Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center image

Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center

Tourist attraction Park Museum Hiking area Adventure sports Visitor center

One of the Best Places To Visits in Colorado Springs


Address

1805 N 30th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, United States

Website

gardenofgods.com

Contact

+1 719-634-6666

Rating on Google Maps

4.90 (1K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Thursday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Friday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Monday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Tuesday: 9 am to 5 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: park (14) great (12) Colorado (12) tour (10) rock (10) trails (10) visit (10) area (9) hike (9) Garden (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Van W. 11 months ago on Google
    Be aware state parks want your money. I suggest downloading the TravelStorys App and take the guided tour for free. Don’t pay for a tour. This park is very small and only takes about 30 minutes to drive the scenic road. Also the entrance is free. It is however a must stop if your in the Denver area. We have been to a ton of National Parks in the west and have yet to see rock formations like these. We did a 1 mile hike at parking lot 2, it was the highest rated. Busy since it was 2pm on a weekend. When we got back it seemed to be clearing up.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Neil C. 7 months ago on Google • 361 reviews
    What a beautiful facility for the whole family. Take the tour in the covered wagon. The exhibits indoor are fantastic. There's so much to learn here and all the ask for is a donation. Plan on a nice hike- great trails. Then go home and watch an old Western show where you're likely to see this exact areas. A real treat.

  • 5/5 Alex P. 7 months ago on Google • 119 reviews
    Superb site to visit. The sandstone and limestone formations are something from another world. The trail is mostly a sidewalk, so I would classify this hike mostly as a stroll. The visitor center is also nice and you can learn more information about the composition of the garden and its fauna and flora. I definitely recommend visiting this site, as the views are breathtaking. Especially with Pikes Peak in the backdrop.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Shelley S. 6 months ago on Google • 215 reviews
    You can find trails which range from a short walk of a ¼ mile and longer trails up to 5 miles. The park is also handicap accessible. For me, the best part about the visit to Garden of the Gods was being able to learn about the diverse fauna and flora of the area, take a walk along one of their trails and enjoy the dramatic red rock landscape. Even though the park is free, just to note when you arrive if it is in the busiest part of the day you might struggle to find parking at the visitors centre and might need to be patient for a parking to become available. I’ve added in a photo of where the kissing camels are, I only found them after my visit upon writing this article!

  • 5/5 Jim B. 8 months ago on Google
    The beauty of God's handy work on to behold. The way the rock jut right up out of the ground and the fascination of it all is just grand. The visitors center is a great place to learn about the different animals in the area and the indigenous human life that was around there. All in all, it's a great learning experience and a great place to take the kids a hike around the area to see what you don't see from a vehicle. Definitely bring the kids! And while you're in the area, check out the Red Rock across from Garden of the gods. It is more of the same uplifted rock. A great experience!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aaron S. 7 months ago on Google • 205 reviews
    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!

  • 5/5 Natasha K. 5 months ago on Google • 80 reviews
    I would have loved to hike on one of the trails in this free park which literally lives up to its name! If you do have limited time, a good place to start is the visitors center which has a lot of interesting info about how these rock were formed ( for geology buffs) and an interactive map of all the 'named' rock structures. This is also very close to the manitou cliff dwellings which is another interesting historical puebloan place to visit and learn about.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rucha K. 10 months ago on Google • 148 reviews
    Such a a beautiful place! Would recommend getting their early to find parking and avoid the heat in summer! Would recommend shuttle or tour bus use if with small children. Love that they had options for small hikes with kids. Wish they would have stroller rental option but definitely enjoyed our trip with our toddler twins!

  • 5/5 Vanessa M. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing. Mini museum with a little bit of history about the place, a cafe and a gift shop. Also a quick trip to the restroom wouldn’t hurt before starting your hike. Make sure you catch the views from the ginormous balcony past the gift shop, you won’t regret it.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Da C. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place to start, plan, or confirm your routes BEFORE you venture into the unknown. Educational exhibits, great views, and a top-notch Cafe with snacks, large pretzels, sandwiches, muffins, drinks, and more. Clean restrooms. Outside is dog friendly.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Avoyt D. 3 months ago on Google • 82 reviews New
    I mostly went for water and maybe a map before continuing my walk. Turns out, there's a lot to do here! They were celebrating some kind of event themed around bighorn sheep; they had all sorts of skulls and all on display. There's a small natural history museum too. They also had an animal presentation where they educated us about local wildlife while showing some rescues, including a bald eagle! I'm not from here, so I knew little about the local wildlife; it was a great event, and I feel lucky to have caught it. And it was all free. If you want to spend some money, they have some ticketed things (like some kind of movie about the Garden of the Gods?), paid tours, a gift shop, and a café. I meant to buy some roasted nuts on the way out because they smelled so good, but I forgot.

  • 5/5 Kamborghini H. 5 months ago on Google • 35 reviews
    This visitor center is pretty cool. Here you can expect to find restrooms, visual and physical exhibits, a decent size gift shop, a miniature model of the park, a food bar/ restaurant, a small theatre, pick up for the tours and more. This is a great place for kids where they also have a lot of kid friendly things to do.

  • 4/5 mttmrkgrc1 3 months ago on Google • 29 reviews New
    Gorgeous views and fun items to purchase. This location even has hot food and snacks for the trip. Worth stopping by when you are in the area. Offering tours of the park as well! Some learning exhibits inside as well for the kids.

  • 5/5 Tim W. 1 year ago on Google
    Incredibly beautiful rock formations so close to Colorado Springs. I highly recommend taking the 2 hour Jeep tour, we had a great guide who was very knowledgeable about the history of area and pointed out the various rock formations. The tour first took us to the Broadmoor area and then up a canyon road to Helen Falls, then down a railroad grade road through a couple tunnels, very great views of Colorado Springs. He then took us to the Garden of the Gods and showed us the hotspots.

  • 5/5 Sage B. 1 year ago on Google
    Cool place, has great views from the balcony that they have put back. You can see the whole "garden" from it, would recommend

  • 5/5 Cristi K. 1 year ago on Google
    So beautiful! Also be sure to stop in the trading post! The food is fresh and delicious, and the staff are so much fun! If we hadn’t done the jeep tour (which we also highly recommend) we would have missed the trading post. Worth the stop! Great shopping and great food!

  • 5/5 Dongbin K. 1 year ago on Google
    Good place to visit with your family and friends. There are lots of tourists and tour packages (jeep tour, ebike, etc).

  • 5/5 studioprophet 9 months ago on Google
    We take every guest to this area. The rock formations are breathtaking. There are easy in and out pull off areas to take pictures and many easy to use trails. We have had many magical moments here with deer crossing the paths. It is peaceful and still. If you're into gift shops, the stores have food, clothing, and a variety of tickets to help you remember your journey. There is a free exhibit.

  • 5/5 william b. 1 year ago on Google
    Our nature walk was wonderful today! Lasted about an 1.5 hours and covered the best highlights of the trail. For only $10 it’s the best tour the park has to offer.

  • 5/5 Jttanak 4 months ago on Google • 7 reviews
    Amazing natural creations that just add to the beauty of Colorado Springs. It has a nice “drive-thru” path that still gets you up close to the formations while foot paths and roads are easily accessible for those adventurous types.

  • 5/5 Baibhav B. 1 year ago on Google
    Title: Journey through Time - The Garden of the Gods Park, Colorado Springs, Colorado Review: A visit to Colorado might conjure images of snow-capped mountains and famous ski resorts, but the state has much more to offer, one of which is the mesmerizing Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs. The sight of this park, with its distinctive rock formations, feels more akin to a landscape you'd find in Arizona or Utah, showcasing a facet of Colorado many don’t often associate with the state. The park itself is beautifully maintained, and for those planning a leisurely walk around the paved trails, it’s an absolute delight. However, if you are adventurous and wish to embark on a longer three to four-mile hike, be prepared. The intensity of the Colorado sun and the length of the trails can make the hike quite draining. Adequate hydration, sunscreen, and a hat are essential. The paths within the park are well-paved, which can give the impression of an easy stroll, but don't be fooled. The longer hikes can be challenging, particularly for those not used to high altitude or arid conditions. However, these trails offer a unique opportunity to experience the magnificent geological structures that took millions of years to form, up close. If you can handle the hike, it is absolutely worth the effort. But if hiking isn’t your thing, don’t worry. The park has an incredibly well-planned scenic drive that allows you to take in the stunning landscape from the comfort of your vehicle. In essence, Garden of the Gods is a versatile and unique destination that offers a fascinating glimpse into Colorado's geological past. It’s a good hour and a half drive from Denver Airport, and although I wouldn't make this trip every time I visit Denver, it’s absolutely worth the journey for those visiting Denver for the first time, or for those who haven’t yet explored the southern side of the city. In conclusion, the Garden of the Gods park is a treasure trove of natural beauty, a must-visit for any tourist in Colorado. Just remember to plan and prepare accordingly, especially if you intend to hike. I hope you find this review helpful for your upcoming visit to Colorado, and thank you for reading!


Call +1 719-634-6666 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Hiking
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed
    • ✓️ Good for kids
    • ✓️ Picnic tables
    • ✓️ Public toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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