is free to visit and park. The welcome center is recommended as well, it has a great view of Pikes Peak.

What a beautiful place to walk amongst these beautiful rocks. The trails are mostly flat but little shade as the day was close to 90

Great place to walk around and enjoy the Beauty of the Colorado. Very easy to walk here on paved trail. Has rock climbing areas as well.

If you are nearby it is worth seeing!! One sunny afternoon, the beauty of the colors of the mountains was beautiful advisable to see with children!!

Beautiful rock formations. Nice visitor center with a video—for a fee. Can drive thru in about an hour. Some hikes if you want to.

The Visitor Center is excellent with great views of the red rocks, animal and geologic displays. Maps are all digital. There is now a free shuttle to the entrance, which is likely a good idea, so one does not have to try to find a parking space in the limited parking available.
Insufficient parking is a problem.. The drive around the park reveals lovely, massive formations. Climbing to the Balanced Rock is easily accomplished.

We have been to the garden of gods every year probably for the last five years. It never gets old. It’s absolutely wonderful. It’s clean. It’s well. Kept in a wonderful place to visit.

Our group of 4 visited on Saturday. It was a little crowded but so worth it. The scenery is amazing. So many photo opportunities. I would love to visit again.

If you like the mountains, rock spires and natural beauty this place is for you. It is an amazing national treasure preserved from its start due to the recognized unique wonder it is. In the late 1800's the founder of Colardo Springs asked a friend, Charles Ellito Perkins, to purchase the land for a mere ~$10,500. And that benefactor kept this place open to the public despite it being private land and after his death his children carried on his wishes and donated it to the city under the stipulation it must always be free to the public there be no alcohol on site, no construction not necessary to preserve the park, and that it must always keep its name of Garden of the Gods. And thanks to the Perkins Family, this national treasure remains a pristine natural wonder for all to enjoy.

Our visit to Garden of the Gods was one to be remembered. My wife and I had the pleasure of going on several site seeing events while in Colorado Springs. One of our most memorable moments was our Jeep tour of the Garden of the Gods with "the Axman." Axman, in a word was AWESOME! From the time we hopped in the Rojo, the good time didn't stop until we were safely back at the visitor center. Axman provided insight on the castle, majestic rock formations, and history of Colorado Springs. The tour of Garden of the Gods was our last event in Colorado Springs and thanks to Axman, one we will never forget. When you go to the Garden of the Gods and decide to take the Jeep tour, be sure to request ..."The Axman".

Unpopular opinion: Garden of the Gods is overrated and frustrating.

Hear me out. My husband and I like to hike and I heard good things from multiple people so after doing the manitou incline, we headed over to hike through the park

Maybe that’s where we went wrong, is hoofing it instead of driving it. The trails are a web of not-well-labeled paths. The trails were wide and well used but it was the lack of any sort of directional guide. We had a paper map but was hard to figure out where you’re at. Using either Apple Maps or AllTrails would have probably been the best option but cell service is limited and the heat of the afternoon over heated my phone and killed my battery (when we did have service).

Like others have mentioned, horse poo everywhere. We got frustrated with the trails and didn’t find the views to be anything great so we gave up.

Maybe drive it and park at the sights instead of getting lost in the web.

Absolutely beautiful. Several short hikes. Fee, but opportunity to donate and well worth it. So lucky this is available to all.

I was researching places to travel with my family, and Colorado Springs came up. I was curious to visit and decided to host my family at the Garden Of the Gods Club and Resort because I wanted to have a view of the tourist attractions of Colorado Springs. When I arrived at the resort, I was mesmerized by the beauty of The Garden of Gods Park! The best thing is to wake up have lunch and dinner admiring this beauty. My first day of hiking was so magical that I completed all the trails in one day. The day was beautiful, and the energy of the place was unique. My son and my husband did it on horseback, and they loved it. I highly recommend this trip with family or friends—it is the perfect place for hiking.

The place is free! It is gorgeous. We rode the trolley with Santa Fe as our guide. He was very informative. We were able to see bighorn sheep!

Garden of the Gods is a spectacular place to hike. This was our first time, and the hikes we took were perfect for senior citizens who love to hike and see beautiful scenery.

We arrived at 8:15 on a Monday, and drove straight to parking lot 2. It was about 75% full. We took the beautiful, paved “Central Garden Trail”, which goes by the main large rock formations. It was spectacular and wasn’t too crowded. We took the “Upper loop trail” as a branch off the garden trail, and hiked up to some fabulous views. We walked back to our car via the garden trail, and the parking lot was almost full.

We drove to parking lot 14, and hiked the Siamese Twins trail, which was fun. Then we drove to Balanced Rock, which was fun to see. We then then continued driving around the park, and stopped in parking lot 10, from there we hiked the Ridge Trail. That was a trail to a beautiful outlook over the north end of the formations .

We then drove to the visitor center where we watched the 12 minute movie about how the rocks were formed. The visitors center is worth going to .

We loved the park and loved the hikes we took. They weren’t too hard or crowded when we did them. I would advise anyone to come and do this!

What is there to say the park is magnificent with plenty of trails to take you can be in the crowds or you may be by yourselves depending on which trail you take you could spend a couple days there great place for picnics or just relax and enjoy the beauty.

Windy, warm, and beautiful day for a hike through the majestic beauty of rock formations in the valley below Pike's Peak.

Very beautiful, we were able to drive through the area for free. We went to the visitor center and were able to use scan a QR code that provided a map and an audio download for the drive.
The park representative was very helpful and funny.
Nice drive through with picturesque opportunities. Please be nice on the road, some visitors are not considerate.

We took our friends for a drive and hike through Garden of The Gods and viewed The Siamese Twins, God’s Window, Balanced rock and more. We ate a delicious lunch at the Trading Post cafe and gift shop and enjoyed all the information at the visitors center. It was a beautiful day taking in such amazing natural beauty m. .

The park is lovely and I recommend the hike that starts At Pulpit Rock that takes you past 3 sisters and then to the main rock formations
You cannot leave this park without making a stop at the Tradung Post near Pulpit Rock Not only is it an historical shop (started as a stand in 1910) but it has grown into an enormous place filled with high quality treasures There is a snack bar that opens up to a lovely shaded courtyard that spent a hood deal of time just enjoying our surroundings Don’t miss it!

Absolutely breaktaking views and easy to walk trails. Highly recommend checking out, we were blessed with good weather although it did get a bit windy towards the end of the day.

Absolutely gorgeous! Breathtaking views around every turn. Must go early to avoid crowds and find decent parking around trails.

This is an amazing place and very popular with tourists so expect crowds. The visitor's center movie is a good introduction and the guided ranger tour helps in understanding what to expect. The "Leave No Trace" policy was discussed, but if it makes an impression I could not tell because within a space of 5 minutes I saw people picnicking off the path, people carrying natural vegetation they had plucked, and a person picking up a stone he was planning to bring home as a memento. Also, climbing is allowed and there were many people scaling the monuments. Given that these are sandstone it made me wonder how much damage is done by allowing it. The park is free to visit, but the movie and ranger tour are not.

Idk why, but this pile of rocks is exquisite. Our second time visiting and many of our family members first and it wowed us all (again). Would visit again and again!

It was fantastic so nice I liked every minute me and my family it was nice come here when you have time it was fantastic

We were in Denver for a short vacation and decided to drive down to Colorado Springs and check out this magnificent place! The visitor center is FANTASTIC! It has a museums and a small cafe and a gift shop! The overlook from the visitor center is also amazing! It really is just a beautiful place to be. We didn't do any hiking due to the heat and timeframe, but we drove the loop a few times and spent some time out looking at the beauty of the Garden of the Gods. Yes, they are just rock formations, but still a fantastic sight of how beautiful nature can be! If you are in the area, it is definitely worth the trip to see.

Majestic formations that a must see if in Colorado Springs. Words and pictures can’t describe the Red Rocks. Easy walk through the whole area.

Beautiful park! Breath taking views all around. Easy hike with the ability to climb on to some of the formations making it more enjoyable.

We came and visited the Garden of the Gods and loved it. Doesn’t cost anything to enter the park. Can easily spend 2 or 3 hours here. Magnificent views. Hiking trails everywhere. Large fun store and restaurant there. Would definitely go again next time in C. S.

This attraction is on everyone's list when visiting Colorado Springs and for good reason. The natural "sculptures" are just awesome to behold. One can spend as much or as little time as one wants here. It's possible to drive along the park and see some of the formations from the car in a short amount of time but to really get up close and appreciate the natural beauty of them one has to walk a trail or two.

We parked at the visitor's center to get a perspective on what to see and how best to see it by walking. It was disappointing that there are no printed trail maps available for free. The staff member in the visitor center was helpful but without a trail map to hold it was difficult to navigate our way around the large park. He suggested we take a picture of the trail map but this proved worthless. We pretty much had to figure it out as we went. The other surprising thing is that the formations are not marked with any kind of plaque so we often had to consult google for pictures to be sure we were seeing what we thought was a named formation.

All of that said it was an awesome experience to see these formations up close. Our two favorites were the Siamese Twins and the Balanced Rock. Siamese Twins is best viewed by walking the trail to the formation from parking lot P14. It's a little technical in spots but worth the effort. The view from the "front" is different than the view from the "back " so be sure to walk completely around this one. Balanced Rock is on the perimeter on the way out and it's great to park along the road and get out and walk around this formation as well.

One tip I would offer is to not leave the car in the visitor center but to get back in the car and then park closer to the Central Garden Trail which can be accessed from the overflow parking lot at the main entrance to the park. Many of the formations are in this same area so if time is limited the Central Garden Trail is the one to do.
This is NOT the visitor center lot. If you leave the car parked at the visitor center lot you need to walk under the roadway through the tunnel and along a path to get to the first formation which would be kissing camels. It adds a half mile each way of nothing really except a longer walk. We did this and it was a regret. But it was the only regret of an otherwise wonderful visit to a very special place.

A very inspiring and easily accessible place.
I took a walk in the morning to appreciate this magnificent place.
Every corner of this garden is unique, the way the rocks intertwine with each other give an amazing view. Later I decided to take the car and tour this beautiful place and there is no way to be disappointed.
Go with time and enjoy this beautiful place.
The information center has souvenirs for sale, a coffee shop, public restrooms and people who can help you with all your questions.

This is an absolute must if you are anywhere near C Springs. Go early and revel in the majestic environment that surrounds you.

Garden of the Gods was on my bucket list for some time and I finally got to it.
It was very impressive.
Someone tipped us off to get to the Mesa Overlook just after sunrise--the lighting there is magnificent. You can get a great overview of the Garden of the Gods from this overlook. No one was there when we arrived, so parking was not a problem.
Parking at the park, though, fills up quickly, so try to get there early.
It is a good idea to traipse through the visitors center before you head to the park, so you can get some information on the hikes and the names of the various formations, like the Kissing Camels. The visitors center closes early, so we stopped by the evening before.
If you are a hiker, there is a great hike up some earthen stairs to get a view of the park from a higher elevation. It often rains in the afternoon in the summer and hiking shoes with lug soles are very useful.
If you are not a hiker or have a baby carriage with you, there are a lot of scenic flat walks through the park.
The rocks are magnificent and if you have a good imagination, you will observe that many of them have faces.
Lots of photo ops.
There is a homestead next door that is well worth visiting if you are in the area.

put your walking shoes on, dress comfortably, carry some water. if you are going to walk from the welcome center to the 'scenic area', it's probably 3/4 of a mile (you can go farther than that).

A short drive through (maybe 20-30 minutes), but beautiful scenery--worth a detour. You can also hike for much longer periods of time. Weather in December was unusually warm and delightful with few tourists.

Impressive rocks, easy hikes. Most of the paths are paved. You can drive through by car and stop at a few spots or park the car and walk through the park. We saw a lot of wildlife.

Definitely worth a visit!!! Drive through, park hike. Take as long or short as you want. Walkways easy to walk. We went just before sunset… changing light enhanced the different features and colors.
Awe inspiring how our earth created these. Rocks and the were shifted upwards.

Wonderful & informative visitors center! We primarily drove around this trip, rather than hiking through, but still had a great time!

A great park. The rock formations are really beautiful and come into their own together with the green of the trees and the blue sky. We drove down Garden Drive and did a lot of little trails. It is also worth visiting the southern part, as the visitors are less numerous. We also visited the Trading Post and ate here. We can recommend this place, there are various dining options and many goods to buy. It is worth taking a few hours for this park.

This park is AMAZING! we went early in the morning about 8am. Just got out of the truck & saw a deer right by the parking lot. Saw doe & fawns in the park & GREAT rock formations. There are nice trails thru here to walk on & see stuff. NO FEES for this, so that's great for the budget. Easy to drive thru & park in different areas so you can see everything.

We arrived shortly after the visitor center closed for the day, so we went straight to the Garden of the Gods which is across the street. We did a quick drive around the park and then parked in lot P2. Garden of the Gods is a good place to get in a walk and see these large, unique rock formations. A noticeable detraction is how there are so many cars and parking lots so close to the formations. Still worth visiting but not as nice as it could be.

Notes:
• It’s free.
• The parking lot is crowded but people are always leaving so spots seem to open up. By sunset, there were many empty parking spaces.

This was such a majestic and beautiful place to visit. The rocks are so amazing and it’s so cool to know that these were not man made structures. There are a bunch of trails for hiking if you like to hike, and we saw several people mountain climbing as well. Very family friendly and pet friendly too.

It's hard to believe this is a public park open free to all. Very well managed. Lovely visitor center. Our family went on the 35min Garden of the Gods 1909 Trolley Tour. This open-air trolley tour was pleasant and informative. Since we were first timers, it gave up an overall picture and history of this place. Later on we drove around and further explored this lovely park on our own and also visited its trading post. Recommended.

The Garden of the Gods is a gem that is completely free and something everyone should do. You can drive through and stop at all the lookouts, you can hike, ride your bike or a mix of all 3.

Beautiful walk with captivating views. Nicely paved trails shared with walkers, bikers and of course nature.
Abundant deer that were very familiar with humans and walked along the path unbothered by our awe.
The history and age of the rocks tells a beautiful history and helps make the story that much more intriguing. Nature is so amazing.
If you haven’t been I encourage you to go. Early is always best in my opinion, less people.
Beautiful

Trail Series, Part 21
So just as I’m entering the “Garden of the Gods National Natural Landmark,” through my speaker I hear Bob Dylan launch into “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.” No joke! Coincidence or incredible timing, I’ll let you be the judge. 🙏

Easily accessible from all parts of The Springs, I’m not sure that you can rightfully claim that you’ve visited this area without stopping here.

Hikers, runners, leashed dogs, (more equestrians than I’ve seen on a trail in quite awhile), rock climbers, and even guided Segway tours are all welcomed here.

Although numerous portions of the trails feature challenging sections, there is a wide and paved walkway that provides access to the heart of this landmark for those with mobility concerns.

Although ample parking is provided, you may need to walk a bit (especially on weekends and holidays).

Admission is free and the views are spectacular (including some of Pikes Peak), so keep that camera handy. Bringing water for everyone in your party is highly recommended and I’d suggest setting aside a minimum of 2 hours for your visit.

And that’s…Henry’s Take.

#gardenofthegods
#knockinonheavensdoor

A must see scenic drive in the Colorado Springs area! The roads and parking lots are well maintained and well signposted. On entering you are greeted by The Balanced Rock - a spectacular photo opportunity if you can stop.

The Trading Post had a huge range of giftwrap, clothing and merchandise as well as homemade fudge, a cafe and restrooms. 

We enjoyed the scenery so much that we drove the loop twice so that we could see each stop point. 

There are several trails of varying complexity, but in the July heat shorter walks at each stop point was enough for us.

I have been to the Garden of the Gods multiple times. Every time it just seems to get more beautiful! My parents were born and raised in Colorado, but moved to Pennsylvania before I was born. We used to spend every single summer out there growing up. Highly recommended to see this beautiful Site! There’s something for all ages and abilities. I have pictures from 50+ years ago of my family here. Any chance I get to go back to Colorado I do! Now my children and grandchildren have enjoyed it as well.!!

Went to Garden of the Gods on a Friday afternoon with family. Very busy in July. Difficult to find parking at any of the sights to get out and take photos. It is beautiful. Decided to take one of the shorter trails, but thunder sent us back to the car pretty quickly. Went to Red Rock Canyon open space earlier in the week and saw amazing red rocks without the crowds.

This was such a walkable and beautiful place to visit. We drove down from conference in Denver for the day and were really impressed. Very accessible for most people and you can choose where you’d like to hike or walk, from easy to a bit more difficult.

The rock formations are gorgeous and very interesting. Depending on the pace and the trail it could take anywhere between one to three hours to visit the park. The entrance to the park is free but there are guided tours for a fee. The trails are very easy to walk on, paved and one can turn around at any time.

We didn't spend much time at the Visitors Center but the staff/volunteers were so helpful and pleasant, they gave us very useful information to get the most of our visit to the park. There were some exhibits and videos but we didn't have much time so we skipped them.

We went mid week around mid day and there was ample parking available, and the park wasn't crowded.

We were short on time so we could only drive through this magnificent scenic mountain view. It is a perfect place to bring the kids and have a picnic.

We got to the park early in the day (before 9am). We parked in the parking lot and then walked up to the Tower of Babel area. Then went back to the visitors area and took our car to parking area 14 for the Siamese Twins trail (great views of pikes peak from here) and a nice easy loop to the rock. Then we drove to balanced rock and back to the visitors center to watch the short movie in the geo trekker theater. Don't skip the movie! It is worth it to watch and learn about how the rocks were formed and great for kids. Go early if you want to avoid the heat.

Many trails. Maps throughout. Good attraction for families as it is amazing and free. Paved trails so wheelchair friendly. Trading post is a gift shop that has a lot of things to fit a variety of budgets. Cafe in there as well. The information center is cool to visit as well but we didn’t on this visit. Everything is dog friendly.

Stunning views from a very accessible paved walking path. The trail could be used by someone in a wheelchair. It was wide enough for us to walk side by side and people who wanted to move faster had plenty of room to pass. We were glad we parked in the overflow parking area at Rock Ledge Ranch because we saw cars inching slowly to the other parking areas. The Ranch provides easy access to the trail and we did not need to sit in traffic to enter or exit. Parking was free. If you need wheelchair accessible parking it is best to continue past the Ranch to the parking reserved for handicapped parking only. That area is very close to the main attraction and the ramp from the parking lot is a very manageable incline.

Towering rocks rising high into the sky! This attraction is one that you should not miss if you are visiting Colorado Springs, CO. Get there early so that you can see the rock formations illuminated by the sun. It might also help you to avoid crowds. The walk through the park is easy and is a visual delight!

So beautiful. Words don’t do it justice. Anybody that travels close to Colorado Springs should go visit. We drove from Denver to see it and it was well worth the drive.

Magical and easily accessible landscapes. Paved paths from the parking lots in a park that can be done in a few hours. Free parking.

This is a definite recommend. The park is FREE! You can drive around the park or walk along the trails. I choose to drive as it was my first time. There is lots to see as I’d recommend giving it a drive through first see what you want to explore then circle back. That’s my opinion. It does get very busy. I’d recommend getting there only. There are lots of parking but it does fill up fast in the main lots.

Absolutely stunning place, well maintained and free to park.

Trails were well kept and lots of them were accessible to those with limited mobility. We spent just over 3 hours walking all of the trails in the main area of the park.

Toilets were clean and well maintained.

Lots of information boards on the geology and the wildlife, plus the visitor centre was great for food, shopping & tourist information.

Our recommendation would be to visit the visitor centre on your way in before you hit the trails.

A varied landscape full of hiking paths, picnicking areas, mountain flora and even bike paths. Only those cyclists that can climb long steep grades at elevation of 6,000 feet should attempt extensive rides

It's one of the best rock formations we've seen.
We're fortunate to find a place to stay near this magnificent place. We explored the place not once but more than we could.
We hiked the beautiful trails and climbed the peaks of the mountains. I'm almost 40 and I had to carry my clingy baby with me and I made it to the top.
There's resting area, picnic area with access to clean water.

If you want to take keep memento of the place, there's gift shops nearby!

See the pics for yourself and be amazed!

The views at Garden Of The Gods are spectacular. You can over pay for a tour or just go on your own. We love the serenity of the place and the great photo opportunities. It can get crowded when there are tours happening but it doesn't take away from the overall beauty of this place.

I must do in the south of Denver. It’s Colorado Springs be early so you have a chance for parking space and walk around a little bit. See all the different places it’s absolutely worse.

Put on your good shoes and enjoy the trails that take you from spot to spot in a beautiful place surrounded by nature.
Nice trails and very well marked. With surprising encounters like a deer

This place is so beautiful! It has many well maintained paved trails easily accessible to all. There are moderate trails up into the rocks if you want a little more of a challenge. Only down side was finding parking. Study the map so you know what to expect. We finally lucked out as someone was leaving and got a spot. (We were there over Labor Day weekend so that might have been part of the problem.) highly recommend!

A wonderful public park to visit while in Colorado Springs! And it is FREE. The rock formations are just amazing to see. You can drive through the park or you can walk the trails or bike through. You can also bring your pets with you. The view was incredible, and there are many trails to go to, as well as rocks you can climb. Parking was difficult on Saturday when I visited due to the volume of cars and the traffic. I had to circle a couple of times to be able to park. Luckily, once I parked, the major trails were all pretty accessible. Be sure to bring a lot of water with you if you plan to walk around in the park, and using sunscreen is also a very good idea.

The scenery is fabulous here. We went 3 times to walk around, and enjoy the views. Took lots of photos as the view is different with the changing light.

Go for the view. The exhibits are ok. You have to pay extra for the movie. It’s an OK stop but don’t go out of your way just to see a view of some rocks.

Beautiful hiking trails and the rock formation is unbelievable a must see.
Also got to see mountain goats about 15 of them. Wear your hiking shoes. Very family friendly

I went on a tour with Adventures out west. The scene is breathtaking. You can almost say it was therapeutic.

Garden of the Gods is a beautiful place and we enjoyed our visit... that said, we were a bit underwhelmed, relative to expectations. We have visited numerous red rock areas in the southwest, and found Garden of the Gods to be a smaller version of those we had seen elsewhere.

The Perkins Central Garden Trail is lovely but signage is terrible - the same trail map is posted at each trail junction, but none of them have "you are here" marked on them. We also did the Siamese Twins trail, which was very pretty. Many of the trails seemed to be flat trails through grassland areas.

The Visitor Centre is no longer handing out paper maps - instead, you have to scan a code to get a map on your phone. We ended up using the free map that we picked up at the Garden of the Gods Trading Post (at the south end of the park), which had all the information we needed.

The scenery here is unbelievable! it was absolutely amazing. We visited nice and early in the morning so there was hardly anyone around. Very easy drive around the park and plenty of places to pull over and take photos. Would definitely recommend visiting if you are in Colorado Springs.

Was recommended to me so drove down from Littleton area. Stopped in at visitor center to get some information and decided to just drive through vs a guided tour. Thought I would stop several times and do some hiking but ended up just driving through and taking some pics, was very scenic but to be honest I was a little underwhelmed, maybe was expecting too much? Went to Cave of the Winds as well while in the area.

The driving tour was good, wish we had been able to do a back country jeep trip. Will have to come back for that. Next time, hope to be able to hike around some. The scenery and such is amazing.

Beautiful. Just Beautiful. I ended up here by accident but was glad I came. The place is stunning. I could have spent all day here. There are lots of trails to explore that show different views of different rocks and mountains. The place is stunning.

What more can you say than just beautiful. So glad we stopped to see this area. Only suggestion is be patient waiting to park if you plan to hike.

Driving through the garden of god was awesome. We got to see different types of animals in the garden of the gods plus we got out of the car. I was been able to get up close to.Big horn sheep

Get here early. A very popular place and can get crowded quickly. Amazing rock formations is what my wife wanted to come for and she wasn't disappointed. Trails are easy to walk and easy to navigate. Was well worth the trip.

We visited on Saturday morning. The weather was cloudy with a little drizzle but visibility was still good. We started at the visitor's center and watched the movie, which was OK. We used the smart phone based self guided tour to drive through the park. It worked well. The park wasn't crowded so we had no problem navigating and finding places to pull off along the way. The scenery is majestic and we enjoyed the tour.

We recommend

This free, beautiful, iconic park is a must-do outing if you’re in Colorado Springs. Stunning, gorgeous rock formations that you can enjoy from the many trails in the park. It does get crowded and hot later in the day, so try to get there early to really enjoy the experience.

The views were amazing. Quick trip. Beautiful scenery throughout the year. Good place for all. Nice hikes and climbing.

This is a beautiful place. We got there late afternoon so we spent an extra night to go back and enjoy things we missed the first day!

preacher was the best tour guide anyone can ask for. He was funny and kept us all entertained for the whole trip. Wish we could spend all day there.

Beautiful to see up close and in person. We were a part of a Jeep tour that allowed us to see all sides of the formation and see its truly spectacular presence. A must see if you are in the area and surrounded by many trails for hiking, a picnic area and visitors center with souvenirs and snacks.

Beautiful nature center with multiple walking trails to see the amazing red rock formations. The main trail is paved and a very moderate walk of 2 to 2.5 miles. There are many unpaved trails that split off the main trail, if you feel adventurous and want to climb some of the rocks. Gorgeous scenery and great photo opportunities. Hard to believe this amazing place is free to enter!

There is something for everyone to see and do regardless of mobility concerns. Pets welcomed too! The staff, sites, flora and fauna are amazing!

Beautiful place. We loved our visit. Lots of amazing rock formations. I had fun taking photos of plants for iNaturalist. Not too busy on a holiday weekend.

This park is beautiful, but be prepared to bathe yourself in sunscreen, wear a hat and bust out a parasol if you own one. My family enjoyed climbing the rocks, walking the trails and learning about the area’s history. We didn’t get to see any of the big horn sheep, but maybe next time.

Garden of the gods was amazing. The rock structures and the trails were a wonderful escape from the day to day business.

This one is beautiful and worth the drive. Beautiful rock formations at every turn. Red rocks, changing leaves and more! Do it!

Such a beautiful quick stop

The views and pull offs are fantastic. You can also add all the easy going trails and great memories to be made. Enjoy.

My husband and I and a couple we know from NM visited Garden of the Gods. We all loved it! You are able to drive through the Garden, but you also have lots of opportunities to take walks among the rocks for another perspective and close-up look, which is well worth it to do. Amazing story of how this land was donated to the City of Colorado Springs and kept free for all to see and enjoy. We most likely will be back!

We made a quick stop at Garden of the gods before a storm rolled in and our trip was cut short. The trails are easy to walk with lots of great photo shots.

We concluded an 11-day trip of 6 national parks in Colorado and Utah and this city park was such a jewel of a park. It's compact which is great for hiking and seeing the rock formations. And not to be missed is the visitor center which explains the geology of the park but also the animals, flora and fauna. You can spend 30 minutes or a day depending on how many things you do from simple driving to hiking to rock climbing. We spent 4 hours and visited the museum, watched the movie, enjoyed lunch (with good food) on the patio overlooking Pikes Peak and then walking the central paved path through the main formations and driving the remaining loop. Everyone we talked to was courteous and very helpful. It's owned by the city through a past donation but funded by a private foundation and the result is magnificent.

First this park is absolutely stunning and while there are 21 miles of trials to see, all the marked formations is about 7-8 miles round trip from the visitor center. One thing to keep in mind is that it is basically the Disney world of Colorado Springs. It was crowded in the main park and people just randomly stopping to take a picture in the middle of the walkway. We got there early in the morning thinking it would be the busiest time and believe it or not it was insanely crowded at 2pm when we were leaving. The real beauty was in the unpaved tails. This is where you can really get out of the hustle and bustle of the main park. One thing to note is that the maps are terrible and while they say the trails are easily marked they aren’t. There are two maps and they weren’t even marked the same. It was super frustrating trying to get your bearings. Make sure to screenshot the map since cell service is spotty and there are no printed maps. Overall, we had a great experience looking at these stunning natural creations and getting lost along the way literally.

A beautiful natural wonder. So impressed it is feee and donated property for all to enjoy and explore. Grab a map so you know where you are.

A must if in Manitou Springs! The rock formations are stunning. A little crowded but that doesn’t take away from the experience. Be sure to check out Siamese twins rock and the Balanced Rock too.

It was very nice and peaceful we went on a Saturday expecting it to be busy but it was not this was my second time just as good as the first. definitely recomend.

Beautiful rock formations! A definite must-see while in the Colorado Springs area. There is no charge to get into the park. The visitor's center is very interesting and well worth a stop. There are many trails to walk and many stops to make while in the park. The only problem we came across was parking. If you don't go early in the a.m., you may have to meander through Garden of the Gods several times to find a parking place. We were there on the weekend, so that might have been why parking was hard to find. We were in Colorado for a week and this was one of our favorite places we visited. Also, don't miss the Trading Post which is within Garden of the Gods. It is a great stop for souvenir shopping and clean restrooms. They also have a place to grab a burger, chicken tenders, Starbucks coffee, etc. We ate the chicken tenders and fries and they were very good. They prepare the food when you order so it is hot and fresh. The Trading Post has a lovely patio out back to sit and relax. What a great place to enjoy the beauty of Colorado!

If you go first thing in the morning, it’s so nice! There aren’t very many people and you can really appreciate the natural beauty!

This is an incredible and beautiful free access park within the city limits of Colorado Springs. We went in the evening and it is a popular city park for many to enjoy walking around after work. The breathtaking views of nearby Pikes Peak and the huge climb able boulders everywhere were enough to keep us there for hours until dark. Best photogenic spot in Colorado.

I visited here back in 2019 on horseback and had a wonderful time. This time I drove through and stopped and hiked several locations and had a fantastic time. For those that don’t hike a drive through with a few stops are well worth it but if you can get out and enjoy a few hikes it’s well worth it, Don’t forget to make a stop in the visitors center for a quick self guided tour and get a photo of the layout of the garden. Although you can’t get lost it’s literally a big loop by car. Make sure you stop in the gift shop inside of the park at the trading center. In the back of the store are some unusual great finds. The front is typical tourist stuff but the back is worth the stop for some nice gifts. Make sure you remember to bring water with you!

Beautiful park. Get there before 7 to avoid crowds. Nice, accessible walk ways. Lots of great hiking trails and views of the mountains.

Went here on tour with Mountain Jeep. This place is amazing! We saw several deer, the stone monuments are great. Makes me want to come back and do some hiking.

Easy to drive around the rock formations with several pull outs for those who want to hike. Very scenic but not as spectacular as Sedona. Good for picture taking. Nice gift shop and informative visitor center.

To be honest, the website doesn’t do this park justice and it wasn’t real high on our list of must sees. It was recommended by a friend and we had time so made the drive from Denver. We are really glad we did! We have an 8 and 9 year old and the whole family loved it. We stopped at the visitor center first and the woman working the info desk was so amazingly helpful (we were just looking for a map and got so many spot on pointers). The beginning of the park is really busy but once you get past the photo op only people you can see lots of great views and even have some animal sightings. We saw huge mule deer, lizards, and turkeys. The hikes off the main areas were good hikes. We recommend both driving and hiking through the park. We ended up spending more time than planned here.

We got to the lower parking lot at dawn and took some lovely shots of the sunrise lighting up the peaks and rock formations. Then we hiked up to the top and had good looks at a coyote and mule deer with young on the way. We spent the rest of the time wandering the trails that wind all through the rock formations, and had clear views of Pike's Peak from some places. We saw falcons, swifts, rock doves, and more birds perched up high. Strongly suggest bringing binoculars. Overall, it was a beautiful place to visit. And it's free to just walk around.

I lived in Colorado Springs from June 2018 until relocating to Denver in September 2025. In all my years in this city, Garden of the Gods was my perennial favorite. I have visited the learning center, ate at the café while taking in the view, and logged more miles on the trails than I can recount. This is a MUST for anyone visiting this area!

Vibe & Atmosphere:
The visitor center's atmosphere is very science-oriented, featuring interactive exhibits and informative displays to explore. Anyone with even a cursory interest in geology could easily spend hours in the Visitor Center alone! The vibe in the park ranges from fit & Fun to heavily touristy, depending on the part of the park you are visiting and the day/time. My favorite vibe is in the trails that take you off the main path and into the nooks and crannies of the vast space. Of course, as a tourist, you must see the “main park” where you can snag a picture in front of the “kissing camels”, but after that, take the time to explore everything this park has to offer.

Service & Staff:
The visitor center has highly professional employees and dedicated volunteers. As for the café, I always had a pleasant experience ordering food at the counter.

Cleanliness & Comfort:
A highlight of this park is its incredible cleanliness! It is maintained by the “Garden of the Gods Foundation,” which generates revenue through the visitor center and secures grants while consistently seeking donations, large and small. The park’s pristine state of police is a true testament to the dedication of this foundation, and how much the public deeply LOVES this beautiful natural place. From the visitor center to the most obscure spots along lonely ridges, you will be hard-pressed to find trash, litter, debris, or junk.

Food & Amenities:
The café food is decent. Some might say it is “overpriced” for being elevated truck-stop fare; however, the view and the upkeep of the park are really what you are paying premium prices for (which I have absolutely no complaints about). They serve sandwiches, coffee, and pretzels. They also have Grab-n-Go options for busy visitors.

What I did while there:
It is hard to summarize what I have done here! I have trained for marathons, gone on dates, repaired friendships, talked with myself, done professional wolf encounters, taken pictures, walked my dogs, and shown around visiting family members. I have spent so much time in this park that it is a formative part of my life.

Pros & Cons:
The cons really revolve around crowds. During peak times, the visitor center and especially the main park can be overwhelmingly populated. The pros are numerou,s but my top five are: it is free to visit, the visitor center has incredible views and a great gift shop for souvenir collectors, there exist innumerable spots to take incredible pictures, it is maintained by a passionate non-profit which you are supporting with your patronage, and it has very broad operating hours (typically 0500 to 2200).

Tips for Future Travelers:
My recommendation for anyone visiting the Garden of the Gods park is to plan according to what you want to see and your preferences for crowds. For example, if you want to see the main park and don’t like large groups, you will want to go in the early morning hours around sunrise. And my other recommendation is to allow yourself a lot of time to truly enjoy this special place. There are a multitude of tours available, and I highly recommend taking one if you only have a day in the Springs, since they will show you the coolest spots in the least amount of time. There are biking tours available as well as the Jeep tours.

Absolutely beautiful. The parking isn’t the easiest when it’s busy. It can get crowded so taking photos without people can be a pain. There’s a gift shop with a lot of stuff.

This is one our favorite parks. We recommend going early as it does get crowded and hot during the summer. Don’t forget to stop by the nature center to view films and engage with interactive displays! My toddler loves riding his strider bike as we walked through the park.

This beautiful park was an unexpected pleasure. I knew the scenery would be amazing, but as a wheelchair user, I was not prepared for how incredibly friendly the park was for people with disabilities. Well placed parking spots, easy access into the park, beautiful wide pathways and wonderfully maintained. What I liked most was that there were several miles of paved trails so that everyone could have a good experience, but there were also additional hiking trails for the more adventurous. I also have to mention that this is a city park - land donated by a previous owner with the proviso that it remain a free park. What a treasure!

We had a couple hours to kill on a Thursday afternoon, so we decided to visit. We signed up for the 1900s trolley tour and were pleased to learn there were spots open on the last tour of the day that began in 45 min. We had a leisurely stroll through the museum and gift shop, and bought a pretzel dog in the cafe. The cafe had a beautiful view of Pikes Peak and was very peaceful. The tour guide was engaging and answered questions, and really seemed to enjoy his work. He pointed out all of the hidden images in the rocks around th3 garden of the gods. The 45 min tour flew by!

Visited: 01/07/2023

Really beautiful nature trail in Colorado Springs. Unique formations of rocks inspiring awe and wonder, and a trail that has so many different tracks you could do a different route every time.

This was a really nice place for us to hike around in, as it was unique to anything we had seen before. Even better is that it is free to visit and use. A variety of parking spaces in different sections of the Park, restrooms dotted around, and lots of unique things to see.

Would recommend wearing a decent pair of hiking boots or walking shoes, and take plenty of water as there are no additional fountains around. We spent a good 4+ hours here walking a big loop from the Trading Post.

There are also good bus transportation links to visit (like we used) if you don't have a hire car or your own vehicle.

100% recommend a visit here as it is beautiful.

We went here 2 times during our trip. What a beautiful place to spend some time especially at sunset. During the day we seen some rock climbers they were fun to watch. There are rattlesnake signs but we did not see any.

A very beautiful area especially towards sun down. Lots of areas to walk and the rock formations are stunning. Couldn't stay very long but definitely would do again and we went towards Christmas so they had a little show they put on.

We drove up to this attraction and parked. I think this is great if you have kids. But please keep an eye on them. The rocks are pretty but looking downhill and over the rocks, are residences. We left after several minutes. Maybe it would have been more enjoyable for us if there weren't so many unsupervised kids climbing all over the rocks.

What a beautiful place to go. Huge rocks - unbelievable scenery- NO charge!
Wonderful walking paths throughout the garden. God’s handiwork was evident everywhere.
We absolutely loved this place - would go again if I had the chance - a must see!

Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is an absolutely breathtaking destination that showcases the incredible beauty of nature. The towering red rock formations set against the backdrop of Pikes Peak create a scene that feels almost otherworldly, especially at sunrise or sunset. The park is clean, well-maintained, and free to visit, with plenty of scenic trails for all skill levels and opportunities to spot wildlife or enjoy a picnic with a view. Whether you’re hiking, taking photos, or simply soaking in the majesty of the landscape, Garden of the Gods is a must-see gem that perfectly captures the awe-inspiring spirit of Colorado.

Amazing views and a must see. We drove through ourselves and found some cool walking paths. Be sure to stop at the trading post. There is lots of great souvenirs to choose from.

Completely amazing and so wonderful that it is free. Very spectacular. Arrived on a snowy day and the skies cleared to blue and it was such a wonderful place to walk around and be exposed to. Loved the formations with snow anthem and also saw deer up close. Lots of families visiting. Also appreciated that it was free thanks to the family who insisted it be so for all to enjoy.

free site to do by car in high heat, or on foot, the rocks are beautiful, there is a lack of parking space in certain places

Amazing place to hike and explore as a family! Breathtaking views and rock formations. We drove and hiked this site many times and love bringing new people for the experience.

No wonder this park is one of the most visited in the U.S. The beauty of the red rocks protruding out of the earth in the middle of green trees and the backdrop of a snow covered Pikes Peak is breathtaking. Go early to avoid the crowds. Best place to park is inside the park, then you are right in the middle of it all. Don't miss the Trading Post at the end of your visit.

Our family of five got up early for a (close to) sunrise walk around the park. The scenery was breathtaking. The paths were smooth and it was an easy walk, perfect for our family. I would consider this a must see if in the area.

Breathtaking views throughout this Colorado Springs attraction. Free online guide available to use when driving through the Gardens. Parking areas are available to stop, take photos or walk the grounds. Visitor Center has great exhibits worth seeing as well as gift shop, cafe and guidance on activities and tours. Entire attraction is free although donations are welcome. Located close to Pike's Peak and Manitoa Springs so be sure to visit!

It was so exciting to see the beauty of all the sights you can see. You need to explore this place we plan to go back. They even have a small town that was beautiful to see.

This is an absolutely beautiful place! The red rocks against the blue sky, and green trees was gorgeous! The park is extremely well maintained and the walking paths in great shape. We decided to visit twice just to enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of this area again! The visitors center and the outpost are a must to see as well. Lots of history and again, absolutely beautiful!!

The rock formations were cool. Lots of hiking & biking trails. Free admission. Beautiful views. U can drive through or take a Segway.

The best city park we've ever seen - yes, it can be a little crowded, especially later in the day. But this place is well worth a visit. (and it's free!)

Fun time and beautiful scenery. Great visitors center. Definitely worth the visit if in the area. Plan to spend at least 3-4 hours in order to see everything and get all of your pictures taken.

Other than the potential to be over-crowded, its hard to say anything bad about Garden of the Gods. Its free. Lots of trails to roam on. The rocks are spectacular. The views, especially of Pikes Peak in the distance, are excellent. The crowds were not too bad in March, even on a Saturday. This place must be a zoo in the summer.

The Garden of the Gods, which is accessible for free, almost feels like you are in a national park. The rock formations are very impressive and due to their figurativeness bear their names like Balanced Rock, Kissing Camels or Siamese Twins completely right. There are various parking spaces in the park, from which you can start wonderful walks and get very close to the rocks.

A park does not have to pay to get to the visitor center. There's a cool mini museum for kids to see the history of the dinosaurs. In the visitor centre there is a souvenir shop and a coffee shop. And a wonderful view of nature on deck outside! Parking and free entry. I did not explore the park with a trail due to the little time I had.

It was beautiful even in the dreary foggy weather that hung over the red rocks. Stopped at the Visitor’s Center before we drove the loop and used the QR code for travel info. Then we headed out and drove the loop twice because it changes each time you drive it (weather, views, wildlife).

Absolutely beautiful, can’t overestimate this place! We walked for a few hours in the early evening while it was a bit cooler and the formations and shadows were dramatic. Quite a lot of people, which is understandable. Hopefully I can visit here again. Easily accessible, clean bathrooms avaliable:)

Don't miss this if you're in the area! Even on a Saturday, we found parking and plenty of pull off spaces to stop for photos along the drive through the park. Amazing scenery.

Great ride on electric mountain bikes in garden of the gods we finished right before the snow fell. My guide was so fun and made sure I was safe and ready.

Great views. Multiple options for trails. Paved for easy walking. Rock climbing available. Visitor staff were helpful. Family friendly. Little museum a nice touch. Plenty to do and see . Would highly recommend. Historical & dinosaur touches.

We have been at the Garden of the Gods several times and they never fail to inspire us in their beauty. It is just possible to simply drive through the area, but we would recommend to definitely park at the visitors center and either take the bus or walk to the area of the rocks. We choose to walk, even on a hot day, and it was a delightful walk.

So happy we took the opportunity to see this park. Magnificent views! Highly recommend if you’re in area to definitely go.

We strolled for a few hours in the early evening when it was a little cooler and the formations and shadows were spectacular. There were a lot of people, which is understandable. I hope to return here.

Located a short distance from Colorado Springs at the base of the mountains, the Garden of the Gods was very impressive with spectacular rock formations. Walking paths were well done and so too the loop roads around the area. Parking was limited and an issue.

A truly wonderful experience. Words don't really do it justice. We drove thru initially and then opted to take one of the trolley tours which was fun and informative. If you are hoping the trolley stops along the way so you can take pictures--it doesn't--which was the only downside. Would love to come back and hike this on the next trip when we have more time.

Jason was a phenomenal tour guide, very friendly we were able to do everything that the tour promised and more, I traveled with my mom and he made us feel very comfortable and safe. Would definitely recommend 10/10

Beautiful red rock formations and winding trails. Admission and parking are free. Crowd size was moderate but flowing. We took about 1-2 hours walking trails. You can either hike or drive to reach all the garden trails. Wear comfortable clothing and hiking/walking shoes. Bring water, sunscreen, and small snacks. The Garden of the Gods is at elevation 6,400ft, 1,951m high (average). It is a dry environment, high UV rays, and if you are not used to the elevation don't be surprised that you tire quickly.

A beautiful park with unique rock formations. Cool to drive through. A definite must visit if you’re the outdoorsy type or if you like to run outside. The park is loaded with well maintained hiking and running trails. Great for photographers as well.

Two days isn't enough to see this amazing place! We took plenty of pictures and still didn't capture all that we wanted to.

Beautiful and otherworldly spot. Easily accessible by car. Parking within the park can be a bit of a challenge but we managed. There is a store/restaurant area for taking a break. Bring water and keep in mind there is little shade from the sun.

Try the Segway tour. It is fun and the tour guide adds so much to your experience. It is easy to ride.

Unbelievable! What a spectacular place to go see . The scenic drive was breathtaking. Highly recommend a must see if you are in the area.

Amazing , it's a must !!
Beautiful place , very unique. You can walk , ride your bike or EBike or go around by car .
We stayed for around 5 hours and really enjoyed it

A small park with more traffic where you can take a little hike.

It is located right next to the city, so it is a few minutes' drive.

It has an incredible flor visitor center

You can spend a few hours.

It is free

We had just left our daughter's weekend wedding and stopped here on the way to our spa golf visit. This was wonderful. The hiking trails were paved. I think there were some that were not but we stayed on the paved trails. People pushed strollers or little ones on bikes, dogs on leashes. It was an easy walk with slight hills but very easy.

The views were outstanding. We loved seeing the red clay soil.

We went on a Monday and it was not very crowded. A nice short walk. The bathrooms were clean and not crowded. The maps were TERRIBLE! And many did not even have a starting point, you had to guess where you were. I would take a photo of the map by the parking lot and try to follow that based on the shapes and paths. Parking was easy we found a perfect spot near the restrooms but I have a feeling on weekends it is very full.

The garden's red rock formations were created millions of years ago with archaeological evidence showing that prehistoric people visited Garden of the Gods about 1330 BC. At about 250 BC, Native American people camped in the park - they are believed to have been attracted to wildlife and plant life in the area and used overhangs, created by the rocks, for shelter. For example, the Utes' oral traditions tell of their creation at the Garden of the Gods, and petroglyphs have been found in the park that are typical of early Utes.

Starting in the 16th century, Spanish explorers and later, European American explorers and trappers traveled through the area. In 1879, Charles Elliott Perkins purchased 480 acres of land that included a portion of the present Garden of the Gods. Upon his death in 1909, his family gave the land to the City of Colorado Springs with the

In 1995, the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center was opened just outside the park.

With all this history, it makes for a fascinating easy "hike" around the rock formations. It's always been a great way to spend a few hours!

An amazingly beautiful place that is clean and well-kept. The rock formations are unique for this area offering a delightful few hours exploring.

Garden of the Gods is a must see whenever you are in Colorado Springs. I have been twice and it has been a great experience both times. There are multiple different trails which makes it a guarantee that you will see something different each time that you visit. It is also a peaceful place to hike and take in nature. The majority of trails are paved which make for a relatively easy hike.

Garden of the Gods is free to access, and parking is free anywhere. You can walk directly from the visitor center or drive into the park and head for another parking lot (or several, and then do viewpoint hopping). It is highly recommended to come to the visitor center when it opens in the morning, otherwise the parking lot fills up quickly.
But you need to be prepared for hiking or walking. I definitely recommend sun protection and lots of water! It is very hot, but the paths are very easy to walk, some of them wheelchair-accessible.
There are snakes and you can see them sometimes, so be careful, especially with children.
There are many activities for a fee, but they are really extremely expensive: e.g. Jeep, Segway, horseback riding, trolley ride, etc. The cheapest is the trolley at $21 per person, we tried it, the ride was very short and the driver's commentary was too quiet. We would have been better off with our own car. Afterwards we walked a bit in the park, so you have to plan for breaks.

Absolutely breathtaking natural wonder. Our two families of 4 took the trolley ride. We had a great guide that told us all about the history of the park and pointed out all of the rock formations. The kids, ages 7, 8, 9, and 10 all had a great time learning and playing. Great for an outdoor family day. The park features lots of paved and accessible trails that are nicely labeled on the park map.

I visited this on the last day of a two week Colorado road trip. What a wonder! I am very glad that we made the time to explore this unique area of the world. We took a 45 minute guided tour and our quite animated guide told stores of the formations claimed to be seen in the various rock formations. Definitely well worth the visit.

My husband and I used to live in CO and have been here before. We recall spaces to rock scramble and climb. We took the kids this September and after over a week IN the Rockies having freedom and sights, coming to this place was a major let-down. The entire park is covered in warning and "do not" signs. My kids even commented on it. Everywhere you looked were fences and signs. Additionally, it's highly crowded and we went on a weekday. The majority of the walkways are paved. So it's not "hiking" it's more like walking with lots of people around big rocks. Not a fan after being witness to the wilds of the actual mountains. If you have a little time and can't venture into the mountains, then yes, maybe stop here. But if you're a real hiker, rock person, and/or a person who likes space, this spot isn't for you. It's a park. Like an actual park - it's just missing a swing set.

Wow! This place is stunning and well worth stopping off for however long you have to spare. The visitor centre is very informative to give a background. The drive is a circular route round with main car park and stopping places. Walking round the whole area is stunning and the rock formations are breathtaking.

What a wonderful place to have free to the public! There are some great paved trails you can take, or if you’re up for some hiking, there’s also some “offroad” trails. We spent at least four hours just hiking all over and the scenery was gorgeous. Stopped in at The Trading Post and grabbed a hot pretzel and some candied almonds. Yum! They have a really cute spot to eat outside. I’m guessing this is probably pretty jammed in the summer, but it wasn’t all that crowded when we were there. We also appreciated having a few restrooms sprinkled throughout the trails. A great place to visit in Colorado Springs.

The Garden of the Gods is a beautiful park with amazing views and lots of neat hiking. Unless you are a tactical climber with a permit, don't plan on scaling any rock faces.

We found that our teens loved the hiking trails and taking in the amazing views.

There is also a cool self-guided audio driving tour that provides additional information about the rock formations, the trails, wildlife, and more.

If you only do the driving tour, plan an hour. If you like to stop and hike, take pictures, etc. plan at least 3 hours, if not the whole day.

We had our hopes set high for Garden of the Gods. All the pictures we had seen and all that we had heard were positive. For sure, the rock formations and trails were stunning, and we ended up finding some wonderful vistas late in the evening from an elevated trail facing the garden.

Unfortunately, the park management was implementing a road or parking improvement project that severely undermined our experience. All the cars were diverted to an offsite parking lot about two miles away. There was no shuttle to get back to the Garden of the Gods, and by the time we made our way with hundreds of other walking souls, the sun had already set. Too many people stuffed into a narrow walkway that was way too long, especially given that the park is geared for families, not world-class hikers. I definitely fault the management crew for not thinking of its visitors. As a result Cherry Wonderdog is forced to deduct two stars from the highly coveted Cherry Wonderdog rating scale.

I thank the past generations for making sure that the entrance and to get close to these mountains are for free . I am very appreciative that I didn’t mind paying full price on the things I bought. You will be asked by the cashier if you want to donate a dollar for the park, and I’ve never heard a no from the customers. There’s going to be a long line of cars which are trying to get to the park, so please be patient.
Ahhmazing rock formations to see and touch for free. Why not.

Beautiful! It's free! You can visit many times and see something different every time. Lots of trails of all types. Truly a must see. Even a drive through is great.

Spectacular!! Very cool rock formations. A number of great hiking trails. Don't let the crowds scare you away. It's certainly worth it. Great views of Pikes Peak. Would do it again in a heartbeat. Very nice visitors center.

If you have a day and hiking clothes/boots, it's a must see. We were beat by the time we arrived due to flight weather delays and you can expect a rain storm every day about mid afternoon. We took a trolley tour and had a knowledgeable guide/driver who was very entertaining. The landscape and scenery can be breath taking. Other than the afternoon showers it was a gorgeous day.

Absolutely AWESOME! A must do activity when you visit Colorado. The Nature Center was very informative, and the staff was knowledgeable. The walking tour through the formations was relaxed and taken at your own pace. We were there Thanksgiving weekend, and it was not crowded at all. Just an amazing park.

Loop Trail takes over two hours but you can avoid the crowds (who use the paved pathways) when you explore the rolling sections of the outer loop of the park. Fewer people, just as stunning viewpoints!

I recommend doing the nature tour through Garden of the Gods. You can register for it at the visitor’s center or online. It is $5 and an hourlong tour, and it is definitely worth doing. Our guide’s name was Larry and he told us about the history of the park and the wildlife, and we even got to see deer and big-horned goat sheep!

Visited Garden of the Gods today for the first time over the Christmas break and so glad we did. The rocks and formations are as beautiful as they appear online, actually even better. The trails are clean. They are maps throughout the park to help you stay on track which we referenced several times.
Great photo opportunities and a highly recommended site if you want to relax, clear your mind, and connect with nature.

My parents and I visited the Garden of the Gods in March 2023. The weather was perfect for our visit. The visitor's center was accessible which made for a pleasant visit for my Mom and Dad. The trails through the park are well kept and paved for the most part. There were many people using the park that day, but it did not feel over crowded. We enjoyed our experience learning about the formations and the surroundings in the shadows of Pike's Peak. I definitely recommend making this a stop when you're in Colorado Springs!

Must see Colorado Springs attraction! It is a timeless tried and true favorite. I have been going here my whole life and have made sure to include it in travel plans for visitors.

We absolutely loved Garden of the Gods! The fact that it's free to visit is a huge plus, and we ended up going on three separate days, each with different weather thanks to a snowstorm. That made it extra special—every visit felt new and unique.

Day 1: We walked around the Visitor Center and did the Geo-Trekker experience. It was a fun way to get a quick history of the park and its geology. The visitor center itself was nice, but not amazing. Heads-up: they’re renovating the bathrooms, so the only option was porta-potties outside—not ideal in below-freezing temps!

Day 2: It was very cold, so we opted for the free audio driving tour. It was a great way to enjoy the park without braving the wind. Since we visited in the off-season, we had no trouble pulling into small side lots for quick stops along the way.

Day 3: A little warmer, so we finally got out and hiked! We did the Upper Loop Trail and Siamese Twins Trail, both of which were well-marked, easy to navigate, and totally achievable—even with some snow on the ground. The views were incredible!

The park itself was peaceful and not too busy. We spotted a group of mule deer near Kissing Camels and saw quite a few different bird species near the Siamese Twins.

Overall, this park is a must-visit. Whether you want to hike, drive, or just take in the views, it’s absolutely worth your time. We’d highly recommend visiting across multiple days if you have the chance—you never know how the weather might transform the scenery!

Very nice area and wonderful to see. Unfortunately we hit this park on Sunday and it was nearly impossible to even park and see anything. When we were able to park and see things it was so populated we found it a challenge to enjoy. If you plan a trip don’t pick a Sunday to make it happen like we did.

Just adding a little information because it can be confusing. The park itself is owned by the city and is totally free. It's open from really early to really late and you can drive through it. The Visitor's Center is also interesting: the (somewhat cheesy) movie will help you understand a little bit about the geological history of the area (it costs $6 for adults) and has a great gift shop. There are all sorts of things to do here, including bike tours and jeep tours and walking tours, but you can just drive in, park, and wander around totally for free. Earlier in the day is better if you're visiting when it still gets hot in the afternoon! One last thing: there's a beautiful and totally free overlook just above the Visitor's Center on Mesa Road if you just want a great view and a good photo op.

Loved it. Breathtaking scenery, hikes, and easy ingress/egress. Well worth a visit in Colorado Springs. Buy some portable oxygen if you have just flown in from sea level, you might need it. Will be back.

Incredibly beautiful area...and free! We drove through the park, listening to the free audio tour, and stopped at a couple of pull-off areas to get out and walk around. Balancing rock is pretty amazing!

Easy trails to walk, breathtaking views especially at Sunset.
There’s private areas to enjoy with your partner soaking up all of the amazing views ect.

Amazing!! Bucket list experience. Everyone should be able to see this and experience it for yourself. Just don't stay at the Quality Inn on Manitou Ave.

Beautiful. Highly recommended. Take some time to walk along some of the miles of paths. If no time to walk or cannot walk, do yourself a favor and drive around for photo apportunities.

Amazing views and scenery. This particular day was a hot one and we had run out of water. Big mistake. Make sure you have lots of water! We didn't get the full experience because going down those inclines is really easy, but coming back up is a doozy.
There is a store that sells food, drinks, and souvenirs. By the time we made it there and purchased water, we were done. All energy was gone. My daughter stopped on the side of the road a few times to take some pictures, but we were disappointed that we didn't make the best of our day as we had planned.
We will have to make another trip to Colorado Springs to finish what we started.

We enjoyed spending time at the Garden of the Gods. We initially stopped at the Visitors Center and were lucky to have Bunny at the information desk share her wealth of knowledge of the Gardens. The park accommodates all abilities, besides serious hikers, and interests. We walked a paved trail, while we saw many on bikes and even horseback riders.

Garden of the Gods is beautiful from every angle. The area is flat and paved, making it an easy walk! This was one of my favorite experiences from my visit to Colorado.

Harley is the best tour guide in Denver, hands down
Funny and informative
Great tour of pikes peak and the garden of the gods

Start at the visitors center across the street from the entrance of the Garden of the Gods. Here you can get a link to an audio tour and map, or book a tour through the park. There is plenty of stops through out the park where you can park your car and hike different sections ~ the Siamese twins and the balanced rock/steamboat are the most popular stops.

This park is Free ~ you can drive, scooter, Segway, bike, horseback ride or tour it

Colorado Springs was the last place on our 15 days 4.000 miles mid west road trip.
On that trip we drove through 8 states and visited around 10 national parks including top names such Yellowstone, Bryce, Zion, Arches, Monument Valley,.... Of course, we were little bit tired here, as well underwhelmed.
However, not to mislead travelers due to our previous experience, Gardens of the Gods is truly an amazing park. It is free and very well cared for. You can drive the loop, stopping at several places and taking small hikes.
For us, the absolute best spot was the balancing rock which is right at the entrance, as well the kissing camels further up.

Such an amazing park! We did the $5 walking tour with a park guide and it was great. Definitely worth the tiny fee. The walk was about a mile to the park with the guide and we walked probably a mile in the park on our own. Definitely had to rest often as it was our first day at elevation and we are not very fit, so keep that in mind and bring lots of water and sunscreen!

We enjoy hiking, and Colorado Springs was an amazing destination to enjoy our hobby. Coming from a beach town on the East Coast, we needed some time to adjust to the altitude and thin air. We are all in great shape, but even with that, we needed to pace ourselves. Garden of the Gods provided us with nice, paved paths and views of the mountains that were breathtaking. We could walk for miles here and as the sun moved across the sky, the mountains would change color. Again, absolutely beautiful. While visiting COS, we found and hiked several hiking trails, but Garden of the Gods was the one we enjoyed most. Worth a visit for sure. Hiking at its Best.

This is a beautiful site with an impressive visitors center and the right entrance fee (it is free). We went at 11:00am on the last Saturday in September. We were fortunate to find a parking spot at the visitors center, but after going in and downloading the map, we gave up our spot and drove into the park. We are in our 60s and it was hot, so driving made more sense than walking from the parking lot.
The parking areas shown on the map vary from just a few spots to 20+ spots. As a result, we drove around for quite a while before finding a place to park by the Scotsman trailhead. We walked a moderate trail to get among the rock formations. That central area was extremely crowded with people.
It is a very scenic place, and the visitors center is impressive, but try to go at an off peak time to avoid the slow traffic and dense crowds.

Definitely a must-see if in the area, but be warned, the visitor center is an absolute zoo - just absolutely crawling with people and difficult to move around. Driving through the park is a bit unnerving, as you will have other drivers getting very close if you go too slow and difficulty finding parking at the pull offs. Still, it’s breathtaking and we even saw a mule deer up close - no more than 20 feet away from us! If you want souvineers, skip the visitor center and gift shop and head to the Trading Post. If you are not planning to hike into the formations, I would strongly suggest a jeep or trolley tour so you can see more and not have to drive/park yourself. I would have loved to do an e-bike tour, I saw several and it looked like a lot of fun. My travel companion did not feel like she was in shape enough for that so we skipped, but I might do one if I ever return to CO Springs!

This beautiful wonder of nature never gets old. See something new every time we visit. Sharing with my adult daughter was a real treat.

There are no words to describe the beauty of the Garden of the Gods. It is a must see if you’re in Denver. It’s about an hour drive out and instead of a tour, I’d suggest renting a car so you can do what hikes you want for free and visit the nearby town Manitou Springs.

We did the main garden of the gods walking trail which is paved and easy but it can get hit so bring water. We also then drive the loop around and did the Siamese Twins trail which is a .5 mile slightly uphill trail but absolutely amazing and less people.

Make sure to visit the visitor center for snacks, coffee, and some history about the region.

Absolutely beautiful rock formations. Well worth the visit, for young and old alike. Has a great loop that’s not too hilly for the elderly. Loved seeing the rock climbers. Breathtaking!

Absolutely breathtaking! I didn't want to hike because of the heat and my personal mobility issues but you can drive it and pull out at the various turnouts. Lots of people were hiking and I've been told that there are a variety of trails with different difficulty levels. Do not miss this. If you're short on time you can drive it in a half hour or so.

We spent an evening hiking trails around Garden of the Gods. The large red rock formations are absolutely breathtaking, and the views of Pikes peak as the day is ending were amazing. The trails are well marked and easy to follow, although after a rain they were muddy in spots and there were puddles. We hiked a 2.5 mile loop starting from our neighboring Airbnb, following Old Colorado City Trail, Buckskin Charley Trail, Arnold Trail and ending again with Old Colorado City Trail. We enjoyed the wildlife we saw with such a wide variety of birds and a mule deer grazing.

We did Garden of the Gods with Zach our tour guide with ilimo tours, and he is the best tour guide ever. So knowledgeable and very informative on all activities and attractions around Colorado. I will book more tours with them as they are so great to work with. Highly recommend this tour as the scenery is incredible. Very very appreciative of all Zach’s recommendations. Had an amazing day

The park is simply fantastic and scenic. Driving and walking through the park in the morning and then again late in the day after the Manitou incline offered unique color contrasts different points in the day.

The pathway down the middle of the park and perimeters offered different vantage points to take in the sights and take photographs. Amazing park

Visiting CO with a large group of friends from NC. We stopped on our way across CO to visit the Garden of the Gods. Wonderful facilities, well designed walking trails, and beautiful views. 10/10 would recommend if you have a couple hours to view. Can be drove through entirely and can pull off in multiple parking lots through the park to walk trails. Almost all the scenic views and noteworthy landscape can be viewed from the car, except the siamese twins which is about a 1.5 mile hike.

This was my first top in Colorado after driving from the East Coast. I loved it! Took the dog for a walk on a trail and photographed the rock formations with the Rockies in the background. There is abundant parking and the signs are good. Drive the Garden Way and Juniper Way Loop, and pick a trail to hike, some are long, others shorter.

I loved the Garden of the Gods, it was incredibly beautiful. First I drove around it enjoying the scenery, then parked to walk the trails through these majestic red rocks. I definitely encourage you stroll amongst them to get the full experience. It's so much more captivating in person.

Garden of Gods is a Must See in Colorado . The entrance is free. You can drive and make stops. They have parking on the road .

A free, beautiful park for all to enjoy provided by the generosity of one family who donated it, and the multitude of caring people who maintain it. A bright blue sky background only enhances the beauty of the red rock formations. Easy walking paths for most, rock climbing for those more adventurous. This is a must visit for any travelers to Colorado Springs.

This place is absolutely beautiful! Stopped here for a brief visit while on a bus trip. We went to the visitors center. I would recommend skipping the movie. It was cheesy and not worth the money. We grove through the garden and it was beautiful. Several pull off areas. Lots of trails and we saw some deer!

Would highly recommend the Trolly tour. Sidewinder was a wonderful tour guide. He really loved what he did and it showed with the presentation of the tour details.

By far our favorite thing out of all we did in Colorado Springs. The hiking areas are easy to moderate and gorgeous. Plenty of shade on the trails and places to rest. It was very busy so that’s was a little discouraging, but all in all it was great!

A park ranger and photographer were scouting out and taking pictures of baby falcons. The babies were perched in holes in the side of the rocks formations. The ranger took out her binoculars and let each of us see them and then talked to us about them. Very cool experience!

Plan to spend some time driving through the park, walking some of the trails, and seeing the exhibits at the visitor center. Avoid the heat of the day, so you can really enjoy the surroundings.

Gorgeous scenery/views including red rocks, green mountains, and Pikes Peak. We did a self-guided car tour and stopped for a few different short trail walks and scenes. You can also reserve an SUV guided tour.

Beautiful hike. It was quite busy but still enjoyable. We went on a Sunday and happened upon a choir singing Christian music. It was beautiful and a nice surprise.

We could spend hours here and find new things. Easy-moderate hike. Wear comfortable hiking boots and pack a lunch to enjoy here with a great view. There was a lot of people visiting but it never felt crowded. It's free! Must go!

The garden is beautiful and the trails are well cared for. Getting there early in the morning most of the trails are cooler and not very crowded.

This is such a beautiful tourist stop and hard to believe it’s free. Took us about 1 1/2 hours to go through and that includes stopping to take photos etc. Bring water for sure and we found parking in the overflow lot was a good plan. It’s quite a bit of walking but well worth it! We also drive though it to get a lay of the land first but note that there isn’t a good way to get back on the path unless you go all the way back around.

This is a beautiful stop. Donation of land to stay forever free to visitors. Plenty of short trails to admire the landscapes. Visitor center for additional information is helpful.

One of my favorite stops! Garden of the God's was our 2nd stop after Pikes Peak. GOG was gorgeous! It just amazes me that the rock formations are so spectacular!

In doing my research, this location was chosen due to the fact that my wife and myself had not visited area since we were both children. This was but one of three sites visited during the same day, so we drove through it twice. It was very emotional and nostalgic visiting this site and although I vaguely remember any of it, what I did remember was Balanced Rock. It was great to see an old friend again.

We loved it. Extremely well maintained and accessible. We drove around first and then came back later in the day to walk around. The parking lots were busy in the afternoon but spaces became available. The trading post is excellent. The Siamese twins was a great stop.

A must see, the rock formations and colors are very interesting. If it’s predicted to be a hot day go early and have lots of water. There isn’t much shade so a safari type hat that covers the neck is recommended. There are several areas to park so if the first one is full there are more. Figure 2-3 hours to enjoy at a leisurely pace.

This is a must visit place when you are in Springs. The rock formations are so mesmerizing. We really enjoyed the views!

Awesome sites are very easy to walk if you
Stay near the rock formations. We had a beautiful Monday
Not a cloud in the sky went around noon, and parking was not easy.
I would actually suggest that if you find parking at the visitors center
Keep the car there it's a short walk to the rocks, and the trail is paved

So beautiful and definitely worth a visit. The park is free to enter and there are numerous trails to walk at different levels of difficulty. There is also a paved/accessible central trail for those with mobility challenges or the option to drive a loop with plenty of places to pull over and take pictures. Each loop offers unique views worth seeing.

We drove through and made a couple stops on our jeep tour. Absolutely beautiful place to see. It was in the middle of the day and hot so we didn't stay too long. The only downside would have to be the crowds otherwise definitely worth seeing.

Ridiculous. They have the main entrance closed to the main part. Lucky we have been here ten times. No notifications till you get there. You can go in the back way and see a small bit. Or more ridiculous you could take their jeep your for 109 bucks. Rip off because they can bypass. Just wrong

The Garden of the Gods is a must see attraction. The rock formations are marvel of Gods creative power. The hiking loops can be done based on your own health and physical abilities. They have a walk for everyone. The visitor center is nice.

It has some beautiful views. We did not spend long there. We drove through as we did not have time to walk through the trails. There was a line to get a picture with the hanging rock. Overall would recommend a visit

This is tour is a must to be able see the whole place. Our guide was super knowledgeable and we learned a lot of things about the mountains

Such a beautiful area! Well maintained trails, amazing sites, friendly for strollers, toddlers, both paved & unpaved trails. Horse & bike friendly! So many cool ways to enjoy the views! Short trip from the interstate! Everyone traveling this area should stop at least once! Can go for as long or short as you would like!

We spotted this place when it popped up as a start up picture on a Microsoft Windows PC and decided to include it on our itinerary travelling around US National Parks. It was certainly worthwhile, with some spectacular rock formations, and would merit inclusion as designated US National Park. However, that, presumably, is not possible as it was donated to Colorado Springs by the owner as a benefit to its citizens, on the proviso that entry remained free. Entry was free, although that was irrelevant for us as we had already purchased a USA National Parks Annual pass.

It is certainly worth visiting this site if you have not seen similar before but there is no comparison with what is to be seen at Arches NP for example.

The site is spoiled by the behaviour of those who don’t normally visit sites of particular natural importance. Too many people with no respect for nature and little respect for fellow visitors. There are, however plenty of lesser used trails here, but they have far less to offer beyond a nice walk.

Amazing place to visit - we would definitely go back! We enjoyed the driving through and walking some of the trails. The visitor centre and trading post were also interesting.

Quick side trip while visiting Colorado. It was so neat to see the giant red rocks against the snowy mountains. You can drive thru or park and hike. Lovely visitor center across the street from.the park.

I had an amazing time at Garden of the Gods. I went twice during my time in Manitou Springs. First I went for sunset. Then I followed up with an early morning visit the next day. The rock formations are amazing and the views of the mountains spectacular. The Central Garden trail takes you past the largest formations and is an easy flat trail. You can drive around the rest of the park and make stops at places that interest you. You are also likely to see wildlife while there

Absolutely beautiful! Even if hiking, biking, or riding on a Segway is not your thing, drive through and enjoy the awesome views. There is a really nice paved walking path to enjoy the rock formations up close. Do not miss this totally FREE park when you're visiting the area!

I only had an hour but it was amaaaazing. If you see a big black and white bird with some iridescence, it's a magpie! Saw so many deer as well.

This was the reason for our trip to Colorado Springs, and my favorite activity while there. When we arrived there was snow, but next day it had melted, so we visited twice. After exploring I wished I had coordinated a hike that would have taken us up above, and at a distance away so we could look down on Garden of the Gods. The park is completely paved, for both cars and the walking trail. Quite a lot of exploring to do here and would recommend really taking some time to adventure here.

This is a super cool place to visit! The rock formations are so interesting! The trails are easy to navigate with plenty of benches to rest and take in the scenery

My sister and I were traveling across the United States and we love hiking and scenery. This place fit the bill. Gorgeous red colors from small rocks to massive boulders. Even saw wildlife. We enjoyed hiking and it was just breathtaking.

Way over conservative and way overpriced items in the gift shop. Items you can get from $5 anywhere else are $17. T-shirts expect to be in the $69 range. They offer an informational movie, but,again, they charge $6 each for that as well. Most places offer those for free. Download the Travel Stories app for a free auto guide thru the pard and skip the visitor center.

What a sight! Dramatic red rocks of so many whimsical shapes and all shades of rusty orange, bright red, pale white towering on the background of green mountains create unique and magically beautiful landscape.

Garden of the Rocks park is completely free, the paths, both paved and unpaved, are meticulously maintained and there are so many trails - easy, moderate, and real rock climbing. We were lucky to see one climber in action and it was a heart stopping sight to watch.

There are several lots, large and small, so parking a car at different scenic spots along the loop was not a problem.

Extremely gorgeous views! A trail that goes on for a few miles around mountains. There is bathrooms and maps, and access to the actual mountains for rock climbers if you have the appropriate gear to climb. There was some wildlife around such as deer and wild birds.

Everything about this park is perfection . It's downright gorgeous, it's not too big, and the paths, buildings, etc are modern. There are several things to do. We did the trolley tour and then a hike, which is a perfect way to see most of the park without getting tired. The visitor center is also nice. We had a hot pretzel there, and it was sooooo good!! Go here now! Good for all ages and levels of fitness.

OMG the geology and wonder are amazing. incredible sandstone and conglomerate sculptures set agains the beautiful colorado sky. my favorite was balanced rock ...... although the entire park with hiking, photography,, visitor center were amazing.

Such a beautiful place, and adorable tour guide! Thank you so much summit for showing us around and recommending the keg!! We love you!

We went to the Garden of the Gods on a nice Tuesday afternoon since we had a late flight out of Denver. It is nice that a place like this is free. We did the self-driving loop…really good photo ops. It was still crowded on a weekday and some parking areas were full. We found a few trails to walk, but is was quite warm and no shade…make sure you have a hat and water.