Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Right outside Colorado Springs. A place fit for the gods

Perhaps it was inevitable that the European settlers who established Colorado Springs decided to name this park the Garden of the Gods - the creation myth of the native Ute people cites this location as the spot where all life began. Today, it’s a popular public park and National Natural Landmark. The Garden of the Gods is on the western edge of the city - an easy way for locals and visitors alike to get a heaping dose of nature without having to travel far from civilisation. If you stroll past any of the rock formations here, you’re likely to see a climber scaling the red and pink sandstone fins that give the park its distinct look.