Garden of the Gods Park: Palmer/Scotsman/Bretag Loop (Blog Hike #811)

Trails: Palmer, Scotsman, Central Garden, and Bretag Trails
Hike Location: Garden of the Gods Park
Geographic Location: west side of Colorado Springs, CO (38.88125, -104.88037)
Length: 2.8 miles
Difficulty: 5/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: July 2020
Overview: A loop hike around and among the garden's famous big rocks.
Park Information: https://www.gardenofgods.com/
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=823355
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: In Colorado Springs, take I-25 to Garden of the Gods Boulevard (exit 146).  Exit and go west on Garden of the Gods Blvd.  Drive Garden of the Gods Blvd. west 2.2 miles to 30th Street and turn left on 30th St.  The Garden of the Gods Visitor Center is located 1.5 miles ahead on the left.  Stop in the Visitor Center to pick up a trail map and browse the exhibits, then drive into the garden.  Ideally you want to park in the main parking lot (Parking Lot #2), but in reality you will need to park wherever you can find a space.  This loop hike is easily accessible from parking lots #2, #5, #6, #7, #11, #12, and #13.

The hike: Located on the west side of Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods Park is the crown jewel of the City of Colorado Springs' impressive park system.  The area got its name from an 1859 survey team, one member of which said that the area's large stone spires were "a fit place for the gods to assemble."  The land became a city park in 1909 when the children of Charles Elliott Perkins donated it to the city after his death.  Terms of the gift stated that the land remain free and accessible to the public, and no structures can be built on the land except those necessary to maintain the park.  Consistent with those terms, the park's Visitor Center is actually located outside the park's east boundary.

            The stone spires remain a major attraction today, and the park's location near Colorado Springs combined with the free admission make it a popular destination with tourists and hikers alike.  Many people simply drive around the park's loop roads stopping only occasionally to view the rocks from developed overlook platforms.  Yet to really get a feel for the area and to see some of the more intricate smaller rock formations, you will need to get out of your car and hike one of the park's many trails.  The hike described here forms a loop through the park's largest rock spires, but it also passes through the park's natural desert terrain, thus giving a good sample of all the park has to offer.  Due to the park's popularity, I highly recommend a weekday morning or off-season visit to avoid the huge, overflowing crowds that can plague this park.

Kissing Camels, as seen from Parking Lot #2

            Starting at Parking Lot #2, before you head out into the trail system, take a few minutes and admire the view from the overlook platform at the south end of the parking lot.  Located at the very north end of the big rocks, the deep red sandstone of North Gateway Rock, the Tower of Babel, and Kissing Camels appears to the right, while the younger and lighter White Rock appears to the left.  After admiring this famous view, walk north across the park road and turn left to begin the Palmer Trail, the first leg of our loop.

Trailhead at Parking Lot #2

            The Palmer Trail stays close to the park road at first as it climbs gradually with the park's north boundary just to the right.  The rocky terrain, lack of trees, and abundance of sagebrush make this hike feel more like a desert hike than one you might expect in Colorado.  The sun is more powerful at this park's high elevation, so the lack of shade means you will want to wear a hat and perhaps sunscreen on this hike, especially during the summer.

Grey Rock

            The trail curves left to begin a southward course as it weaves in and out of several narrow ravines.  The elevation here is a couple hundred feet higher than the main garden, so you get nice and different views down at the largest rocks.  Some interesting smaller rock outcrops are also located over here, and broad views open up south toward Manitou Springs.

View south toward Manitou Springs

            The trail descends on a moderate grade as spur trails to other parking areas exit left.  At 1.25 miles, you reach the Scotsman Picnic Area and Parking Lot #13, which are located across the road to the left.  The Palmer Trail continues south to head toward the garden's southwest corner, but this hike turns left to cross the road, pass through the picnic area, and reach an intersection with the Scotsman Trail.  Turn left to begin heading northeast on the Scotsman Trail.

Hiking the Scotsman Trail

            The Scotsman Trail climbs moderately as nice views of Sleeping Giant Rock appear to the right.  At 1.7 miles, you cross a park road near Parking Lot #6 and enter the garden's central area.  When you intersect a concrete trail, angle right to begin hiking on the Central Garden Trail.

Pikes Peak in the distance

            The Central Garden Trail is the park's most popular trail because it winds among the biggest rocks.  Interpretive signs tell about the history of the rocks and describe the different kinds of rocks in this "garden."  Views of famous Pikes Peak can be had to the southwest.  I also did some nice wildlife viewing in this area that included a stellar jay and some mule deer.

South Gateway Rock

            Stay on the concrete trail and turn right at each intersection as the trail passes through the narrow gap between North and South Gateway Rocks.  The park's dedication plaque is attached to the south face of North Gateway Rock.  After passing White Rock on the left, you cross the park road near the main entrance road and reach a major trail intersection.  Turn left to leave the concrete and begin the Bretag Trail, this hike's final leg.

White Rock

            The wide gravel Bretag Trail heads gradually uphill through a grassy area with the garden's big rocks visible across the park road to the west.  Ignore the Dakota Trail that exits right and close the loop by returning to the trailhead adjacent to Parking Lot #2 at 2.8 miles.  Be sure to check out the exhibits and films in the Visitor Center before you leave, and if crowds are manageable you could also explore the southwestern end of the garden, which features interesting Balanced Rock.