Garden Of The Gods With Kids: What To Expect
When in the United States, you can often find us out west in Colorado and we never miss a chance to experience the amazing nature in the state. Garden of the Gods is one of our favorite places to visit for family friendly hiking, amazing red rock formations, and time outside. The red rocks of Garden of the Gods beckon tourists from around the world for a reason and a perfect place to take kids in Colorado for some outdoors time.
Get ready to visit Garden of the Gods with kids:
- Basic Info
- Where To Stay
- When To Visit
- How long to stay at Garden of the Gods
- What To Know
- What To See
- What To Do With Kids
- What To Pack
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Basic Info
- Address: 1805 N. 30th Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Garden of the Gods is about 1 and a half hours drive south of Denver, Colorado. You can definitely do it as a day trip from Denver. Just follow I-25 south and exit on Garden of the Gods Road and head west.
- Summer Shuttles: If you visit during peak season in the summer when parking can be a bit difficult, there are shuttles that operate daily from 9:00am until 4:00pm. The shuttles make a loop from the parking lot at Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, and the Gateway Road and Juniper Way Loop Intersection. Shuttles depart every 15 minutes.
- Park Hours: May – October: 5:00am ~ 10:00pm; November – April: 5:00am ~ 9:00pm
- Visitor Center Hours: 9:00am ~ 5:00pm (Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day)
- Admission: Free
Where To Stay
If you’re headed out to see Garden of the Gods, stay for the weekend or a few nights to really enjoy the ambiance. You can also see Pikes Peak while you’re there and visit the US Air Force Academy.
Garden of the Gods Club & Resort
Stay at the Garden of the Gods Club & Resort which features a full spa and golf course. The Garden of the Gods park is just 15 minutes away. They also have a great pool, a ton of guest activities, tennis courts and the views are breathtaking. You won’t want to leave.
Book a stay here on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
The Lodge at Flying Horse
Featuring a private 18-hole golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf, as well as a European resort-style golf clubhouse, The Lodge at Flying Horse is located in Colorado Springs. Guests have access to swimming pools and the Athletic Club and Spa. Garden of the Gods is 25 minutes’ drive from the lodge. Book a stay here on Booking.com or on Agoda.com.
When To Visit
Did you know Colorado has 300 clear blue skies on average a year. Yes, it can snow, but you can get some amazing views for most of the year. There are almost 6 million tourists that visit Garden of the Gods each year and it is especially popular in the summer.
Weekdays/Early Mornings/Late in the Day: To try and avoid crowds, try to visit during the week and as early as you can manage or later in the day. People often plan to visit Garden of the Gods and spend a couple hours during midday so you can get lucky if you wait a bit or go as early as you can.
How long to stay at Garden of the Gods
That really depends on you, but if you take ample water and food, or stop in the cafe at the Visitor Center, you could feasibly stay for a few hours. On the other side, if you just want a quick stop, head to the Central Garden Trail and you can see and get pics in an hour if you really want to.
What To Know
History
There is evidence that prehistoric people visited the garden in 1330 BC and from 250 BC multiple Native American tribes have stories of the rocks that have been passed down. The Ute, Comanche, Apache, Kiowa, Shoshone, Cheyenne, Pawnee and Lakota tribes all have tales of the garden and how it came to be.
Originally called Red Rock Corral, it wasn’t until 1859 that two surveyors, including Rufus Cable, were in the area and with awe and admiration Cable proclaimed that it was a “fit place for the gods to assemble,” and the name was promptly changed to Garden of the Gods according to the Garden of the Gods website. The park allows strolling, hiking and rock climbing with a permit. For those pregnant like me, there was still plenty of places for me to climb up and around safely and for my more daring cousin there were plenty of rocks for him to climb up onto as well. It’s the perfect place to spend a day outside of the house with friends or family.
The head of the Burlington Railroad Company, Charles Elliott Perkins, purchased the land that Garden of the Gods sits on and 200 acres surrounding it for a summer home, but never built on it preferring to leave it in its natural state for visitors to enjoy. Upon his death in 1907 the land was gifted to Colorado Springs to be a public park and open and free to all to visit, lucky for us. The Garden of the Gods is not to be missed on a trip out to Denver or Colorado Springs.
Visitor & Nature Center
Garden of the Gods is a 1300 acre park. If it’s your first time, you’ll want to head into the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center (the address above). From there, you can access the pedestrian tunnel that leads to the mountain biking trails and the Bretag/Palmer Trail.
Take your time there though. The center has great information with dioramas and displays where kids can learn about the animals, plants, and more that can be found within the park. They can also learn about the history mentioned above. There are interactive touch screens to learn about animals and habitats and a theater that costs a little but offers a great show with aerial views of the area over millions of years.
What To See
There are 21 miles of hiking trails at the Garden of the Gods with some being longer and others shorter. Take note that it can be really hot on the trails that have little coverage so be sure to take enough water and maybe some snacks.
Family Friendly Hiking Trails
If you have younger children who may not be ready for a longer walk, drive along Gateway Road and then turn right on Juniper Way Loop. As you enter the park, the road changes to a one way road so it’s an efficient loop. You can park at various locations and see plenty of rock formations with a bit less walking. Get out, take some fun photos. It just gets you in and closer and is great if you’re not sure if everyone can handle the walk.
Perkins Central Garden Trail: This trial is 1.5 miles long and has a 30 foot rise. This trail is also paved so it’s wheelchair/stroller accessible as well. Because of this, it is also one of the most popular trails and the most family-friendly area in Garden of the Gods. This is where we took our daughter when she was young and wobbling and toddling. Has been great numerous times with people in our family from young to elderly.
- Note that you can park at the main parking lot (P2) on Juniper Way Loop or at P6 or P7.
Ridge Trail: This trail is just a half mile and one of the shortest trails in Garden of the Gods Park. There is an elevation of about 150 feet though and from the top you can get 360 degree views of the park.
- Note that this trail has parking at P10 on Juniper Way Loop. The trailhead is across the street from the parking lot.
Siamese Twins Trail: This trail is a 1 mile loop with a rise of about 150 feet and fairly easy though a bit rocky at the top of the hill. Better for older children. However, you don’t want to miss that top because that’s where you’ll find the Siamese Twins rock formation.
- Note that this trial has parking at P14 on Spring Canyon Height Drive which you can find by following the signs on Garden Drive.
Gorgeous Natural Views
The reds of the rocks shoot up from the green grasses that blow in the wind and with blue skies as far as the eye can see, it’s really a stunning park to enjoy. Not only are the rocks magnificent and striking, they provide some great places to climb around, have some fun and hide if that’s what you want to do.
If you want to see the park on your own, but want to make it educational and learn something at the same time, check out the Garden of the Gods Audio Tour which they offer for free as well. You can turn it on in the car as you drive through the park or listen to it on your headphones.
What To Do With Kids
Junior Ranger Program
Ideal for ages 7-12
Quite a few of the natural wonders of Colorado are equipped with great educational materials that you can pick up for a small fee. At Garden of the Gods, you can pick up the Junior Ranger booklet at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center for $2.00. There are activities inside and upon completion, the child can receive a patch/sticker, a signed certificate and have their name announced over the PA system as the newest Junior Ranger. It’s a lot of fun and even we were learning things we didn’t know along with our daughter.
Guided Walks & Events
The Garden of the Gods Park offers great events daily that are open to everyone for minimal fees. Check their calendar on their website to find out about guided walks, outdoor yoga classes, watercolor experiences, animal education and more.
- Check out the Garden of the Gods calendar of events
What To Pack
Be sure to take enough water with you. There are water fountains at visitor spaces, but if you’re on the trail, you won’t find one so be sure to take enough water with you for everyone. Make sure you wear sunscreen and hats because there is not much shade on the trails at all. Additionally, wear good walking shoes. If you just plan to do the paved loop, I wore my Birkenstocks and was fine.
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