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The crown jewel of Colorado Springs Parks, Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods
For a Free Colorado Springs relocation Guide, Contact Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com
The Park is a giant rock garden composed of red sandstone formations and is located on the west side of town in the 80904 Zip Code. It is minutes from neighborhoods on the Northwest and West side of Colorado Springs including Mountain Shadows, Cedar Heights, Pleasant Valley, Rockrimmon, Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs.
About Garden of the Gods:
• It’s a Colorado Springs city park, public, with more than 1300 acres
• The site is a National Natural Landmark, having been recognized by the Department of the Interior as “a nationally-significant natural area”
• Both the Park and the Visitor Center are free
• It has 300 foot towering sandstone rock formations
• It includes horseback riding, hiking, biking, technical climbing
• Some of the famous formations include: Gateway Rocks, Tower of Babel, Balanced Rock, Cathedral Spires, Three Graces, Sleeping Indian, Siamese Twins, Scotsman, Pig’s Eye, and Balanced Rock
• The most well-known formation, Kissing Camels, sits at the top of North Gateway Rock. The camels are often said to be engaged in the longest kiss on record.
History Tidbits:
• The Ute Indians, known as the Blue Sky People, used the Garden for their winter camp before heading over Ute Pass to hunt in South Park. Plains tribes migrated to the region in the 1700s, camping in the Garden before heading southwest.
• Railroad Tycoon, Charles E. Perkins purchased 480 acres of rock formations and intended to leave his property as a gift to Colorado Springs. He died before his will was amended to convey his wish. Fortunately, Perkins’ children honored their father’s desire in 1909 on the condition that the park be “kept forever free to the public.”
• It became the property of the City of Colorado Springs “where no intoxicating liquors shall be manufactured, sold or dispensed, where no building or structure shall be erected except those necessary to properly care for, protect, and maintain the area as a public park.” Any violations of these restrictions shall cause the property to revert to the Perkins’ heirs
• It was placed on the National Register for Historic Places in 1979.
Enjoy the Crown Jewel of Colorado Springs!
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For more information about Colorado Springs, contact Kathy Torline at 719-287-1049
KTorline@msn.com
