Location – 5/5
Garden of the Gods is about an hour away from I57 interstate and was a very simple drive. There was a dedicated overnight backpackers parking area, though during busy times the day hikers take up spots. The official trail is 6.4 miles and seemed to be pretty accurate.
Campground – 5/5
Most of the campsites were right on the trail, except the one we stayed at. It was about 30-40 feet off the trail and right next to a creek. It was by far the nicest one there, but many other sites looked nice. All sites are well established, and there shouldn’t be an issue trying to find a place.
Activities – 4/5
Nature
There were not many animals on the trail and some sections of the path were covered in poison ivy up to your thighs. We shared the trail with horses so we had to keep our head down to avoid the mud or falling. There were many creeks and caves to explore.
Hiking – 4/5
We felt this trail was a bit torn up due to the horses. It felt like you were on an obstacle course at times, trying to find the best route around the mud. There were no major creek crossings, which was a plus. There were plenty of elevation changes and the trail was moderate to difficult due to the terrain.
Amenities 3/5
Marking and Trail Maintenance
The trail was poorly marked and we got lost a couple times. Sometimes it seemed the trail just ended so we had to just watch our gps and try to get back to the trail. There were numerous down trees and obstacles along the trail.
Firewood and Water
There were not many water sources along the trail, except near the camp sites. The water was very clear and tasted great. We had plenty of wood available and were able to use a saw to get some nice sized logs.
Overall Rating – 4/5
Overall we give this site 4 out of 5. The hike was tough overall, with all of the climbs and downhills. The natural caves, rock formations, and cliffs made for a scenic escape. There are multiple trails and shortcuts you can take to make the trail shorter if a 6 mile loop is too much.
