Visit the Hidden Gem Small Town Right Next Door to Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Colorado is full of beautiful state parks and charming small towns—and that's exactly why driving around in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado is so rewarding. When you find a perfect small town that's adjacent to a perfect state park, then you feel like you've hit the jackpot! Nederland, Colorado, is a small town near Golden Gate Canyon State Park, and you're about to fall in love with both of these unique places. Best of all, they're both less than an hour from Denver. Read on to learn more and get ready to start planning your next outdoor adventure.

There are so many hidden gem towns in Colorado, but Nederland is one of the best. Although Eldora Mountain Resort is nearby, Nederland isn't really a ski town. Even though it sits on the edge of the Front Range, it's certainly not a Front Range Colorado town, either.

Nederland is its own special, quirky, unique little place, and everyone who visits it simply loves it. The locals who live there love it, too. In fact, many people who move there never live anywhere else ever again.

Why This Town is the Perfect Base for Golden Gate Canyon

"Ned," as people affectionately call this town of 1,500 residents that sits at 8,228 feet, first began as a trading post in the mid-1800s. Later that same century, it became a mining town when tungsten, silver, and gold were found nearby. Today, it's a gateway to vast outdoor recreation opportunities, including Golden Gate Canyon State Park, which is just 11 miles south of town. Ned is small, but it has plenty of shops, restaurants, museums, galleries, and pleasant local folks to keep you busy between visits to the park.

What to Do in Nederland

Golden Gate Canyon State Park was established in 1960 and encompasses 12,119 acres. It has 35 miles of hiking trails, and bikes are allowed on 27 of them. The views in this park are spectacular, and there's abundant wildlife to encounter. The park also includes 125 picnic sites and 156 campsites; some are even available all year round. People come from all over to hike, bike, hunt, fish, rock climb, horseback ride, and picnic in this incredible park.

Once you've explored the park, you'll find that there are plenty of things to do in Nederland as well. Simply walking around town is a pastime in itself; you'll love checking out all it has to offer. The Nederland Mining Museum features exhibits about mining in the 1800s, and the historic Gillaspie House gives visitors the opportunity to see what a home in Nederland looked like in 1905. Residents and visitors also love riding on the Carousel of Happiness, a restored 1910 merry-go-round with hand-carved animals and a 1913 Wurlitzer organ.

Where to Stay Nearby

Although many people who visit Golden Gate Canyon State Park choose to stay and camp in the park itself, Nederland is an even better option because you can enjoy both the town and the park. There are a variety of vacation rentals, including Airbnbs, that are available to visitors both in town and nearby, and the Boulder Creek Lodge is a great option if you prefer a hotel.

What to Know Before You Go

Nederland and Golden Gate Canyon State Park are both lovely at any time of the year, but you might consider visiting in the autumn. Fall is especially beautiful in this part of the state as the weather gets cooler and the leaves on the aspens begin to change. You'll also find fewer crowds during the autumn season than you might at other times of the year.

However, you can't go wrong visiting this area during other times of the year. It's beautiful and welcoming in all four seasons, and you'll find plenty to do in Nederland and in Golden Gate Canyon State Park in the spring, summer, and even in the wintertime, too.

Nederland is one of those hidden gem towns in Colorado that should not be overlooked or missed, and Golden Gate Canyon State Park is one of the very best state parks in the state. You'll love spending a weekend—or longer—exploring this pair. If you're looking for a welcoming and adorable town next to a park that has everything, look no further and start planning your adventure now. You're going to love these two very special spots in Colorado.