Colorado - Day 6: Broadmoor Seven Falls and Garden of the Gods
On Friday, August 16, 2024, I visited Broadmoor Seven Falls, Garden of the Gods, and had dinner at Cliff House on Pikes Peak.
Broadmoor Seven Falls is a series of seven cascading waterfalls set in a box canyon near Colorado Springs. The combined height of the falls is 181 feet, and it’s the only waterfall in Colorado featured on National Geographic’s list of International Waterfalls. Visitors can climb a staircase with 224 steps from the base to the top of the falls, where two hiking trails await: one to Inspiration Point and the other to Midnight Falls. Inspiration Point is the more popular trail, offering a one-mile hike that rewards hikers with spectacular views of the Great Plains and Colorado Springs. The shorter trail to Midnight Falls is an easy, scenic walk with gentle elevation, leading to the peaceful, picturesque falls.
I had hoped to hike both trails, but due to knee pain from hiking Mount Elbert, after injuring it during my Maroon Bells hike, I wasn’t able to. Thankfully, Broadmoor Seven Falls offers a golf cart service for guests with mobility issues, which takes you to the end of the canyon and Restaurant 1858. I was so grateful for that! There is also an elevator for guests who are not able to take the stairs up to the Eagle’s Nest observation platform for an amazing view of the falls.
There is no on-site parking, so all visitors must park off-site at 1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd (The Norris Penrose Event Center). From there, complimentary shuttle service transports all visitors to the Park entrance. Although advanced ticket purchase is recommended, I opted to buy mine upon arrival. I reached the Norris Penrose Event Center around 12:45pm, putting me at the park entrance by 1pm. Luckily, I had cash on hand, as the payment system went down shortly after I arrived, leaving some people unable to buy tickets with a credit card. So if you’re planning to buy tickets at the entrance, I’d recommend bringing cash, just in case. Or, just buy tickets in advance and save yourself the hassle.
After a little over 2.5 hours hobbling around and taking photos, I left and drove to Garden of the Gods.
Garden of the Gods
I arrived at Garden of the Gods around 4pm, starting with a visit to the Visitor Center. I had read it was possible to explore the park by driving through and stopping at various parking areas, but I wanted to confirm the best route with someone at the Center. A helpful staff member recommended downloading the TravelStorys app, which offers a GPS-based, self-guided audio tour. I downloaded the Garden of the Gods tour while still in the Visitor Center, in case reception was spotty elsewhere in the park. It was also the perfect spot to refill my water bottle, use the restroom, and take a few photos from the observation deck!
I began my driving tour at Mesa Overlook, where I got an unobstructed view of the rock formations and surrounding landscape. Next, I stopped by the Tower of Babel, a massive rock formation rising above the North Gateway Rock. From there, I drove to the main North parking lot to see the iconic Kissing Camels formation and the Central Garden trail. Although I didn’t walk the trail, I stopped at the observation area to capture some photos before moving on. My next stop was Balanced Rock, another iconic formation featuring a massive sandstone boulder perched on a narrow base. Towering around 35 feet, this unique formation was shaped over millions of years by erosion, making it a favorite photo spot. I ended my tour at High Point Overlook, a serene spot on a small hill with sweeping views of the park’s red rock formations, set against the majestic backdrop of Pikes Peak and the Front Range.
I left Garden of the Gods around 6:30 pm and headed back to The Cliff House at Pikes Peak for dinner. This historic hotel is home to both the Red Mountain Bar and Grill and the award-winning Dining Room, which has earned honors like the DiRoNA Award, AAA Four Diamonds, and Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence”. The Dining Room offers seating both inside and outside on the veranda; I chose the veranda for my meal.
It was the perfect way to spend my last night in Manitou Springs.
