Visiting Garden Of The Gods In Winter: With Or Without A Dog

Do you plan to visit the Garden of the Gods during the winter? Whether with or without your dog? And you’re still unsure what to expect when you visit the park in the winter?

Don’t be worried! You’ve come to the right place because this article is based on our family’s (including our dog Snoopy’s) winter visit to the Garden of the Gods.

When we went to the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, it didn’t technically winter. We went to the garden on Friday after Thanksgiving as part of our epic road trip to Colorado in November. However, the Garden of the Gods winter hours began on November 1. So we went to the Garden of the Gods in the winter.

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Garden of the Gods Hours:

5.00 am – 9.00 pm (Nov 1 – April 30)

5.00 am to 10.00 pm (May1 – Oct 31)

Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center Hours:

9.00 am – 5.00 pm (winter months)

8.00 am – 5.00 pm (summer, Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day Weekend) 

Both the park and Visitor & Nature Center are FREE and open to the public all year.

Average winter temperature in Garden of the Gods

November: 52℉ (H)/25℉ (L) 

December: 46℉  (H)/19℉ (L)

January: 45℉ (H)/18℉ (L) 

February: 46℉ (H)/19℉ (L)

March: 51℉ (H)/25℉ (L)

April: 58℉ (H)/31℉ (L)

How far is Garden of the Gods from Denver?

Garden of the Gods is about 70 miles south of Denver in Colorado Springs. If there is no traffic, the drive will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Take Exit #146 off I-25 (Garden of the Gods Road). For 2.5 miles, head west towards the mountains. Then take the first left onto 30th Street. On the left will be the Visitor & Nature Center (a little over a mile.)

On the left side of Garden of the Gods Road, you may notice a sign for the Space Foundation Discovery Center. It is a museum of space, science, and technology. It’s not very large, but it’s pretty cool. If you have the time, go there, especially if you are interested in space science.

Garden of the Gods map

Garden of the Gods in Winter

Who hasn’t heard of the fabled Garden of the Gods? It is one of the top attractions in Colorado Springs. We went there a few times during the summer but not during the other seasons.

When I planned a trip to the Garden of the Gods in November, I chose the day after Thanksgiving for a reason. People would go Black Friday shopping, and we’d have the park to ourselves.

During this Thanksgiving Break trip to Colorado, a strong storm system dumped heavy snow from Monday afternoon to Tuesday. At my friend’s house in Lone Tree, which is located between Denver and Colorado Springs, we awoke to more than 2 feet of snow. I wasn’t sure if we could leave the house until we returned to Texas on Saturday.

CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation) worked quickly, so we could drive to the nearest restaurant by Tuesday afternoon. Later, we watched on television as they cleared snow from roads across the state. It meant that our trip to the Garden of the Gods would go smoothly.

On Friday, when we arrived at Garden of the Gods, I was surprised to see so many cars on the park road. However, there are no cyclists on the bike lane.

We drove straight to the Main Parking Lot (Central Garden Trail) area because we had previously visited the Visitor Center.

Another surprise awaited us: the parking lot was completely full! Fortunately, we saw someone leave after only driving one round in the parking lot.

In the summer, you may have to circle the main park road a few times to find a parking spot at the Main Parking Lot. Alternatively, park at the High Point Overlook and walk to the Central Garden Trail area.

However, if you are a morning person, this will not be an issue. Remember! During the winter, the Park opens at 5 a.m.  

It was cold outside, with temperatures in the lower 40s. Snow covered the ground, but it appeared that Colorado Springs did not receive as much snow as the northern area.

I noticed visitors leaving as we walked to the Central Garden Trail area. I believe it was because it was too cold to spend much time outside. As a result, finding a parking spot is not difficult.

The Park had cleared the path of snow. Even though there was ice here and there, it made the walk easier. Be cautious if you come across the same situation.  

I notice a few people wearing slip-on traction cleats. I wish I had one, but we live in Texas and don’t get much snow. As a result, it’s not worth it for us. We just need to be cautious.

The majority of visitors that day were families. I told my husband that people in Colorado Springs don’t seem to care about Black Friday. They could have been out-of-state visitors like us.

Snoopy wasn’t the only dog out that day. He was wearing a hoodie but not boots. We tried to put boots on him, but he refused and kept taking them off.

This Texas dog wasn’t having a good time on the trip. It was not just the cold, but the snow at my friend’s house was up to his waist. He didn’t feel at ease doing his business in the snow.

A restroom is located near the parking lot. Above the restroom is a platform from which you can see some of the garden’s rock formations.

Central Garden Trail

Without a doubt, the Central Garden Trail area is the most popular in the park. You only need to come to a halt here. If you only have time for one trail, this is it.

The Central Garden Trail area is an excellent introduction to the garden’s flora, fauna, and geology. It is a simple trail with plenty of interpretive signage. It is an excellent choice for families with young children.  

Because the trail is paved, it is also accessible to people with disabilities. It is also easily accessible throughout the year.

The snow dust on the rocks enhanced the beauty of the red rock formations. Yes! The red rock formations on the ground are what have made this Park famous.

Like in the summer, the area around Cathedral Spires and Three Graces was transformed into a massive playground. We discovered ice on the path between the rocks. Be cautious if you visit the Garden of the Gods during the winter.

I noticed that the trails from the Sleeping Giant and Gray Rock areas had not been cleaned. The trails were covered in snow that appeared to have turned to ice. We didn’t walk there, and I didn’t notice any visitors going or coming in that direction.

Visitors could normally go rock climbing here. They had closed off all access to the rock climbing area during our visit. I believe it was unsafe.

If you bring your dog, there will be doggie cleanup bags in the designated pet area. However, as always, don’t leave the house without the baggy. You never know when the park is out of it.

Where else to go while in the Garden of the Gods?

Balanced Rock and Siamese Twins are two more must-see garden rock formations.

Balanced Rock is the park’s most well-known landmark. Countless visitors have had their photos taken in front of this landmark. A rock “window” provides a spectacular view of Pikes Peak at the Siamese Twins formations. It is frequently photographed, and you have most likely seen images from here on social media.

We didn’t get to stop at any of these rock formations during our visit. The parking lot was full, so we decided not to drive around the park again until we found an empty spot. A couple of hours walking around Central Garden Trail was plenty. Besides, we’re in desperate need of a cup of hot chocolate.

If you go and can’t find a parking spot, you can still photograph the Balanced Rock as you drive through it. However, you cannot photograph the Siamese Twins from the road.

If this is your first visit to Garden of the Gods, I recommend driving around the park several times until you find a parking spot at this location.

Visit the Garden of the Gods’ Visitor & Nature Center as well. It is more than just a visitor center. After the addition of two new exhibit halls in 2015, incorporating the most cutting-edge museum technology found anywhere in the world, they are proud to call themselves a world-class museum.

New hands-on interactive exhibits bring the Park’s complex geology, ecology, and cultural history to life.

The Garden of the Gods Rocks, Brand New Dinosaur Species – Theiophytalia Kerri, Flora and Fauna Cloud, Ecology Matrix, The Red Rock People, and The Early Explorers are among the exhibits.

Winter in Garden of the Gods

Visiting the Garden of the Gods in the winter appears to be one of the most popular things to do in Colorado Springs. The park is not as crowded as it is in the summer, but you may have to drive around it to find a parking spot.

Make sure you dress appropriately because there will be a lot of walking. I’m not sure about you, but dry air makes my skin itch in the winter. Normally, I had a rash that lasted the entire winter. My problem was solved after my doctor suggested I use this magic cream. It’s not magic, after all. It just so happens that the ingredients are beneficial to my skin. If you still have dry skin in the winter, go check it out. Perhaps it will work for you as well.

If you bring your dog, don’t forget to bring their baggies, treats, and water. It is preferable to put on a hoodie or jacket and boots to keep them warm. They must also be kept on a leash at all times. 

Most importantly, before your visit, check the weather and the Garden of the Gods website to ensure you have a great time!