Garden of the Gods - Pictures of Spectacular City Park in Colorado Springs
86Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Garden of the Gods
It would be almost impossible to miss seeing the spectacular Garden of the Gods city park if one ever travels to the lovely City of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The reason for this is that it is a large park with over 1,300 acres situated near the base of the towering Pikes Peak, a mountain with an elevation of 14,100 feet which overlooks the city. One's eye would normally be drawn to that "purple mountain" majesty and what sits near its base.
Not only is the Garden of the Gods a sizeable city park, but it is stunningly beautiful with striking red sandstone formations that were seemingly thrust up from the earth in distinctive and unusual patterns considering the topography of the surrounding area.
Garden of the Gods
Colorado vacation
My mother and I got to spend eleven wonderful sightseeing days exploring what we could of Colorado in that length of time in July of 1999. We started our vacation in Colorado Springs after flying there from Houston and we could see the Garden of the Gods from the air.
Naturally we wanted to see and experience Garden of the Gods up close. After leaving the airport with our rental car we drove through this magnificent area and were later to return to see more of the park on a guided tour.
Neither of us enjoyed this first rental car and we returned it in exchange for a Lincoln Continental Towne Car the next day for the balance of our trip in Colorado. It was a little hard for my mother to get in and out of the SUV because of her stature and we were both used to riding in sedans.
Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods
- Garden Of The Gods | Home
Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center
Charles Elliott Perkins
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Charles Elliott Perkins
The Perkins family came from a long line of distinguished and accomplished businessmen who accumulated great wealth.
Among his other accomplishments, Mr. C.M. Perkins was a Director of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad and he was also a Director of Bell Telephone Company.
Charles Elliott Perkins had originally purchased a portion of land in Colorado Springs consisting of what is now known as Garden of the Gods for the possible location of a summer home.
Instead of building anything man-made there, he appreciated the land for what it bore...natural beauty.
He had already opened it up to the public for enjoyment of this space and acquired even more of the adjacent land.
His children knew his intent and after his death they generously donated this land consisting of 480 acres to the City of Colorado Springs in 1909 with the stipulation that it would always remain open and free of charge to the public.
Additional surrounding lands were subsequently added making Garden of the Gods the city park that is enjoyed daily by countless residents and tourists to this fine city.
Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods video
Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods as seen from a Paraglider point of view...
Bighorn Sheep in Garden of the Gods
Playground
This Garden of the Gods City Park offers so much by way of not only stunning beauty but also entertainment depending upon one's willingness or ability to participate.
It is a genuine playground of sorts!
One can simply stroll the paths winding through the various formations and sit and watch the shadows dance off of the rocks, trees and vegetation native to that area.
It would be a perfect spot for meditation on some of those trails in the park.
Watch for chirping birds of various species resting on branches in the trees or colorful butterflies tasting the nectar of flowering plants.
There is a wide diversity of plant-life as well as animal life native to this area.
Fossils have been found here which indicate marine life in the past and even one type of dinosaur whose remains have been identified.
Whether one is merely a walker who likes to stay on fairly level ground or one who likes mountain hiking, one's desires can be satisfied in the Garden of the Gods.
Rock climbers have fun in this park.
One is likely to see bikers enjoying the paths throughout the park and horseback riding is also allowed.
For those with little time, just driving on the roads through the park gives one glimpses of areas where one might like to come back and explore at greater length with a little more time to spare.
Few cities have parks this distinctive and beautiful in their midst that can be accessed in all sorts of ways and are also totally free of charge.
bighorn sheep
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- Garden Of The Gods | Education | Theiophytalia kerri
Regarding the dinosaur remains found in Garden of the Gods...
The Kissing Camels in the Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods
garden of the gods
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Rock Climbing in Garden of the Gods
Rock Climbing
My mother and I actually did see some professional rock climbing taking place in the Garden of the Gods in addition to the normal type of scrambling over rocks by children and adults.
In order to scale those heights, one must have the proper equipment and permit and climb with a buddy on established routes. One can also hire professional rock climbing guides to assist one in this type of effort if a novice climber.
The video to the right shows some of the fun had by these adventurous folks in Garden of the Gods Park.
Rock climbing in Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods
rock climbing
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Garden of the Gods
Visitor Center and Nature Center
The two photos below were taken one day on a narrated bus tour of the park. My mother and I had stopped in to the Visitors Center and had taken the time to look at the displays of minerals, plant-life and learned about local wildlife, geology and more. One can watch a movie in this location and become better educated regarding all of the history of this area. I would highly recommend doing this!
Seen below is the Balanced Rock...a notable subject for the snapping of pictures!
Balanced Rock - Garden of the Gods
balanced rock garden of the gods
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Garden of the Gods in Winter with Snow
Posted hours
The Garden of the Gods Park is open daily from 5 AM to 9 PM with even longer hours in the summer. From May to October one can enjoy this park from 5 AM to 11 PM.
Thus, if you ever decide to travel to Colorado Springs, Colorado, be sure and visit the spectacular city park called the Garden of the Gods.
Location of Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Have you ever visited the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs?
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If you found this article enjoyable and learned something about the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, please take time to give this a rating. Thanks!
More Colorado hubs by Peggy W...
- Colorado Travel ~ Pictures of Grand County Colorado ~ Dining at Grandlake Lodge
- Colorado Springs Vacation Pictures ~ Sightseeing Bus Tour of Pikes Peak
America the Beautiful! - Pictures of Cripple Creek in Colorado ~ Historic Old Gold Mining Town
- Pictures of U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs
- Colorado Vacation and Rocky Mountain Photography on Trail Ridge Road
- Pictures of Indian Dancing ~ Cliff Dwellings at Manitou Springs, Colorado
- Pictures in Loveland, Colorado - A Sculpture and Art Lover's Paradise
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CommentsLoading...
I loved exploring Colorado springs vicariously through your photos: one day I hope to visit. Great pics!
Hi Adventure Colorad,
That is a nice feature regarding no entrance fee for people who wish to enjoy the Garden of the Gods city park in Colorado Springs like you have with your hiking. Certainly a beautiful place! Thanks for your comment.
I've hiked through the park a few times over the years. I love that there is no fee to enter the park, making it open to everyone!
Hello pooilum,
If you mean by crazy line that some of the rock formations in Garden of the Gods park are jagged and or unusual, you are correct. Rock climbers have fun there as well as photographers, hikers and bikers. It is a great city park for those who live or visit Colorado Springs, Colorado. Thanks for your comment.
The pictures shows that it looks like one heck of a crazy line. Thanks!
Hello natures47friend,
The Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is beautiful and so easy for people to enjoy in a number of manners. Thanks for your comment.
Wow...great rock formations and photos. If I ever travel to the US I'd love to see this Garden. I have not heard of it before. Thanks for describing the Garden so beautifully.
Hello louisxfourie,
Perhaps someday you can visit the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs in person. It is truly a wonderful area. Thanks for the visit.
I love Colorado Springs, stunning place I want to go to... thanks for showing us this stunning place.
Hi again Dolores,
If that postcard was not mailed then undoubtedly someone picked it up while on vacation especially if it has been in your house for a while. Must be nice to make discoveries like that. Doesn't it make you curious as to how that postcard from Garden of the Gods got there? Sounds like your house would be a treasure trove of goodies to explore. Ha!
Peggy - who knows where the postcard came from? My house is full of all kinds of odd stuff that I have no idea where it came from. :)
Hi Micky,
You would love riding your bike through Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs! Lots of bike paths in much of Colorado for that matter. Thought of you when I was writing this! :-)
It's a beautiful playground! Thank you Peggy!
Hello katie54321,
So glad that these pictures of the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs brought back such happy memories for you! Thanks for the comment. You certainly had a great place to "hang out." Prettier than most!
You brought back some nice memories for me. In 1994 I was an intern at the USOC in Colorado Springs and we would go to Garden of the Gods all the time just to hang out, hike, walk, or whatever. Beautiful pictures. You made me smile - thank you!
Hi Dolores,
Now you know a bit more about Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Did someone from your family visit there and pick up a postcard? I have many old ones from the days when my grandparents used to travel. It is fun looking at the old motel units, etc. from the past. Of course Garden of the Gods would not have changed since it is a geological feature. Thanks for the comment.
Peggy - I have an old postcard from the Garden of the Gods, but never know anything about it. What a beautiful place! I loved the pictures!
Thanks Candie. Give me notice if you decide to come this way. I would cross summer off of the list for visiting Houston. Let's see...this past week the temps have been hovering around 100 degrees give or take a degree or two with "feel like" temperatures much higher. The AC units are humming!
Oh! I am soooo with you on that one! They're great to see diving, but for eats? Not on my plate! If you ever come up here you have a place to stay!
Hi Candie,
You just made me laugh! If you get that excited about good muffins...you would rock at being a tour guide!!! You SHOULD have good coffee coming from your neck of the woods! Speaking of necks...no goeduck for me please on that tour if it includes restaurants. Haha!
You may bring your own muffins! I'll make the coffee (I rock at coffee!) Then I'll take you on a tour of my area! Oh! So excited!! (mostly for good muffins)
Hi Prasetio,
This Garden of the Gods city park in Colorado Springs is indeed beautiful and in quite a setting with the towering Pikes Peak Mountain overlooking the entire city. Glad you liked this!
I liked this hub very much, Peggy. You always come up with beautiful place. You know my tastes. And this was really spectacular city park, like you said above. Good work, my friend. I never hesitate to rate this Up.
Prasetio
Hi nifty@50,
Your kin folks are certainly surrounded by great beauty living in Colorado Springs! Since you have been to Garden of the Gods and other places around there...you also know just how beautiful it is. Are jobs more scarce there than other places?
Have kin folk out there, beautiful place to live, but jobs are scarce. Been to Garden of the God's and Cave of the Winds! Great hub!
Hello sameerk,
Thanks for your comment on this Garden of the Gods hub.
Hello Charlinex,
Happy to hear that you enjoyed this hub regarding Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Thanks for the comment.
Lovely , keep going
This is so wonderful!
Hi Pamela99,
We also visited other areas in Colorado...more hubs to come! Colorado Springs was an area that my husband and I got to visit...and then, my mother and I on another trip. It is truly a beautiful part of the State and the Garden of the Gods sets it apart as far as unique and interesting scenery. So very nice that the Perkins family donated it so that the public could use it.
Peggy, I have been through Denver driving across Colorado but that was long ago and Colorado Springs looks fantastic. I would love to visit there. Your pictures were wonderful. Thanks for a wonderful hub.
Greetings Hello, hello,
I would have to agree with you that the Garden of the Gods is "awesome" and "beautiful." Thanks for the visit.
Thank you for showing me this awesome place. Glosh is so beautiful.
Hi Candie,
Obviously you were busy doing other things while in Colorado Springs. Since our focus was vacation and sightseeing, Garden of the Gods made our list among other sites.
Remind me to bring my own muffins if ever we visit one another. Hahaha!
As to the walking shoes...yes...always had some good ones for these trips. Always took ones that were comfortable and well broken in so as to avoid blisters.
Thanks for the visit and comment.
I've been to Colorado Springs, but how I missed this is beyond me! The picture of the Balanced Rock reminded me of some muffins I made recently.. about the same level of firmness, too! Hahaha! Thank you for another fantastic hub Peggy! You must go thru a lot of tennis shoes with all the walking/climbing you do!
Hi Martha Castillo,
Hope you get to see Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak and more in Colorado Springs. It truly is a magical place. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
Thank you for introducing me to this magical place. Maybe I will visit some day.
Hello Om Paramapoonya,
Good to know that you are enjoying hubs like this one about Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. My mother and I got to take some wonderful trips together (often with my young niece) for about 8 years in a row. Just capturing some of those memories in these hubs.
Another awesome travel hub! You have been to so many wonderful places. I envy you ;)
Hi suziecat7,
The Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is awaiting your fine visit. :-)
You make me want to pack up and go right now.
Hi Billy,
Colorado Springs is a beautiful area with Garden of the Gods being one reason. Skiing sounds and looks like so much fun. Something I have never done. Thanks for the help with Twitter. Did what you said and I now have it posted except for the button. Baby steps! Haha!
Beautiful photos of Garden of the Gods - I have only done the ski field thing in Colorado I need to expand obviously! I replied to your twitter queries for you also Peggy. Hope they make sense.
Hi Mike,
Your mother's black and white photos of the balanced rock in the Garden of the Gods must be like my parents black and white photos of the Black Hills. Sort of puts a date on the vacation, doesn't it. Haha! Now...unless your mother was studying under Ansel Adams influence.....?
Hello William F. Torpey,
Afraid we did not have the time to visit the zoo in Colorado Springs but thanks for the "heads up" should we ever return. Happy to hear that you enjoyed this hub and that it brought back happy memories for you of your time spent there at Fort Carson in 1957. Thanks for your comment.
Hi MichaelAdams1959,
We saw people arriving by cog rail at the top of Pikes Peak. Must have been some fantastic views overlooking Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods, and other sites as you ascended. But backpacking up that mountain! Wow! You have surely had some interesting adventures! Thanks for the comment.
Hi dahoglund,
Too bad your vehicle did not get you to the top of Pikes Peak. At least you saw some of the views on the way up. Next time (if you return to Colorado Springs) take a tour as we did and leave the driving to others. Ha!
Colorado Springs and the Garden of the Gods is a beautiful spot. I haven't been there since I was a kid on vacation with my parents, but I recall a little bit of my time there. Somewhere in my mother's photo albums is a black and white photo of the Balanced Rock. I am a huge fan of Colorado and love to spend time there when I can. Thanks for the wonderful photos.
Mike
Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Peggy W. I enjoyed viewing the Garden of the Gods frequently -- along with Pikes Peak and the Royal Gorge (which you wrote about so well in another hub) when I was stationed in Fort Carson in 1957. It's a great vacation place (and don't miss the zoo if you go.)
I made it up there took the cog rail once from Manitou Springs and back packed it once Awesome times.
we never did. That vehicle just did not have the power.
Hi dahoglund,
Garden of the Gods is down below Pikes Peak. That drive up Pikes Peak is something else! We took a tour so did not have to do the driving ourselves. Did you make it to the top of Pikes Peak?
Your pictures probably show me what I missed while trying to get our old VW van up the hill.I'm not quite orientated.I remember we pulled over into a campground about two thirds the way up Pikes peak, it was coming on evening and the hills are always an overwhelming sight.
Hello MichaelAdams1959,
Sounds like you truly enjoyed that summer at your aunt and uncle's place across from Garden of the Gods. What a delight to be able to ride Sage in that park! Thanks for your interesting comment!
Hello again msorensson,
I guess time will tell. Thanks. Glad you liked my photos of Garden of the Gods. Those pre-dated my owning a digital camera.
AWESOME, what memories tis brings to me. I spent 1974 summer at he Clover Valley Motel directly across from the main entrance to The GArdens of the Gods. I worked there cleaning stables in exchange for unlimited use of a great horse named Sage. My aunt and uncle owned the motel I stayed with them and had a remarkable unforgetable summer. Thank you so much for this hub!
Oh your pictures are so awesome!! I hope lots of people read the hub!!
Hello msorensson,
I would agree with you! Colorado Springs is absolutely beautiful and would be a wonderful place to live. At least we got to visit and see sites like Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak and more. Thanks for the first comment.
Yes, I love Colorado Springs,period. Thank you for reminding. Oh, I would have loved to stay there in the park but we were on our way somewhere. Hmnn..so long ago, Peggy. At least it was the happy times your hub brought back to memory. Thanks.
Peggy W Hub Author 2 weeks ago
Hi Ivona,
Glad that you can do some previewing of what there is to do and see in Colorado Springs prior to your visit there. Appreciate the compliment on this hub and your comment. It is a great place for a vacation as is much of the entire state from what we have seen.