Garden of the Gods facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Garden of the Gods |
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| Ho3o’uu Niitko’usi’i (Arapaho) | |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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| Location | Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States |
| Established | 1909 |
| Governing body | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| Designated: | 1971 |
The Garden of the Gods (Arapaho: Ho3o’uu Niitko’usi’i) is a beautiful public park in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. It's famous for its amazing red rock formations. In 1971, it was named a National Natural Landmark, which means it's a very special natural place.
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How the Park Got Its Name
Long ago, Europeans first called this area "Red Rock Corral." In 1859, two surveyors were exploring the site. They were helping to plan Old Colorado City.
One surveyor, M. S. Beach, thought it would be a good spot for a "beer garden." But his young friend, Rufus Cable, was amazed by the huge rock formations. He said, "Beer Garden! 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!
Interestingly, a place in Chatsworth, California, also has large sandstone rocks. It was also called "Garden of the Gods" because it looked so much like the one in Colorado. Today, that area in California is also a preserved park.
History of Garden of the Gods
The amazing red rock formations you see were created millions of years ago. This happened during a huge geological event. The Earth's crust moved along a natural fault line.
Ancient Visitors
Scientists have found signs that people visited Garden of the Gods a very long time ago, around 1330 BC. About 250 BC, Native American people camped here. They were likely drawn to the many animals and plants. They also used the rock overhangs for shelter.
Many Native American groups have a special connection to Garden of the Gods. These include the Apache, Cheyenne, Comanche, Kiowa, Lakota, Pawnee, Shoshone, and Ute people. The Ute people's stories say they were created at the Garden of the Gods. You can even find petroglyphs (rock carvings) in the park made by early Utes.
The Utes felt a spiritual connection to the red rocks. They often camped near Manitou Springs. The Old Ute Trail passed by the Garden of the Gods. This trail later helped explorers find their way through Ute Pass.
European Explorers and Park Creation
Starting in the 1500s, Spanish explorers traveled through the area. Later, European American explorers and trappers also visited. Famous visitors included Lt. John C. Frémont and Lt. George Ruxton. They wrote about their visits in their journals.
In 1879, a man named Charles Elliott Perkins bought 480 acres of land. This land included part of what is now the Garden of the Gods. When Mr. Perkins passed away, his family gave the land to the City of Colorado Springs in 1909. They had one important rule: it had to be a free public park for everyone to enjoy.
In 1995, the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center opened. It's located just outside the park.
Amazing Rock Formations
The park's most striking features are its ancient rock beds. These beds are made of deep-red, pink, and white sandstones, conglomerates, and limestone. They were first laid down flat. But then, huge forces from the rising Rocky Mountains and Pikes Peak pushed and tilted them. This created the tall, vertical rock "fins" you see today.
Later, during the Pleistocene Ice Age, ice and water wore away parts of the rock. This erosion shaped the formations into their current amazing forms. The rocks tell a story of ancient seas, old mountain ranges, and huge sand dunes.
The rocks ended up in many different shapes. Some are toppled, some are slanted, and some stand tall.
Balanced Rock
One famous formation is Balanced Rock. It's made of sand, gravel, and a mineral called hematite. Hematite is what gives Balanced Rock its red color. Over time, softer rock layers near its base wore away. This left the large rock looking like it's balancing on a tiny base.
Other Formations
The Gateway Rocks, Three Graces, and other formations are also tilted layers of rock. The biggest formations in the park are "North Gateway," "South Gateway," "Gray Rock," and "Sleeping Giant." These are mostly made of Lyons Formation stone. This stone comes from fine sand from ancient sand dunes.
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A row of hogbacks. The Kissing Camels formation is atop the nearest hogback on the right.
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A view of Cathedral Valley showing some of its unusual hogback formations
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A view of Pikes Peak from Garden of the Gods
Park Ecology
Garden of the Gods Park is rich in plants and animals. One biology professor noted that the park shows a "striking contrast" between plains and mountains. This is true for its biology, geology, climate, and scenery.
In 1878, a dinosaur skull was found in the park. In 2006, it was identified as a unique species called Theiophytalia kerri. A new type of honey ant was also found here in 1879. It was named after the park.
You can often see mule deer, bighorn sheep, and foxes in the park. More than 130 types of birds live here too. These include white-throated swifts, swallows, and canyon wrens.
Fun Activities in the Park
Garden of the Gods Park is a very popular place for outdoor activities. People love to go hiking, technical rock climbing, road biking, mountain biking, and horseback riding here. More than two million people visit every year! This makes it the most visited park in Colorado Springs.
There are 21 miles of trails to explore. The park also hosts yearly events. These include summer running races, bike rides, and professional cycling events.
Trails for Everyone
The main trail is the Perkins Central Garden Trail. It's 1.5 miles long, paved, and can be used by wheelchairs. This trail goes right "through the heart of the park's largest and most scenic red rocks." You can start this trail at the North Parking lot.
Rock Climbing
The park's unique and steep rock formations make it a great spot for rock climbers. If you want to climb, you need to get an annual permit from the City of Colorado Springs website.
Climbers must follow special rules called "Technical Climbing Regulations and Guidelines." These rules say you must use the right equipment. You also need to climb with at least one other person. Using chalk that stains the rocks is not allowed. It's very important not to climb when the rocks are wet or icy. Wet rocks can be unstable and dangerous. Following all safety rules and using the right gear helps keep everyone safe.
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. Park employees are there to help you.
You can watch a short movie called How Did Those Red Rocks Get There? It plays every 20 minutes. The center also has a privately owned 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 make improvements.
The center's exhibits teach you about the park's minerals, geology, plants, and local wildlife. You can also learn about the Native Americans who visited the park long ago. The center offers fun programs like nature hikes, talks, and a Junior Ranger program. They also have narrated bus tours and educational programs.
Park Hours and Admission
Both the Garden of the Gods Park and the Visitor and Nature Center are free to visit!
The park hours are:
- May 1 to October 31: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- November 1 to April 30: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Visitor and Nature Center hours are:
- Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- The rest of the year: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Special Recognitions
- Named a National Natural Landmark in 1971.
- Chosen as a Great American Public Place of 2011 by the American Planning Association. This award recognizes places that are well-designed, easy to access, useful, and loved by the community.
Gallery
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The entrance to Garden of the Gods with Pikes Peak in the background
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Photochrom of the Cathedral Spires (center), c. 1900
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A segment of the Cathedral Spires, March 2010
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Steamboat Rock in the late 1950s
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Steamboat Rock and Balanced Rock, March 2010
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Looking west from the southern entrance, October 2016
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Dedication plaque
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Seating area
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The rock formations after dark bathed in the light of a full moon, January 2020
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Images for kids
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Sentinel Spires, a popular tourist attraction in Garden of the Gods
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Garden of the Gods near sunrise, approaching the setting of the seasonal blue moon behind Pikes Peak, August 2021
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Garden of the Gods at dawn
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The formation known as the Three Graces
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A view of South Gateway Rock at the Garden of the Gods.
See also
In Spanish: Jardín de los Dioses para niños
