Garden of the Gods

A little piece of heaven!

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Location:

This park is located in Colorado Springs. The address is 1805 N 30th Street (at Gateway Rd.) Colorado Springs, CO 80904.

From I-25:
Take Exit #146 (Garden of the Gods Road)
Go West (towards the mountains) for 2.5 miles
Turn Left onto 30th Street
The Visitor & Nature Center will be on the left (a little over a mile)

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Park Hours:

May 1 - Oct 31 5am - 11pm

Nov 1 - Apr 31 5am - 9pm

Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center is open from 9 am to 5 pm in the winter months and 8 am to 8 pm Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Both the Park and Visitor Center are Free and open to the public.

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Our Experience:

This was an all day trip for our home in southeast Aurora. We arrived in the morning when it was nice and cool and braved the heat and took a hike that went all over the park. Beware of snakes. We said yah yah, but quickly found out that snakes are real. There are several marked hikes. we spent about four hours doing a hike and then went to the visitor center where we were able to watch a great video about the formation of the red rocks which has some really cool interaction.

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Crew Reviews:

Ry Ry : Four Stars (4/5) - I liked it but they need more kid's activities. We needed to be able to climb on all of the rocks.

Jacob : Five Stars (5/5) - I was tall enough to be able to climb on the kid rock. I loved this place.

Dad : Four Stars (4/5) - I enjoyed this park. I think that more climbing activities for the kids would be great. I know that this is a city park and not a state park. Bonus that it is free. Great time! Research the hikes in the area before you go.

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Website:

http://www.gardenofthegods.com/

Come Close and Touch Colorado's Past

Dinosaur Ridge

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Overview:

Dinosaur Ridge is a set of small mountains where many dinousaur tracks and bones have been found. There are many ways to get around Dinosaur Ridge (bike, car or on foot). We suggest that you get some good shoes on and a camelback or a good backpack full of water bottles and set out on foot. Sunscreen is a must. Not too many places for shade on these little mountains. There are two different hikes you can make during this adventure. One of the hikes starts at the visitor center and goes up and over the Morrison Formaiton. The second and our facorite hike on the mountain is the one that goes to the top! It is the Dakota Ridge trail!

Favorites:

Dinosaur tracks all over the side of the mountain. We saw petrified dino bones in the rocks. We also saw a portion of the mountain that the researchers think that Dinosaurs sunk into the mud as they walked along the banks of Lake Bonneville. Great geology site to see. We also were able to learn about oil wells in the Denver area. We went when it was high school day so they had volunteers out to help explain a lot of what is out there.

Directions:

The address is 16831 W. Alameda PkwyMorrison, CO 80465. You take the same exit as Red Rocks Ampitheatre (Where Johnny Cash once performed!). Turn on Alemeda Parkway to your left and you are now entering into Dinosaur Ridge. Have Fun.
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Reviews:

Ry Ry: Five Stars. This trip was so cooooool!

Jacob: Five Stars. I loved the Hike! I loved the dinosaur tracks!

Dad: Four Stars. I needed more shade and more water!
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Website:

http://www.dinoridge.org/
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Photos!!!!!!!!

We're at the Top! Don't look down!

Dinosaur Ridge

Dino Bones in the Rock!

Uncle Sam Dino @ Store Area/Visitor's Center

Our Hike to the top of the Formation!

The Rest of the Formation

Tragedy Strikes!

Overall we had great day! We got home just in time for dinner, bath and early bed. We all needed it!

See next post of Garden of the Gods!!

Getting Started - Many Things to Do in Colorado

This blog is the fun things the Stohl Boys do during the summer. I want to give y'all some ideas of fun activities. Hopefully this will be a fun exprience. I will update the blog when we do things or when I hear of cool things to do in the area. I am going to start to archive things we have already done. Some those will be Dinosaur Ridge, Red Rocks Ampitheatre (the place Johnny Cash sang!), Garden of the Gods and many more! Hope you enjoy this blog and Feel free to commment on these and other places to see.