The Story of Balanced Rock

The rock

Balanced Rock is made of Fountain Formation sandstone, the oldest of the main layers in the park, laid down between 320 and 300 million years ago according to the city’s geology teacher packet. The Laramide uplift, about 70 to 60 million years ago, tilted the layers upright, and erosion has since worked on them. The Denver Gazette reported the rock at about 700 tons and about 35 feet above its pedestal. The rock formations page covers the other named formations.

Paul Goerke and the fence

According to the historical marker at the site, photographer Paul Goerke bought the land around Balanced Rock in the 1890s. He and his son Curt photographed tourists at the rock for a small charge, and later fenced it and charged admission. The City of Colorado Springs bought the property in 1932; the Denver Gazette describes a dispute of about twenty years before the sale. With the purchase, Balanced Rock joined the park that the Perkins family had given to the city in 1909 on condition that it stay free to the public. The is it free page covers that gift.

Where it is and where to park

Balanced Rock stands beside the park road. The official park map marks a Balanced Rock parking area, and a short Balanced Rock trail segment of about 0.44 mile appears on the same map. The park roads are one-way loops with a 20 mph limit, so the approach depends on the direction of the loop. The parking and shuttle page lists the other lots, and the getting there page covers the approach.

Rules at the rock

The park rules apply here as everywhere in the park, per the park rules page:

• Off-trail travel is prohibited.
• Bouldering or scrambling above 10 feet without proper equipment is illegal.
• Technical climbing needs a free permit, obtained online from the city.
• Take nothing; dogs on a leash of 6 feet at most.

The rock climbing page covers the permit and the seasonal raptor closures.

Photographing Balanced Rock

Photographs of visitors at the rock go back to the Goerke years. The park recommends early (before about 8 am) or late (after about 4 pm) for light and thinner crowds, and in winter snow can lie on the red rocks, with trails that can be icy. The best time to visit page covers the seasons.

Balanced Rock on the tours

The six GetYourGuide listings, as captured, do not name Balanced Rock as a separate stop. The Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods Luxury Jeep Tour lists photo stops and walking along hiking trails during its 2-hour drive through the park, but its listing does not say which formations are included. The Segway tour names Kissing Camels, Praying Hands and a park overlook. For a certain stop at Balanced Rock, the park road and the parking area are free to use. The luxury jeep close-up has the full listing.

Frequently asked questions