Exploring Colorado’s Icons: Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods

 

Exploring Colorado’s Icons: Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods

If you ever find yourself near Colorado Springs, there’s no better duo to visit than Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods. They sit just miles apart but feel like two different worlds — one soaring into the clouds, the other glowing red beneath it. Our day trip between the two turned into one of those adventures that perfectly balances thrill, beauty, and calm.

Getting There

We started early from Colorado Springs, where both spots are practically in the city’s backyard. Garden of the Gods is only about 10 minutes from downtown, and the entrance is completely free. Pikes Peak sits just a short drive away through Manitou Springs, a quirky little town filled with art galleries and old soda springs — definitely worth a stop before you head up the mountain.

If you’re visiting in summer, make sure to reserve your timed-entry pass for the Pikes Peak Highway ahead of time. The weather can be unpredictable, and the summit closes early during storms. Even in July, we packed jackets — temperatures at 14,000 feet can be 30 degrees colder than in town.

Garden of the Gods: Red Rocks Under a Blue Sky

We began at Garden of the Gods, where the red sandstone formations rise so dramatically it almost feels otherworldly. The first stop was the Visitor and Nature Center, which gives you a great view of the entire park with Pikes Peak looming in the distance — a perfect preview of where we’d be heading later.

From there, we hit the Perkins Central Garden Trail, a flat, paved 1.5-mile loop that weaves between the park’s most iconic formations. Standing beneath Kissing Camels and Cathedral Spires, I couldn’t help but look up in awe at how the rock glowed in the morning light. The trail was buzzing with climbers scaling the red walls and families snapping photos, yet somehow it still felt peaceful.

We also stopped at Balanced Rock, a massive boulder teetering on a narrow pedestal, which has become one of Colorado’s most photographed spots. It’s right off the road, so it’s easy to reach even if you’re short on time. The contrast between the crimson rock and the green pines around it makes it look unreal.

Before leaving, we grabbed lunch at the Trading Post Café nearby — buffalo burgers, cold sodas, and views of the rocks through the window.


Red Rocks

Cathedral Spire

Pikes Peak: America’s Mountain

After lunch, we drove toward Manitou Springs to start the journey up Pikes Peak. The Pikes Peak Highway is a winding 19-mile road that climbs above the treeline, with pullouts every few miles offering breathtaking overlooks. The drive itself is part of the adventure — each turn reveals a new perspective of the valley below.

Halfway up, we stopped at Crystal Reservoir, where the water mirrored the mountain perfectly. It’s one of those stops that forces you to just stand still and take it all in. Higher up, the trees began to thin, replaced by rugged alpine tundra and patches of snow, even in midsummer.

Reaching the Summit Visitor Center felt surreal. At 14,115 feet, the view stretched endlessly — from the Great Plains to distant peaks fading into the horizon. Inside, we warmed up with hot cocoa and the famous Pikes Peak doughnuts, made with a special recipe that only works at high altitude. And yes, they really do taste better when you’ve earned them.

We stayed on the summit just long enough to watch a bank of clouds roll across the valley — one of those moments where you realize why it’s called America’s Mountain.

Driving up Pike's Peak Highway


The Crystal Reservoir


View from Pike's Peak

The Perfect Duo

What makes these two places special isn’t just their beauty but how perfectly they complement each other. Garden of the Gods feels grounded — warm sunlight, red earth, easy trails. Pikes Peak feels vast and infinite — thin air, cold wind, sky stretching forever. Seeing both in one day gives you the full picture of Colorado’s wild landscape.

As we drove back down toward Colorado Springs, the sunset hit the red rocks one last time, making them glow like embers beneath the mountain. It was one of those scenes that stays with you — the kind that makes you promise to come back.

Helpful Info

  • Garden of the Gods: Free admission, open year-round. Visitor info: gardenofgods.com

  • Pikes Peak: Open seasonally with timed-entry reservations for vehicles. Tickets and info: visitcos.com/things-to-do/pikes-peak/

  • Tips: Bring layers, check the weather before driving up, and arrive early to beat crowds.

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