With its rather intriguing name, the Garden of the Gods is located in Colorado Springs in the United States of America. The Garden of the Gods Park is a registered natural national landmark that offers free entry to its visitors. The park is open to visitors from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. from May 1-October 30 and from November 1-April 30, the park hours are 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Aptly declared a national landmark, the park houses several outstanding geological formations. It is a great place to invest with time and energy and offers numerous recreational activities for its visitors. The Visitor center contains a fund of information on ancient cultures and civilization. Here, you can learn about the prehistoric creatures who lived in the Garden of the Gods. Discoveries of ancient hearths and pottery, animal bones, and stone tools add to the garden’s historic mysteries. The Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center was added to the park in 1995. It features a collection of educational exhibits, nature walks and historical presentations on the park’s home, Colorado Springs.
How the Park Got its Name
In 1879, the head of the Burlington Railroad, Charles Elliott Perkins bought two hundred and forty acres of the Garden of the Gods to build himself a summer home. Later, he added more property to the land but refused to construct in the land because he did not want to tamper with the wild, natural beauty that the land was blessed with. After his death, the children of Charles Elliott Perkins conveyed four hundred and eighty acres of the park owned by their father to the city of Colorado Springs. The park owes its unique name to a surveyor named Rufus Cable. While discussing with a fellow surveyor about the possibility of making the park a suitable location for a beer garden, Rufus is said to have exclaimed that it was a land fit for the gods. According to him, it certainly ought to be called the Garden of the Gods. Thus, this poetic name was born and it has remained since 1859.
Events Organized by the Park
There are a number of special events that take place in the park. Visitors can participate in these events free of cost. Some of these events include:
- Earth Day: Earth Day is celebrated during the month of April. The programs and festivities last from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the park’s Visitor and Nature Center. The activities, such as craft activities for children, nature walks, dance performances by native Americans and so on, offer fun and excitement for one and all.
- Bighorn Sheep Day: Bighorn Sheep, as their name suggests, are a species with large horns found in North America. They are the state animal of Colorado and are a part of the symbol of Colrado’s division of wildlife. In the month of February, the park celebrates Bighorn Sheep Day in honor of this state mammal. Many interesting activities such as nature walks, shuttle rides to Bighorn lookouts, talks about the Bighorn and so on are organized by the park.
- Races: Two running events are organized in the park every summer. It is a wonderful experience to be part of these races because they are set in such a unique and challenging venue. The competition is organized for participants from almost every age group and the winners who succeed in this physically demanding challenge are rewarded with great shirts and medals.
Recreational Activities Offered by the Park
There are several recreational opportunities offered by the park. A few of these include:
- Photography: To a photographer’s delight, the park offers huge scope for creative photography.
- Picnics: There are two open picnic areas in the park namely, Scotsman Picnic Area and the South Spring Canyon Picnic Area. The picnic areas cannot be booked for reservations and are available on a first-cum-first-serve basis. Barbecue grills are available in the park and you can also bring your own propane grills if you choose to do so. Alcohol is strictly prohibited within the park. Dogs are allowed within the park but owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs within the premises of the park.
Other fun activities include:
- horse riding
- mountain biking
- guided walks
- rock climbing
- educational tours
Geological Formations of the Garden of the Gods
The very name of the state, Colorado, is said to come from the red color of the sandstone found here. The garden of the Gods has abundance of the same and has a fascinating range of sedimentary beds in purple, blue and white apart from red. Many fossils such as dinosaur fossils, marine fossils and plant fossils are also housed by the park. There are several interesting rock formations to be observed in the park. One such formation is referred to as hogbacks. These rocks are made of ridges of sandstone whose layers resemble the spine and back of a pig. While visiting the park, do not miss the kissing camels. These are a pair of rocks which appear like two camels sitting face to face, with their lips touching. Another must-see in the park is the famous balanced rock. This is a huge sandstone rock that balances precariously on its base. Also, do not miss Pikes Peak, one of the majestic and tallest of the sandstone formations found here.
Souvenirs to Take Home From the Garden of the Gods
After your visit to the park, you can end it on a sweet and memorable note by visiting the gift shops in the park to buy souvenirs. The gift shops are said to be one of the best in Colorado Springs and there is something for everyone. You can choose from items such as jewellery, toys, postcards, pottery and many more.
Tips and Warnings
You can keep the following pointers in mind when you plan a visit to the Garden of the Gods.
- Wear sturdy hiking boots or athletic shoes to protect your feet when you go trekking or hiking in the rocky trails of the park. They will also give you a firm grip to aid you with your rock climbing venture.
- Wear appropriate clothes. The park gets quite warm in summer and so, ensure that you were light, comfortable clothes.
- Go through the rules and regulations of the park before you begin exploring it. Have the maps of the trails with you as they will come in very handy.