Garden of the Gods

"Winter is gone and Spring is on ...", yah that's what I have been humming since last week. The sun is bright and everything is so positive including the weather. I could finally dare to shed some clothes (read woolens). J and I thought that it was insane to waste the time indoors but we were not very sure where to head out. It being only the second week of March, most National/ State Parks are closed or had restricted access.

J came up with a plan to visit the "Garden of the Gods". I was very amused by the name itself and wondered if the garden had hundreds of intoxicating "Parijata" trees. Parijata is a divine tree as has several mentions in the Hindu Mythology. Since I was clueless about the place we played a guessing game. I guessed everything possible about the place. And after two hours of drive there we were standing before the gates of the "Garden of the God's".And you don't have to be a saint to get access into it. Everyone's welcome to this garden. It was nothing close to what I had imagined ..... but it was spectacular. Yah probably God carved this beautiful place in the middle of nowhere !!

We walked into the Visitor Centre and picked up some pamphlet ...... the information helped us go around this beautiful place.

J posing with the 'Imbalanced Rock'

It was a garden of majestic red rocks with the Pike Peaks at the background.One has to see it to believe it !! It has something for everybody .... the nature lover can spend hours gazing at the natural beauty of the park and the red rocks. The park is also the home to many beautiful birds. If you are lucky enough you can capture them in your camera and bring them home.

That's me on the rocks ... trying hard to balance and pose for the camera

It is an exciting place for the rock climbers. It's thrilling to watch them make it to the peak of some of these huge rocks. Also if you are not so much into climbing you can trek the many beautiful trails in the park or cycle around the park.

It is also a photographer's paradise ....... And it is just a great place to hang out for the romantics at heart.

A Rock Climber

How to get there ?

The Garden of God's is about an hour drive from Denver, Colorado. Admission to the park is free.

What is the best time to visit the place ?

I think spring is the best time to visit the place. It may get very hot during the summer months.Visitors receive frequent reminders to watch out for rattlesnakes in the hot days of summer. But with the unpredictable Colorado weather, make sure you check it before planning for a visit.

Activities within the park

Nature watching, Rock Climbing - Rock climbing is permitted, with annual permit obtained at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, Cycling, Trekking , Photography, Bird watching.

Nearby Attractions

Seven Falls

Pikes Peak