Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado for a Day Visit

Visit the Garden of the Gods City Park in Colorado for a day visit. The park is a wonderland of natural red cliff formations.

As a bonus, the park and museum in the visitor’s center are free.

Inside the park are hiking trails, paved walking trails, and rock climbing for experienced climbers.

Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center

The Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center

Once you arrive at the park you will see signs for the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center. Of note, the center includes a museum and is free.

Most importantly, stop at the visitor center first to get a map of the park and visit the museum.

Recent cutting edge museum technology is incorporated in the nature displays.

Bear in Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center

Bighorn Sheep at Gods Garden Nature Center — Bighorn Sheep – Nature Center

Together with geology and ecology displays the nature center houses the wild animals found in the park.

Also in the Visitor and Nature Center is a cafe as well as a large gift shop with souvenirs and numerous books.

A Visit to Garden of the Gods

Kissing Camels at Garden of the Gods, Colorado

Within the Garden of the Gods Park are 21 miles of trails.

Prior to entering the park stop at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center to pick up a free trail map.

If you are short on time you can drive through the park and see beautiful rock formations, mountains, and views of the wilderness area.

Deer at Main Entrance Overflow Parking Lot

There are parking lots and pull outs along the roads that loop through the park. The overflow parking lot at the entrance is an alternative when the park is busy during peak season.

Additionally, the park offers shuttle service during the summer peak season.

Restrooms are available at the Visitor Center and main parking lot at the center of the park.

Garden of the Gods Park Walking and Hiking Trails

Perkins Central Garden Trail

At one and a half miles roundtrip and marked an easy route this is a good trail for most visitors. Best of all the trail is located in the center of the park and the base of the highest rock formations.

If you are limited on time then the Perkins Central Garden Trail is the best option to walk among the highlights of the Gardens of the Gods.

Siamese Twins Trail

Continuing to drive past the parking lot at the center of the park and you will come to the turnoff for the Siamese Twins Trail. Also an easy one mile roundtrip the trail rises 150 feet.

A bonus is the view of Pikes Peak. In order to see Pikes Peak view through the window of the twin rock formations.

Chambers Bretag Palmer Trail

Alternatively, the Chambers Bretag Palmer Trail is longer at three miles. Including an elevation of 250 feet it is rated a moderate intensity hike.

As a matter of fact, this trail circles almost the entire Garden of the Gods Park. Add the Chamber Bertag Palmer Trail to your itinerary to get a full immersive experience visiting the park.

Ridge Trail

Another moderate intensity trail within the park is the Ridge Trail. Rising only 100 feet the half mile loop lets you experience being among the rocks.

Scotsman Buckskin Charlie Trail

An additional trail option for looping through the park is the Scotsman Buckskin Charlie Trail. While hiking among the rocky and rolling trails you can take in views of the Central Garden rock formations.

Rock Climbing in Garden of the Gods Park

Visitors are welcome to climb the red rocks in the Garden of the Gods. This historic climbing venue in the top rated city park offers multiple climbing routes.

In order to rock climb in the park a permit must be filed with the Garden of the Gods Park. Additionally, all rock climbers must be experienced and use appropriate gear.

An alternative is to arrange for rock climbing in the park with a tour group. Climb and rappel with a guide arranged through the park.

Visiting the Park

Coming from Denver International Airport to the Garden of the Gods is an 85 mile drive south.

Keep in mind traffic to the park can vary depending on the day of the week and time of day as part of the drive is through the city of Denver.

Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site

Combined with a visit to Garden of the Gods is a tour of the Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site.

Behind the main entrance parking lot of the park is the entry way to the Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site. Easily visited in the same day as a trip to Garden of the Gods it provides a history of the area.

There is a nominal fee to visit the ranch as it is separate from the free park.