
Garden of the Gods Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.8/5
Based on 35 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Garden of the Gods Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tour worth booking?
Garden of the Gods Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tour is a 2-hour experience in Colorado Springs, United States, from $17 per person. It scores 58 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.8/5 rating across 35 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 58 / 100
- Rating
- 3.8/5 (35)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $17 per person
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the natural wonders of Garden of the Gods with this self-guided driving and walking tour. Discover stunning red and orange rock formations that look like they dropped here from
What you get
About this experience
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the natural wonders of Garden of the Gods with this self-guided driving and walking tour. Discover stunning red and orange rock formations that look like they dropped here from another world. Marvel at Balanced Rock as it seems to defy the laws of physics, or gaze up at Montezuma Tower. As you drive, you’ll find out how all these geologic marvels formed in the first place! This self-guided audio tour of Garden of the Gods takes about three hours total. Enjoy free access to the stunning Garden of the Gods Park, open to the public year-round. Check opening hours before your visit. After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
What's included
Included
- Just bring your car and phone; the app guides your tour.
- Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
- Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
- Private tour experience for your family, in your own car.
- Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
- Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
- One purchase covers everyone in your car, not per person.
- Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
- Self-guided audio tour through our easy-to-use mobile app.
- Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.
Not included
- Self-guided tour — no live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.
What you'll see and do
Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is a popular tourist attraction in Colorado Springs, Colorado, known for its stunning red rock formations that resemble ancient castles and spires. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, including the popular Balanced Rock Trail, and is a great place for rock climbing, photography, and simply enjoying the natural beauty of the area. "It is free to visit." Note: The tour is over 6.5 miles long, with more than 31 audio stories, and takes about 2-3 hours per tour to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
Pass by without stopping
Kissing Camels Golf Course
The first thing to know is that the two camels aren’t actually two different rocks. At one time, they looked no different than the rest of this rock face. But there was a small crack within one layer of the sandstone. A crack so small it was practically invisible.
Pass by without stopping
The Central Gardens is an easy, two-mile trail through the heart of the Garden of the Gods. It’s an excellent introduction into this fantastic place, giving us a chance to see some of the most famous formations in the park. Note: This 6.5-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Garden of the Gods in 1-2 hours.
10 minutes here
The Siamese Twins Trail is ahead on our right. This mile-long trail takes about 20 minutes, and features two amazing rocky spires. Turn into the parking lot on the right if you’d like to hike the trail.
10 minutes here
It’s impossible to miss Balanced Rock from here. This huge formation appears to balance impossibly on a red sandstone platform. So how does it do it? Despite the name and appearance, this rock is actually not balancing. It’s all part of one formation!
10 minutes here
The Giant Footprints looks like another rock formation, but something’s a little off-kilter. Literally! Ordinarily the strata of rock are horizontal, like a lasagna. But here, they’re diagonal, pointing at a 45-degree angle. It's like a giant stepped on a loose floorboard.
10 minutes here
South Gateway Rock, which we passed earlier. Notice all the little pockmarks in the face of it? Those actually point to one of the more challenging features of climbing this kind of sandstone.
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Colorado Springs
Begin from 3032 Gateway Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, USA. After booking the tour, search your emails and texts for "audio tour". Your tour is VALID FOREVER, so follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Guide With Action
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
- Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
- At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
- Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
- Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
- More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
- Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
- Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
- Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
- Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 33 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
33 verified traveler reviews for Garden of the Gods Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Easy to use. ...
Easy to use. Interesting, concise info. You don't have to get out of the car if you don't want to. The program will still play accurately.
Response from the operator: Pam, thanks for using my Garden of the Gods GPS audio tour. I’m glad you found it easy, interesting, and concise. It worked well from the car too, giving flexibility without needing to get out. Check out my Ultimate Colorado Self-Guided Tours for Rocky Mountains, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon, Pikes Peak, and Colorado National Monument.
via Viator
Totally worth it!
We absolutely loved the self guided driving tour because we could take our time and go back over things we missed.
Response from the operator: Johanna, thank you for taking my Garden of the Gods GPS driving and walking audio tour. I’m so glad you absolutely loved the flexibility to take your time and go back over anything you missed. Check out my Ultimate Colorado Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tours, which include the Rocky Mountains, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Pikes Peak Highway, and Colorado National Monument.
via Viator
very beautiful place
This review is late due to an extremely busy few months. This is a great app to download and to use as you walk around the Garden of the Gods. It gives you a detailed description of the area you are looking at. I would recommend bringing ear pods for better hearing as the area can be a little noisy with everyone walking around. Also water and dogs are welcome. If I remember correctly the app is accessible for a year from the date downloaded. Definitely would use it again.
Response from the operator: I’m glad to hear that my Garden of the Gods GPS Driving and Walking Audio Tour worked well for your visit and provided detailed context as you explored. That’s a helpful tip about using earbuds—especially in busier areas, as it definitely enhances the audio experience. I’m also pleased you mentioned the flexibility and that you’d use it again—that’s exactly what I aim to offer. I actually have over 200 tours available, all designed to provide similar experiences. Check out my Ultimate Colorado Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tours, which include the Rocky Mountains, Mesa Verde, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Pikes Peak Highway, and the Colorado National Monument.
via Tripadvisor
Great tour guide
Very easy to follow guide and loved how they knew where we were. I will definitely use on my next trip and recommend for others to use.
Response from the operator: Kate, I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed my Self-Guided Driving and Walking Tour in Garden of the Gods. I’m thrilled that the guide was easy to follow and that it kept track of your location throughout the tour. I actually have over 100 available, all designed to provide similar experiences. Check out my Ultimate Colorado Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tours, which include the Rocky Mountains, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Pikes Peak Highway, and Colorado National Monument.
via Viator
Stunning Garden of the Gods.
This tour was the perfect companion, providing great historical context and navigating us easily through the park's must-see formations.
Response from the operator: Alice, I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed my Self-Guided Driving and Walking Tour in Garden of the Gods. I’m thrilled that it provided great historical context and helped navigate you through the park's stunning formations. I actually have over 100 available, all designed to provide similar experiences. Check out my Ultimate Colorado Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tours, which include the Rocky Mountains, Mesa Verde, Garden of the Gods, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Pikes Peak Highway, and Colorado National Monument.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 12
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 58
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Garden of the Gods Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Colorado Springs.
How much does Garden of the Gods Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tour cost?
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Prices start at $17 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Colorado Springs usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Garden of the Gods Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tour take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Colorado Springs is not rushed.
Is Garden of the Gods Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 58 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.8/5 across 35 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Colorado Springs, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Garden of the Gods Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Garden of the Gods Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Garden of the Gods Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tour?
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Around 12 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Colorado Springs can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Colorado Springs and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Garden of the Gods Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Colorado Springs within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Colorado Springs?
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Colorado Springs runs Pikes Peak cog railway and jeep tours, Garden of the Gods drives and climbs, Manitou Springs walks, zip lines and Royal Gorge day trips. On Outty we rank every Colorado Springs experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Pikes Peak Jeep Tour, Classic Food Tour in Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Jeep Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Colorado Springs?
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May to September, with cog railway seats selling out in July and August. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Colorado Springs?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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