Garden of the Gods Directions

Don’t get lost! Here’s how to find the Garden of the Gods from multiple directions.

Garden of the Gods can be accessed from multiple entrances by car, and even more on foot. The official entrance is on the east side of park at the Visitor and Nature Center.

Here’s how to get to the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center

Address

1805 N 30th St.
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904

Approaching from the north on I-25

  • Head west on Garden of the Gods Road (Exit 146) for 2.5 miles until you t-bone 30th Street.
  • Hang a left and head south. The Visitor and Nature Center will be on your left after about 1 mile. There are two entrance points.

Approaching from the south on I-25

  • Head west on Fillmore Road (Exit 145) for 2.2 miles (it turns into Fontmore Road)
  • At 30th Street, go right and the Visitor and Nature Center will be on your right after 1.2 miles

Bonus: if you want an amazing view of the park on your way in from Fillmore, don’t go all the way to 30th Street. Instead, turn right on Mesa Road (1.5 miles west of I-25). Follow Mesa Road north, past the roundabout for just over a mile – the unbelievable overlook will be on your left.  When you are done taking photos and drooling, continue north on Mesa Road until you arrive at 30th Street, take a left and head south, the Visitors Center will be on your left after about 0.5 miles.

Kissing Camels at Garden of the Gods as viewed from Mesa Road
Stop at the Mesa Road overlook and you might encounter a view like this. Photo by Brian Erickson.

Approaching from Highway 24

  • Head north on 31st Street for 0.8 miles.
  • Take a right (east) at Fontanero Street for 0.1 miles
  • Take the first left (north) on 30th Street – the Visitor and Nature Center will be on your right after 1.2 miles

Alternate option #1: Enter from the south at Balanced Rock

Balanced Rock at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs

If you don’t need to start your tour at the Visitor and Nature Center, it is possible to enter Garden of Gods from the south. One option is via Garden Road. Exiting Highway 24 is a bit odd in both directions (east and west).

Coming from the west on Highway 24

  • Take the Manitou Ave. exit which hairpins back towards the US-24 Business route
  • Continue straight onto Garden of the Gods Road (0.2 miles)
  • Go right onto El Paso Boulevard (~300 feet)
  • Turn left onto Garden Drive, Balanced Rock will be about 0.5 miles ahead

Coming from the east on Highway 24

  • Exit onto US-24 BUS W/Manitou Ave (0.2 miles)
  • Turn right onto Garden of the Gods Road (0.1 miles)
  • Go right onto El Paso Boulevard (~300 feet)
  • Turn left onto Garden Drive, Balanced Rock will be about 0.5 miles ahead

Alternate option #2: Enter from the south via Ridge Road

Another way to sneak into Garden of the Gods is from the south on Ridge Road. If you do this, be sure to stop at the High Point overlook for jaw dropping views of Manitou Springs and Pikes Peak.

  • From Highway 24, simply head north on Ridge Road

 

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