The state of Colorado is host to a large variety of beautiful geologic formations, one of the most stunning being the Garden of the Gods. Located just outside of Colorado’s second largest city, Colorado Springs, the Garden of the Gods park and visitor center are must-visits.
The Garden received its name by two surveyors in 1859. According to the Friends of the Garden of the Gods, the two were riding their horses through the Garden, when Melancthon Beach remarked the place would be a “capital place for a beer garden.” Rufus Cable replied, “Beer Garden! Why it is a place fit for the gods to assemble. We will call it “Garden of the Gods.”
The Garden of the Gods was formed when the modern Rocky Mountains began their upward thrust around 60 million years ago. In 1909 the family that owned the land containing the Garden of the Gods gifted it to the city of Colorado Springs with the condition that it be a park free to the public.
The Visitor and Nature Center is a two-story facility with a great view of the Garden. It includes two new exhibits that have become a small museum about the park and its history. It is a great way to start your Garden of the Gods experience. Afterwards, take the scenic drive through the Garden or take a leisurely stroll on some of the trails. Either way, the Garden of the Gods is sure to impress.
