Garden of the Gods: A Busy Landmark of Colorado

The Balanced Rock and a parking lot full of people and vehicles in Garden of the Gods a weekend in the fall of 2025, Colorado Springs.
The iconic Balanced Rock seen from Rampart Range Road in the fall of 2025. The gods are not pleased with the invasion of people into their rocky garden. 

The name reminds me of the Valley of the Gods of Utah (that one is bigger and remote). This garden of red rocks is right by the city of Colorado Springs. Pretty urban. Interesting rock formations. The bad? The free park gets crowded. Too many people and vehicles. I hiked most of the trails. Distance walked: 6 miles.

Where is the Garden of the Gods? - Map my location.