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Visit Garden Of The Gods In Colorado Springs,CO


Southwest is a beautiful place for an adventure traveler to explore ! It is one of the most geographically diverse regions in the United States that contains more than its fair share of natural wonders: Grand Canyon, Arches National Park, and Monument Valley are just a few of the most famous natural attractions that draw people from all over the world.

But if you travel around Southwest for long enough, you'll see a lot of similarities : same red rocks, adobe structures, bluffs and mesas, deserts, and flatlands.

At least that's what I saw during my visit to Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs.

Comprising 1,300 acres of sandstone formations, this park is a registered National Natural Landmark, and one of Colorado's most photographed views. Ranked second best park in the nation and the third best in the world, the park is visited by more than two million people annually.



Owned by the City of Colorado Springs, the park has been free to the public since 1909.

The Park is a unique biological melting pot where the grasslands of the Great Plains meet the pinon-juniper woodlands characteristic of the American Southwest, and merge with the mountain forest of the 14,115-foot Pikes Peak - America's Mountain. The 300 million years of geological history of the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs reveal one of the most extensive pictures of earth history found anywhere in the United States. It is a true geological wonder.

But if you've visited Grand Canyon or Canyonlands National Pparks, you'll see a lot of similar features.

Yet, it's a great place to visit if you happen to be near Colorado Springs. 

The park is just a few miles away, easy to find, and very accessible even in winter. As I've mentioned above , it's FREE to the public, and its Visitor Center offers a new, and exciting, 14 minute, HD show: "How Did Those Red Rocks Get There?”, 30 interactive hands-on educational nature exhibits,as well as lot's of interesting information about the area, and provides maps for hiking, climbing, biking, and horse riding.

There are more than 15 miles of trails with a 1.5-mile trail running through the heart of the park that is paved and wheelchair accessible. The paved walkways circling the rock formations are tourist attractions with a few small trails but if you veer off to the right of the main parking lot there are plenty of good hiking trials.


While the park is a great way to walk around and take some pictures, I'd say that the main recreational activity here would be rock climbing.

Because of the unusual and steep rock formations in the park, it is an attractive goal for rock climbers. Rock climbing is permitted, with annual permits obtained at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center. The requirements are following the "Technical Climbing Regulations and Guidelines", using proper equipment, climbing with a "buddy" and staying on established climbing routes. Precipitation makes rocks unstable and therefore climbing is not allowed when the rocks are wet or icy. There are fines for unregistered climbers and possibly rescue costs.



Another great way to visit the park is by segway !
A Segway Tour is a great way to experience one of natures’ greatest treasures: Garden of the Gods Park.  Unobstructed views and a mellow pace will ensure your visit to this beautiful city park is memorable. Several stops along the way will be sprinkled with geology, flora, fauna and stories of the early days in the park.
And if you want to be really adventurous, sign up for their breath-taking balloon flight around Colorado Springs ( with the views of the park, and the famous Pike Peak ) !

All in all , the park deserves a visit ! It's especially beautiful in winter, even though this time of the year limits the number of activities you can do.

Tip : Don't miss the famous Balanced Rock !



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