The 5 Best Garden of the Gods Hikes

Garden of the Gods is one of the most beautiful places near Denver, Colorado, and it should be on every bucket list! Although Colorado is known for its snow-capped mountains, it offers so much more.

Garden of the Gods is one of the most popular places to visit in Colorado because it has towering red rocks with mountains in the background. There is nothing like it nearby, making it a popular destination to explore.

Although you can see the red rocks from the parking lot, I highly recommend hiking among them to get an up-close and personal experience. And the best part? Garden of the Gods has hiking trails for all levels! You can enjoy a casual walk on a paved path or a strenuous hike around the park.

And the views will not disappoint no matter what trail you choose! This guide has everything you need to know about the best Garden of the Gods hikes to add to your bucket list!

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Tips for Hiking in Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods is free! One of the best things about the Garden of the Gods is it is free to hike. You do not need to worry about entrance station lines or fees.
Get acclimated to the elevation. If you are not used to high elevation, you may get altitude sickness in Colorado. Colorado Springs is one of the best places to explore first when you visit Colorado because it is at a lower elevation and will help you get acclimated to the altitude.
Bring a trail map. Garden of the Gods has many trails that connect throughout the park. It is easy to accidentally go onto a different trail if you do not have a map to help guide you.
Expect crowds. Garden of the Gods is one of the best things to do near Denver, making it a popular place to visit. The trails near the entrance tend to become crowded, especially mid-day, so I recommend starting your day early to avoid crowds. The late afternoon is also a great time to hike in Garden of the Gods with fewer crowds!
Take it slow. If you want to hike, I recommend taking it slow to ensure you get used to the altitude. Make sure to hike slowly and pack plenty of water and snacks.
Wear sunscreen. Because you are at a higher elevation in Colorado and closer to the sun, it is easy to get a sunburn. We learned this the hard way on our first day! Make sure to apply plenty of sunscreen before heading out to adventure.
Be flexible. There will likely be crowds on the trails, and I recommend making your itinerary flexible since there may be times you cannot find parking.
Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they do not have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

Where to Stay near Garden of the Gods

Colorado Springs is a small city near Garden of the Gods and has plenty of accommodation options for all budgets. It also has many shops, restaurants, and grocery stores, making it the perfect place to stay. We stayed in Colorado Springs and loved how close it was to the Garden of the Gods.

Here are some of the best places to stay in Colorado Springs:

What to Pack to Hike in Garden of the Gods

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.

The Best Hikes in Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods is a beautiful park full of towering rock formations that will take your breath away! I highly recommend visiting in the late afternoon to enjoy the views in the golden sunset light. The late afternoon also has fewer crowds.

Garden of the Gods has many hikes for all levels, allowing you to find the perfect trail to enjoy the gorgeous views! There are about 16 hiking trails throughout the park, and this guide focuses on a few of my favorites!

Perkins Central Garden Trail

Length: 1.1 miles

Elevation: minimal

Difficulty: Easy

Dog Friendly: Yes

Perkins Central Garden Trail is the most popular hike in Garden of the Gods because it is paved and has stunning views, making it the perfect trail for the entire family.

The 1.1-mile trail brings you to some of the most iconic rock formations in the park, including the Tower of Babel, Kissing Camels, Sentinel Spires, Pulpit Rock, and Three Graces. These rock formations will leave you feeling small in the best way!

If you want to hike a longer trail, there are many others off the Perkins Central Garden Trail to continue your hike. But if you are just looking for an easy hike in Garden of the Gods with beautiful views, the Perkins Central Garden Trail is the best trail!

Siamese Twins Loop Trail

Length: 0.5 miles

Elevation: Minimal

Difficulty: Easy

Dog Friendly: Yes

Siamese Twins Loop Trail is another short and easy hike that leads to a beautiful rock formation with a hole in the middle. This 0.5-mile loop is towards the back of the park and is a fun alternative to the main hiking trail. It gives you an up-close and personal experience with the Siamese Twins and beautiful views overlooking the surrounding area.

You can also enjoy a longer 1.5-mile trail to the Siamese Twins Loop along the Palmer Trail. Both do not begin in the main parking area, but you can certainly hike to the Palmer Trail from the Perkins Central Garden Loop since they are easy to connect.

Susan G. Bretag Trail and Palmer Trail Loop

Length: 2.5 miles

Elevation: 300 feet

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Dog Friendly: Yes

The Susan G. Bretag Trail and Palmer Trail Loop brings you near the popular viewpoints before taking you further into the park, away from most of the crowds. It is a great alternative trail to the above popular hikes in Garden of the Gods!

The 2.5-mile loop still brings you underneath the Tower of Babel, Kissing Camels, Sentinel Spires, Pulpit Rock, and Three Graces, allowing you to see the most popular areas before hiking further into the Garden of the Gods. I honestly think the best views in Garden of the Gods are on trails further in the park when you can see the rock formations from further away.

Palmer, Buckskin-Charley, Niobrara, and Bretag Trail Loop

Length: 4 miles

Elevation: 450 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Dog Friendly: Yes

The Palmer, Buckskin-Charley, Niobrara, and Bretag Trail Loop is one of my favorite hikes in Garden of the Gods because it loops along the outside of the Tower of Babel, Kissing Camels, Sentinel Spires, Pulpit Rock, and Three Graces. The most popular hikes are in the middle of them all, so this loop is a great alternative to enjoy the rock formations from a different perspective!

The 4-mile loop has some of the best views and allows you to get away from most of the crowds. Although the trail does not go to the Siamese Twins, you can also easily add that for an additional 0.2 miles. You will quickly fall in love with this beautiful hike in the Garden of the Gods!

Palmer, Cabin Canyon, Strausenbach, and Central Gardens Trail Loop

Length: 4 miles

Elevation: 600 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Dog Friendly: Yes

Another one of my favorite hikes in Garden of the Gods is the Palmer, Cabin Canyon, Strausenbach, and Central Gardens Trail Loop. This 4-mile loop is similar to the above but brings you further into the park, providing breathtaking views of the red rocks and surrounding mountains, including Pikes Peak. The beginning of the trail also follows along some of the Perkins Central Garden Trail, so you can enjoy the popular views before wandering further into the park.

As you move away from the main trail, the crowds disperse, and you can enjoy views of the park and surrounding mountains. On a clear day, you can see Pikes Peak, which is stunning! When you hike this trail, you will quickly see why it is one of the best Garden of the Gods hikes!

If you want to hike in the Garden of the Gods, this guide is the perfect place to stay planning your trip! It has everything you need to know about the best Garden of the Gods hikes!