Garden of the Gods: Garden of the Gods is a city park in the foothills of Colorado Springs, Colo. The 1,367 acre park is centered around vertical geological formations that look like fins and stand up to 300 feet tall. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Pathways: In addition to trails for more experienced hikers, numerous paved pathways are available for visitors who want to wander among the unique red rock formations more casually as seen in this photo. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
By GARY WARREN
Photographer
Formerly of Los Alamos
If I asked, “what is the number one city park in the U.S.?” one may think of Central Park in New York or Millennium Park in Chicago or a variety of other famous parks in large cities across the country. Those would be good answers but the number one city park in the country, according to Trip Advisor, is Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Garden of the Gods is a city park a short drive from downtown Colorado Springs. It sits in the foothills of town and Pikes Peak stands tall as a backdrop for this beautiful park. The park is a haven for outdoor and nature enthusiasts and offers activities for the interests of all visitors.
Railroad executive Charles Perkins purchased 480 acres of property in the 1800s, which included the heart of Garden of the Gods park. Upon his death in 1907, it was his wish that the property be deeded to the City of Colorado Springs for a park. He requested that the park be available to all and free of charge and no buildings built on the property except for those necessary to care for and maintain the park.
In 1909, Perkins’ children officially gave ownership to the city and Garden of the Gods was established in 1909. The size of the park was expanded over years and now covers 1,367 acres of prime foothills property in Colorado Springs. The park was designated a Registered National Landmark in 1971.
The park features a series of geological formations which look like fins standing tall out of the earth’s surface. The formations are sandstone and limestone and are generally reddish and white in color and stand as tall as 300 feet in height.
Another feature of the area is the convergence of three North American ecosystems. The grass lands of the Great Plains, the dry woodland of pinon and juniper of the southwestern U.S. and the evergreen forests of the Rocky Mountains are all seen in the area.
Visitors to Garden of the Gods can spend an hour or days exploring the park. The park can be seen by car or by foot. There are numerous hiking and biking trails, and horseback riding are a few ways to experience the park. Rock climbing is also allowed but a permit is required. Guided nature walks are available and commercial tours of the park and area are also available.
Garden of the Gods also features a modern visitor and nature center for visitors as well as a restaurant and gift shop. It is advisable for first time visitors to stop at the visitor center and become familiar with the layout of the park when arriving at the park.
The park is open from dawn to dusk but there are no overnight accommodations within the park. Camping and numerous motels and other accommodations are available near the park. Garden of the Gods is open year round.
If visiting the Colorado Springs area, seeing this magnificent park is a must. Whether you hike, bike, climb, or just want to sit and enjoy the beautiful views, Garden of the Gods will not disappoint.
Editor’s note: Longtime Los Alamos photographer Gary Warren and his wife Marilyn are traveling around the country, and he shares his photographs, which appear in the “Posts from the Road” series published in the Sunday edition of the Los Alamos Daily Post.
Rocky Road: There are hiking trails for everyone at Garden of the Gods park in Colorado Springs, Colo. Many of the pathways are paved and handicapped accessible. Other trails are more rugged for those who wish to explore the rock formations up close. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Towering Formations: The towering sandstone and limestone formations rise vertically out of the earth’s surface at Garden of the Gods park. The grand walls can appear a deep reddish color when the early morning or late afternoon sunlight illuminates the surface of the walls. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Going Up: Three rock climbers scale one of the formations at Garden of the Gods park in Colorado Springs, Colo. Climbing the spires is allowed but does require a permit before climbing. This is just one way of enjoying the park. Numerous trails and pathways for hiking, biking and horseback riding also meander among the formations. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Pastel Pathway: The light on this pathway through the rock formations at Garden of the Gods appear pastel in color. The time of day and quality of light shining on the formations creates a dynamic and ever changing landscape. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
