Just one hour’s drive from Denver, on the outskirts of Colorado Springs, you will findan enchanting, rugged wilderness marked with otherworldly red rock formations. This is the Garden of the Gods, a sprawling city park where it feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere. Explore this natural marvel with a tour or on your own, and admire the famous rocky landscape of Colorado.
Take your time to explore the Garden of the Gods, which spans some 553 hectares (1,367 acres) of land. The park is crossed by a network of scenic drives that take in many of the most popular natural features. As the low, grassy plains that surround Denver turn into thick woodland, a group of phenomenal bright red rock formations rise improbably high from the ground. Make sure you stop by the remarkable Balanced Rock, a site much loved by visiting photographers.
For a scenic walk, take your pick from the 2.4 kilometres (1.5 miles) of paved paths in the park. These are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. On some of the year’s busier public holidays, there are four-wheel drive or coach tours available for a fee. Segway tours are also on offer in the park.
If you prefer an off-track experience, follow one of the many trails that lead you over mountains, through gorges, and around the famous rocks. The Siamese Twin loop is one of the most popular hikes the area. Drop in at the Garden of Gods Visitor and Nature Center to grab a map and get advice about the trails.
Bring along a picnic lunch to enjoy somewhere with a view of Pikes Peak, or stop for a meal at one of the restaurants on the edge of the park.
The Garden of Gods is free to enter, and free parking is available on-site. Located about 108 kilometres (67 miles) south of Denver, it is best reached by car. There are a number of guesthouses on the edge of the park.
