Garden of the Gods
Visitor & Nature Center

If you’re in Colorado Springs and haven’t visited the Garden of the Gods Park yet, I urge you to make time to go.

It truly is an awesome spectacle of natural beauty, which is probably why it's been registered as a National Natural Landmark.

And while it certainly would be worth an admission price, this gorgeous park is totally FREE.

A great place to begin your adventure is the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, located directly across the entrance of the park at:
1805 N. 30th Street.

This center is the most popular attraction in the Pikes Peak region for good reason.

At best, you'll be educated and entertained while getting a really in-depth overview of the park before experiencing it for yourself.

At worst, you're going to get a fantastic view.



HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Movie – A new 14-minute High-Def movie titled “How Did Those Red Rocks Get There?” runs every 20 minutes in their theater, showing the history and geology of the park. A great way to learn different aspects of the park, and many people have said you're missing out if you don't start here. $5/adult, $3/children.

Exhibits – The topographical lighted map is the centerpiece, giving you an aerial view of the rocks, roads and trails. Surrounding you on the walls above are several huge murals depicting the park millions of years ago.

Several exhibits upstairs and downstairs present the wildlife, flora, and fauna of the park.

You'll see replicas and information about bighorn sheep, falcons, buffalo, rattlesnakes, and even dinosaurs.

(If you or your child is especially interested in dinosaurs, we also recommend checking out the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center just west of Colorado Springs in Woodland Park.)

Gift Shops – Both levels have gifts a plenty. From pottery, sculptures, and t-shirts, to locally made jellies, candy, and spices, you can browse around for all sorts of souvenirs.

Café at the Garden – The cafeteria-style menu has items like chili, cheeseburgers, salads, soda, and bottled water. But more importantly, it comes with a view of the park. Nosh inside behind the glass walls, or find a spot in the Colorado sunshine out on their patio deck.

Lookout Deck – Another must-see and must-do is walking out to the lookout deck and getting a picture with your family or friends or your sweetheart. Plunk a quarter in the old-school binoculars and try to spot some bighorn sheep.

This is the best panoramic view in Colorado Springs, right here. The Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, the Manitou Incline, even Cheyenne Mountain—it's amazing.