With more than 12,000 acres of forests, meadows, lakes, and mountains, Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a nature lover’s dream and is a mere 30 minutes from the city. This glorious state park near Denver offers more than 35 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, as well as camping, cabins, yurts, and guest houses for those wishing to stay overnight and make the most of their canyon experience. The park is also a prime location for wildlife and wildflower viewing, so don’t forget your camera and binoculars!
Stop in at the Golden Gate Canyon State Park Visitor Center for information on facilities, trails, attractions, wildlife, camping regulations, and special activities.
There are a dozen trails at the park, ranging from short interpretive walks like the Visitor Center Show Pond Trail to more strenuous treks like the Mountain Lion Trail, which is 6.7 miles with 1,230 feet of elevation gain.
Enjoy vast open meadows resting at over 9,000 feet, including Frazer Meadow, Rim Meadow, and Greenfield Meadow, all of which allow access to backcountry camping areas.
Fish the park's five well-stocked ponds, where you can reel in brown trout, rainbows, and other gilled creatures, (as long as you have a Colorado fishing license and daily or annual vehicle pass).
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is open to the public year round, and in addition to camping, you'll find adventurers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, ice fishing and ice skating.
But most of all, remember to "unplug" from your devices, reconnect with the natural world, and be thankful for this heavenly location right outside of the city.
