Siamese Twins Garden of the Gods: Ultimate Guide to this Epic Hike

Garden of the Gods Park is an incredible natural wonder in the heart of Colorado Springs! One of the must-see spots in the park is the Siamese Twins Garden of the Gods. Here’s everything you need to know before you do this amazing hike!

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Rock spires jut from the ground leaving cool rock formations, and ones you’ll love to explore. The nearby Pikes Peak is a beautiful backdrop to the Garden of the Gods Colorado. It’s such a fabulous park in Colorado, and one of the best stops to make whether you’re visiting Colorado Springs for a vacation, or taking a road trip like a Denver to Albuquerque driving adventure.

One of the best things about this park is that it’s always free! That’s one of the conditions of the Charles Perkins Family in giving it to the state of Colorado for all to enjoy.

These amazing rock formations are home to some really cool views. The Perkins Central Garden Trail is a must-see in the park. Another essential sight and hike within the park is the Siamese Twins Garden of the Gods!

Must-see video: Siamese Twins Garden of the Gods

Siamese Twins Garden of the Gods stats

Distance: 0.9
Difficulty: easy
Elevation gain: 104 feet
Time: less than 1 hour

This is a dog-friendly and kid-friendly hike! At just a mile, this loop trail is doable for most skill levels. There are some steps and tricky terrain, especially in snow and ice so be mindful of trail conditions.

The nearest restrooms to the Siamese Twins Garden of the Gods are at the Trading Post.

How to get to the trailhead

The Siamese Twins Garden of the Gods trail is an awesome hike! But getting there isn’t necessarily straight-forward. The park gets really busy and the parking lot next to the trailhead is really small.

Fortunately, there are 2 nearby parking lots that will add between 0.2 to 0.5 miles to your hike, which is not bad at all! Compared to back-up parking near trailheads like Skyline Trail Mount Rainier, that can add a mile or more to your hike.

Anyway, if you can’t find hiking at the trailhead parking lot, try parking at the Trading Post or Spring Canyon South Picnic Area. 

The Trading Post has the most parking on this side of the park, including oversized vehicles. I did this trail as part of a Denver to Santa Fe road trip in an RV, so this was the best parking for our motorhome.

Siamese Twins, Garden of the Gods Park trail map

If you’re a visual person, this map of the Garden of the Gods and Siamese Twins Trail will help you plan how to get to your hike. The orange icon is the trailhead and the blue icons are other popular landmarks nearby.

📍Garden of the Gods Colorado was originally home to the Ute people. Please be mindful when you visit the park and treat it with ultimate respect.

Garden of the Gods hours

Okay so the Garden of the Gods hours fluctuate based on season. The hours are:

• May 1 – Oct 31: 5:00am – 10:00pm
• Nov 1 – Apr 30: 5:00am – 9:00pm

(accurate as of the time of publication)

The gates lock during the closed hours and overnight camping is not permitted within the park boundary.

Tips for seeing the Siamese Twins, one of the best of the Garden of the Gods hiking trails

Yay!! You’re absolutely going to love this part of the park. Here’s a few things to consider for this hike, to make the best of the experience.

• Get there early. The parking lot immediately next to the trailhead fills up early. The park is free so it’s almost always busy. Avoid the crowds by going early.
  
• Have a plan B. You can park in the alternative parking lots and hike a little further from the trailhead. Or, consider visiting another area of the park, like Balanced Rock if the lots are full near the trailhead.
  
• Watch the weather. Although sunny Colorado is great for hiking most of the year, you probably don’t want to get stuck in a lightening storm. 

• Bring and wear the right gear. Water is essential for any hike, and you’ll definitely want grippy hiking shoes for this one. More gear recommendations below.
  
• Dogs are welcome in the park and on this trail. Keep them on a leash and pick up after them.
  
• Part of the trail is accessible for horses. Watch out for piles as you walk!

Siamese Twins Garden of the Gods: what to expect

This fun, interactive hike will keep you fascinated. With cool views of the park and Pikes Peak during this trail, it’s certainly a fun hike!

Once you arrive at the trailhead, you’ll see 2 entrances since this is a loop trail. It doesn’t matter which way you go, but if you hike clockwise, you’ll get more views of Pikes Peak along the way.

You’ll ascend 104 feet in elevation, which is basically a continuous, although gradual incline the whole way to the Siamese Twins rock. Watch your footing as the trail is multi-terrain including dirt and rock. As you hike towards the Siamese Twins, watch the views of the park and nearby Pikes Peak!

Siamese Twins Rock

Once you get to the rock formation, you can take a photo from both sides. However, the best views are with Pikes Peak in the distance. There’s a peek-a-boo hole where you can even see the mountain peak through it on a clear day!

There may be a line or group of people congregating near the rock for photos, so be patient and wait your turn respectfully.

The area can be slick if it’s wet or snowy, so beware. There’s plenty of spots nearby to sit and rest to soak in the views if you’d like. Or, if you’re traveling and hiking with kids, they’ll have fun climbing the nearby rocks, too.

Enjoy your time at the Siamese Twins Garden of the Gods before making your way around the loop and back to your vehicle. 

Best gear for this hike

Similar to the Rinconada Trail in Albuquerque, you won’t need to carry a lot of gear because it’s a relatively short hike. However, there are definitely some things that will make your experience better…

• Grippy hiking shoes. The area near the Siamese Twins Garden of the Gods is slickrock so you’ll be a lot more confident in your footing if you’re wearing the right footwear. These are my favorite hiking shoes that go with me everywhere, including the Canyon Overlook Trail in Zion, Abrams Falls in the Smoky Mountains and so many more destinations.
  
• Water. Regardless of the time of year, you need to stay hydrated while you hike. My family always takes reusable water bottles or this hydration system for our hiking backpacks.

• Hiking backpack. Carry your gear without the weight on your shoulders! Regardless of the distance, I love wearing my hiking backpack because it carries the 10 essentials and any other items I may need on the hike. My husband and I took my dogs on this trail, so it carried their gear, too!
  
• Sunscreen! You’re at about 6,400 feet in elevation so the sun is powerful! Wear eco-friendly sunscreen for this hike, no matter what time of year.
  
• Layers for weather. A light jacket or medium hiking coat and moisture-wicking clothing is essential for any hike. Be prepared for changing weather!

Other things to see in Garden of the Gods Colorado Springs

There’s a reason over 4 million visitors come to Garden of the Gods each year! It’s an incredible park right in the heart of Colorado Springs.

More things to see at Garden of the Gods Colorado

• Balanced Rock
• Tower of Babel, North Gateway Rock and Kissing Camels (accessible via main parking lot)
• Giant Footprints
• Steamboat Rock
• Scotsman
• Gray Rock and Sleeping Giant
• Mesa Overlook for some of the best views in the park!

Garden of the Gods Visitor Center

Be sure to check out the visitor center while you’re in the park. It’s full of information, complete with a gift shop, café and mini museum with the history of the park.

In addition, for just a few bucks, you can view a 14-minute movie all about the park, its history, landmarks and more. You can also head outside through the terrace where you’ll get breathtaking views of the park and Pikes Peak in the distance.

Accommodations near Garden of the Gods Colorado

If you’re looking for a place to stay during your trip to Garden of the Gods, there’s some great options in Colorado Springs nearby. Whether you’re into camping or prefer a place to stay with more amenities, here are a few options.

Camping near the park

While there’s no overnight camping in the park, there are a options nearby.

• Garden of the Gods RV Resort. This is one of the best spots to camp nearby, with lots of amenities like a dog park, kids playground, pool and laundry.
• Pikes Peak RV Park. Just down the street to the park, this is another great option for RV camping with tons of amenities!

Where to stay near Garden of the Gods Colorado Springs

There are so many options in Colorado Springs! Here are a few worth considering….

• Garden of the Gods Club & Resort. Literally right next to the park, this resort has an outdoor pool, spa and so much more!
• Rainbow Lodge and Inn. Just 5 minutes drive from the park, this hotel offers basic accommodations at a good price.
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Manitou Springs. A few miles from the park entrance, this hotel has an indoor pool and hot tub open year round.

Siamese Twins Garden of the Gods

So, are you ready for an awesome (and quick) hike? The scenery is spectacular and the views are so rewarding. This popular hike is one of the best in the park.

Enjoy the Siamese Twins Garden of the Gods hike!

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