A Guide to Garden of the Gods for First-Timers
Garden of the Gods is one of Colorado’s most iconic natural attractions, and if you’re visiting for the first time, it can feel a little overwhelming knowing where to start.
In this detailed guide, I’ll cover how to get to Garden of the Gods, where to park, the best hiking trails, and unique ways to experience the park.
As someone who has been here several times, this is what I would recommend to first-time visitors so you can make the most of your trip.
What is Garden of the Gods?
Garden of the Gods is a free public park located in Colorado Springs, CO most known for the towering bright orange and red sandstone rock formations that are scattered across 1,300 acres.
This park is a registered National Natural Landmark, making it the ultimate destination for nature lovers and those who are fascinated by geological and ecological rarities.
Multiple roads, hiking trails, and paved paths wind through the heart of the park’s iconic rock formations, allowing visitors to experience this natural phenomenon up close.
What’s wonderful about this park is that you don’t need to be an experienced hiker to submerse yourself in nature.
Because of it’s accessibility and beauty, Garden of the Gods is a very touristy destination that attracts visitors all year round from across the globe.
The views here are truly one of a kind—and if you’ve never been before, it’s absolutely worth adding to your Colorado itinerary.
How to Get to Garden of the Gods
This beautiful park is just a 15 minute drive from downtown Colorado Springs, CO, making it an easy stop whether you’re staying in the city or passing through.
If you’re coming from Denver, the park is about a 1.5-hour drive south via I-25, which makes it a perfect day trip for both locals and tourists. Simply take Exit 146 (Garden of the Gods Road) and follow the signs toward the park.
Where to Park
Because this is one of the most visited attractions in Colorado, the park can get crowded and parking can be difficult, especially on weekends.
Fortunately, there are multiple places to park in Garden of the Gods, and it will help knowing what your options are before you visit.
If you want to avoid driving around the park, I would first drive toward the largest parking lot in the park, the Overflow Lot, where you will most likely find a spot. This lot is located across the street from the Visitor Center, off of Gateway Rd.
You can also park at the Visitor and Nature Center, but there are less than 200 spots and they often fill up quickly on the weekend. The main con about this lot and the overflow lot is that it’s a bit of a walk to reach the rock formations.
The Main Parking Lot is another large lot off of Juniper Way Loop that is conveniently located to the park restrooms.
Juniper Way Loop is the road that goes around the park, and there are several small parking lots off of this road. Although it’s a bit of a gamble, these lots are often adjacent to trailheads so you don’t have to walk as far like you would from the other lots.
The Best Trails
Another reason why this park is great, besides it being free, is that it’s pretty accessible for varying abilities and easy to get around.
If you’re visiting the park with small children and are bringing strollers, wagons, or wheelchairs, there is a 1.5 mile paved trail called the Perkins Central Garden Trail that takes you through the heart of the park.
Other popular easy trails include the Ridge Trail, Siamese Twins Trail, and the Gateway Trail.
These trails are relatively short, well-marked, and perfect for first-time visitors who want great views without a strenuous hike.
If you’re looking for more moderately challenging hikes, then you should consider the Palmer, Cabin Canyon, Strausenbach, and Central Gardens Trail Loop, Garden of the Gods Outer Loop, or Palmer, Buckskin-Charley, Niobrara, and Bretag Trail Loop.
These hikes offer fewer crowds, more elevation changes, and unique perspectives of the park’s rock formations.
Where to Take the Best Photos
Honestly, it’s hard to take a bad photo at Garden of the Gods—the scenery is stunning in every direction. That said, some spots are especially popular for photography.
The best photo opportunities are often found off the main paved path and along designated hiking trails that take you closer to the rocks. Just be sure to stay on marked trails and follow all posted signage to help protect the landscape.
Some of the most iconic photo spots include:
Balanced Rock
Siamese Twins
High Point Overlook
For the best lighting and fewer crowds, try visiting early in the morning or closer to sunset.
Unique Ways to Experience the Park
Of course the easiest way to visit Garden of the Gods is on foot. There are so many hiking trails to explore just by walking through that you’ll be preoccupied a good chunk of the day.
But if you’re wanting to spice things up and make your experience a little more interesting, here are some things you could do:
Garden of the Gods is truly one of those places that lives up to the hype. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick visit or spending an entire day exploring, I hope this guide helps make your first trip to Garden of the Gods smooth, memorable, and stress-free.
Have fun and enjoy the views!
