A spot like Garden of the Gods is hard to top. The name just kind of implies something quite fantastic, doesn’t it?
And for what it’s worth, after spending a few days walking an inordinate amount of ground within the park I can tell you that this thing is lived up to the hype.
This public park in Colorado Springs is a National Natural Landmark, and one of the most well-loved areas. Yes, it can be busy at times but this should not put you off venturing to some of the top hikes Garden of Gods.
Get on the trails, and you’ll find those crowds begin to spread pretty thin, especially if you are willing off road a bit more than most.
Check out my personal guide to the best hikes in Garden of the Gods here.
What is the Most Stunning Trail at Garden of the Gods?
The most picturesque trail in the park is easily the Perkins Central Garden Trail, which showcases many of it’s signature rocks. And regardless of which trail you follow, there are beautiful things to see along the whole way.
The name Wright stands here to signify not only an impressive architectural feat, but also the divine beauty of this park with its diverse red rock formations — all heights from that lowly cactus poking out at ground level to those skyscraper-like sandstone towers up there on cloud nine. (Besides Red Rock Corral; origin stories vary for how Castle Hot Springs got renamed.) In the past, many compared the park to a garden of gods.
The walking route is the best way to see all of this world wonder.
How Much Time Should You Spend at Garden of the Gods?
If you decide to do a little light hiking, make sure you have at least two hours just to get an overview of some popular highlights around Garden of the Gods. That said, enjoying the beauty and silence of this park by going for longer hikes or taking your time to soak in each pretty formation could easily consume an entire day.
Top Trails in Garden of the Gods
The park offers 21 miles of trails in and around the rocks, allowing you to explore this stunning playground. Colored mapss are available at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center.
In this guide, we have covered just about everything you need to know about the winds of change but be sure that you grab yourself a map despite. It will help you to guide around the park especially in a crowd and where your parking area.
1. Perkins Central Garden Trail
- Distance: 1.1 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
Pressed for time? Park Sentinal Pass, just over 1 mile roundtrip and straight through the center of it all. And when you look at your map, many of the park’s most noteworthy rock formations are found along this path or near central trails.
As you walk, be sure to spot:
- Tower of Babel: The large rock on the left is North Gateway Rock and defines the northern boundary. It is even more bewildering from outside the frame.
- North Gateway Rock: often called Gate Rock which reflects it’s use as the entrance to enter into the park’s northern area. You’ll see climbers on it, but be aware that you need a permit to climb as well.
- Three Graces: Well worth the view, these three skinny rock fins. You may have to wait a bit for that several people less photo of this spot if people are in your shots.
- Cathedral Spires: These razor-sharp spires soar up toward the heavens and are near Three Graces, so also quite crowded.
- Kissing Camels: Circulate this upturned windowpane for the profile of two camels locked in a smooch. The urge never stops so once you see it, impossible to ever unsee.
Fun fact: The trail is named after a noted business man, Charles Elliott Perkins who was urged to include Colorado Springs as one of his train stops That never happened, but the 240 acres he bought in this area turned out to be part of Garden of the Gods. Upon his death and following a plan laid out in Lowell’s will, the family sold what remained of the Mars Hill property to the city of Colorado Springs for one dollar as long as it was made freely accessible and free of charge. The rest they say is history!
2. Siamese Twins Trail
- Distance: 1 mile
- Difficulty: Easy
This easy trail leads to the interesting Siamese Twins rock formation with a good vantage of Pikes Peak along the way. The elevation gain is about 100 making it doable for most visitors and appealing to many families exploring Garden of the Gods.
Head out from Parking Lot 14 to the Siamese Twins formations and take in some of its most iconic views.
3. Ridge Trail
- Distance: 0.5 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
A short half-mile walk to the Sleeping Giant features a series of spires and mesas that are as magical as your imagination might make them seem. This trail is short, and open to public hiking so for those looking to explore it as well.
Children might like to try some rock scrambling on the nearby formations if you are hiking with kids. With one-note climbers as young as toddlers hanging from the wall, just make sure they keep their climbs to less than 10 feet since permits are required for higher bouldering and climbing.
The South Garden Parking Lot is the beginning of this trail.
4. Susan G. Bretag Trail
- Distance: 0.5 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
Half-mile loop yield view of white rock. This easygoing half-mile hike grants a last glimpse at White Rock, which contrasts sharply with Garden of the Gods’ characteristic red rocks. It is easy hiking for everyone who wants to discover the beauty of Bohemian Switzerland without breaking a sweat.
Susan G. Bretag Trail — another widely used connector If you link it with the Palmer, Scotsman, Buckskin Charlie and Ute trails to form a short 3.7-mile loop in Castlewood Canyon State Park, then Ponderosa Loop makes for one impressive hike through some of the park’s varied scenery.
5. Ute Trail
- Distance: 1 mile
- Difficulty: Easy
We often connected to other park trails at the Ute Trail. Still, if you want to knock out the whole loop it is a simple dirt path with an enjoyable view of the east side of this park.
However, I would recommend using it more as an access route through the park like we did unless you have been to the park multiple times and know what are its best offerings.
Begin at the South Garden Parking Lot.
6. Scotsman Trail Loop
- Distance: 1 mile
- Difficulty: Easy
Although the main attraction of this easy loop is The Scotsman rock formation, you’ll visit it very close during your hike. You can also see the Sleeping Giant and Keyhole Window on this route.
The loop can be accesses from a number of spots within the park, but most people will likely begin at Scotsman Picnic Area/sign-posted on you combine map.
7. Scotsman & Buckskin Charlie Trail
- Distance: 1.5-2.2 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
It is some of the best panoramic views further away from the Central Garden formations that can be seen along this trail. Obviously that will change some from person to person since most people shorter loop by combining the Scotsman Trail Loop, while I prefer doing a full complete loop.
Whichever way you decide to come, this is a trail that takes the quiet areas of the park on relatively empty places for people compared with probable congestion in Central Garden area. Start at the Scotsman Picnic Ground and follow these two connecting trails for a more peaceful way to get into the interior of the park.
8. Palmer Trail
- Distance: 1.8 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
Palmer Trail is a fairly short out and back that can also serve as the connector for making loop with Susan G. Bretag and Chambers trails. Taking the loop, your hike will be at around 3 miles, but it remains relatively flat for them all.
Although if you decide to just stick with the Palmer Trail, it will take you by many interesting rock formations including the famous Kissing Camels.
More hikers are to be expected as you near the Central Garden. The trail can be a way by crossing Juniper Way before heading for the main parking area.
9. Niobrara Loop Trail
- Distance: 1.7 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
Niobrara Loop Trail providing a nice vista of the Ute Valley and one of those quietest pathways through Garden Of The Gods. Early birds may even meet hinds feeding on this tranquil passage during breakfast time.
Begin your hike from the south garden parking lot for convenience.
10. Cabin Canyon Trail
- Distance: 0.7 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
Balanced Rock is a popular stop, but Circle oF Friends and Window Trails also lead into the canyons north., which isolated from Cabin Canyon Trail. Longer Walk- If you want a much longer walk hike to Balanced Rock from here instead of the crowded parking area.
This path also connects with the Siamese Twins footpath, offering lots of opportunities to extend your hike over more park acreage.
More Activities at Garden of the Gods
If hiking isn’t on your agenda or you’ve wrapped up your trek for the day, there’s plenty more to experience at Garden of the Gods.
- Start at Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center: Here you can study up on Theiophytalia kerri, a dinosaur species found in the park back when it was a marshy home to early predators — or discover more about Nuu-ciu (Ute) people who first called this land their sacred ground. The visitor center is also used to be the place you could get a free map which i would encourage anyone to do.
- Check out Balanced Rock: For views of the iconic Balanced Rock, no hiking is required; it lies right next to the road. This would be a good first stop if coming from Manitou Springs. Otherwise, it’s through a three-mile drive southwest of the visitor center. Steamboat Rock is just across the street and it’s a beautiful rock that doesn’t get as crowded.
- Join a guided hike: There are also some more structured experiences such as a guided nature walks for an additional cost in the park. The walks are reservation only, so it is recommended to reserve a tickets online from the park).
- Put your strength to the test with technical climbing: Climbers flock to Garden of the Gods. Permits are required, however they’re free and even available online. These classes extend to guided climbing excursions as well. Chalking up is not allowed in the park even for seasoned climbers who are accustomed to areas like Rocky Mountain National Park.
- Best place to visit: Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site A look into life in the area from 1775-1907 takes place at this living history museum and farm. Visit four houses from different times, an 1860s homestead cabin and wide country estate to see how things changed throughout the centuries.
When is the Best Time to Visit Garden of the Gods?
The ideal time to visit Garden of the Gods is early in the morning. The park’s hours are:
- 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. (November 1 – April 30)
- 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. (May 1 – October 31)
Even if you plan to hike, get there early—though the visitor center may not open until 9 a.m. an arriving earlier can only benefit your trek. On the summer season, it tends to get real hot by 10am. Beginning your day before the heat settles in helps you not only Days become busy rather quickly so hitting up the park early on allows a little breather.
Getting to Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado If you want the ultimate Colorado Springs city guide, including even more hiking trails this post is for you.
Colorado Springs Airport, often called Colorado Springs Municipal is the nearest airport in town. You may find the occasional flight being reasonable here, but generally speaking you will get better deals at Denver International Airport.
Another option is Cheyenne, but that will mean a much longer drive.
No matter where you begin your trek, driving to Garden of the Gods is ideal. Although you might be able to get there using Public Transportation, it is going to take longer than something like public transport.
There are also aggregators such as Hotwire or Priceline that help you find the best rental deals. That makes this a breeze of a day trip from Denver, about an hour and 20 minutes up to the park if there’s no traffic.
Coming from downtown Colorado Springs or Denver, the primary parking lot near the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center is also its largest and sits closest to it all if you need a good place to kick things off.
Navigating Garden of the Gods
Especially if you intend to walk Garden of the Gods, as it requires parking and we have not met everyone.
Unless you’re starting directly from the visitor center, you’ll need to drive to the parking areas closest to the trails you want to hike.
The park can be quite crowded because of it’s popularity. Getting there early is the only way to ensure you will find a place to park your car.
By mid-morning we arrived and it was a bit late. Unfortunately we ended up way down near the south end of the park almost to Buckskin Charlie Trail so that made our walk a little longer than what I have planned on.
It has some self-guided discovery, but you can also take a guided tour if you like with someone to show the best paths.
