Garden of the Gods

Vertical fins and spires display layers of quartz-rich sandstone and conglomerate shaped by ancient rivers, later tilted during mountain building, and sculpted by wind and water. Cream to rust-red bands reflect contrasting units that include cross-bedded dune sandstones and coarser alluvial fans. The walls frame windows and arches that overlook the Front Range and create narrow passages through the Central Garden.

Open grasslands blend with pinyon and juniper patches where mule deer browse at dawn and dusk. Swifts and falcons circle above the fins and nest on protected faces. Coyotes move through drainages in quieter hours, and a distinctive honey ant occurs in the park along with seasonal wildflowers that color the margins of the main loop.