Garden of the Gods facts for kids

For other uses, see Garden of the Gods (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids Garden of the Gods
Ho3o’uu Niitko’usi’i (Arapaho)
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)

Location	Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
Area	1,341.3 acres (5.428 km²)
Established	1909
Governing body	Colorado Springs, Colorado

U.S. National Natural Landmark
Designated:	1971

Garden of the Gods (in Arapaho: Ho3o’uu Niitko’usi’i) is a huge public park in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. It covers about 1,341 acres (543 hectares). In 1971, 862 acres (349 hectares) of the park were named a National Natural Landmark. This means it's a very special natural place in the country.

What's in a Name?
A Look Back: History of the Park
Amazing Rock Formations
Wildlife and Nature
Fun Things to Do
Visitor and Nature Center
When to Visit
Special Recognitions
Images for kids
See also

What's in a Name?

A partial view of the amazing rock formations

Long ago, Europeans first called this area "Red Rock Corral." In 1859, two explorers, Melancthon S. Beach and Rufus Cable, visited the site. Beach thought it would be a "capital place for a picnic."

But young Rufus Cable was amazed by the giant rock formations. He said, "Picnic spot! Why, it is a fit place for the Gods to assemble. We will call it the Garden of the Gods." And that's how the park got its famous name!

Another story says that writer Helen Hunt Jackson gave it the name. She saw a beautiful garden with servants named Jupiter and Juno. She then said, "Then, this must be the Garden of the Gods."

Later, a place in California with similar rocks also became known as the "Garden of the Gods." A movie producer said, "Who needs to go all the way to Colorado—we have our own 'Garden of the Gods' here!" That name stuck for their rock formations too.

A Look Back: History of the Park

Steamboat Rock in the late 1950s

The amazing red rocks you see today were formed millions of years ago. A huge event called the Laramide Orogeny pushed up mountains and tilted the rocks.

People have visited Garden of the Gods for a very long time. Scientists found proof that prehistoric people were here around 1330 BC. Around 250 BC, Native American people camped in the park. They loved the wildlife and plants. They also used the rock overhangs for shelter.

Many Native American tribes have special connections to Garden of the Gods. These include the Apache, Cheyenne, Comanche, Kiowa, Lakota, Pawnee, Shoshone, and Ute peoples. The Utes believe they were created at the Garden of the Gods. You can even find ancient petroglyphs (rock carvings) made by early Utes in the park.

The Utes felt a spiritual link to the red rocks. They often camped near Manitou Springs and a creek by Rock Ledge Ranch. This ranch borders the Garden of the Gods. The Old Ute Trail, a path used by Native Americans, went right past the park.

Starting in the 1500s, Spanish explorers and later European American explorers traveled through the area. They wrote about their visits in their journals.

In 1879, a man named Charles Elliott Perkins bought 480 acres (194 hectares) of land that included part of the Garden of the Gods. When he passed away in 1909, his family gave the land to the City of Colorado Springs. They had one important rule: it must always be a free public park for everyone to enjoy.

In 1995, the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center opened. It helps people learn more about this special place.

Amazing Rock Formations

Steamboat Rock and Balanced Rock, March 2010

The formation known as the Three Graces

The park's most famous features are its deep-red, pink, and white rocks. These include Steamboat Rock, the Three Graces, and Balanced Rock. These rocks were once flat layers of sand and mud at the bottom of ancient seas.

Millions of years ago, huge forces from the Earth pushed up the Rocky Mountains and Pikes Peak. This tilted the flat rock layers on their sides, creating tall, thin "fins." Later, during the Ice Age, glaciers and weather wore away the softer rock. This created the unique shapes we see today.

If you look closely at the rocks, you can see clues from Earth's past. You can find signs of ancient seas, old mountain ranges, sandy beaches, and even huge sand dunes.

Wildlife and Nature

The Garden of the Gods Park is a rich home for many plants and animals. One expert, Richard Beidleman, said the park shows "the most striking contrast between plains and mountains in North America." This means it has a mix of life from both flat grasslands and tall mountains.

In 1878, a dinosaur skull was found in the park! In 2006, scientists identified it as a unique species called Theiophytalia kerri.

A new type of honey ant was also found here in 1879 and named after the park. You might see mule deer, bighorn sheep, and foxes roaming around. The park is also a birdwatcher's paradise, with over 130 types of birds. Look for white-throated swifts, swallows, and canyon wrens.

Fun Things to Do

Balanced Rock is a popular spot for photography

Garden of the Gods Park is a very popular place for outdoor fun. People love to go hiking, biking, and horseback riding here. It gets more than two million visitors every year, making it Colorado Springs' most visited park. There are 21 miles (34 kilometers) of trails to explore. The park also hosts fun events like running races and bike rides.

The main path, the Perkins Central Garden Trail, is 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) long. It's paved and easy for wheelchairs. This trail takes you right through the heart of the park's biggest and most beautiful red rocks. You can start this trail at the North Parking lot.

Because of its unique and steep rock formations, the park is also a great spot for rock climbers. If you want to climb, you need to get a permit from the City of Colorado Springs website. Climbers must follow strict safety rules, like using the right gear and climbing with a partner. Climbing is not allowed when the rocks are wet or icy, as this makes them unsafe. Serious accidents have happened, so safety is super important!

Visitor and Nature Center

The Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center is located at 1805 N. 30th Street. It offers amazing views of the park. Inside, you'll find an information center and 30 educational exhibits. These exhibits teach you about the park's history, geology, and wildlife.

You can watch a short movie called How Did Those Red Rocks Get There? It plays every 20 minutes. The center also has a store and cafe. A part of the money from these helps the Garden of the Gods Foundation. This foundation uses the money to keep the park beautiful and well-maintained.

The center also has exhibits about minerals, geology, plants, and local wildlife. You can also learn about the Native Americans who visited the park long ago. They offer nature hikes, talks, a Junior Ranger program, bus tours, and other educational activities.

When to Visit

Both the Garden of the Gods Park and the Visitor and Nature Center are free to enter.

Park hours are:

5:00 AM to 10:00 PM from May 1 to October 31
5:00 AM to 9:00 PM from November 1 to April 30

The Visitor and Nature Center is open:

9:00 AM to 6:00 PM from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM the rest of the year

Special Recognitions

It was named a National Natural Landmark in 1971.
In 2011, the American Planning Association called it a "Great American Public Place." This award recognizes places that are beautiful, easy to access, useful, and loved by the community.