ROADTRIPPIN - GARDEN OF THE GODS

One of the most spectacular places I’ve ever been is right in Colorado Springs – Garden of the Gods. If you are ever in the area, make sure this is on your list – and ideally give yourself a few hours. Balanced Rock is probably one of the most popular sites you’ve probably seen pictured – but visiting the Garden of the Gods National Park there is plenty more to see. (Oh, and it’s all free!)

   Being from Utah, I’ve been to Moab and the beautiful Red Rock country in Southern Utah many times. And I do love Southern Utah. But there is something different here at Garden of the Gods. The Red Rock colors are incredibly vibrant – but here there is so much lush greenery around because of the intense foliage of Colorado, which just compliments the Red Rocks so beautifully.

   I started in the Visitor’s Center – which really has a lot to see – and got a map of the park from the Information Desk. You can see quite a bit from the road that loops through the park – but there are a number of parking lots near trails, and the first trail takes you through quite a few of the beautiful formations. There are miles and miles of beautifully paved trails, an easy walk – and lots of families with kids were coming and going, even quite a few seniors walking easily.

   The first trail has you walking through the center of a few of the spires and formations – so you are surrounded by this spectacular beauty on all sides. And some of the formations have fun names, like: Kissing Camels, Sleeping Giant, and Toad & Toadstool Rocks. You can take a short hike or a long 20-mile one – just depending on your timeline. And this first loop is really the best place to spend your time, because there is so much to see in one area. To drive the whole park takes about 30 minutes, so plan to spend the rest of the time hiking here.

   Also for this trip, I decided to try out a new gadget – a GoPro. So, I mounted it to my windshield and turned it on as I drove through the Park. Be warned – this is my first GoPro video ever, and it’s exclusively the view from my dashboard – but at least it will give you a sneak peak of this beautiful park. (And I sped it up, just to keep it from dragging out too long.)

   Garden of the Gods was definitely a great idea. Grab your camera and some comfortable walking shoes, and enjoy the splendor of God’s handiwork.

Link to YouTube: https://youtu.be/1n9owPcpJm0