Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center — Attraction in Colorado Springs

Title: Journey through Time - The Garden of the Gods Park, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Review: A visit to Colorado might conjure images of snow-capped mountains and famous ski resorts, but the state has much more to offer, one of which is the mesmerizing Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs. The sight of this park, with its distinctive rock formations, feels more akin to a landscape you'd find in Arizona or Utah, showcasing a facet of Colorado many don’t often associate with the state.

The park itself is beautifully maintained, and for those planning a leisurely walk around the paved trails, it’s an absolute delight. However, if you are adventurous and wish to embark on a longer three to four-mile hike, be prepared. The intensity of the Colorado sun and the length of the trails can make the hike quite draining. Adequate hydration, sunscreen, and a hat are essential.

The paths within the park are well-paved, which can give the impression of an easy stroll, but don't be fooled. The longer hikes can be challenging, particularly for those not used to high altitude or arid conditions.

However, these trails offer a unique opportunity to experience the magnificent geological structures that took millions of years to form, up close. If you can handle the hike, it is absolutely worth the effort. But if hiking isn’t your thing, don’t worry. The park has an incredibly well-planned scenic drive that allows you to take in the stunning landscape from the comfort of your vehicle.

In essence, Garden of the Gods is a versatile and unique destination that offers a fascinating glimpse into Colorado's geological past. It’s a good hour and a half drive from Denver Airport, and although I wouldn't make this trip every time I visit Denver, it’s absolutely worth the journey for those visiting Denver for the first time, or for those who haven’t yet explored the southern side of the city.

In conclusion, the Garden of the Gods park is a treasure trove of natural beauty, a must-visit for any tourist in Colorado. Just remember to plan and prepare accordingly, especially if you intend to hike. I hope you find this review helpful for your upcoming visit to Colorado, and thank you...

I have lived here my whole life and today realized that I have never been to this visitor center. I will admit the facility was clean and educational. While there I realized that they have a Junior Ranger program. Being a PE Teacher to a school less than 5 miles down the road, I thought this would be a great opportunity for my kids to get outside, learn, and move. I asked the lady at the gift shop if they would be willing to donate 1 book to my school so the kids could see what the junior ranger program was about and if they wanted, they could go somewhere close to home to try it out. The lady spoke to her manager and when she came back I was told, "we can not do donations but they are only $2 if you want to buy one." I declined and left. It is sad to see an organization that profits daily from tourism deny a $2 request to support public education. Not even to think about the free advertising and money they could have made from students visiting and buying booklets. It's very sad to see.

Update: After calling and talking to customer service I was advised to go to the front information desk as they could better help me. Apparently the gift shop is a separately run business. When I came back the lady and the information desk was more than helpful and supportive in providing me with information I could gove to my students. I have raised my initial 1 star review after...

Garden of the Gods....

This was a truly inspiring, and wonderful experience. I am so very glad we were able to visit this park. As a normal "joe" type of guy, I can't say I was overly eager to go walk around outside another strange outdoor place, but this park really impressed me.

First of all, it's quite a magnificent spectacle of Creation. The park was public where plenty of people were out enjoying nature, yet private enough that I never felt like I was following the herd. Absolutely I suggest starting at the Visitor's center. It's free. It's informative and it's chalked full of fun things to do and learn about, not to mention a souvenirs shop and restrooms.

Next, we proceeded entering the park via automobile, where we immediately encountered park rangers directing traffic carefully around mountain goats that were casually grazing along the shoulder of the road. We saw plenty of other wildlife before our trip was over.

I could write a book, probably, but I won't. Suffice it to say, this was a huge hit on our Colorado Springs getaway, and I recommend it to you and your family should you ever get...