 Garden
of the Gods
· FREE Museum of Natural and Cultural History
· FREE Full Color Map of the Park
· PLAN TO SPEND AT LEAST 1 HOUR
Imagine towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snow-capped
Pikes Peak and brilliant blue skies. That's the view from the beautiful
Garden of the Gods Visitor Center terrace. This free center is the
gateway to Garden of the Gods City Park. Here, the geology, ecology
and cultural history of the area spring to life through hands-on exhibits.
A portion of all proceeds generated at the Visitor Center are returned
to the park for maintenance and preservation
EXHIBITS
Our FREE center is your gateway to Garden of the Gods city park. Here,
the geology, ecology and cultural history of the area spring to life
through hands-on-exhibits. Learn how the Magpie builds its nest...see
the replicated skull of a Camptosaurus, a dinosaur from the Jurassic
Period, found in the Park...and read about the American Indian tribes
who wintered in our Park.
You won't want to miss the block-buster multi-media presentation "How
Did Those Red Rocks Get There?" Our 12 minute theater presentation
details the fascinating history and geology of our Park using stunning
time lapse photography, four screens including one 20x30 foot screen
laser lights and more. $2.00 for adults. $1.00 for children, 4 and
under free. Discount coupons for the movie are available on our website.
BUS TOUR-Summer Only
Leave from the Visitor Center and enjoy a 30 minute tour of the geology
and history of the Park. Tickets are available at the Visitor Center
information kiosk. $3.75 adults. $2.50 children. Call for details.
FREE NATURE TALKS
 Listen
to one of our Park's naturalists talk on subjects such as honey ants,
bears, mountain lions rattlesnakes or one of many others offered free
at the center. These 30-minute presentations on the natural and human
history of the Park are given throughout the day. Ask for a schedule
of the day's events at the information kiosk when you visit.
CAFE at the GARDEN
While at the Visitor Center plan to relax and enjoy a delicious lunch
or snack at the Cafe at the Garden. Dine inside or outside on the
terrace for a stunning view of the Garden of the Gods Park.
SHOPPING
Specializing in Colorado-made items, our Center has three gift shops,
offering something for visitors of  all
ages...postcards, fine American Indian jewelry, porcelain sculptures,
books, and our famous fudge made in our own kitchen! For information
on products carried in our gift shops, call 719-219-0107
FREE NATURE WALKS
Free guided nature walks are offered in the Park daily at 10 a.m.
and 2 p.m. with added walks during the summer months (weather permitting).
Meet at the Central Garden Trailhead at the Main/North Parking lot
in the park. This is an easy 45-minute stroll on a slightly sloping
and paved trail. Free color maps of the park, including trail locations,
are available at the information kiosk at the Visitor Center.
HOURS OF OPERATION
The Garden of the Gods Visitor Center is open from 9am - 5pm, seven
days a week. Extended hours in the summer. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas,
and New Years Day. Come by the Visitor Center for a free color map
of the Garden of the Gods Park and to view exhibits that describe
the natural & cultural history of the Park.
HORSEBACK RIDING
For guided Horseback rides in the Garden of the Gods Park contact
Academy Riding Stables at 719-633-5667. Private horse trailers can
be parked and unloaded at South Spring Canyon Picnic area. Get a trail
map from the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center for trails
open to horseback riding.
DOGS
Dogs are allowed in the Garden of the Gods Park on a six foot leash.
There is one designated area where dogs can run unleashed - south
of Gateway Road and West of 30th Street. Owners are responsible to
cleaning up after their dogs in all areas of the Park.
ROCK CLIMBING REGULATIONS
Rock Climbers must first register at the Garden of the Gods Visitor
& Nature Center. Technical climbing is permitted on established routes,
in groups of two or more. Proper climbing equipment in mandatory and
the use of eco-chalk is recommended. All other climbing or rock scrambling
in Garden of the Gods Park is illegal.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Mountain biking is allowed on designated mountain biking trails in
the Garden of the Gods Park. Remember, you will be sharing these trails
with equestrian users and hikers. Please abide by the regulations
outlines in the mountain biking brochure, available at the Visitor
& Nature Center. In addition, all one-way roads in the Park have paved
biked lanes.
WALKS
Enjoy FREE Naturalist-led walks daily at 10a.m. and 2p.m. that present
fascinating fact and lore regarding wildflowers, rattlesnakes, gold-seekers
and many other topics. Call the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature
Center at 719-219-0108 for a schedule of additional walks led by naturalist
interpreters. Special programs may be arranged for school and scout
groups.
TALKS
Nature presentations take place on a daily basis at the Garden of
the Gods Visitor & Nature Center. They are FREE, last about 20 minutes
and explore a wide variety of topics, including geology, ecology,
wildlife and the cultural history of the Park. For more information
call 719-219-0108.
SPECIAL EVENTS
A Sunday afternoon lecture series in the fall and spring bring the
area's best speakers to the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center.
From the history of chocolate to live birds of prey, this series has
something for everyone. For a schedule, call 719-219-0108.
PHOTOGRAPHY
For the photographers, Garden of the Gods Park is a paradise of creative
opportunities. You can take great photos from the Garden of the Gods
Visitor & Nature Center terrace or from the Gateway or Balanced Rock
parking lots. Try the Siamese Twins Trail for a unique view of Pikes
Peak framed by this beautiful rock formation.
TRAILS
For active folks, there are miles of trails to explore in the Garden
of the Gods. Start at the main parking lot for the PERKINS CENTRAL
GARDEN TRAIL. This is an easy, 1 ½ mile roundtrip over a concrete
foot path, with less than a 30 foot rise. Wheelchair and stroller
accessible, this loop is in the heart of the Park at the base of the
highest rock formations.
Other great trails include
RIDGE TRAIL, a moderate, ½ mile loop, with less than 100 foot rise
in elevation. This path gives you the feeling of being among the rocks.
SIAMESE TWINS TRAIL is an easy ½ mile roundtrip, with less than a
150 foot rise. There is a unique view of Pikes Peak through the nature
window of the twins.
CHAMBERS/BRETAG/PALMER TRAIL is a moderate, 3 mile circle with less
than a 250 foot rise. Nearly circling the entire Park, this trail
covers rolling, rocky terrain away from the traffic.
SCOTSMAN/BUCKIN CHARLIE TRAILS, this moderate trail loops through
the Park. Enjoy the distant views of the Central Garden formations
from these rolling, rocky trails. For a complete list of trails in
the Park, pick up a full color map at the Garden of the Gods Visitor
& Nature Center.
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Cherise
Selley -
CRS, GRI, ABR
"From My Family To Yours ... Bringing Families Home."
2139 Chuckwagon Rd. Suite 210
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919
Email: Cherise@CheriseSelley.com
Office: (719) 598-5101
Fax: (719) 598-2352
Toll Free Fax: (866) 766-9044
Mobile: (719) 337-9779
Toll Free: (888) 842-4196
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NOTE: The information contained on this Colorado
Springs real estate website is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Prices, availability
and other information is subject to change without warning. Please check with
your Colorado Springs real estate specialist, Cherise Selley, to verify information.
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