Perkins Central Garden Trail

Garden of the Gods has dozens of hiking trails that cover miles through the park itself. The Perkins Central Garden Trail takes you through the heart of the rock formations and really gives you perspective on the size of these red rocks.

This trail also takes you past several areas where rock climbing is allowed (with the required permits), which gives you either something fun to watch or a way to add more adventure into your visit. Permits can be obtained at the Visitor's Center before the park's entrance.

One of my favorite parts about this trail is that it offers lots of areas for exploration and it connects with quite a few other trails so you can easily add mileage to suit your needs. The beginning area can get pretty crowded, especially in the afternoon. Go early to avoid both the crowds and the heat.