Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is home to a plethora of geological and ecological rarities that make the park a prime site for nature lovers. From the discovery of a new species of dinosaur, to a subspecies of honey ant not previously recorded, this park is home to countless flora and fauna.
Location: 15 minutes from any Winnemucca property. Plan to spend a few hours and then swing by Manitou Springs for a bite to eat or just continue exploring.
The Garden in Winter
Garden of the Gods is a place I visit EVERY time I come home. This place is pure magic and not to be missed. Here are some interesting facts to get you started…
Archaeological evidence shows that prehistoric people visited Garden of the Gods about 1330 BC. At about 250 BC, Native American people camped in the park; they are believed to have been attracted to wildlife and plant life in the area and used overhangs created by the rocks for shelter.
The 300 million years of geological history of the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs reveal one of the most extensive pictures of earth history found anywhere in the United States. It is a true geological wonder.
Centuries ago, it served as a Native American crossroads where numerous nomadic tribes gathered in peace. According to local stories, the immense sandstone formations were considered sacred ground, and because of this, rival tribes laid down their weapons when entering the Garden of the Gods.
The Garden of the Gods' red rock formations were created during a geological upheaval along a natural fault line millions of years ago. The park is composed of sedimentary rock layers. They are geologically remarkable due to their vertical and in some cases beyond vertical positions. This allows study of rock that in other areas has been buried by layers of sediment nearly a mile thick.
In 1879, Charles Perkins, president of the Chicago Burlington Quincy Railroad, purchased much of the land now known as the Garden of the Gods. After his death, he gave the land to the City of Colorado Springs to be used as a public park.
