45 Garden Of The Gods Facts: A Fun Place For Tourists, Must Read

Sridevi Tolety
Jan 20, 2023 By Sridevi Tolety
Originally Published on Feb 16, 2022
Edited by Pete Anderson
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Garden of Gods is a fine natural attraction

Families enjoy a day trip to the Garden of the Gods as it provides beautiful views and captures the essence of Colorado.

Garden Of the Gods is a spectacular sight with rocks that stretch to the sky in an incredible yet impossible way. This beautiful place is accessible to visitors all around the year.

Garden of the Gods is a fine natural attraction on Colorado Springs' west side, located at the foot of Pikes Peak. Tourists flow from around the world to walk the trails, observe the fauna, and see the giant red rocks that protrude from the land. 

History Of The Garden Of The Gods

Garden of the Gods' red rock formations are about millions of years old and were formed during a geological disruption along a natural split line. It is believed that prehistoric people must have visited the Garden of the Gods around 1330 B.C. 

  • The Garden of the Gods was open to the public in 1971 and was recognized as a National Natural Landmark.
  • Native Americans camped in the park around 250 B.C.
  • The Americans were attracted by the area's plant life and wildlife and sheltered under the overhangs made of rocks.
  • Europeans first called the area Red Rock Corral.
  • Ancient sedimentary rocks comprised of white, pink, and deep-red sandstones, limestones, and conglomerates that are horizontally deposited but are now inclined vertically due to uplifting that may be seen at the park. 
  • The elevation of the garden is around 6,400 ft (1951 m).
  • The park itself is a part of historic rocky mountains.
  • The Garden of the Gods garden has 300 million years of geological history.
  • It reveals one of the most comprehensive views of the history of Earth identified in the United States.

Visitor And Nature Center

This park's visitor and nature center offers free entry, interactive museum exhibits, iconic views, a world-class shopping experience, and the fun and adventurous Geo-Trekker Theater movie experience, the most popular attraction in the Pikes Peak region.

  • The park is free to use and will remain so always.
  • Charles Elliot Perkins purchased the farm in 1879. He donated the land to Colorado Springs after his death in 1907, subject to several conditions, one of which being that the park would always be free for tourists to view its beauty!
  • The Garden of the Gods Foundation receives a share of the promotional activities from the center's privately operated store and cafe of a nature center, which is utilized to maintain and improve the park.
  • The Garden of the Gods visitor and nature center celebrated the park's 25th anniversary on May 15, 2020.
  • The center aims to improve the quality of the Garden of the Gods Park by collecting resources and providing grants to protect the park.
  • For a nature lover, the Garden of the Gods is a wonderful spot to visit. 
  • Mule deer, Bighorn sheep, cottontail rabbits, and Elk are some wildlife creatures seen in this area.

Ecological Importance

The Garden of the Gods is a valuable natural resource. In terms of biodiversity, geology, and beauty, retired biology professor Richard Beidleman stated that the park has the most remarkable distinction between mountains and plains in North America. 

  • In Lyons Formation, a stone comprised of coarse sand from prehistoric dunes makes up the park's greatest outcroppings - south gateway, north Gateway, sleeping giant, and gray rock. 
  • An exemplary rock feature in Colorado Springs that you must see during your Garden of the Gods tour is The Kissing Camels. 
  • The Kissing Camels is a naturally formed rock structure that resembles two camels kissing.
  • The red color of the balanced rock, a wellspring formation, is attributed to the presence of hematite.
  • In 1878, a dinosaur's skull was discovered in the park.
  • In 2006, the dinosaur's skull was recognized as Theiophytalia Kerri, a new species.
  • In 1879, a hitherto unknown honey ant subspecies was discovered. 
  • Bighorn sheep, mule deer, and foxes can all be found in the area.
  • More than 130 bird species, including swallows, white-throated swifts, and canyon wrens, can be seen in the park.
Americans were attracted by area's plant life

Recreation In Garden Of The Gods

Mountain and road biking, hiking, technical rock climbing, and horseback riding are popular activities in the Garden of the Gods Park. The park hours are from 5 a.m.-10 p.m. every day.

  • It is the city's popularly visited park, with over two million people each year. 
  • Perkins Central Garden trail is the main trail, a simple 1.5 mi (2.4 km) loop trail.
  • Siamese twin trail and Ridge trail are the other two popular trails.
  • This park also hosts annual events such as recreational bike rides and summer running races. 
  • The park is a popular location for rock climbers due to the region's distinctive and steep rocky mountains.
  • Climbers must adhere to the regulations on technical climbing and guidelines.
  • Pro Cycling Challenge Prologue is an interesting event conducted here annually.
  • The park encourages people to climb in groups of two or more.
  • The park insists rock climbers avoid chalk stains.
  • The Cathedral Valley in the Garden of the Gods is known for the unusual formation of hogbacks. 
  • Within the park, electric bike rentals, segway tours, and open-air trolleys, are some of the park activities offered.
  • This park is the most photographed place in the state of Colorado, and people come here for picnics to enjoy its natural scenic beauty.
  • Climbing is permitted, and one can buy an annual license from Colorado Springs City's website.
  • Restrooms in the Garden of the Gods are well plumbed. 
  • The filling station for water bottles and drinking water is properly maintained.
  • Rock formation in the Garden of the Gods may now be seen from a higher vantage point from a new roof deck.
  • Trails of 21 mi (33.7 km) are available in the park.
  • The Garden of the Gods boasts some of the state's most beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
  • The visitor center offers night sky programs.
  • The star clusters, planets, the milky way, comets, and much more may all be seen from the Garden of the Gods Park.

A guided jeep tour of Garden of the Gods will allow you to see all-natural wonders. A narrated tour of the park's history, a balanced rock drive, and even off-roading activities are all included in the tours. 

FAQs

What is the Garden Of The Gods?

Garden of the Gods is a public park in Colorado Springs, located in the United States. In 1971, it was recognized as a National Natural Landmark.

Is Garden of the Gods a national park?

Yes, Garden of the Gods is recognized as a national park.

How far is Denver from Garden of the Gods?

The distance between Garden Of The Gods and Denver is 61.5 mi (99 Km).

Things to do at Garden of the Gods?

Horseback riding, jeep and segway tours, rock climbing, hiking and walking, camping, and snapping pictures are some of the things to do at Garden of the Gods.

How far is Garden of the Gods from Colorado Springs?

The distance between Garden of the Gods and Colorado Springs is 5 mi (8 km).

How far is Pikes Peak from Garden Of The Gods?

Pikes Peak and Garden Of The Gods are 26 mi (41 km).

What to do in Garden Of The Gods?

Biking and rock climbing adventure programs are things to do at Gardens Of The Gods.

Where is the Garden Of The Gods in Colorado?

The Garden Of The Gods location is 1805 N. 30th St. Colorado Springs, Colorado.

How to see Garden Of The Gods?

Segway and Jeep tours are two easy ways to see the Garden Of The Gods.

Where are these rock formations in Colorado?

Paint Mines hike near Colorado Springs, and Crags hike near Colorado Springs are places of rock formations in Colorado.

How far is Manitou springs from Garden of the Gods?

It is about 1.8 mi (3 km) from Manitou Springs to Garden of the Gods.

How was the Garden of the Gods formed?

The red rock formations in the garden have formed millions of years ago. A surveyor named Rufus Cable saw the towering fins of rock protruding more than 300 ft ( 91.4 m) into the air in 1859.

He declared that it was a perfect spot for the gods to assemble. The term Garden of the Gods arose from his ecstatic declaration.

What to do at the Garden of the Gods?

Horseback riding, jeep and segway tours, rock climbing, hiking and walking, camping, and snapping pictures are some of the things to do at Garden of the Gods.

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Written by Sridevi Tolety

Bachelor of Science specializing in Botany, Master of Science specializing in Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs

Sridevi Tolety picture

Sridevi ToletyBachelor of Science specializing in Botany, Master of Science specializing in Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs

With a Master's degree in clinical research from Manipal University and a PG Diploma in journalism from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Sridevi has cultivated her passion for writing across various domains. She has authored a wide range of articles, blogs, travelogues, creative content, and short stories that have been published in leading magazines, newspapers, and websites. Sridevi is fluent in four languages and enjoys spending her spare time with loved ones. Her hobbies include reading, traveling, cooking, painting, and listening to music.

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