Garden of the Gods Rock Formations Offer Provide a Rare Beauty

Charles Lindbergh said he had never seen “a more spectacular and magnificent place.” He was talking about the Garden of the Gods, a park in Colorado Springs, Colorado, which is a garden, not of flowers, but of huge red sandstone rocks which have formations that inspired such names as: Kissing Camels; Siamese twins; Steamboat Rock; the Balanced Rock; the Cathedral Rock; the Gateway Rocks; and the Bear and the Seal. Best of all, admission to the Garden of Gods is free.

The amazing local park contains 1391.61 acres at 1805 North 30th Street in Colorado Springs and is open year round. The city-owned park has been recognized by the Department of the Interior as “a nationally-significant natural area.” The park offers towering sandstone rock formations, paved and unpaved hiking trails, a living history museum, and the historic Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site.

The Garden of the Gods was given to the city of Colorado Springs in 1909 by the children of railroad magnate Charles Elliot Perkins. The city agreed to honor his wish that it be forever be open and free of charge. To this day, his wish is being honored.

Visitors can enjoy technical rock climbing, guided nature walks, mountain biking, road biking, and horseback trails. The park is open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. from November 1 to April 30 and from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. from May 1 to October 30.

A photographer can enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery he will see anywhere. He can take pictures of the beautiful Gateway Rocks and Balanced Rock from their parking lots or can get a unique view of Pikes Peak at the Siamese Twins Rock.

Hikers can enjoy five miles of scenic trails. The trails are also good for biking or horseback riding.

The free naturalist-led walks start each day at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Participants learn about rattlesnakes, wildflowers, and gold seekers.

Rock climbers have to first register at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center. Technical climbing is allowed on established routes, in groups of two or more.

Weddings are allowed for free in the park, but must be registered.

At the Visitor Center visitors can view a 12-minute movie, “How Did Those Rocks Get There?” The multi media movie uses time-lapse photography and four screens, including one 20 x 30 foot screen with laser lights. The movie runs every 20 minutes in the summer and every 30 minutes in the winter and costs $2 for adults and $1 for children. For groups of ten or more, the cost is $1 per person.

Visitors to the park can also enjoy the Garden of the Gods Trading Post, which was built to resemble the homes of Pueblo Indians. Colorado’s largest trading post contains Native American jewelry, Navajo rugs, Pueblo pottery, and Buffalo Burgers.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½

Early visitors often referred to the Gateway Rocks as “The Beautiful Gateway.” Early visitors to the area thought the two walls of stone, which tower several hundred feet above the valley floor, served the illusion of a grand portal. The rocks form a natural entrance to the park and contain fine grains of red sandstone. The color turns a darker red after a rainstorm.

The Kissing Camels formation is at the very top of the north Gateway Rock. Noting how the rock formation does indeed look like two camels kissing, some have said the camels are engaged in the longest kiss in history.

Some have called the Balanced Rock the eighth wonder of the world. It is one of the most photographed rocks in the world. Because the top portion of the rock looks to be so delicately balanced on the bottom portion, some photographs have shown people trying to push it off the bottom portion of the formation.

From the east one rock formation is called Siamese Twins, as that is what it resembles. From the south the two rocks form one, and it is called Punch and Judy.

A visit to the Garden of Gods is something you will never forget, if you ever get the chance to see the beautiful rock formations. This former Colorado resident, who has lived in Ohio for more than 20 years, never has.