Garden of the Gods
· FREE Museum of Natural and Cultural History· FREE Full Color Map of the Park
· PLAN TO SPEND AT LEAST 1 HOUR
Imagine towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak and brilliant blue skies. That's the view from the beautiful Garden of the Gods Visitor Center terrace. This free center is the gateway to Garden of the Gods City Park. Here, the geology, ecology and cultural history of the area spring to life through hands-on exhibits. A portion of all proceeds generated at the Visitor Center are returned to the park for maintenance and preservation
EXHIBITS
Our FREE center is your gateway to Garden of the Gods city park. Here, the geology, ecology and cultural history of the area spring to life through hands-on-exhibits. Learn how the Magpie builds its nest...see the replicated skull of a Camptosaurus, a dinosaur from the Jurassic Period, found in the Park...and read about the American Indian tribes who wintered in our Park.
You won't want to miss the block-buster multi-media presentation "How Did Those Red Rocks Get There?" Our 12 minute theater presentation details the fascinating history and geology of our Park using stunning time lapse photography, four screens including one 20x30 foot screen laser lights and more. $2.00 for adults. $1.00 for children, 4 and under free. Discount coupons for the movie are available on our website.
BUS TOUR-Summer Only
Leave from the Visitor Center and enjoy a 30 minute tour of the geology and history of the Park. Tickets are available at the Visitor Center information kiosk. $3.75 adults. $2.50 children. Call for details.
FREE NATURE TALKS
Listen to one of our Park's naturalists talk on subjects such as honey ants, bears, mountain lions rattlesnakes or one of many others offered free at the center. These 30-minute presentations on the natural and human history of the Park are given throughout the day. Ask for a schedule of the day's events at the information kiosk when you visit.
CAFE at the GARDEN
While at the Visitor Center plan to relax and enjoy a delicious lunch or snack at the Cafe at the Garden. Dine inside or outside on the terrace for a stunning view of the Garden of the Gods Park.
SHOPPING
Specializing in Colorado-made items, our Center has three gift shops, offering something for visitors of all ages...postcards, fine American Indian jewelry, porcelain sculptures, books, and our famous fudge made in our own kitchen! For information on products carried in our gift shops, call 719-219-0107
FREE NATURE WALKS
Free guided nature walks are offered in the Park daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. with added walks during the summer months (weather permitting). Meet at the Central Garden Trailhead at the Main/North Parking lot in the park. This is an easy 45-minute stroll on a slightly sloping and paved trail. Free color maps of the park, including trail locations, are available at the information kiosk at the Visitor Center.
HOURS OF OPERATION
The Garden of the Gods Visitor Center is open from 9am - 5pm, seven days a week. Extended hours in the summer. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. Come by the Visitor Center for a free color map of the Garden of the Gods Park and to view exhibits that describe the natural & cultural history of the Park.
HORSEBACK RIDING
For guided Horseback rides in the Garden of the Gods Park contact Academy Riding Stables at 719-633-5667. Private horse trailers can be parked and unloaded at South Spring Canyon Picnic area. Get a trail map from the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center for trails open to horseback riding.
DOGS
Dogs are allowed in the Garden of the Gods Park on a six foot leash. There is one designated area where dogs can run unleashed - south of Gateway Road and West of 30th Street. Owners are responsible to cleaning up after their dogs in all areas of the Park.
ROCK CLIMBING REGULATIONS
Rock Climbers must first register at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center. Technical climbing is permitted on established routes, in groups of two or more. Proper climbing equipment in mandatory and the use of eco-chalk is recommended. All other climbing or rock scrambling in Garden of the Gods Park is illegal.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Mountain biking is allowed on designated mountain biking trails in the Garden of the Gods Park. Remember, you will be sharing these trails with equestrian users and hikers. Please abide by the regulations outlines in the mountain biking brochure, available at the Visitor & Nature Center. In addition, all one-way roads in the Park have paved biked lanes.
WALKS
Enjoy FREE Naturalist-led walks daily at 10a.m. and 2p.m. that present fascinating fact and lore regarding wildflowers, rattlesnakes, gold-seekers and many other topics. Call the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center at 719-219-0108 for a schedule of additional walks led by naturalist interpreters. Special programs may be arranged for school and scout groups.
TALKS
Nature presentations take place on a daily basis at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center. They are FREE, last about 20 minutes and explore a wide variety of topics, including geology, ecology, wildlife and the cultural history of the Park. For more information call 719-219-0108.
SPECIAL EVENTS
A Sunday afternoon lecture series in the fall and spring bring the area's best speakers to the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center. From the history of chocolate to live birds of prey, this series has something for everyone. For a schedule, call 719-219-0108.
PHOTOGRAPHY
For the photographers, Garden of the Gods Park is a paradise of creative opportunities. You can take great photos from the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center terrace or from the Gateway or Balanced Rock parking lots. Try the Siamese Twins Trail for a unique view of Pikes Peak framed by this beautiful rock formation.
TRAILS
For active folks, there are miles of trails to explore in the Garden of the Gods. Start at the main parking lot for the PERKINS CENTRAL GARDEN TRAIL. This is an easy, 1 ½ mile roundtrip over a concrete foot path, with less than a 30 foot rise. Wheelchair and stroller accessible, this loop is in the heart of the Park at the base of the highest rock formations.
Other great trails include
RIDGE TRAIL, a moderate, ½ mile loop, with less than 100 foot rise in elevation. This path gives you the feeling of being among the rocks.
SIAMESE TWINS TRAIL is an easy ½ mile roundtrip, with less than a 150 foot rise. There is a unique view of Pikes Peak through the nature window of the twins.
CHAMBERS/BRETAG/PALMER TRAIL is a moderate, 3 mile circle with less than a 250 foot rise. Nearly circling the entire Park, this trail covers rolling, rocky terrain away from the traffic.
SCOTSMAN/BUCKIN CHARLIE TRAILS, this moderate trail loops through the Park. Enjoy the distant views of the Central Garden formations from these rolling, rocky trails. For a complete list of trails in the Park, pick up a full color map at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center.