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Park Conditions
Park Conditions

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  • Camping

    Reverend's Ridge Campground is open year-round with limited camping in the winter season. All sites are Reservation Only. The shower building, campground office, and dump station are closed during the winter season.

    For more information, visit our Camping page​.

    (Updated: 11/15/2021 10:33 AM)

  • Cell Phone Coverage

    Cell phone coverage in the Golden Gate Canyon State Park area is very limited and unreliable. Signals are not received along Golden Gate Canyon Road or in the lower end of the Park, including the Visitor Center. Some coverage can be obtained in parts of the Reverend's Ridge Campground, depending on the provider. No internet coverage is available in the campgrounds. Emergency c​all boxes are located at the Visitor Center and Reverend's Ridge Campground office.

    Plan ahead and prepare for your visit by being aware of incoming weather. Do not take a rideshare (uber/) to the park as it is not possible for another rideshare to come pick you up at the end of your visit.​

    (Updated: 10/28/2023 8:40 AM)

  • Fire Restrictions

     Ple​​ase see the Gilpin County​ and Jefferson County websites for up-to-date information regarding fire restrictions. As always, fires are never allowed at any of the backcountry sites or shelters.

    Colorado’s fire season has gotten longer and devastating wildfires can happen any time of year in Colorado. Minimize your campfire impact by only using gas or liquid fueled stoves with an on/off switch and check for local fire regulations for Gilpin and Jefferson Counties. Be aware of red flag warnings that go into effect when conditions are especially hot, windy, and dry. ​

    (Updated: 4/12/2023 9:16 AM)

  • Fishing Report

    Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers five fishing ponds open year-round to all park visitors. The ponds are Kriley, Slough, Ranch Ponds East and West, Forgotten Valley and Dude's Fishing Hole. Each angler is allowed four fish per day with eight being the maximum number in possession. No live baits are allowed with the exception of worms. Ice fishing is allowed on all ponds. Conditions vary throughout the winter. Fish at your own risk.

    (Updated: 11/15/2021 10:34 AM)

  • Hunting

    The park is currently OPEN to hunting. Hunting is allowed on the Jefferson County portion of the park the Tuesday after Labor Day through the Friday prior to Memorial Day. Per regulations, hunters must make a reservation by either call 1-800-244-5613 or by going online to cpwshop.com​. Big game reservations can be made up to 45 days in advance and are limited to 15 hunters per day and small game reservations can be made up to 14 days in advance and is limited to 5 hunters per day​. All Colorado Parks & Wildlife and Golden Gate Canyon State Park rules and regulations apply. Hunting is NEVER permitted in the Gilpin County side of the park. 

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    A raffle is held on August 1 each year to hunt elk on the Green Ranch Property. Submit an application​ by 5 pm on July 31 and learn more about hunting on Green Ranch​.​
    (Updated: 9/5/2023 2:39 PM)

  • Park Entrance

    There are multiple entrance routes to Golden Gate Canyon State Park. Nine self-pay kiosks are located throughout the park for your convenience. Passes and permits can also be purchased at our Visitor Center during business hours.
    (Updated: 4/27/2016 10:35 AM)

  • Seasonal Closures

    Mountain Base Road is closed each year from November 1st until spring road conditions permit.​

    (Updated: 1/25/2024 7:25 AM)

  • Trails

    Thirty-five miles of trails await you. Come and explore! Please expect variable conditions  Please be sure to check trail restrictions: some trails are for hiking only, while others are open to multiple use. Motorized use is prohibited on all of the trails. Please check the home page under 'Park Alerts' for any trail conditions​ ​or call the Visitor Center at 303-582-3707 for further information.
    (Updated: 1/25/2024 7:24 AM)

  • Winter Conditions

    Due to snow storms, all trails and campsites may have snow, ice and mud conditions. Also, the temperatures tend to be at least 10 degrees cooler than Denver, so don't forget to bring an extra layer! Please check the home page under 'Park Alerts' for any trail conditions​ or call the Visitor Center at 303-582-3707 for further information.​

    Curious about snowshoeing? In general, you can expect for conditions to be suitable for snowshoeing on out trails when the park gets at least 1 foot of snow within the last 24 hours. If the snow is any less than a foot or older than a day, snowshoes are often too much and park visitors will be much better off by using footwear traction such as YakTrax or Micro Spikes.​

    (Updated: 1/25/2024 7:24 AM)