Garden of the Gods

The Park

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World-famous Garden of the Gods

Filled with the wonders of nature, the Garden of the Gods was dedicated to the city of Colorado Springs in 1909 as a free city park. Since then, it’s gone on to receive TripAdvisor’s Top Park in the United States, surpassing Central Park in New York City.

An abundance of plant and animal life can be found throughout the garden’s 1,340 acres, as well as the magnificent red sandstone rock formations—which the Garden is best known. Many of these cathedral spires are over 300 million years old and were sculpted through time by erosion. In 1879, Charles Perkins, president of the Chicago Burlington Quincy Railroad, purchased much of the land now known as the Garden of the Gods. After his death, at his request, his family gave the land to the City of Colorado Springs to be used as a park.

The park, by the numbers

Just shy of 300 million years old, Garden of the Gods is rich with history and young at heart—the perfect adventure for true explorers. Uncover the history of the garden and the Trading Post—which became a staple of Navajo and Pueblo Indian art and culture throughout the early 1900’s.

$0 entrance fee

Charles Elliott Perkins gave the park to the city of Colorado Springs in 1909, with the promise that it would always be free to the public.

400,000

Visitors per year to the Trading Post

15 miles

Of trails ranging from easy to advanced.

6,319 feet

The elevation at the front entrance of Garden of the Gods.

2 million

Visitors, from all over the world, visit the park every year.

Oldest & largest

Art gallery in Colorado

Visit the garden
like a local

There are a few ways into the park, but none quite as hidden as the entrance past Garden of the Gods Trading Post. Locals have been visiting the garden by way of Beckers Lane for years—avoiding the hustle and bustle of the summer tourist season. Stop by for a map of the garden, a piece of fudge, and a little history into the glory of Garden of the Gods Park.
Get directions
Grab a map

The Trading Post has a great FREE printed map of the area to help you navigate trails, roads, and photo-ops to make the most of your time in the Garden of the Gods.

“Beautiful and majestic. One of the best city parks in the entire country. You can hike, ride horses, picnic or just relax and watch the rock climbers.”
TripAdvisor User

Adventures nearby

Garden of the Gods Trading Post is centrally located to some of our region’s most vibrant communities. 

Manitou Springs

After your visit to the Trading Post and a drive through Garden of the Gods, a visit to Manitou Springs is a must! Just a short, 5-minute drive from here, the quirky town of Manitou Springs is lined with art galleries, local restaurants, shops and the world-famous Penny Arcade. Learn more

Old Colorado City

Sandwiched perfectly in between Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City's galleries and quaint gift stores cluster alongside jewelers, candy shops, and tattoo parlors. Choose from American eateries, Italian trattorias and Greek tavernas for dining. Learn more

Downtown Colorado Springs

The bustling downtown of Colorado Springs is full of fun things to do. Artisan shops, burger joints and craft cocktails welcome you into the vibrant culture of downtown. Take in a comedy show or visit the Pioneers Musem—downtown Colorado Springs has it all. Learn more

Motor Coach Tours

No tour of Colorado would be complete without a visit to the National Natural Landmark, Garden of the Gods. And no trip to the Garden of the Gods would be complete without stopping by the historic Garden of the Gods Trading Post.

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