Please note: Garden of the Gods Park is undergoing a waterline installation project that will enhance fire safety and accessibility within the park. Garden of the Gods Park will be open throughout construction. Please follow all signage and detours in place and use caution around work sites. We thank you for your patience as we work to enhance and improve our National Natural Landmark.
Access into Garden of the Gods Park will be limited on Tuesday, Feb. 25, due to the ongoing waterline installation project. While the park will remain open to visitors, certain areas and access points will be affected.
Closure Details
- Garden Drive: closed all day Tuesday between Juniper Way Loop and Garden Lane.
- Juniper Way Loop: closed Tuesday from 5 a.m. until after noon at Gateway Drive.
- During the closure of Juniper Way Loop, visitors can park in Lot 1 and walk into the park via the Gateway and Bretag trails or drive into the park via Ridge Road. Please note that vehicles must exit the park at Gateway Road during this time.
The Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center will remain open during this time, offering educational resources and amenities for guests. Visitors wishing to see popular attractions such as Balanced Rock, Siamese Twins, and the Garden of the Gods Trading Post can still access these locations via Beckers Lane and Garden Lane.
More than 75% of the waterline installation project is now complete. This closure marks a significant milestone in crossing a major roadway within the park, which will help limit future road closures. Additionally, progress continues on the ADA trail connecting Parking Lot 4 to the Central Garden.
Looking ahead, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, the Columbia Road entrance into Garden of the Gods will close, impacting the Stausenbach and Scotsman trails until the end of April. Trail users are advised to follow posted detour signs during this time.
Overview
Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, in collaboration with Colorado Springs Utilities, the Colorado Springs Fire Department and the Office of Accessibility is installing a waterline and fire hydrants in Garden of the Gods Park. This project will upgrade and enhance the park’s water supply infrastructure, increasing water pressure to ensure a sustainable and reliable source for fire hydrants and restroom facilities within the park. The project involves the installation of a modernized waterline network and hydrants that will increase the Park’s water supply capacity and distribution efficiency. During this project, improvements will also be made to increase the accessibility into the Central Garden with more ADA compliant hard surface trails and the creation of a fully accessible parking lot.
Please note the following anticipated updates and timelines regarding park facilities and access:
Alternative Entrances
- Balanced Rock (off Garden Dr.)
- Ridge Road (off W. Pikes Peak Ave.)
- Beckers Lane (off Manitou Ave.)
Shuttle Information
Free shuttles will operate from Parking Lot 1 into Garden of the Gods Park from Friday through Monday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please note that shuttle service will not be available on Monday, Nov. 18 and Friday, Nov. 22. Shuttle service will resume on Saturday, Nov. 23 and will run through the end of the year.
Parking Lot and Trail Closures
Parking Lot 4 is now closed and expected to remain closed until spring 2025. However, Parking Lot 1 will remain available for visitors throughout the duration of the construction project with access into Garden of the Gods Park via the Gateway Trail.
Central Garden Trail is closed from Gateway Road to Parking Lot 4 is now closed. All climbing routes located on the west side of North Gateway Rock accessed via climbing gates 8 & 9 are closed until the Central Garden Trail is fully reopened. Please visit Rock Climbing at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs (gardenofgods.com) or call 719-634-6666 for a list of alternative routes.
About
The Garden of the Gods is a National Natural Landmark located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is a stunning geological formation made up of towering sandstone rock formations and home to a diverse array of plant and animal species, making it a popular destination for hikers, rock climbers, and nature enthusiasts. As the most visited attraction in the Pikes Peak Region, Garden of the Gods Park welcomes approximately 4.5 million visitors a year. While entry is free for all visitors, the Park nevertheless makes a significant impact on the local economy with a net contribution of $272 million annually.
Preservation of the Garden of the Gods is of utmost importance during any construction project in the area. The unique rock formations and delicate ecosystem must be protected to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy this natural wonder.
To minimize the impact of construction on the Garden of the Gods our construction team will take extra steps to preserve the area. This may include conducting thorough archaeological assessments before beginning construction, implementing erosion control measures to prevent soil runoff, and carefully monitoring any disturbance to the natural landscape.
By prioritizing preservation during this construction project in the Garden of the Gods, we can ensure that this beautiful natural landmark remains intact for future generations to enjoy. It is our responsibility to protect and preserve this precious resource for the benefit of all.
A public information session was held on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
Objectives:
- Enhance fire and park safety: The installation of 8,000 linear feet of waterline and 9 fire hydrants will ensure a readily available water source for firefighters, improving emergency response capabilities and park safety. This waterline will increase the water supply capacity ensuring a sufficient and reliable water source for firefighting purposes.
- Improve accessible parking: approximately 3,200 square feet of asphalt will be replaced to provide parking nearer to the Central Garden for persons with disabilities.
- Create more accessible routes: the project will replace a significant amount of the concrete path from Parking Lot #4 to the Central Garden and correct excessive slopes to provide a more easily navigable route between the two locations.
- Improve restroom facilities: The project aims to ensure a reliable water supply for park restrooms which will enhance the visitor experience.
Maps & Photos
Click the link below to view the interactive map that explains the phases of the project and the closures/detours that will be implemented:
FAQs
Is Garden of the Gods open during construction?
Yes! We encourage everyone to come and explore the Garden of the Gods throughout the construction project. Please use caution around work sites and follow all signage and detours.
If I park in Lot 1 (or the overflow lot), how far is the walk to the Central Garden with the detour that is in place?
The total distance from Parking Lot 1 to the Central Gardens is 1.5 miles.
Is the trail from Parking Lot 1 to Central Garden ADA accessible?
Unfortunately, the route to Central Garden from Parking Lot 1 is not completely accessible. Gateway Trail to Bretag Trail is fully paved and accessible. However, Bretag Trail is a single track, dirt trail that is not ADA accessible. We recommend parking in Lot 2 to access Central Garden via the Central Garden Loop Trail.
Is there a shuttle that can take me from Parking Lot 1 to Central Garden?
Free shuttles will operate from Parking Lot 1 into Garden of the Gods Park from Friday through Monday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please note that shuttle service will not be available on October 18 and October 21. Shuttle service will resume on Friday, October 25 and will run through the end of the year.
Will the project have an impact on local wildlife, specifically the bighorn sheep?
The project is not anticipated to impede habitats any more than typical operations and maintenance. The project schedule avoids key nesting periods.
How are you preserving Garden of the Gods?
The project is an effort of preservation as it enhances infrastructure to increase water capacity. In addition, archaeological monitoring will be done throughout the project and tribal consultations were done prior to the start of the project.
What will the working hours in the park be throughout the project?
Under City Ordinance 9.8.104: Working hours occur between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.