Garden of the Gods, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is a registered national natural landmark and park amid 1,341.3 acres that perfectly combines adventure and beauty. Located in the picturesque Rocky Mountains, it instantly pulls you into the natural wonders of the Great Plains grasslands, Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands, and a forest full of rows of trees that amazingly merge with Pike’s Peak.
Pike’s Peak, or America’s Mountain, stands 14,115 feet tall and draws visitors worldwide. But these are not the only landmarks that attract visitors. The red rock formations have a geological history of over 300 million years and are something you must see to believe. Once you have a chance to visit the park, you’ll see why it is known worldwide.
For example, the visitor and nature centers are provided to educate guests about the richness of geology, plants, and animals that are native to the area, and also teach them about the people who settled there. The pristine beauty of the mountainous backdrop and endless blue skies surrounding Colorado Springs create a relaxing atmosphere and make it ideal for a vacation. Stay tuned to discover why many choose the Garden of the Gods as their destination.
Garden of the Gods Has Limitless Hiking Trails
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One of the reasons people flock to the Garden of the Gods each year is for the scenic walking and hiking trails atop the Colorado Rockies. There are 21 miles of trails that can be hiked or walked, and the difficulty levels range from beginner to advanced. You can also choose whether to trek on a paved or unpaved trail. However, a 5o/5o trail is available for those wishing to both hike and bike.
The trails range from half a mile to 2.5 miles, and there are six in total that are most preferred by tourists, including the Perkins Central Garden Trail, Kissing Camels, Ridge Trail, the Siamese Twins Trail, the Gateway and Central Garden Trails, and the Scotsman and Buckskin Charlie Trails. If you are a beginner and want to start small, try the Perkins Central Garden, Siamese Twins, and Ridge Trails.
Each of the three trails is a mile and a half or less and begins at the park’s base and stretches to Pike’s Peak. This puts you at the forefront of the beautiful red rock formations, as well as amid luscious greenery and mountain views. If you plan to visit and check out some of these trails, the best time is from August to October because the leaves in the surrounding area are beginning to turn beautiful shades of burnt orange and yellow for fall.
Theater and Exhibits
In addition to the 21-mile stretch of walking and hiking trails, Garden of the Gods has a visitor and nature center that is also an educational center, so make sure you visit. You’ll be able to acquire a free map and directions to guide you through the park. You can also visit the information desk to learn about the many tours hosted throughout the day.
If you want to learn more about the red rock formations throughout the park, check out the Geo Trekker Theater. In less than 15 minutes, you can travel back 100 million years, when volcanoes flooded the earth with hot magma and dinosaurs roamed. You can also expand your mind with an aerial view of the park displayed in 3D that makes you feel like you are floating above the clouds. After you visit the theater, check out the exhibits, including the park’s unique geology, plants and animals, people, history, and dinosaurs.
Each exhibit is hands-on and equipped with an interactive touchscreen gallery that allows you to learn about each piece of history. The geological exhibit even has an area where you can test your knowledge by taking a quiz. You can also explore the geological time tunnel to learn about the environments that formed the park’s many rock layers. Kids will love learning about the park’s many animals, including the Theiophytalia Kerri dinosaurs.
Endless Activities Make This An Ideal Vacation Spot
If you think the exhibits in this park are interesting, check out the endless array of available tours and activities. You can take a trip back 100 years in an open-air trolley and a 12-gauge safari truck around the park. Or enjoy a jeep tour to Pike’s Peak, Queen’s Canyon, the Garden and Glen, the Gold Camp Road, and the iconic 35-foot Helen Hunt Falls.
Touring the park will make you hungry, so visit the famous Gateway Cafe and enjoy food hot off the grill. To mark the end of your visit to the Garden of the Gods, visit the souvenir and gift shop. The shop offers ancient replicas of Indigenous people’s pottery, jewelry, geological keepsakes like mined rocks, books, apparel, and decorative knickknacks.
Who wouldn’t want to take home a piece of ancient history and education to keep for years to come? The education attached to this historic and beautiful landmark is truly remarkable and something you should experience at least once in your lifetime. So take a leap of faith and journey to Colorado Springs, to the Garden of the Gods.
Final Thoughts
From the endless blue skies, beautiful Rocky Mountains, and walking and hiking trails to explore, theater, exhibits, and more, the Garden of the Gods connects nature and fun. The whole family will enjoy this trip. Children will love learning about plants, animals, and dinosaurs and will be interested in becoming junior park rangers.
Remember to visit in the fall because it only further enhances the beauty of the surrounding Colorado Springs. Activities and sightseeing tours make it impossible to say no to making this your next vacation spot, so get ready to book. However, make sure to make reservations at least three months ahead of the date you plan to go because surrounding resorts and hotels fill up fast.
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