Garden of the Gods - 17 free things to do PLUS insider tips
What: Garden of the Gods is a National Registered Landmark located in Colorado Springs.
Cost: Free
Winter Park Hours: 5 am –9pm
Winter Visitor Center Hours: 9 am -5pm. (Grill 10-3).
Summer (May 1-Oct 31) Park Hours: 5 am – 11pm.
Website: http://www.gardenofgods.com/parkinfo/index.cfm
(This photo was taken on Monday, January 21, 2013 from the Palmer Trail in the Garden of the Gods)
Garden of the Gods - 17 Free Things to Do
1. Visit the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center. They have hiking maps. 
2. Learn about the geology and history while on a guided tour.
3. Drive the through the park from the comfort of your own vehicle.
4. Ride through the park on a motorcycle.
5. Enjoy a casual walk on of the paved paths are that are wheel chair and stroller accessible.
6. Walk your dog(s). Leash is required.
7. Opt to hike on one of several trails that range between ½ miles to three miles. Trails range easy to moderate.
8. Ride your bicycle on through the park in designated bicycle lanes.
9. Ride your mountain bike on specially designated trails.
10. Go jogging or prepare for a 5K or 10K along the road or paved paths throughout the park.
11. Go trail running on trails that range from easy to moderate.
12. Have a picnic.
13. Go horseback riding.
14. Go rock climbing
15. Photograph the Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, sunrises, sunsets, the numerous visitors…..
16. Go bird watching.
17. Go stargazing.
Garden of the Gods - Insider Tips!
1. My favorite parking lot is the main parking lot. If you come in from the main entrance across from the visitor’s center, this parking lot will be the first one you come to once in the park. There is a bathroom (with toilets that actually flush) by this parking lot.
2. If you don’t like large crowds, early mornings, around sunrise, and later in the evening, are great times to go through the park. Most of the tourists don’t notice or take time to explore the dirt and gravel trails in the park.
3. You can pick up a map at the visitors center which is on 30th street across from the main entrance. Most of the roads in the park are one way and also have bicycle lanes. In addition to bicycles, there may be people running in the bike lanes.
4. Aside from the visitor’s center, there are not any vendors in the park itself. So….bring your own water. There are trash cans located near the parking lots.
5. If you bring your dog – bring bags to pick up the poop. Picking up your dog’s poop is required by Colorado Springs ordinance. Your dog WILL have to poop one or more times. I’m not sure what it is about the place but it makes dogs have the urge to go.
6. Do not stop in the middle of the road to take a photograph. There are designated spots to pull over and take photographs and several parking lots scattered throughout the park. If you miss a great photograph opportunity because a “pull over area” is full, you can loop back around.
7. The visitor’s center parking lot is a good place to meet a large group of people for a run or bike ride. However, the parking lot is closed during nonbusiness hours.
Sincerely,
Sondra Meyer, CPA
Colorado Horse Property Specialist
Colorado. See It. Experience It. Live It.
Blog written and photographed by Sondra Meyer
Note: This post was written with tips that were learned in the Active Rain Webinar - Blogging Blueprint for Local Events and Business.
Comments(6)