Garden of the Gods

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Charles Elliot Perkins. As a personal friend of Colorado Springs’ founder, General William Jackson Palmer, Charles Elliot Perkins purchased 240 acres in the Garden of the Gods in 1879 with the plan of building a summer home on the site. Perkins was the head of the Burlington Railroad and planned to build a railroad line from his hometown of Chicago to Colorado Springs, however, he was a nature lover and never built his summer home, preferring instead to purchase more of the open space and keep the land in its natural state for everyone to enjoy. After his death in 1907, Perkins' children donated the 480-acre parcel to the City of Colorado Springs with instructions to keep it pristine and open as a free public park in perpetuity.

A Garden of the Gods Hotel. Stay at the Comfort Suites or Sleep Inn for fabulous all-suites accommodations near the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Our two hotels offer many extra amenities, spacious rooms, free hot breakfast, and special rates on Garden of the Gods vacation packages. Enjoy a wonderful stay in Colorado Springs when you choose the Comfort Suites or Sleep Inn for your next Colorado vacation.  [Top]

How Did the Garden of the Gods Get its Name?. Although many visitors assume the name of the park came from Native Americans, it actually got it’s name in 1859 when M.S. Beach and Rufus Cable, two surveyors, came to the area to explore the site. When he saw the area, M.S. Beach told his companion he thought it would be a "capital place for a beer garden." But Rufus Cable replied, "Beer garden! Why it is a fit place for the gods to assemble…we will call it the Garden of the Gods.”  [Top]

Visiting the Garden of the Gods. The Garden of the Gods is open daily from 5am-11pm, with free guided walks daily at 10am and 2pm. The guided walks are led by a park naturalist and offer facts and information about local wildflowers, rattlesnakes, history and much more. Visitors can find more information about the park at the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center, which is open daily from 9am-5pm. Admission to the park is free. www.gardenofgods.com  [Top]