Garden of the Gods
Free, iconic red-rock fins in Colorado Springs, with Pikes Peak rising directly behind them.
About Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is a 1,300-plus-acre city park on the west side of Colorado Springs, where towering fins of red, pink and white sandstone stand on end against the foothills. Pikes Peak rises just behind, making this one of the most recognizable landscapes in the state.
The park is free, open from 5 a.m. until 9 or 10 p.m. depending on season, and laced with easy paved paths around the Central Garden plus around five miles of trails from the South Garden lot. Separate lots at Gateway Rocks and Balanced Rock are handy for photographers working specific formations.
The Visitor and Nature Center on 30th Street, also free, has exhibits, a film and a terrace view across the rocks to Pikes Peak.
Colorado Springs' registered National Natural Landmark, with 300-foot sandstone spires set against Pikes Peak. The visitor center runs a Geo-Trekker theater on how the rock formations actually got here, and this is consistently one of the most-visited, most-photographed spots on the entire Front Range for good reason — sunrise lights the red rock from the side before Pikes Peak catches its own glow a few minutes later, so it's worth staying put through both moments.
History
People have visited the area for thousands of years, and many Native nations, including the Utes, have ties to it; Ute petroglyphs have been found in the park. The name dates to 1859, when a surveyor joked it would make a fine beer garden and his companion Rufus Cable replied it was fit for the gods to assemble. Railroad magnate Charles Elliott Perkins wished the land to remain free and open to the public, and his children gave it to Colorado Springs in 1909. In 1971, 862 acres were designated a National Natural Landmark. Geologically, rocks like North Gateway and White Rock are remnants of a vast sand sea, tilted upright by the uplift of the Rockies.
Photographing Garden of the Gods
Best light: Sunrise is the signature light: the sun rises behind you to the east and sets the red rock glowing against Pikes Peak to the west. Snowy winter mornings add a striking red-and-white contrast, and sunset can back-light the fins with dramatic skies.
Shots to look for
- The classic Gateway Rocks framing Pikes Peak from the Visitor Center terrace or the High Point area at sunrise (24-70mm)
- Telephoto compression of the fins stacked against snow-capped Pikes Peak (100-400mm)
- Balanced Rock and Steamboat Rock at first light from their dedicated lot
- Kissing Camels silhouetted against a colorful sunset sky
- Night shots of stars over the fins (park hours apply)
Photo tips
- Arrive before sunrise for parking and empty paths; midday crowds are heavy
- Drones require express written permission from the city
- Commercial photography needs a permit from the city; personal sessions currently do not, but check the latest rules
- Rock climbing requires a permit; never scramble off trail on the fragile sandstone
- A polarizer saturates the red rock and blue sky
Know before you go
- Park closes overnight; hours vary by season
- Stay on designated trails and don't remove rocks or plants
- Temporary climbing and area closures happen; check the city's park page
- Paved Central Garden trails are wheelchair and stroller friendly
Prints from Garden of the Gods
Every photo is available as a print on metal, canvas, wood or fine art paper.
Frequently asked questions
Does Garden of the Gods cost money?
No. The park and the Visitor and Nature Center are free, in keeping with the Perkins family's 1909 gift.
What time does Garden of the Gods open?
The park opens at 5 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. from May through October and 9 p.m. from November through April.
Can you fly a drone at Garden of the Gods?
Only with express written permission under the city's drone policy.
Featured in: Best Sunrise Photography Spots in Colorado
Combine it with
Manitou Springs · Red Rock Canyon Open Space · Pikes Peak · Cheyenne Mountain State Park
More Colorado spots
Sources & further reading: coloradosprings.gov · en.wikipedia.org · 5280.com. Conditions, fees and rules change; check with the managing agency before you go.