How Do You Get To Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Golden Gate Canyon State Park has multiple entrances. Do not blindly follow Google directions. The northwest entrance via Highway 119 at Reverend Ridge campground is the best approach for RVs or oversized vehicles.
Mountain Base Road leads from the visitor center on the south side of the park to Reverends Ridge on the north side. Mountain Base Road is closed to vehicle traffic in winter. Oversized vehicles are restricted year-round due to steep grades and tight curves.
Entering Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Daily passes to the state park start at $8.00. For a full list of fees and requirements,.
Were stoked for you to get out there and visit Golden Gate Canyon State Park. Youre guaranteed to have a wonderful time here including both inside and outside of the park. Dont forget to tag us in your social media posts or send us a photo and some details to . We may just feature your story on our blog or social media channels!
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What Makes It Great
But theres nothing like spending a night or two out of town under the stars. For that Golden Gate Canyon offers ample opportunity. And, unlike National Parks, dogs are welcome in the backcountry here.
Backcountry campers looking for something more remote can take advantage of four Appalachian Trail-style three-sided structures that can sleep six people each, as well as about 20 backcountry camping sites.
Front country campers can take advantage of more than 100 developed camp sites. Theres even a group camping area with a cabin that can be rented for family gatherings, but it doesnt allow dogs.
One of the coolest features about this park is the cabins and yurts available for rent. This is the best way to have an authentic overnight Colorado experience without having to travel more than an hour from downtown Denver. Some of these shelters even allow dogs and they are all very nice and affordable.
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Rv Resorts & Campsites In Golden Gate Canyon State Park
If you choose to visit the state park in an RV, youll be less exposed to the elements, have a more secure place to sleep, and can enjoy your own fully-equipped kitchen and bathroom! If you dont own an RV, you can easily rent an RV from RVshare.com to suit your budget and individual needs. All rentals come with nationwide insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance, and a world-class team dedicated to helping you succeed.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park has over 100 campsites of its own, equipped with flush toilets, shower and laundry facilities, a dump station and some electrical hookups. Spaces can fill up quickly, however, so the additional RV parks and campgrounds nearby can provide an excellent back-up plan.
Activities In The Park
- Best for RVs and campervans: Reverends Ridge
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is open year-round. The best time to camp and hike in the park is early June through September. Considering how close the park is to Denver, it does get busy. Visit on weekdays if you can and reserve campsites in advance. Reverends Ridge is the only campground that remains open in the winter but sites are limited and the shower building is closed. All sites are reservation only in winter.
Know Before You Go
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How To Get There
The Golden Gate Canyon State Park is close enough to Boulder and Denver but it feels like a world away. It’s located less than a half-hour drive from the town of Golden and just 30 miles from Denver so you can be there in under an hour. The Visitor Center is located at the intersection of Golden Gate Canyon Road and Crawford Gulch Road.
From Denver, take US-6 west until you can take CO-93 north and then take the exit onto Golden Gate Canyon Road. From this exit, you’ll only have 12 miles to go until you reach the park. From Boulder, you’re even closer to the park. You can take CO-93 south until you can take the exit for Golden Gate Canyon Road. Or, follow CO-119 west for the more scenic route that will take you past the Boulder Falls and through the town of Nederland that sits next to the Barker Meadow Reservoir.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park Aspen Meadow Overview
Aspen Meadow campground has 35 really pretty campsites set among beautiful pine trees in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. The campsites are reservable from May to October. Campsites can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. Campsite 35 is a walk-in site. Each site also has a table, fire ring and grate.
Campground amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, laundry facilities, hot showers and a dump station. Theres also a ranger station and visitor center. Firewood is available for sale at the campground.
Aspen Meadow Area Recreation
There is plenty to see an do here in the winter or summer including mountain biking, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, hunting, picnicking and wildlife viewing. You can also enjoy snow shoeing and cross country skiing in the winter.
Reverends Ridge campground is also in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. In addition to campsites, it also has cabins and yurts available.
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Inside Golden Gate Canyon State Park
While Golden Gate Canyon State Park is very popular among campers, its also home to a wide range of fun, outdoor activities that the whole family will love. With 36 miles of hiking trails , as well as over 100 picnic sites, and seemingly endless backcountry to explore, theres certainly something for everyone.
Bicycling: Mountain bikers can utilize several trails designated for multiple use. These include the Blue Grouse Trail, Buffalo Trail, Mountain Lion Trail, Mule Deer Trail, Raccoon Trail, and Snowshoe Hare Trail.
Hiking: All trails are open for hiking year-round, unless otherwise posted. The twelve trails at Golden Gate Canyon are each named after an animal and marked with the animal’s footprint and trail head parking areas are easily accessible from the main roads in the park. For a trails map,.
Fishing: Fishing is permitted in any stream or pond at Golden Gate Canyon State Park with the exception of the Visitor’s Center Show Pond. These ponds include Kriley, Slough, Dude’s Fishing Hole, Forgotten Valley and Ranch Ponds. Please note the daily bag limit at Golden Gate Canyon is four fish and a Colorado fishing license as well as a daily or annual vehicle pass is required to fish.
Horseback Riding: Like bicycling, horseback riders can utilize trails designated for multiple use. There is also parking for horse trailers at Nott Creek, Kriley Overlook, and the entrance to Aspen Meadow Campground.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Parks 415 square miles encompass and protect spectacular mountain environments. The park, founded in 1915, is only 50 miles and 1.5 hours from Golden. There is no lodging inside the park so camping reservations and lodging reservations in Golden are strongly recommended. Click here to check Rocky Mountain National Parks website for road closures and alerts.
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Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Golden Gate Canyon State Park covers over 12,000 acres of forest, rocky peaks and meadows. Camping and some lodging is available inside the park. Golden Gate Canyon State Park is 15 minutes and about 15 miles from Golden, CO. Click here to check their website for information on some road closures.
When you add Golden to your summer vacation you can get an early start on fun by staying overnight. That way youll have a chance to see our spectacular natural landscape and take advantage of all our recreational opportunities like kayaking, hiking, or hang-gliding off Lookout Mountain. Goldens spectacular natural landscape and recreational opportunities draw outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. Golden lodging choices run the gamut from RV parks, to modern hotels, to cozy bed & breakfast rooms in our historic downtown. Stay at one of the accommodations below and youll get a chance to experience our small town charm and Old West friendliness.
Visit Us For A Wonderful Colorado Camping Experience
Do you want to get away, but your kids have a soccer game? No problem. Come and set up camp, head out to the game and come back to enjoy the rest of your weekend in the fresh mountain air.
Are you a hunter looking to bag some big game in Area 38? No problem. Welcome Hunters! Why drive back and forth when you can rent one of our cabins and stay in the area?
Do you want to go fishing or hiking? No problem. Golden Gate Canyon State Park is three miles away. Spend the day hiking or fishing and come back to Base Camp at Golden Gate Canyon to enjoy the rest of your evening.
Do your kids like to swim? No problem. The Gilpin County Community Center is across the street and features a pool with a water slide.
Do you like to gamble? No problem. Gamble your brains out at the local casinos and end the evening under the stars while you enjoy the fresh mountain air.
Do you like to ride? No problem. We are conveniently located next to the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. Take a day trip over to Estes Park and back. This is one of the most beautiful rides our state has to offer.
Do you need some propane? No problem. We can fill propane tanks on site. No filling after dark.
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Camping Options For Weddings At Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Phone: 582-3707
Website: Golden Gate Canyon State Park Wedding Website
Golden Gate Canyon State Park weddings are some of the most affordable Colorado weddings youll find. But rest assured, at Golden Gate Canyon State Park you dont have to sacrifice beauty for affordability. In fact, this is one of my go-to portrait locations particularly during the fall color season because you can find some great aspen trees and mountain views at this lovely Colorado state park. I would definitely recommend Golden Gate Canyon State park for couples who are looking to elope in Colorado or who plan to have a very simple and small wedding since the available spaces are not really large enough to host hundreds of guests. In fact, due to Covid-19 only 25 people or less are allowed right now at the Red Barn area and Panorama Point. I would also recommend this place as a potential wedding venue for those who might want to host some sort of camping wedding since there are a few different camping options available right there at Golden Gate Canyon State Park. I will note that one tricky part of hosting your wedding at Golden Gate Canyon State Park is that they only allow camping and wedding reservations up to 6 months prior to your wedding date. So the long-term planners out there might find this a tad bit stressful. Golden Gate Canyon State Park is definitely a little more of an elopement style wedding location for this reason.
Address: 92 Crawford Gulch Road Golden, CO
Cabins Guest Houses & Yurts
The most luxurious park accommodations include rustic Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers yurts, cabins and a guest house for rent. These are open year-round for guests and require a two-night minimum stay. Expect no cell service at the park. More park lodging details are available on the park website.
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Golden Gate Canyon Historic Sites
Gold miners were attracted to the areas fresh creeks in the 1800s. As a result, the park is home to multiple historical sites.
The Tallman Homestead in the Forgotten Valley can be accessed from the Buffalo Trail. The buildings are not open the public.
Several buildings were moved from Golden Gate Canyon to the Golden History Park including the Pearce Ranch. The Pearce Ranch was one of the largest in the area by 1912. Visitors can stroll around the historic buildings at the Golden History Park in the nearby town of Golden, CO . Admission is free.
Where To Stay Nearby
If you prefer to sleep in a bed rather than a sleeping bag, reserve one of the two yurts, guest houses, or five cabins in the park. If you want all of the amenities of a hotel with the views and trail access of a campsite, the guest house is the best option with a full kitchen and two private bathrooms. Since it’s only about a half-hour drive from Denver and Boulder, you could also find accommodation in town and drive in for the day.
- Cabins and Yurts: The cabins and yurts can sleep six people each and have heat, electricity, furniture, and an outdoor grill. Theres a toilet and running water nearby but not in the cabins themselves. Some cabins and yurts allow dogs, so ask first before booking if you’re traveling with a furry family member.
- Harmsen Ranch Guest House: This four-bedroom, two-bathroom guest house is available for rent through the park website.
Read more about which hotels in Denver have the best views.
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Outside Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Since Golden Gate Canyon State Park is located just 30 miles from Denver, the states capital city, its conveniently located near the regions most popular sights, activities, and experiences. If you thought there was plenty to do inside of the park, youre sure to also get excited about what lies beyond its boundaries.
Golden Gate Highlands National Park Camping And Caravanning Accommodation
If you are looking for Golden Gate Highlands National Park holiday accommodation , SafariNow has a selection ofSelf-catering, Camping and Caravanning, holiday accommodation in Golden Gate Highlands National Park and surrounds.With 1 listings in Golden Gate Highlands National Park, our handy Golden Gate Highlands National Park map search and great low prices, it’s easy to book the perfect holiday accommodation for your Golden Gate Highlands National Park visit.
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A Weekend Camping And Hiking Golden Gate State Park
Day 1: we arrived in the afternoon and set up our camp. Then we decided to explore the nearby Raccoon trail which loops the campground. It was a great trail to get acclimatized with the altitude and get us in the camping mindset.
Day 2: we hiked Dudes Fishing Hole trail. It was a nice short hike to a beautiful pond. We rested and played on the waters edge for a while before heading back up the trail. In the afternoon, we took a long relaxing nap since it started raining.
If you are new to hiking, here is a handy post on what to pack for a day hike.
Day 3: we hiked the Racoon trail again, this time to Panorama point. This was a beautiful trail, however a little more difficult than we were told. At one point the incline was steep and it was uphill for the majority of the trail, but the views were amazing. I just wished we would have hiked it counter clockwise so we would have been mostly downhill. The park ranger we talked to somehow neglected to give us this very valuable piece of information!
We had another great family weekend camping at Golden Gate Canyon State Park. Have you been? What is your favorite trail?
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Check Out The Visitor Center
The Golden Gate Canyon Visitor Center is very nice. It shouldnt be missed. Operating hours are 9 am until 4 pm, 7 days a week. Indoor educational displays including wildlife, ecology and geology topics. It is like a free mini-museum experience about the area.
Additionally, they track animal sightings in the park. It was very exciting to add our moose sighting to the tracking board.
The show pond in front of the visitor center has the parks only wheelchair-friendly trail. Staff told us moose had been frequenting the pond due to the recent drought conditions.
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What City Is Golden Gate Canyon In
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is located outside the town of Golden, Colorado.
Additionally, the awesome mountain town of Nederland is located only 11 miles from Reverend Ridge Campground on the north side of the park. To learn more about Nederland, check out Top 15 Things to Do in Nederland: Our Favorite Colorado Hippie Town.
Top 12 Things To Do On Your Visit To Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Travel date August 2020
Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers a variety of recreation within an hour of Denver or Boulder. Dense forests, meadows and high alpine peaks provide infamous beautiful Colorado scenery to those who visit Golden Gate Canyon.
In researching state parks near the Western Front in Colorado, I discovered the nearby highly rated Golden Gate Canyon State Park. After seeing pictures and reviews online, I was excited to visit.
According to Culture Trip, Golden Gate Canyon State Park is ranked in the 10 most beautiful state parks in Colorado. The park is located between the Front Range foothills and the Rocky Mountains. We loved the variety of recreational activities available. However, rain and limited time in the park restricted our activities.
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