Editor’s note, 5/2/20: This article has been updated for 2020.
Garden of the Gods is one of those iconic Colorado spots my clan visits each year…and we aren’t the only ones. The Colorado Springs destination attracts an estimated 5.8 million tourists yearly to explore the park’s more than 1,300 acres of sandstone formations. It’s especially popular in the summer, when vacationers from across the globe come to gawk at the towering red rocks that inspired a surveyor in the 1800s to observe that the area was fit for the gods. (Hence the name.)
Savvy families can avoid the crowds by visiting Garden of the Gods on weekday mornings, when the temperature is still pleasant. But make sure to bring sunscreen and hats for mid-morning and beyond: Garden of the Gods has lots to offer, shade excluded.
Walk into Garden of the Gods Park by hopping on Gateway Trail, the half-mile path linking to Perkins Central Garden Trail, an easy, stroller-friendly 1.5-mile paved sidewalk. This paved trail loops visitors through the heart of the park, a scenic segment packed with a stunning series of steep and narrow red ridges. On Perkins Central Garden Trail, include the (very short) Upper Loop Trail to reach a scenic point.
If you’re traveling with younger kids, access Perkins Central Garden Trail by driving into the park, following Gateway Road until you hit Juniper Loop. Park at P2—the first lot you’ll encounter. If you missed the restrooms at the Visitor & Nature Center, you’ll find bathrooms at the trailhead.
The first few times I visited Garden of the Gods, I had no idea there were more than 20 miles of trails to explore. “All are considered easy to moderate,” explains Bret Tennis, parks operations administrator.
Tennis recommends the short-but-steep Siamese Twins Trail, a half-mile loop named for two conjoined formations. The trailhead can be reached via foot (take Palmer Trail west from Perkins Central Garden Trail) or car (continue on Juniper Way Loop, veering right onto Garden Drive until reaching P14). If you drive, pull off at P3 for an incredible place for a family photo.
You’ll probably pass rock climbers as you walk through Garden of the Gods. A special permit is required to climb the park’s sensitive sandstone formations, but this is a great opportunity to teach your children about environmental stewardship by refraining from climbing and hiking on the rocks, no matter how tempting it might be.
- Check it Out:
- 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs
- Need to Know:
- Garden of the Gods Park is open daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Cost:
- Free
