Central Garden, Palmer, and Scotsman Loop

Route Description for Central Garden, Palmer, and Scotsman Loop

The Central Garden, Palmer, and Scotsman Loop is an awesome adventure near Colorado Springs that presents the opportunity to explore the rock garden whilst simultaneously enjoying vistas of the Front Range summits that line the horizon. This epic route through the park reveals the best of the sculptures and blades that decorate the landscape. Note this park is well-revered, so you will likely be sharing the trails with like-minded adventurers. However, if you want a more peaceful experience, then head out at dawn, and enjoy the area before the influx of adventurers.

Embark on your journey along the Central Garden, Palmer, and Scotsman Loop from the Garden of the Gods Trailhead at the north of the park. From here, head south along the Central Garden Loop, admiring sights of rock climbers and the Sentinel Spires. At the first intersection, take the rightmost Central Garden Loop. Follow this path around the Kissing Camels before diverting south, merging onto the Palmer Trail. The Palmer Trail will continue tracking south, passing the Giant Footprint before arriving at another intersection. Here, veer left, and you will be diverted onto the Scotsman Trail.

This route will curve north, past the unique geological sculpture, and back onto the Central Garden Loop. Follow this path between the Pulpit Rock and the Three Graces. Revel in the grandeur of the sandstone outcrops as you continue heading north along this path back to the trailhead.