Garden of the Gods
Colorado · State Park · Mountain West Region
Garden of the Gods is 300 acres of vertical red and white sandstone fins rising 300 feet against the backdrop of Pikes Peak, free to visit, close to Colorado Springs, and genuinely beautiful in any light. The access is excellent, the paved paths bring you right to the base of the formations, and the scale hits you immediately. The North Gateway framing, two red fins with Pikes Peak centered between them, is one of the great Western landscape compositions.
- Best season
- Year round (spring and fall ideal)
- Permit required
- No
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Max group size
- 25 people
- Permit info verified
- April 2026
Permit Information
Garden of the Gods is a Colorado Springs city park and small wedding ceremonies are FREE and require NO permit or reservation. All ceremony sites (Spring Canyon, Scotsman Picnic Area, etc.) are open for use with no fee. Ceremonies must be small and brief; no receptions allowed except at the designated picnic areas. IMPORTANT: this free for couples policy only applies to self organized ceremonies. If you hire a professional wedding planner, they are considered a Commercial User and must obtain a…
Seasonal Planning
Year round accessibility is the major advantage. Spring wildflowers and dramatic clouds in April through June. Fall warm and uncrowded. Arrive at sunrise to have the formations largely to yourself.
Planning Your Day at Garden of the Gods
One-Spot Day
The Central Garden Trail can anchor the whole day on its own. Say vows at the North Gateway with Pikes Peak framed between the fins, then work the paved loop for portraits at the base of the formations. No entry fee, no parking fee, and ten minutes of walking covers the headline views.
Ceremony + Portraits Split
Hold the ceremony at the Siamese Twins where the natural stone window frames Pikes Peak through the opening, then drive two minutes to the Central Garden lot and walk to the North Gateway for portraits as the sun drops. Two iconic compositions, one short morning or evening.
A Note on Light
Sunrise is the quiet headline. The east facing light floods the west sides of the red fins with warm color while the formations are nearly empty. Sunset warms the east faces in deep red orange. Scattered clouds add drama year round and the park stays accessible in winter.
Ceremony Spots at Garden of the Gods
- Central Garden Trail / North Gateway — Ceremony between towering red sandstone fins with Pikes Peak framed perfectly between them
- Siamese Twins — Ceremony at a natural rock window that frames Pikes Peak through the opening