Natures Sandstone Gift to Colorado Springs.
I lived in Colorado Springs for about five years. In that time I bet I visited Garden of the Gods park at least 250 times, it’s an experience you never tire of. I spent many weekends walking/driving through the park. Not to mention, my workplace was just a half mile up the road from this iconic adult playground, I spent many a lunch-break inside the park, enjoying the view as I ate.
This is one of those places everyone should put on their bucket list. There’s a reason Garden of the Gods (GOTG) was designated a registered National Natural Landmark back in 1971, it’s that uniquely beautiful. The rock formations known as ‘Fins’ are some of the thinnest outcroppings you’ll see anywhere in the world.
When I lived near GOTG 25 years ago you could wander around the park with only a few people within your sight, not anymore, today the national landmark has become so popular I recommend you visit on a weekday morning, the weekends have become so crowded it can be difficult to find a parking space let alone have a moment of solitude.
My favorite thing was to find an isolated area that had only a few parking spots, then base my hike from that starting point. The further you are from the crowded parking lots the better your chances of enjoying your hike without too many interactions with the ‘public’. Personally I prefer exploring the ‘less-beaten’ path rather than crowded trails.
As long as you are careful not to trample the vegetation I think they still allow hiking off trail. That’s where you’ll find the public-shy wildlife and discover uniquely majestic views that haven’t been overexposed by publication in newspapers, magazines, or on the internet. It gives you an opportunity to actually explore the many smaller outcroppings and surrounding vegetation.
There are so many less-traveled parts to the park a person could literally spend years in ‘discovery mode’ hiking throughout this 1341 acre national treasure. I know during the five years I lived near GOTG park I never tired of the experience… I discovered something new with every visit.
Garden of the God’s National Landmark is a great family vacation destination. Children love exploring the park and stopping by the Visitor and Nature Center. With the many educational exhibits on display your children (and you) will better understand how the sandstone formations developed and learn about the rich history of the region, including everything from Dinosaur Fossils to local Native American Cultures.
Kissing Camels
Of course, most people come to the park to see the ‘named’ formations, the geological features that are photographed dozens, if not hundreds of times every day. The most popular attractions include Kissing Camels Rock, Steamboat Rock, Balanced Rock, and the Three Graces.
In the above image of the very popular ‘Kissing Camels’ rock formation I tried to be creative by capturing the sunlight streaming through the narrow space between the camels lips. Oh well, I tried. Easy to recognize, Kissing Camels is a major attraction with a decent sized parking lot nearby.
For many people Kissing Camels is their first stop. They briefly park their car, take a short walk to view the formation and snap a few pictures, then return to their vehicle to drive to the next popular attraction. Most people don’t realize there are other ways to enjoy Garden of the Gods.
In order to plan your trip first visit the GOTG website to check out the scheduled ‘Events Calendar’ and then weigh your options as to what sort of experience you prefer for your visit. Do you just want to leisurely drive through the park and perhaps take a short hike or two, or would you rather have a more organized tour of the park? If you plan ahead you’ll find you have several options, keep in mind you may have to make reservations in advance.
On the GOTG home page you can view your options and decide which method of visitation suits your needs. Keep in mind, day-of, or in-person options may be limited, advance reservations with The Visitor and Nature Center may be necessary for certain activities. It is recommended you make reservations in advanced of your visit. What would you like to do?
- Drive through the park
- Hike through the park
- Take a guided nature walk
- Enjoy a guided Electric Bike Tour
- Sit back and enjoy a Jeep or 1909 Trolley Tour
- For the adventurous, how about a guided Segway Tour
- Book your group for a Motor-Coach Tour w/speaker
- For a different view try Rock Climbing with the professionals at Front Range Climbing, first-time climbers are welcome
- Horseback Riding is allowed (I think you have to bring your own horse)
As always, entrance to the park and parking are free. Keep in mind equipment rental and/or guided tours are subject to a fee.
Steamboat Rock
One of my favorite formations is Steamboat Rock. I like the look of the different layers clearly displayed in this ancient rock. It is easily accessible by paved road and is a popular spot for tourist photography.
Years ago you were allowed to take the stairs leading up the spine of the formation, but that is no longer an option, even though the stairs are still visible. That’s probably a good thing, I wouldn’t want to take a picture of the rock with 30 people walking around on top of it.
Balanced Rock
Just across the road you’ll find what is probably the most photographed site in the park, Balanced Rock. Formed by millions & millions of years of erosion this 35-foot tall, 1.4-million-pound sandstone rock is practically begging you to take it’s picture.
The layering in this formation is beautiful with it’s subtle changes in color. The rock is made of silica, coarse sand, hematite, and gravel. One can easily imagine the passage of time in the well defined layering of sediment. Be sure to walk around the rock and view the backside too, most people just see the roadside view.
The Three Graces
Another popular formation for photographers is the majestic site known as The Three Graces, one of the most recognizable formations in the park.
These narrow pillars are known as ‘Fins’, hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has slowly eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. There are many Fins in the park, however, it’s the juxtaposition of these three Fins that make this geological formation stand out.
According to retired biology professor Richard Beidleman Garden of the Gods park is “the most striking contrast between plains and mountains in North America” with respect to biology, geology, climate, and scenery. The Three Graces would certainly be considered part of that contrast.
Garden of the God’s sandstone rock formations were created millions of years ago during the geological upheaval event known as the Laramide Orogeny. According to Wikipedia “Archaeological evidence shows that prehistoric people visited Garden of the Gods about 1330 BC. At about 250 BC, Native American people camped in the park; Many native peoples have reported a connection to Garden of the Gods, including Apache, Cheyenne, Comanche, Kiowa, Lakota, Pawnee, Shoshone and Ute people.”
The Garden of the Gods Park is a popular site for hiking, rock climbing, biking and horseback riding. The park attracts more than two million visitors annually from all around the world. There are more than 21 miles of trails. Annual events include summer running races, recreational bike rides and Pro Cycling Challenge Prologue.
The main trail in the park is the 1.5-mile Perkins Central Garden Trail, it is paved and wheelchair-accessible; meandering throughout the park, the trail offers views of the park’s largest and most scenic sandstone formations. The trail begins at the North Parking lot.
As I said in the beginning of this article, a visit to Garden of the Gods park should be on everyone’s bucket list. If you’re going to visit the beautiful state of Colorado you owe it to yourself to take at least one day and visit the Colorado Springs area. Between, Garden of the Gods park, Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Pikes Peak and it’s Cog Railroad, you’ll have plenty to do during your stay; in fact, you might want to stay two or three days.
Thanks for reading my article.
Info Sources: In addition to my personal experience, most ‘researched’ information was gathered from the websites noted below and from various Google searches.
- To plan your trip to Garden of the Gods, visit the official website for the adjacent city of Colorado Springs here.
- To visit the official Garden of the Gods website go here.
- To learn more about the history of Garden of the God’s visit their Wikipedia page here.
- *Public Domain WikiMedia image used with permission via Creative Commons License BY-SA 3.0 Deed
- **Public Domain WikiMedia image used with permission via Creative Commons License BY-SA 4.0 Deed
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