Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Golden Gate Canyon State Park covers more than 12,000 acres of meadows, aspen groves, rocky peaks and creeks less than an hour from Denver. Hike more than 35 miles of trails, fish its ponds, camp under the stars, and take in 100 miles of the Continental Divide from Panorama Point.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park in Golden, CO
The park sits about 16 miles northwest of Golden in the Front Range foothills, where Ralston, Nott and Deer creeks flow toward Clear Creek. People have used this land for thousands of years, from early big-game hunters to the Ute, Cheyenne, Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Arapaho. After the 1859 gold rush, families homesteaded the valleys, growing crops and raising cattle. The Kriley, Belcher, Allgood, Works and Harmsen families all left their names on the land, and some of their old cabins still stand in the park. Today Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages 12,119 acres with 35 miles of trails, 125 picnic sites and 156 campsites, from the family-friendly Reverend’s Ridge Campground to rustic backcountry sites. Fall is a highlight, when the aspen groves turn gold against the dark pines.
Start at the Visitor Center where Golden Gate Canyon Road (Highway 46) meets Crawford Gulch Road. It’s open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and has a show pond out front. Then drive to Panorama Point Scenic Overlook for the park’s signature view of the Continental Divide, or stop at Kriley Pond, one of the park’s fishing sites. Day use runs from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. A daily vehicle pass costs $10 to $12 for Colorado plates or $15 to $17 for out-of-state plates, and an individual pass is $4. Pay at the Visitor Center or at any of the nine self-pay kiosks around the park. Leashed dogs and horses are welcome, and the Kriley Overlook, Nott Creek and Aspen Meadow lots work best for horse trailers. To get there, take Highway 93 north from Golden for 1.5 miles, then turn left on Golden Gate Canyon Road and follow it 13 miles to the park.
Photo Gallery
Photo credits: Autumn at Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Colorado Mountains by Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0); Golden Gate Aspen Oct 16 by Wildernest42 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Panorama Point Oct 16 by Wildernest42 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Climbing in Golden Gate Canyon (Unsplash) by Lionello DelPiccolo (CC0); Kriley Pond by Jeffrey Beall (CC BY 4.0); Golden Gate Canyon State Park visitor center show pond by Jeffrey Beall (CC BY 4.0); Tremont Mtn Golden Gate State Park by Footwarrior (CC BY-SA 3.0). Images via Wikimedia Commons.
News & Events
Check trail conditions, closures, ranger programs and campground status on the official Golden Gate Canyon State Park page from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. This fall, expect paving delays on Highway 46 and Crawford Gulch Road.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do at Golden Gate Canyon State Park?
- Hiking: More than 35 miles of trails through meadows, aspens and rocky peaks.
- Panorama Point: See more than 100 miles of the Continental Divide from the overlook.
- Fishing: Cast a line at Kriley Pond, one of the park’s fishing sites.
- Camping: Pitch a tent or park an RV at Reverend’s Ridge, or head to a backcountry site.
- Horseback riding and wildlife watching: Ride the trails and watch for deer and birds.
What is nearby Golden Gate Canyon State Park?
- Coors Brewery Tour: Tour the famous brewery in downtown Golden.
- Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave: The Wild West showman’s museum on Lookout Mountain.
- Black Hawk: The historic mountain casino town to the southwest.
- Colorado Railroad Museum: Historic trains and rides just outside Golden.
- Downtown Golden: Clear Creek, shops and restaurants under the Welcome arch.
How big is Golden Gate Canyon State Park?
The park covers 12,119 acres with 35 miles of trails, 156 campsites and 125 picnic sites. It’s about 16 miles northwest of Golden, within an hour’s drive of the Denver metro area.
When is Golden Gate Canyon State Park open?
Day use runs daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The campground office is closed for the season. A daily vehicle pass costs $10–$12 with Colorado plates or $15–$17 with out-of-state plates.
Are there any tips for visiting Golden Gate Canyon State Park?
Go on a weekday morning in late September or early October for peak aspen color and smaller crowds. Bring layers, since the park sits well above Golden and weather changes quickly. Pick up a trail map at the Visitor Center, keep dogs leashed, and allow extra driving time this fall for road paving on Highway 46 and Crawford Gulch Road.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park’s Visitor Center is located at 92 Crawford Gulch Road, Golden, CO 80403. Call 303-582-3707 or visit cpw.state.co.us for passes and conditions.