Garden of the Gods Revised

Posted on by Savannah

Colorado. The Centennial state, born in 1876. It’s known for several things: being a mile above sea level, the Rocky Mountains, the breweries, and of course the embracement of legalizing marijuana. As a proud Coloradan, I can promise you that these are all true statements but there are so many other things that make the state, the best one (although I’m a tad bias).

One of my favorite spots in Colorado is Garden of the Gods. It’s located in Colorado Springs, Colorado at approximately 6,300 feet above sea level and is 1,300 acres of sandstone structures. You can rock climb, hike, bike, ride horses, or just drive around the beautiful landscape. Physical activity at high altitudes can be dangerous especially if you’re not used to it. The city of Colorado Springs offers some tips to surviving the altitude. The park also offers different programs every month, they are typically low-cost programs that allow you to access the park in unique ways. The Garden of the Gods’ website offers a live feed of current conditions at the park.

I’ve been going to Garden of the Gods since I was a little girl. It’s only about an hour and a half away from where I live. My most recent trip down to the park was with a few of my friends. We decided our senior year of high school that we would visit every National Park together. Garden of the Gods is a registered National Natural Landmark, not a National Park, but we stopped on our way back from the Great Sand Dunes. We visited in late March and spent most of our time hiking after eating Chick-fil-a in one of the many picnic areas. I mean might as well eat the Lord’s chicken in the Gods’ garden 😉

 

This is a map of all the trails available for public access. We took the Scotsman Trail to the Central Garden Trail.
This is a photo of the three of us in front of the Gardens of the Gods plaque. Chandler is on the left, I am in the Center, and Natalie is on the right. The plaque can be found in the center of the Central Garden Trail.
There are several rocks that are climbable without any rock climbing gear. Here you can see Chandler and Natalie climbing one of the most popular rocks along the Central Garden Trail. Often times once you climb a rock, you can get access to another rock. It’s also a fun way to get access to views others don’t get to see.
You might notice this stuffed animal hiding in some of the pictures. This is Lil’ Mariah. One of our friends was unable to make the full trip so we took Lil’ Mariah with us to photograph and include in some of our pictures. Lil’ Mariah is an English Badger stuffed animal and has now been in 4 states with us!

Coloradans are not the only ones that enjoy this masterpiece. If you like to play the license plate game, you’re in luck! An estimated 2 million people visit each year and some of them, like Amy Proctor, chose to share their experience via words and breathtaking photography.

 

The National Natural Landmarks Program, sponsored by the National Parks Service, designates landmarks for their condition, illustrative character, rarity, diversity, and value to science and education. The National Park Service administers the program, though sites are designated by the Secretary of the Interior, and works with landowners, managers, and partners to promote conservation. This program strives to keep the Garden of the Gods in pure condition. Without their conservation program, there would be no restrictions on building infrastructure in or around the park. The park also has its own foundation that helps enhance the quality of the park.

 

This is a beautiful spot in the state and a place that makes you realize how small you are compared to the bigger picture. If you ever get the chance to visit Colorado, I hope you make time to visit Garden of the Gods or any other place that I highlight in future posts. Photos can’t capture the full grandeur, but it allows a sneak peek.