Things to Do Nearby

Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak, 14,115 feet, is visible from the park, framed for example by the Siamese Twins rock window. The 19-mile Pikes Peak Highway starts about 15 minutes west of Colorado Springs on US-24 and is open year-round, weather permitting (city); the Cog Railway leaves from Manitou Springs. A summit visitor center opened in June 2021. See the Pikes Peak or the Garden page and the Pikes Peak tours.

Seven Falls

Seven Falls drops 181 feet in total, and a staircase of 224 steps, iron stairs since 1891, climbs beside it, according to Seven Falls. It has been owned by The Broadmoor since 2014 and reopened on June 22, 2015.

Helen Hunt Falls and North Cheyenne Canon

North Cheyenne Canon Park is a city park of 1,600 acres, cut into granite about 1.5 billion years old, per the city North Cheyenne Canon page. The Starsmore Visitor & Nature Center stands at the entrance, and the Helen Hunt Falls visitor center opens seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The falls, about 35 feet high, are named for the writer Helen Hunt Jackson. The Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods and Foothills Jeep Tour lists North Cheyenne Canyon and Helen Hunt Falls on its route, along with the Shortline Railroad grade and its 100-year-old tunnels.

Red Rock Canyon Open Space

Red Rock Canyon Open Space, bought by the city in 2003, covers 1,474 acres according to the Manitou Springs visitor bureau. It has the same Fountain and Lyons rock formations as Garden of the Gods, a little to the south. Details are on the city Red Rock Canyon page.

Old Colorado City

Colorado City was formally organised on August 13, 1859, the first permanent settlement in the Pikes Peak region, and was briefly the territorial capital, according to History Colorado. Colorado Springs annexed it in 1917, and its historic commercial district was listed on the National Register in 1982. The foothills jeep tour lists Old Colorado City on its route.

Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site

Rock Ledge Ranch, next to the park in Camp Creek Valley, is a city-owned living-history museum covering the years 1775 to 1909: an American Indian area, the Galloway Homestead Cabin, the Rock Ledge House, a blacksmith shop reproduction and the Orchard House. The city acquired it in 1968, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Unlike the park, it has its own admission fee, and it runs a summer program. The Rock Ledge Ranch entrance is a stop on the free summer shuttle; see the parking and shuttle page.

The Garden of the Gods Trading Post

The Trading Post was founded in 1929 by Charles E. Strausenback and stands at 324 Beckers Lane at the park’s south side. Visit COS calls it the “oldest and largest gift shop in Colorado”.

Cave of the Winds and Manitou Springs

Cave of the Winds, in Williams Canyon, Manitou Springs, has been open to the public since 1881 and stays at 54°F year-round (Visit COS). The town has free mineral springs and Miramont Castle. See the Manitou Springs page.

Tours that reach beyond the park

• Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods and Foothills Jeep Tour, 2.5 hours: Helen Hunt Falls, the Shortline Railroad grade, Old Colorado City, Manitou Springs and the park; about 70% paved and 30% dirt roads, per its listing. Julie, from the United States, mentioned plenty of time to get out for views and photos.
• Manitou Springs: Garden of the Gods E-Bike Tour, 2 hours: the park, a mineral spring sample and Miramont Castle.
• Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Jeep Tour, 4 hours, and From Denver: Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Guided Tour, 8.5 hours: the summit and the park.

See the foothills tour close-up and the tours page.

Frequently asked questions