One Day at the Garden

A half day in the park

A morning plan built on the park’s own times:

• Early, from opening: the park opens at 5 am, and it suggests arriving before about 8 am for light on the rocks and thinner crowds. Parking is easier then too; see the parking and shuttle page.
• The Central Garden: the paved Perkins Central Garden Trail is 1.5 miles round trip with less than 30 feet of rise, among the red rock fins. See the trail page.
• A second short walk: the Siamese Twins Trail, 1 mile round trip, ends at a rock window that frames Pikes Peak; the Ridge Trail is a 0.5-mile loop. See the hiking trails page.
• The loop drive: about 6 miles at 20 mph, with a stop at Balanced Rock. See the Balanced Rock page.
• From 9 am, the Visitor & Nature Center: free exhibits and the Theiophytalia kerri replica; the Geo-Trekker film runs every 20 minutes, and a fee applies. See the Visitor Center page.

The guided nature walk, daily at 10:30 am, lasts 45 to 60 minutes; a small fee applies and reservations are required, per the park’s hiking trails page.

A full day: the park and Manitou Springs

Manitou Springs adjoins the park’s south-west side, so this plan needs little driving. After the park in the morning, the town has free public mineral springs, the Victorian Miramont Castle, begun in 1895, and Cave of the Winds, open to the public since 1881. The Manitou Springs page covers each. The Garden of the Gods Trading Post, founded in 1929, is on Beckers Lane on the way, at the park’s south side.

A full day: the park and Pikes Peak

Two ways up, each with its own timing:

• Pikes Peak Highway: 19 miles, entrance about 15 minutes west of Colorado Springs on US-24; allow 2 to 3 hours round trip (city). In 2026 vehicles passing Mile 7 need a timed-entry permit from May 22 to September 30. See the Pikes Peak Highway page.
• Cog Railway: from the depot in Manitou Springs, 9 miles to the summit; about 3 hours round trip, and the railway suggests planning about 4 hours with arrival. See cograilway.com.

Morning at the summit and late afternoon in the park is one order; the park recommends after about 4 pm as its second window for light and thinner crowds. Summer storms can form within minutes and temperatures can drop 20 degrees or more, which matters most on the summit. The Pikes Peak or the Garden page sets the two side by side.

With a tour

Each listing gives its own length, and the tours slot into either plan:

• Segway tour, 1.5 hours, from the Visitor Center.
• Luxury jeep tour, 2 hours, with photo stops and walking along hiking trails.
• E-bike tour, 2 hours, from 306 Manitou Ave, with a visit to Miramont Castle.
• Foothills jeep tour, 2.5 hours, taking in Helen Hunt Falls, Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs.
• Pikes Peak jeep tour, 4 hours, morning departures, summit then the park.
• From Denver, 8.5 hours, the park, the summit and a drive through Manitou Springs.

The which tour page matches them to the time available.

Closing times

The park closes at 10 pm from May 1 to October 31 and at 9 pm from November 1 to April 30. The Visitor & Nature Center closes at 6 pm from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend and at 5 pm in winter, and is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Frequently asked questions