You’re standing there, squinting against the Colorado sun, looking at a massive hunk of 300-million-year-old rock. To your left, a tourist is shouting to their kids to "look at the humps!" To your right, a serious hiker is just trying to get past the crowd. This is the Garden of the Gods Kissing Camels experience. It’s weird, it’s iconic, and honestly, if you don't know where to look, you might just see a big red blob of sandstone.
But once you see it? You can’t un-see it.
The Kissing Camels isn't just a quirky rock shape that looks like two dromedaries sharing a moment. It’s a geological miracle sitting right in Colorado Springs. Most people just snap a blurry photo from the parking lot and leave. That's a mistake. To actually appreciate why this specific formation has become the face of a National Natural Landmark, you have to dig into the grit, the history, and the literal physics of how those "heads" haven't fallen off yet.
The Geology Behind the Smooch
Let’s get technical for a second, but not too boring. The rocks you’re looking at are part of the Lyons Formation. We're talking about ancient sand dunes and river deposits from the Permian period. This was way before the Rockies even thought about popping up. The red color? That’s iron oxide. Basically, the rocks are rusting.
The Garden of the Gods Kissing Camels formation was created through a process called differential weathering. Because some parts of the Lyons Sandstone are packed tighter with minerals (like silica or calcium carbonate) than others, they don't erode at the same speed. Wind, rain, and the brutal freeze-thaw cycles of the Pikes Peak region hammered away at the softer bits. Eventually, it carved out that distinct gap—the "kiss"—leaving the harder rock silhouettes of the camel heads intact.
It’s precarious. It looks like a stiff breeze could knock the snouts off. Yet, they’ve survived thousands of years of Colorado’s erratic weather.
Where to Actually Find the Best View
If you just drive through the park, you’ll probably miss the best angle. Most people head to the main Central Garden parking lot (Lot 2). From there, you look up at North Gateway Rock.
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But here’s the pro tip: Don't just stand by your car.
Walk the Perkins Central Garden Trail. It’s an easy, 1.5-mile paved loop. About halfway through, the perspective shifts. The "camels" suddenly align. From the road, they might look like a single jagged ridge. From the trail, the sky peeks through the "eye" of the camel on the right, and the gap between their "lips" becomes crystal clear.
Why the Lighting Matters
Go early. Seriously.
If you show up at 2:00 PM, the sun is directly overhead, flattening the shadows and making the camels look two-dimensional. If you get there at sunrise? The "Golden Hour" hits that red Lyons Sandstone and it practically glows. The shadows deepen the curves of the camels' humps and necks. Plus, you won't be fighting 500 other people for a square inch of pavement.
The Cultural Weirdness of the Camels
Humans love seeing faces in things. Scientists call this pareidolia. It’s why we see a man in the moon or Jesus on a piece of toast. At Garden of the Gods, pareidolia is the main attraction.
Interestingly, the "Kissing Camels" name hasn't always been the only one. Over the last century, various local guides and indigenous histories have seen different things in these rocks. But "Kissing Camels" stuck, likely because it’s easy for kids to remember and it sells postcards.
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It’s worth noting that Garden of the Gods was donated to the city of Colorado Springs by the family of Charles Elliott Perkins. He wanted the park to remain free to the public forever. Because of that, there’s no gate fee to see the camels. That’s rare for a landmark this famous. It also means the park gets over six million visitors a year.
Can You Climb Them?
Short answer: Not really. Long answer: Only if you’re a pro and have a permit.
Scrambling on the Kissing Camels is strictly forbidden. The rock is fragile. Sandstone is basically just compressed sand, and it crumbles under the weight of thousands of climbing shoes. However, there are established technical climbing routes on North Gateway Rock. You need to register at the Visitor & Nature Center first.
If you see someone free-soloing the camel heads without gear, they’re likely breaking the law and risking a hefty fine—or a very long fall. Stick to the trails. The views are better from a distance anyway.
Common Misconceptions About the Formation
People often think the hole between the camels was carved by humans. It wasn't. Nature is just that good at art.
Another big one? That the camels are going to collapse any day now. While erosion is a constant force, these structures are surprisingly stable. Geologists from the Colorado School of Mines and local experts keep an eye on the stability of the park's major fins. While "rockfall" is a real hazard in the park, the camels have survived much worse than a few rainy seasons.
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Beyond the Camels: What Else is Nearby?
Once you’ve got your shot of the Garden of the Gods Kissing Camels, don't just hike back to the car. North Gateway Rock is massive.
- The Hidden Giant: Look just below the camels. Some people claim to see the profile of a sleeping giant in the ridgeline.
- The Three Graces: Just a short walk away, these three slender spires are a favorite for climbers.
- Balanced Rock: You’ll have to drive to the south end of the park for this one. It’s a 700-ton boulder resting on a tiny base. It’s the other "must-see" besides the camels.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Visit
- Check the Weather: Colorado Springs weather is bipolar. It can be 70 degrees and sunny at 10:00 AM and snowing by noon. Check the Pikes Peak forecast before you go.
- Hydrate: You’re at 6,400 feet. The air is thin and dry. If you aren't drinking water, you’ll have a headache before you even find the camels.
- The Visitor Center: Start there. It’s across the street from the main park entrance. They have a high-def movie about the geology and a deck with a killer view of the camels against the backdrop of Pikes Peak.
- Avoid Weekends: If you can help it. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are much quieter. If you must go on a Saturday, be there by 7:30 AM or you'll be circling for parking for an hour.
Actionable Tips for Your Trip
To see the Garden of the Gods Kissing Camels properly, park at the North Gateway Lot. Follow the Perkins Central Garden Trail in a counter-clockwise direction. This gives you the "reveal" moment where the camels appear to separate from the background rock.
Bring a zoom lens. Your phone's wide-angle lens will make the camels look like tiny ants. To get that iconic shot where they fill the frame, you need a bit of focal length.
Respect the "No Off-Trail" signs. The cryptobiotic soil in this area is a living crust that prevents erosion. One footstep can destroy decades of growth. Stay on the pavement or the designated gravel paths.
If you want the best photo, stand near the plaque on the Perkins Trail that discusses the Lyons Formation. From that specific GPS coordinate, the gap between the two camels is perfectly symmetrical.
Lastly, take a moment to put the phone down. The sheer scale of these red towers is hard to capture in pixels. The wind whistling through the "eye" of the rock and the smell of the scrub oak and juniper is something you can't download. Enjoy the fact that you're looking at a piece of Earth's history that took millions of years to "kiss."