Garden of the Gods parking and shuttle, Colorado Springs

Where do you park at Garden of the Gods?

At the Visitor & Nature Center lot on 30th Street, or in the overflow lot across the street off Gateway Road, then walk through the pedestrian tunnel or ride the summer shuttle. Inside the park the one-way loop has its own numbered lots, such as Lot 16 next to Balanced Rock.

Where	What the park says	Good for
Visitor & Nature Center lot 1805 N. 30th Street	Fewer than 200 spaces; can easily fill at peak hours in summer and on holidays. Drop-off area for oversized vehicles.	The Visitor Center, the guided walk and tours, which leave from here
Overflow lot (Lot 1) Across 30th Street, off Gateway Road	Naturally surfaced. Trail and pedestrian tunnel to the Visitor Center and the park; summer shuttle stop. Outer edge for buses, trailers and campers.	Summer weekends, trailers, starting on the paved Foothills and Gateway trails
Lot 4 Near the Central Garden	Fully accessible lot with an ADA-compliant concrete trail into the Central Garden (2025 city project).	Wheelchairs and strollers
North lot Off Juniper Way Loop	Start of the paved Perkins Central Garden Trail.	The shortest walk to the tallest formations
Lot 16 Near Balanced Rock and the Trading Post	One of two lots built for large vehicles and trailers.	Balanced Rock, the Balanced Rock Trail

For vehicle access, the park says to use the roundabout on 30th Street and take the west exit; on foot, the pedestrian tunnel from the Visitor Center leads into the park. From Denver it is roughly 1 1/2 hours south on I-25, longer at rush hour and on weekends.

When does the Garden of the Gods parking lot fill up?

The park does not publish a time. It says the Visitor Center lot, with fewer than 200 spaces, can easily reach capacity during peak hours in summer and on holidays.

Its advice is to use the overflow lot across the street and ride the shuttle or walk through the tunnel. One of the park's tour partners tells Segway guests that in busy summer months it may take up to 30 minutes to park and get through the shuttle, so arrive early. The park opens at 5 AM, which is the easy way round a full lot.

Is there a free shuttle at Garden of the Gods?

In summer, yes. In 2026 it ran daily from 9 AM to 5 PM on May 23 to 25, June 5 to August 23 and Labor Day weekend, about every 15 minutes, between the overflow lot, the Visitor Center, Rock Ledge Ranch and the Central Garden. The 2027 dates are not out yet.

• Stops: the Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site parking lot, the Visitor & Nature Center, the Overflow Lot, and Gateway Road at Juniper Way Loop, where a trail leads into the Central Garden.
• Vehicles: two ADA-compliant 14-passenger vans.
• Last drop-off at the Visitor & Nature Center: 5 PM.
• Off season: no shuttle. On November 7, 2026 the 2026 season had ended.

The tour partner's FAQ notes the free shuttle takes you to the trailheads on the east side of the park; for a seat with a guide instead, see Garden of the Gods tours.

Where is the accessible parking at Garden of the Gods?

At Parking Lot #4. In 2025 the city built a fully accessible lot there with an ADA-compliant concrete trail into the Central Garden.

The summer shuttle vans are ADA compliant, and the Visitor & Nature Center lends three non-motorized wheelchairs free, first come, first served. Which trails are paved: Garden of the Gods trails.

Where do RVs and trailers park at Garden of the Gods?

Oversized vehicles drop off passengers at the Visitor Center lot and park on the outer edge of the overflow lot. Inside the park, Lot 1 (Overflow) and Lot 16 near Balanced Rock are the only lots built for large vehicles and trailers.

Driving the park loop

You can drive through the park in your own vehicle for free. The roads inside are one-way and the speed limit is 20 mph for all traffic, bikes and e-bikes included. Do not stop or park in the pedestrian and bike lane. The main loop (Garden Drive and Juniper Way) is about 6 miles. The park closes every night with locked gates and has no overnight stays: 5 AM to 9 PM from November 1 to April 30, 5 AM to 10 PM from May 1 to October 31.

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