On my way back up to Denver I decided to make a quick stop at the Garden of the Gods. This marvel of a park is just outside Colorado Springs and offered a glorious walk through the stunning red rock formations.
From the visitor center you follow a paved path down the hill to the parking lot then continue to follow the path up to the park. There is a shuttle service that will take you to the park as well that runs every 15 minutes. But the walk is easy, although the winds today were so strong that I about lost my hat. I chased it back down the path a little ways before I could grab it.
The Garden of the Gods got the name from a couple of surveyors in 1859 who came from Denver to begin a townsite. While exploring nearby locations they came across this beautiful array of sandstone formations. When one of them said it would be a capital place for a beer garden the other exclaimed that it was more a fit place for the Gods to assemble and it should be called Garden of the Gods instead. The name stuck and it has been Garden of the Gods ever since. Then in 1871 a railroad owner named Charles Elliot Perkins bought the land. Over the years he added to the park but never built on it. He turned it into a public park and when he passed away the land was given to the city with the stipulation that it remain a free park and the natural beauty of it preserved. A plaque set into the rock remembers the man who gave this beautiful park to the people to be enjoyed.
The park offers an easy paved path that winds through the formations. Surrounding the formations are hundreds of miles of trails for walking or biking. And for those looking for some serious rock climbing they can bring their gear and with a permit scale the rock faces. This park is also dog friendly and offers a dog park by the parking lot for pups to play after walking with you through the beautiful red rocks.
These formations are works of art. Each one has intricate patterns of holes and grooves as it reaches skyward with impressive height. They are stunning against the blue sky. They have made this park accessible to anyone, no matter the physical ability. It is clear that Mr. Perkins wanted this to be a park for everyone to come and enjoy the majestic natural beauty.
I walked around the park soaking in the incredible views. It made me so homesick for Utah and the red rock country in the southern part of the state. Sadly I had limited time to spend there otherwise I would have spent the entire day exploring the many dirt trails that surround the park.
With one final lap around the park I tried to soak in the feel of the park and the sights of the rocks. I could not have asked for a better place to stop for a break. This is somewhere I would love to come back to and really explore more of the area and find all the rest of what the park has to share with those that come to marvel at these beautiful rocks.
Do you love epic red rock country places as much as I do? Then here are some other places to consider:
Bryce Canyon National Park – Utah
Lost Dutchman State Park – Arizona
Thanks for coming along on this walk through the Garden of the Gods. May you always look to the sky in wonder.
Excellent stuff Meg. I have never been to a red rock park of any kind, so your photos and words really do inspire. The trails looked pretty busy in a few shots, which I guess is the result of it being a walk that just about anyone can do. Appreciated the bit of history, they certainly didn’t hold back with the name. I think when you hear the name, you go expecting great things and happily it doesn’t disappoint.
Thanks Leighton 🙂 It was crazy busy that day but it was because it was a holiday and the unofficial first day of the summer season so everyone was out enjoying the parks. The trail is doable for anyone which makes it a popular place to visit. But the views are worth it, even with the masses of people there to contend with. And I agree, the name perfectly fits the place. It made me feel very homesick for the red rock country of Southern Utah though.
It looks beautiful – the rocks look like they came from Mars 🙂
So true! They have used the red rock country in southern Utah for many sci-fi movies and shows over the years as the backdrop of an alien planet. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have used this part of Colorado for the same purpose 🙂
I’ve seen the signs from the highway but never ventured in. The rock features are stunning. Thanks for the quick tour 😊 Maggie
It makes for a great stop off by the road. There are a lot of trails you can explore, but this main area is perfect for when you don’t have a lot of time to spend. I hope you have a great week 🙂
You’re right, the rocks are indeed nature’s works of art. Erosion has shaped them into something spectacular.
They truly are spectacular to behold. Although they made me so homesick for the red rock country of southern Utah. I just love the dynamic formations that have been created.
I love the story of how the park was named. It also reminds me of Utah. Beautiful photos; thanks for sharing!
I love that it reminds you of Utah because it certainly got me feeling a little homesick for southern Utah 🙂 I hope you have a great week!
I love red rock parks too and have vivid memories of visiting Bryce NP. This one looks spectacular too, thanks for the tour.
oh Bryce is my all time favorite national park. I love that it is a shared location for us too! This park was nice because it really is accessible for everyone.
Those rocks are incredible, I wonder how old they are. I can’t think of anything to compare them to.
Gorgeous colours too
They were incredible and so accessible to everyone which was really nice. It made for a lovely walk 🙂
I’ve always wanted to go there. Love the story of the name.
It’s really great. I liked how it was so accessible to anyone. While I love Utah’s red rock country, a lot of the trails are only for those who can hike so it was nice to have a park that is made for everyone to enjoy.
What a great landscape! The red rocks look incredible and spectacular as if they fell from another planet. We should all treat with respect and preserve the magnificent beauties of our nature. Thank you for your beautiful photos and the interesting article.
Meg, I wish you all the best.. 🤩👍🏻.
Rosie from Germany
Thank you so much! I love the red rocks and the dynamic uniqueness look of them. Wishing you all the best too Rosie 🙂