The Day I Found Garden of the Gods’ Sister
by Melody Monberg, Hike for Life Operations Manager
I spend my days guiding hikes through Garden of the Gods, and I thought I knew every inch of these red rocks.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Last month, I was standing at Siamese Twins, gazing south, when it struck me. Those big rock shapes in the distance? They weren’t just random hills.
They were Garden of the Gods’ sister. And she’s been hiding in plain sight this whole time.
The Hidden Connection
While thousands of visitors explore Garden of the Gods every day, drawn to its iconic beauty and taking photos at the most famous spots, there’s another park just two miles away where you can touch the exact same 300-million-year-old rocks with a bit more space to breathe.
Same ancient story. Same incredible formations. But with fewer people and more elbow room.
Want to know how I figured this out? And why you should care?
Ancient Origins: The 300-Million-Year Story
Here’s how it all began: About 300 million years ago, sand and rocks washed down from old mountains. This created something called the Fountain Formation in both places.
The area became the bottom of a shallow sea. Picture it covered in mud, shells, and sand—like an ancient underwater desert.
Then something huge happened. The earth started pushing up like a giant was lifting it from below. It took that ancient sea floor and made it into mountains.
The bottom of the sea literally became mountains!
Millions of years later, that same force tilted all the rock layers from flat to standing straight up. Same rocks, same force, same crazy results.
Still don’t believe they’re related? When you hike Red Rock Canyon Open Space, those ridges are made of the exact same stone that creates Garden of the Gods’ famous towers.
The “hogbacks” (those long ridges) in Red Rock Canyon are literally the same rock layers. From certain trails in Red Rock Canyon, you can actually see Garden of the Gods in the distance.
You’re looking at the same story from a different spot.
Two Parks, One Personality
Think of it this way:
Garden of the Gods = dramatic and world-famous, with towering formations that demand attention
Red Rock Canyon = quieter and more intimate, with cozy canyons and fewer crowds
Both were carved by the same ancient forces. But Red Rock Canyon shows you the “behind the scenes” version.
Your Trail Guide to Both Parks
If you enjoy the truly amazing Garden of the Gods, you’ll love exploring Red Rock Canyon Open Space too. Just a few miles away, it has incredible trails that give you a totally different view of those same rock formations.
Three trails give you the best connection between the parks:
1. Meadowlark to Contemplative Trail Loop
Best for: Intimate, close-up views
Starting from the main parking area, this trail provides stunning close-up views of the red rocks, with the Contemplative Trail section reserved exclusively for hikers—no bikes allowed.
2. Mesa Trail/Greenlee Trail/Red Rock Canyon Trail Loop
Best for: A challenging workout with rewards
This popular route climbs steadily at first but rewards you with views of Garden of the Gods, a peaceful pond, and access to the main Red Rock Canyon Trail.
3. Red Rock Rim Trail to Red Rock Canyon Trail
Best for: Epic panoramic views
This delivers the best panoramic views of both Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak. You’ll walk near the historic quarry sites, seeing firsthand where these ancient red rocks were carved into building blocks that traveled across America.
Experience the Difference
You’re standing at Balanced Rock in Garden of the Gods on a beautiful Saturday, surrounded by fellow adventurers all captivated by the same stunning red rock formations. The energy is infectious—families exploring together, photographers capturing the perfect shot, and visitors from around the world sharing in the wonder of these ancient giants.
Now imagine walking just three miles south to Red Rock Canyon Open Space. You’re touching the exact same 300-million-year-old stone, but with a more relaxed exploration style. Here, you’ll encounter fellow adventurers on the trails who often stop to chat about hidden gems they’ve found. You have the luxury of choosing from multiple paths without feeling rushed.
You get the same ancient story with room for your own chapter – like finding a secret door in your favorite restaurant that leads to a quiet garden in the back. Same amazing food, totally different vibe.
The Bottom Line
Both parks give you the same incredible journey through time—from ancient sea floor to towering mountains. So next time someone asks you about Garden of the Gods, lean in close and tell them: “I know where her sister is hiding. Want to see something really cool?”
Trust me, they’ll thank you for it.