Are you visiting Garden of the Gods with kids? Here are some easy hikes and other things to do!
Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, CO, is a popular destination for people of all ages! The gorgeous red rock formations draw tourists in from all over the world.
There are plenty of things you can do in Gardens of the Gods with kids including some family-friendly hikes. On our visit, we made sure to check out the visitor and nature center before we drove through the park.
We love that some of the trails are stroller-friendly, making it easy to get around with little kids. And the big kids will love looking at the formations and climbing around on the rocks!
This guide contains some of the best Garden of the Gods hikes to do as a family, as well as other activities that are great for kids. Let’s dive in!
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Where is the Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, about 1.5 hours south of Denver. Over 1300 acres, the park greets over 4 million visitors each year! It’s definitely a bucket list experience in Colorado.
The Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center is located at 1805 N 30th Street in Colorado Springs. From there, visitors can access the pedestrian tunnel leading to mountain biking trails and the Bretag/Palmer Trail.
You can drive through Gardens of the Gods to get closer to the rock formations and hiking trails. To do that, turn on to Gateway Road and make the right on to Juniper Way Loop to start your adventure!.
How Much Does it Cost to Visit Garden of the Gods?
Admission to Garden of the Gods is FREE, making it one of the best things to do in Colorado Springs.
Charles Elliott Perkins’ family followed through on their father’s dream to make Garden of the Gods a public park.
In 1909, they gave the City of Colorado Springs the land under the conditions that it “shall remain free to the public…”. To this day, there is NO entrance fee to the park or the visitor center!
Be a Responsible Visitor
Places like Garden of the Gods are popular with visitors, which can bring trash and other issues. We all need to do our part to keep our parks clean and enjoyable for all. Remember to pack out all trash (including those fruit peels), and leave behind what you found. Leave no trace so we all can enjoy these parks for years to come.
Three Easy Garden of the Gods Hike to Do With Kids
There are 21 miles of hiking trails at Garden of the Gods. Some are longer, like the Scotsman and Palmer trails. But there are a few that are perfect for families with younger kids.
1. Siamese Twins Trail
- Trail Location: The trailhead and parking area (P14) for the Siamese Twins Trail is off Spring Canyon Height Drive
- Trail Length: About 1 mile
- Trail Difficulty: Easy with some rocks
The Siamese Twins Trail is a short, 1-mile loop that is relatively easy. It’s rocky at the top of the hill, next to the Siamese Twins rock formations, but otherwise, the trail is fairly clear with a slight rise of 150 feet.
Take your time at the Siamese Trail formations to enjoy the views of the park and Pikes Peak. There are some great photo opportunities too for the kids and the whole family. You can even see Pikes Peak clearly from the twins!
Siamese Twins trail has a dedicated parking lot (P14) on Spring Canyon Height Drive. Follow the signs on Garden Drive to the lot, as the entrance is on a turn.
2. Ridge Trail
- Trail Location: The Ridge Trail is across the street from South Parking Lot (P10)
- Trail Length: About a 1/2 mile
- Trail Difficulty: Easy with some rocks
At a 1/2 mile, the Ridge Trail is one of the park’s shortest Garden of the Gods hikes. The trail is rated moderate, with a slight elevation rise of 150 feet. The top of the loop gives you almost 360-degree views of the park, with the town and mountains beyond.
To access the Ridge Trail, park at the South Parking Lot (P10) on Juniper Way Loop. The Ridge Trail trailhead is across the street from the parking lot.
3. Perkins Central Garden Trail
- Trail Location: The Perkins Central Garden Trail can be access at the main parking lot (P2) or two smaller lots on Juniper Way Loop (P6 and P7)
- Trail Length: About a 1.5 miles
- Trail Difficulty: Easy (paved – wheelchair and stroller accessible)
Although the Perkins Central Garden Trail is 1.5 miles, it’s an easy, paved trail.
The Central Garden trail is paved and has less than a 30-foot rise, making it both a stroller-friendly and accessible trail for those using wheelchairs and other assistive devices.
Take your time wandering around the Central Garden Trail. You’ll get up-close views of the Kissing Camels and some of the tallest rock formations in the park.
This area is the most popular area of the park, so plan for crowds. You might need to circle the parking lot once or twice until a space opens up.
For easy access to the Perkins Central Garden Trail, park at either the Main Parking Lot (P2) on Juniper Way Loop or one of the two smaller lots on the other side of the central gardens on Juniper Way Loop (P6 and P7).
Other Things to do at Garden of the Gods With Kids
Enjoy the Visitor and Nature Center
The Visitor and Nature Center at the Garden of the Gods is like a mini natural history museum.
With dioramas and displays, kids can learn more about the kinds of animals and vegetation found within the park. They’ll also learn about the geological history of the park.
You can even grab a bite to eat at the Bean Sprouts Café.
Visit the Rock Formations
This should go without saying, but driving around the park to view the rock formations is what makes Garden of the Gods memorable and fun!
You can even climb on some of the rocks at Garden of the Gods which will give you the opportunity to a funny photo or two.
Sign Up For One of the Daily Activities
Every day, the Garden of the Gods offers multiple activities. Some are paid, and some are free, but most of them are perfect for kids and families.
Some of the activities provided are guided nature walks and bat programs. Check out their calendar of events for more information.
Go On a Bike Ride
You can either bring your own bike or rent one an e-bikes or mountain bike at the visitor center.
Garden of the Goads also offers e-bike tours that last about 1.5-2.5 hours. It’s a great way to see the beautiful rocks and formations.
Tips for Visiting Garden of the Gods With Kids
Parking and Visiting Hours at Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is open year-round, opening at 5 am and closing at 9 pm (10 pm during the summer months). The Visitor and Nature Center has more limited hours (9 am – 5 pm) and is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
According to their website, Garden of the Gods has 336 parking spaces inside the park. And those are spread out among the towering formations.
During summer and weekends, plan for the park to be busy. We visited the Friday of Labor Day weekend, and although the park was bustling, we were always able to find a parking spot at each of the famous formations.
There are also parking areas by most of the trailheads.
Visit During the Week and Off-Season
As mentioned above, Garden of the Gods receives over 4 million visitors each year. The majority of those visitors are coming during school breaks, weekends, and the summer season.
If you can plan your visit during a less busy time, do that! It’ll make it a better experience for you and your family.
Wear Appropriate Shoes
If you only plan on walking the Perkins Central Garden trail, any comfortable footwear will do well.
However, if you choose to do the other Garden of the Gods hikes we mentioned, sneakers or hiking boots with grippy soles will be best.
The sandstone rocks are smooth enough that even foam-soled sneakers can slip on them. I wore trail running sneakers and had plenty of grip and support without the bulk of a hiking boot.
Do Your “Must-Dos” First
Garden of the Gods is a large park. You could spend an entire day there and still not see and do everything that you’d like to do.
Make a plan and pick out the things you really want to do. If you have time after that, great! You can do something else. If not, at least you got to see and do the things that were most important to you.
Where to Stay Near Garden of the Gods
Colorado Springs is not only home to popular tourist attractions like Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak. It also is home to the US Air Force Academy, making the town a popular destination for many people. So there is no shortage of places to stay.
However, if you’d like to stay in a town within walking distance to shops and restaurants, stay at one of the many hotels and inns in Manitou Springs, like the Pikes Peak Inn. You’ll also be closer to the southern entrance of the park and fun attractions Seven Falls Park.
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