The Most Beautiful City Park In America!

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Garden of the Gods

This is the most beautiful city park in America! Garden of the Gods isn’t owned by the federal government or any private entities. This land could easily be used for profit, instead it’s a free park for everyone to enjoy and marvel at. The contrast between the beautiful red sandstone formations and the rocky mountains is absolutely stunning. It truly is, a garden fit for gods.

History

Millions of years ago this area was a sea. The bottom was covered in sand. Sand dunes from that era eventually turned into the sandstone formations we see today. It all started when the sandy beaches got covered with all sorts of sediments. Everything eventually solidified into layers on top of each other resulting in layers of sandstone covered with sedimentary rock. Then the mountains started to rise as the old pacific plate started to slam into the north American plate. As the mountains rose, the layers of rock below were bent upwards creating mountains. With time, the layers of sedimentary rock eroded away exposing beautiful red sandstone spires and formations.

Humans in this area

Many tribes have passed through here, it’s hard to say how long ago they started coming here. This was along the major Ute trail and the Utes tribes would hunt in this area as they migrated.

In the 1770’s Spanish explorers passed through here as they were looking for Comanches. They named it Red Rock Corral. It was nothing more than a landmark for them. It was rediscovered in 1858, during the Pikes peak gold rush, M. S Beach was surveying the area with Rufus Cable After exploring the site, Beach suggested that it would make a “capital place for a beer Garden” Cable exclaimed ” Why it is a place fit for the Gods to assemble. We will call it the Garden of the Gods!” and the name stuck.

Why is this a city park rather than a state park?

In 1879 the land was purchased by the president of the Burlington Route railroad, Charles Elliot Perkins. He bought the 480 acre piece of land to build himself a summer home. He didn’t spend much time in Colorado Springs and he never built his summer home. Instead he let the people use the land as a park. He passed away in 1907. In 1909, his heirs donated the land to the city to be used as a park. The gift came with 4 conditions:

The park will forever be known as “Garden of the Gods”
No Intoxicating liquors may be manufactured or sold in the park
No buildings may be erected except as necessary to maintain the park
The park shall forever be free to all the peoples of the world

The park didn’t receive much funding and it was in very bad condition so in 1995, Lida Hill built a visitors center and proceeds were used to maintain the park. 18 years later, she donated it to the city. In 20 years it has created over 2 million in revenue for the park.

Fun Facts

Crossroads of ecosystems. This site is has an interesting array of vegetation because this is as far south as the northern plants can grow. It’s also as far north as the prairie plants can grow.

Curt and Paul Goerke, 2 Photographers originally owned Balance rock. They charged .25 cents to see it but they also took your photo with it so people got a nice souvenir to take home with them. They even developed the photos on site.

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing and bouldering is allowed except in certain areas is allowed here but you must obtain a free permit online.

Must see formations

Balanced Rock
Cathedral Valley
Cathedral Spires
Steamboat Rock
The 3 Graces
Kissing Camels

Hours

May 1- October 31 : 5 am – 11 pm

November 1 – April 30 : 5 am – 9 pm

This is a free city park. Please stay in the designated areas the rock here is fragile. There are over 15 miles of trails that you can explore. There are a few parking spaces within the park. Make sure you stop at the visitors center. They have a gorgeous exhibit of the types of animals found in this area.

Dogs are welcome but must remain on a leash. Please clean up after them. Bring Good walking shoes, a hat, lots of water and a camera. The visitors center has a snack bar and restrooms. There are more restrooms at the trading post.