Garden of the Gods Loop

Colorado Springs, Colorado

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Details

Distance

4.28 miles

Elevation Gain

581 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Eric Schuette

Visit one of the most interesting and recognizable landscapes in Colorado for free! You can drive one of several loop roads, walk one of or more of the many trails through the area, or rock climb some of the interesting rock formations. Wildlife, wildflowers, amazing scenery, and interesting geology means Garden of the Gods has something for everyone.

If you are new to the area a stop by the visitor center can help to get a map of the trails and roads in the area as well as obtain a climbing permit (one is needed to climb and is free).

Once you have entered the area there are multiple trails and pullouts that you can explore. Many of the trails are paved and most of the year easy to follow. During the summer expect crowds during the day but those thin very early or late. In the winter snow can provide a wonderful addition to the landscape. The area is not very large and can easily be explored in a day.

The map below outlines a 4.3-mile loop trail starting at the Palmer Trailhead and heading south. This loop allows you to cover much of the park including parts of the Palmer Trail, Siamese Twins, the Scottsman, Chuckwagon Pavilion, Three Sisters Plaza, and more. Dogs are permitted on this loop but must be on a leash.

CLIMBING:
For those who are interested in climbing make sure to obtain a permit from the visitor center. Also, the staff can brief you on current area closures (usually raptor nesting) as they are not marked on the park. There are multitudes of routes that provide all levels of a challenge but all have really cool views of the area.

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Features

Rock Climbing

Cycling

Photography

Running

Hiking

Bathrooms

Dog Friendly

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Food Nearby

Groups

Picnic Area

Scenic

Wildlife

ADA Accessible

Garden of the Gods Loop Reviews

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Nearby

Scotsman Trail Loop

Siamese Twins Loop

Siamese twins is about a half mile hike with little elevation gain that is a quick hike while driving the park. The hardest thing about this is getting a parking spot to tell you the truth. On a weekend or pretty much any summer day the five or so spots available at the trailhead are constantly full. For this reason, it might be easier to park at the store down the road or if you are spendin...

Hike the Upper Loop Trail

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Perkins Central Garden Trail

Garden of the Gods has dozens of hiking trails that cover miles through the park itself. The Perkins Central Garden Trail takes you through the heart of the rock formations and really gives you perspective on the size of these red rocks. This trail also takes you past several areas where rock climbing is allowed (with the required permits), which gives you either something fun to watch or a wa...

Bike the Garden of the Gods Loop

The Basics: Garden of the Gods is a free, public park on the Western edge of Colorado Springs. Open year round, the excellent paved roads with wide bike lanes provide road bikers with multiple loop options from 3 to 10+ miles. From casual bike riders to seasoned pros, you choose your distance and difficulty!The Ride: Starting from the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center entrance (East side of par...

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