Garden of the Gods and Colorado Springs: Our Last Day in Colorado (Updated 2026)

Red sandstone giants, a canyon swing at 100 mph, and bison on the edge of Denver. The grand finale.

Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs was our last real stop before Denver, and it was the perfect ending. After weeks of gold aspens, mountain passes, and mining towns, the landscape suddenly shifted to something completely different: massive red sandstone formations rising vertically out of the earth, with the snow capped Pikes Peak behind them. No gold, no green, just deep red rock against blue sky.

Between Garden of the Gods, the charming town of Manitou Springs, a canyon swing that shot us 150 feet over a gorge, and a herd of bison on the outskirts of Denver, this last day had more variety than some entire vacations. And it was all free except the adrenaline.

Let’s get into it.

Garden of the Gods: Red Rock Giants Before Pikes Peak

After so much gold and green, Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is a visual reset. Massive, bright red sandstone formations rise vertically out of the ground, some of them over 300 feet tall, shaped by 300 million years of geology. Behind them, on clear days, the snow capped summit of Pikes Peak at 14,115 feet. It’s a view that looks composed, as if someone arranged the foreground and background for maximum contrast.

The best part: Garden of the Gods is completely free. No entrance fee, no reservation, no timed entry. You can drive through the park, stop at the viewpoints, and walk on short, well maintained paths right between the formations. We drove through, stopped at the most photogenic spots, and walked a short stretch between the rocks. Even that was enough to understand why this place is famous.

Tip: Come early morning in fall. The low sun turns the red sandstone into a glowing wall of color, and the parking lots are still manageable. By midday it gets busy.

Manitou Springs: The Charming Town at the Base of Pikes Peak

Manitou Springs sits at the foot of Pikes Peak and feels like a small mountain town that got stuck in its best decade. Historic buildings, mineral springs you can taste, small shops, galleries, and a relaxed energy that’s different from Colorado Springs’ bigger city feel. It’s the kind of place where you park once and walk for an hour without a plan.

For us it was the base for the Cave of the Winds and the Terror-dactyl, which sit directly above the town. But Manitou Springs deserves more than a drive through. If you’re staying in the area, consider a hotel here instead of in Colorado Springs for a more intimate, walkable experience.

Terror-dactyl: The Adrenaline Kick Over Williams Canyon

And then there was the moment that made the entire road trip’s adrenaline budget look like pocket change. The Terror-dactyl at Cave of the Winds above Manitou Springs shoots you in a seat over the edge of the Williams Canyon, roughly 150 feet above the ground, at nearly 100 miles per hour. For one moment there is nothing under your feet except air and canyon.

It lasts a few seconds. It feels like a lifetime. And it’s the kind of experience that divides people cleanly into two groups: those who loved it and those who will never go near it. We loved it.

Tip: The Terror-dactyl is at the Cave of the Winds Mountain Park above Manitou Springs. Book tickets online. It’s a separate add on to the cave tour. Not for anyone afraid of heights, drops, or speed. For everyone else: do it.

Pikes Peak: The Summit We Saved for Next Time

Pikes Peak at 14,115 feet towers over everything in the Colorado Springs area. You can reach the summit by the historic Cog Railway or the toll road (Pikes Peak Highway). On a clear day, the views from the top stretch far into the Great Plains. We didn’t go up this time, but Pikes Peak was a constant presence on the horizon, behind Garden of the Gods, behind Manitou Springs, behind everything. Next time.

Back to Denver: Bison to Finish

The last stop of the entire road trip was not a mountain or a canyon. It was a prairie. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge sits on the outskirts of Denver, just ten miles from downtown and practically on the way to the airport. What was once a weapons and chemical factory is now one of the largest urban wildlife refuges in the US, home to over 330 species including free roaming bison.

We drove the 11 mile Wildlife Drive slowly, watching bison from the car and counting the prairie dogs sitting around their burrows. Free admission, no reservation needed. After weeks of passes, canyons, and gold rush towns, it was a quiet, perfect ending: the largest animals of the prairie, once nearly lost, now grazing again with the Denver skyline in the distance.

Where to Stay in Colorado Springs

We stayed centrally in Colorado Springs, with short drives to Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs. After weeks of tiny mountain towns, the selection of restaurants, shops, and modern hotels felt almost luxurious. Look for a hotel near Garden of the Gods or in the historic area of Manitou Springs for the best access to the highlights.

Get Ready for Your Trip to Colorado

Book Your Accommodation

For Colorado Springs I use Booking.com*. For Manitou Springs: Check Rates*. I also cross check on Hotels.com* and Expedia*. Compare rates on Kayak*. I also check Agoda*.

Book Tours and Activities

For the Terror-dactyl, Cave of the Winds, Pikes Peak Cog Railway and other tours, GetYourGuide* is where I look first.

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Garden of the Gods Colorado Springs: Frequently Asked Questions

💰 Is Garden of the Gods free?

Completely free. No entrance fee, no reservation, no timed entry. You can drive through the park, stop at viewpoints, and walk between the formations. Open year round.

🍂 When is the best time to visit Garden of the Gods?

Early morning in fall. The low sun turns the red sandstone into glowing walls of color, and the crowds are manageable. By midday the parking lots fill up. The park is beautiful year round, but the fall light is particularly dramatic.

💨 What is the Terror-dactyl?

A canyon swing at Cave of the Winds above Manitou Springs that launches you in a seat over the edge of Williams Canyon, roughly 150 feet above the ground, at nearly 100 mph. It lasts a few seconds and is the biggest adrenaline rush of the entire road trip. Book tickets online, it’s a separate add on to the cave tour.

🐃 Can I see bison near Denver?

Yes. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge sits just ten miles from downtown Denver, almost on the way to the airport. Free admission, 11 mile Wildlife Drive, free roaming bison and prairie dogs. A perfect last stop before a flight.

⛰ Should I go up Pikes Peak?

If you have half a day, yes. The Cog Railway or the Pikes Peak Highway take you to 14,115 feet with views stretching into the plains. We saved it for next time, but Pikes Peak was a constant presence behind every view in the area. Check conditions and book the Cog Railway in advance.

Final Thoughts on Garden of the Gods and Colorado Springs

Red rock giants against a snow capped peak, a canyon swing that made us scream, a charming town with mineral springs, and bison grazing with the Denver skyline behind them. It’s the kind of last day that makes you want to turn the car around and start over from the beginning. Colorado doesn’t run out of surprises. It just runs out of road.

Check availability in Colorado Springs here* and book for the finale. Happy travels.

*Advertising: affiliate links. No extra cost to you.

Check Out My Other Colorado Travel Guides

Phantom Canyon Road and Cripple Creek: The Wild Detour Nobody Plans
Great Sand Dunes National Park in Fall: The Most Surreal Place on Our Road Trip
South Fork and Creede in Fall: The Hidden Valley on the Rio Grande
The Million Dollar Highway: Ouray, Silverton and Durango in One Epic Day
How I Spent 3 Days in Telluride: My Perfect Fall Itinerary
Colorado Travel Guide: Best Road Trips and Mountain Towns