Getting ready forthe Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center.
A free visitor center beside Garden of the Gods Park, with exhibits, a short geology movie, a cafe and an info desk with free trail maps, and a pedestrian tunnel into the park and its 22+ miles of paved and dirt trails among the red rocks.
Know before you go. The center doesn't list sensory hours or a quiet room. Here's what it does say about crowds, trails and the rules.
Hours
Visitor and Nature Center open daily: 9 am to 5 pm in winter, 9 am to 6 pm from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Park open daily 5 am to 9 pm from November through April, and 5 am to 10 pm from May through October.
“The Visitor Center Parking Lot has less than 200 parking spaces and can easily reach capacity during peak hours in the summer and during holidays.”
“Over 4 million visitors experience the park each year.”
“The movie runs every 20 minutes” and takes you through one billion years “in less than 15 minutes.”
“At this time the Visitor and Nature Center does not have available storage for personal items to include: strollers, car seats, luggage, oversized bags, etc. We ask that visitors keep personal belongings with them at all times.”
“The Visitor & Nature Center has an ADA compliant main entrance ramp, lower-level ADA elevator access and push button automated doors.”
“Please help us protect the park and stay on official trails, and follow Leave No Trace Principles.”
“Rock scrambling is illegal”: that means “climbing on a rock formation more than 10 feet up from its base without proper equipment.”
“Pets are welcome in the park but must be on at least a 6’ leash at all times and all pet waste must be removed.”
The info desk is on the 2nd floor, with free digital trail maps. It's an easy first stop to pick a short trail before you head out.
The center has no storage for strollers, car seats, luggage or oversized bags, and asks you to keep your things with you.
Call 719-634-6666More about Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center
The park and the Visitor and Nature Center are both free.
The Perkins Central Garden Trail is an easy 1.5-mile round trip with less than a 30-foot rise, at the base of the highest rock formations.
The Geo-Trekker movie runs every 20 minutes and lasts less than 15 minutes: adults $6, kids 5 to 12 $4, children under 5 free, free with a SNAP EBT card. Tickets are at the movie ticket kiosks.
The Visitor Center lot has less than 200 spaces and can easily fill during peak hours in the summer and during holidays. The overflow lot is across the street off Gateway Road, with trail and pedestrian tunnel access to the Visitor Center and the park. ADA accessible parking is at the Visitor and Nature Center and in the park. Free ADA compliant shuttles run from the Visitor Center to the overflow parking lot and to the Central Garden throughout the summer season.
Two or three wheelchairs are free to borrow, first come, first served, and can't be reserved; you give contact information and sign a liability waiver.
The center has an ADA compliant main entrance ramp, lower-level ADA elevator access and push-button automatic doors. The Geo-Trekker Theater fits 2 wheelchairs or mobility devices.
A Guided Nature Walk leaves the Visitor and Nature Center daily at 10:30 am and lasts 45 to 60 minutes; it costs $5 and reservations are required. A free self-guided audio tour plays through your headphones or car speakers.
Adaptive Interpretive Programs are available; the center points to its events calendar for them.
Stay on official trails. Rock scrambling (climbing more than 10 feet up a rock formation from its base without proper equipment) is illegal, and rock climbing needs a permit and safety gear.
Pets are welcome in the park on at least a 6-foot leash. Well-behaved pets can come into the Visitor and Nature Center, except the indoor dining area and carpeted areas.
