Garden of the Gods

Please note, a new waterline is being installed at Garden of the Gods Park that will enhance fire safety and accessibility within the park. Garden of the Gods Park is open throughout construction, however some roads and trails may be affected. Please follow all signage and detours in place and use caution around work sites. We thank you for your patience as we work to enhance and improve our National Natural Landmark. Learn more by visiting ColoradoSprings.gov/GOGWaterlineProject.

The towering red rock formations of the Garden of the Gods Park come alive when you visit the free Visitor and Nature Center and explore the geology, plants, animals and people of this amazing 1,341.3-acre regional park, located at 1805 North 30th Street in Colorado Springs. This incredible city-owned park is truly one of a kind. The site is a National Natural Landmark, having been recognized by the Department of the Interior as "a nationally-significant natural area." It offers towering sandstone formations, a wonderful view of Pikes Peak, paved and unpaved hiking paths, the historic Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, a living history museum, placed on the National Register for Historic Places in 1971, and many other amenities.

The park was given to the city of Colorado Springs in 1909 by the children of railroad magnate Charles Elliot Perkins, in fulfillment of his wish that it be kept forever open and free to the public. As a result, this amazing park can be enjoyed free of charge.

Some activities and features include guided nature walks, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails, road biking and technical rock climbing.

November 1 - April 30: 5 a.m. - 9 p.m.

May 1 - October 31: 5 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Park location map

Map of trails and rock formations

Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center entrance sign

Your visit to Garden of the Gods Park isn’t complete without a stop at the FREE, world-class Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, your official gateway to one of Colorado’s most iconic landscapes. Here, you’ll discover state-of-the-art interactive exhibits that bring the Park’s rich history, unique geology, and vibrant flora and fauna to life. Don’t miss the world’s only Theiophytalia kerri dinosaur, discovered right here in the park!

As the most-visited attraction in the Pikes Peak region, the Visitor Center offers experiences that go beyond the ordinary. Immerse yourself in the Geo-Trekker Movie Experience, shown every 20 minutes, to uncover the incredible story of how those towering red rocks came to be. For an unforgettable adventure, embark on a Jeep, Segway, 1909 Trolley, or E-Bike tour. All tours begin at the Visitor Center and provide a unique and fun perspective of the park.

After exploring, recharge at the Gateway Café and browse our award-winning gift shop! Every purchase you make at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center directly impacts the preservation and enhancement of Garden of the Gods Park. Owned and operated by the Garden of the Gods Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Visitor & Nature Center is committed to ensuring the Park remains protected and accessible for future generations. Proceeds from Visitor Center activities and visitor donations contribute to this mission. To date, these efforts have generated an extraordinary $6.8 million in contributions from the Garden of the Gods Foundation for the maintenance and preservation of this iconic landmark.

Learn more and plan your visit at www.GardenOfGods.com

Address

1805 N. 30th Street (at Gateway Road)

Phone

719-634-6666

Balanced Rock covered in snow at Garden of the Gods during the winter.

Ideas for your Garden experience

Nestled amidst some of the most breathtaking scenery in Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods Park is a paradise for photographers. Capture stunning images of Gateway and Balanced Rocks from their respective parking lots, or venture onto the Siamese Twins Trail for a unique perspective of Pikes Peak framed by a striking rock formation.

For those looking to stay active, the park offers miles of trails to explore. Begin your adventure at the main parking lot, where you’ll find easy, paved pathways that wind through the heart of the iconic red rock formations. The South Garden parking lot provides access to approximately 5 miles of trails suitable for mountain biking, hiking, or horseback riding. Plus, all one-way roads in the park are equipped with paved bike lanes for added convenience.

For the more adventurous, technical climbing is allowed on established routes within the park. See below for more information on rock climbing permits.

Discover the wonders of Garden of the Gods with our daily guided nature walks, featuring fascinating topics like wildflowers, rattlesnakes, history, and more. These walks take place daily and are just $5. Reservations are required.

Year-round special programs offer many additional opportunities to engage. Don’t miss our daily educational presentations at the Visitor & Nature Center, where you can explore topics like geology, ecology, wildlife, arts, recreation, and the park’s vibrant cultural history.

School programs are available during the academic year, and Junior Ranger Programs are offered daily, making it a perfect experience for learners of all ages. Plan your trip online today!

To book your nature walk reservation or view a current schedule of events, visit gardenofgods.com/events.

Come experience the natural beauty and excitement that Garden of the Gods has to offer!

East-face of North Gateway Rock is temporarily closed to rock climbing due to the ongoing Water Line Construction project. Other temporary closures may be in effect for the area.

Rock Climbing Permits

Information about rock climbing in the park

Rock Climbing Closures

Click on the images below to view them at full resolution.

Photo of the top of Gray Rock (AKA Kindergarten Rock) taken from a satellite. The top of Sleeping Giant is also shown. Showing details of a permanent rock climbing and hiking closure area. The image also shows the current seasonal rock-climbing closure for the north-east face of Gray Rock.

Photo of the top of North Gateway Rock taken from a satellite. Showing details of seasonal rock climbing closures to protect nesting wildlife. Specific rock-climbing route names are listed to aid closure location. The rock-climbing closure includes the top, east, south, and north faces of North Gateway Rock. The area known as the Tower of Babel is also closed.

Photo of the top of Gray Rock (AKA Kindergarten Rock) taken from a satellite. Showing details of seasonal rock-climbing closures to protect nesting wildlife. Specific rock-climbing route names are listed to aid closure location. The rock-climbing closure includes the north-east face of Gray Rock.

Commercial Use Permits

Individuals, companies or organizations seeking to conduct commercial activity in Garden of the Gods Park must apply for a commercial use permit. If an individual/organization receives any form of compensation for what they are providing they are considered to be conducting a commercial activity/use. Examples include:

Guided Rock Climbing
Guided Talks, Hikes, and Walking Tours
Guided Scooter, Mountain Biking, Road Cycling and E-Assist Bicycle Tours
Scooter and Bicycle Rentals
Commercial Bus or Vehicle Tours
Guided Hiking and Walking Tours with Any Type of Animal (Llama, Wolves, Dogs, Etc.)
Art Workshops
Exercise/ Yoga Classes
Day Camps and Summer Camps
Other Commercial Activities

To learn more or apply for a Garden of the Gods Park commercial use permit, visit www.gardenofgods.com/permits

Commercial Photography, Video and Drone Use

Commercial photography, video and drone use within the Park requires a permit through the Office of Special Events.

At this time, professional photo or video projects where the final product is for the customer's personal use do not require a permit (this includes weddings, engagement photos, graduation photos, etc.) The Parks Recreation and Cultural Services Department is considering a permitting process for this type of use.

Drone photography is only permitted with expressed written consent (see Drone Policy).

Follow the Leave No Trace Seven Principles

The City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services department is proudly partnered with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics in order to promote environmental stewardship and safeguard the natural, cultural, and historical resources that make Colorado Springs such a fantastic place to live and visit. Follow the Leave No Trace Seven Principles to help keep our parks, trails, and open spaces healthy and sustainable. Learn more at lnt.org

	Plan ahead and prepare. Stop by our Visitor and Nature Center to pick up a free park map, and plan your route. Please bring plenty of water and dress appropriately for the current weather. Colorado’s weather changes fast, so dress in layers.
	Travel on durable surfaces. Please stay on established trails at all times. With well over 4 million visitors a year it does not take much off trail activity for our sensitive vegetation to quickly die off. You must have a climbing permit and technical climbing gear to rock climb. All chalk and chalk substitutes are banned from the park. Familiarize yourself with seasonal climbing route closures before you get to the park.
	Dispose of waste properly. There are bear resistant trash cans throughout the park for your use. Pet waste must be picked up and disposed of. Disposing of waste properly not only makes the park more enjoyable for the visitors that come after you, but also protects wildlife from the spread of disease.
	Leave what you find. There are plenty of wonderful sights around Garden of the Gods and many people want something to help remember their trip. The best memento to take with you is a picture of your trip. Please don’t take any rocks or plants with you. Due to our high visitation, even removing one pebble or small stick quickly adds up and deprives the park of needed resources.
	Be careful with fire. No solid fuel fires are allowed in Garden of the Gods. The park gets very little precipitation throughout the year which makes it dry and incredibly easy for fires to quickly spread. There is also no smoking allowed on park trails.
	Respect wildlife. Use the “Rule of Thumb” to give wildlife appropriate space. Outstretch one arm and stick your thumb up, closing one eye. If you can’t completely cover an animal with your thumb, then you might be too close. Keep all pets on leash and on trail. Please leave the area if your pet appears to be stressing and frightening wildlife. Never attempt to feed or touch wildlife. Doing so can result in serious injury or death for you and the wildlife.
	Be considerate of others. Be observant of other visitors in the park and be mindful of the “Yield Triangle”. Horseback riders always have the right-of-way, while cyclists must always yield to walking pedestrians and horseback riders. Be sure not to take up the whole trail, and allow others to pass if they are moving quicker. Please don’t listen to music or loud phone calls at a level where others can hear it.