Garden of the Gods is a free city park, by deed

Garden of the Gods can confuse newcomers because it sounds like it should be a national or state park. It is not. It is a city park owned and run by Colorado Springs.

The reason it stays free goes back to a gift. In 1909, the children of railroad figure Charles Elliot Perkins deeded the land to the City of Colorado Springs, honoring their father’s wish that it be kept open and free to the public. That free-to-everyone condition is why there is no entrance fee at the gates today, even though the park draws crowds.

The park is also recognized as a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior, which marks it as a nationally significant natural area. That is an honor, not a change in who owns it. The City manages the park itself, including its trails and roads, while the Visitor & Nature Center is owned and operated by the Garden of the Gods Foundation.

For a person moving nearby, the practical takeaways are simple: it is a public city park, and it is free. On busy days, the parking lots can fill up. Because rules and parking can change, check the City of Colorado Springs official Garden of the Gods page before you go.