Celebrate Colorado Day -
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is offering free entry to all Colorado state parks on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. Learn more.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
State Park in Golden, CO
Hours:
Park: Day use, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visitor Center: Mon.-Sun. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Campground Office: Sun.-Thur. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $12-$17
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
92 Crawford Gulch Road
Golden, CO 80403
United States
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
State Park in Golden, CO
Hours:
Park: Day use, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visitor Center: Mon.-Sun. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Campground Office: Sun.-Thur. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $12-$17
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
92 Crawford Gulch Road
Golden, CO 80403
United States
Navigate to:
Gilpin County: Stage 2 Fire Restriction -
In effect until further notice, including Golden Gate Canyon State Park, due to extreme fire danger, high temperatures and worsening dry conditions. Learn more.
Road Paving -
Colorado Department of Transportation will be paving Highway 46 through the park from Aug.-Oct. Expect delays.
Golden Gate Canyon Activity Trail
Activities and Trails
What to Do at Golden Gate Canyon
Just an hour from Denver, Golden Gate Canyon has 35 miles of trails for your outdoor adventures. Explore mountain meadows, streams, rocky peaks and forests year-round. The park offers hunting and fishing opportunities for all skill levels. Rent a cabin or yurt, or camp in one of four backcountry shelters. Panorama Point Scenic Overlook features stunning views of Colorado's Continental Divide.
Activities
- Biking
- Camping
- Education Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Rock Climbing
Best of Golden Gate Canyon
Trails
More than 12,000 acres of dense forest, rocky peaks and aspen-rimmed meadows laced with miles of trails awaiting the hiker, horseback rider and mountain biker.
Fishing
Fishing is permitted in any stream or pond at Golden Gate Canyon State Park with the exception of the Visitor Center Show Pond. The daily bag limit at Golden Gate Canyon is four fish. There is an ADA-accessible fishing pier at Kriley Pond. The Park’s ponds include Kriley, Slough, Dude's Fishing Hole, Forgotten Valley and Ranch Ponds. Ponds are stocked regularly during the spring and summer.
Picnicking
There are 125 scenic picnic sites throughout the park. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis and include a table and charcoal grills for cooking.
Beautiful Views of the Continental Divide
Panorama Point or the Ken R. Larkin Memorial showcases a 100-mile view of the Continental Divide.
Hunting
Hunting in the Park is permitted in the Jefferson County portion of the Park. Hunting is only allowed from the Tuesday after Labor Day through the Friday before Memorial Day. Reservations are required and can be made up to 14 days in advance.
With a limited access permit, elk hunting is allowed on the Green Ranch portion.
Big Game, Small Game and Elk
Hunting
At Golden Gate Canyon, big game and small game hunting are allowed on the Jefferson County portion of the park. Elk hunting is allowed on the Green Ranch portion of the park with a limited access permit.
Please take our hunting survey to help inform park staff on how best to manage hunting at the park.
Hunting is allowed on the Jefferson County portion of the park (the orange portion of the map) from the Tuesday after Labor Day through the Friday before Memorial Day. All hunters are required to purchase a vehicle pass and register at the Visitor Center. All Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Golden Gate Canyon State Park rules and regulations apply. Hunting is never permitted in the Gilpin County side of the park. See county boundaries on the park map.
Per regulation, hunters must make a reservation by calling 1-800-244-5613 or at www.cpwshop.com.
Reservations can be made up to 14 days in advance and are limited to 20 hunters per day. All hunting reservations made, regardless of species are valid for one day only.
Green Ranch Hunting
Please read this page carefully. If you still have questions, please contact the Visitor Center at 303-582-3707 or contact Jake McCulloch at [email protected].
The Green Ranch portion of Golden Gate Canyon State Park is open from September through November to limited-access elk hunting for wildlife management purposes. An annual lottery drawing is held to determine who will be given a permit to hunt the property.
Applications Process
Green Ranch applications are closed for the 2026 season.
To apply for the permit lottery, applicants must have a valid qualifying license and be able to obtain the necessary season tag (Game Management Unit 38). The application went live the first week of April, closed at 5 p.m. on July 31 and there was a $10 fee per application to apply.
Draw Process
Up to 10 hunters per season will be randomly selected August 1. You will be notified if you have successfully drawn a Green Ranch permit. If you do not receive a notification, you were not drawn. If you are drawn, you must pay a $100 fee for the hunting permit. This helps cover some of the costs of maintaining the Green Ranch and running this program.
Hunting Orientation
A Green Ranch Hunting orientation is required for anyone who plans to hunt the property. If you’ve attended an orientation in the previous five years, you do not need to attend another. If you were not drawn to hunt the property, but plan to apply again in following years, you may attend an orientation to begin your 5 year-eligibility.
Registration is required to attend a Green Ranch hunting orientation.
2026 orientations will be held at 10 a.m. on August 15 and October 10.
About the Ranch
Green Ranch is approximately 3,500 acres of heavy aspen and pine forests, interspersed with several large meadows. Elevation ranges from 7,500 feet to 9,400 feet. Macy Gulch is the main drainage.
The Green Ranch portion of Golden Gate Canyon State Park was acquired in 1995 and the hunting program (the only allowed public use of Green Ranch) was established in 1997.
For information on nearby hunting opportunities at Ralston Creek State Wildlife Area, visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Hunting page.
Please check this page frequently as controlled burns may occur in the Nott Creek area throughout the fall season if the right conditions exist.
Hiking, Biking and Horseback Riding
Trails
If you noticed anything needing the park's attention, such as downed trees, poor signage, bridge repairs, or similar items, please fill out the maintenance request form so the park team can get things fixed in a timely manner. We appreciate your help to keep our trails safe!
Visitor Center Show Pond Trail
0.25 miles
Walking only
Dog friendly
ADA accessible
Visitor Center Show Pond Trail
0.25 miles
Walking only
Dog friendly
ADA accessible
Blue Grouse Trail
0.8 miles one way
Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking
Dog friendly
Buffalo Trail
1.2 miles one way
Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking
Dog friendly
Horseshoe Trail
1.8 miles one way
Hiking only
Dog friendly
Mule Deer Trail
8.8 mile loop
Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking
Dog friendly
Raccoon Trail
2.5 mile loop
Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking
Dog friendly
Visitor Center Nature Trail
0.10 miles
Hiking only
Dog friendly
Reverend’s Ridge Nature Trail
0.25 miles
Hiking only
Dog friendly
Blue Grouse Trail
0.8 miles one way
Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking
Dog friendly
Buffalo Trail
1.2 miles one way
Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking
Dog friendly
Horseshoe Trail
1.8 miles one way
Hiking only
Dog friendly
Mule Deer Trail
8.8 mile loop
Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking
Dog friendly
Raccoon Trail
2.5 mile loop
Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking
Dog friendly
Visitor Center Nature Trail
0.10 miles
Hiking only
Dog friendly
Reverend’s Ridge Nature Trail
0.25 miles
Hiking only
Dog friendly
Beaver Trail
2.3 mile loop
Hiking only
Dog friendly
Black Bear Trail
2.5 miles one way
Hiking only
Dog friendly
Burro Trail
4.1 mile loop
Hiking only
Dog friendly
Coyote Trail
2 miles one way
Hiking only
Dog friendly
Mountain Lion Trail
6.7 mile loop
Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking
Dog friendly
Snowshoe Hare Trail
3 mile loop
Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking
Dog friendly
Beaver Trail
2.3 mile loop
Hiking only
Dog friendly
Black Bear Trail
2.5 miles one way
Hiking only
Dog friendly
Burro Trail
4.1 mile loop
Hiking only
Dog friendly
Coyote Trail
2 miles one way
Hiking only
Dog friendly
Mountain Lion Trail
6.7 mile loop
Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking
Dog friendly
Snowshoe Hare Trail
3 mile loop
Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking
Dog friendly
Safety during Hunting Season
Most of Colorado's outdoors is multi-use and intended to be shared. Hunters and nonhunters should show respect and courtesy to all users engaged in outdoor recreation.
- Learn where and when hunting is taking place. Stay out of designated hunt areas.
- Stay on designated trails. Enjoying activities only on designated trails will reduce the likelihood of entering designated hunt areas.
- Make yourself easily visible by wearing bright clothing. Choose colors that stand out, like bright, fluorescent red, orange or green.
- For protection, it is recommended to keep your dog on a leash. Tie a brightly-colored bandana around your dog’s neck or purchase a blaze orange dog vest to make your dog more visible.
- Make noise. Alert hunters to your presence by whistling, singing or carrying on a conversation as you walk.
- If you hear shooting, raise your voice and let hunters know you are in the vicinity.
- Be courteous. Once a hunter is aware of your presence, don’t make unnecessary noise that disturbs wildlife. Avoid conflict. Please note it is illegal to intentionally interfere with hunters.
Group Activities
Special Activity Agreement and Permits
A Special Activity Agreement may be required if you are an organized group, profit or non-profit planning to organize a specific activity. examples include running events, church groups, commercial events, filming, professional photography and weddings.
Fees vary depending on the activity, including photography permits.
NOTE: Weddings and ceremonies are not allowed anywhere in the park besides the Red Barn Group Picnic Area. The park does not allow these types of events at Panorama Point. See the Group & Event Space page for more information on reserving Red Barn or other group areas.
For more information on Special Activity Permits, please contact Ian O'Brien at [email protected].
Special activities and events will not be approved for the months of September and October due to our high visitation.
For information on Photography Permits, please contact Administrative Assistant, Bronwyn Phillips at [email protected].
Photography permits will need to be submitted at least two weeks before the shoot for approval.
Rock Climbing
Multiple climbing opportunities can be found throughout the park. Access to these areas requires hiking into the backcountry.
Upcoming Events
Aug
3
Celebrate Colorado Day by Visiting State Parks for Free
Aug 3, 2026 · 5:00am - Aug 3, 2026 · 10:00pm
To celebrate Colorado Day and the state's 150th birthday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is offering free entry to all...
Aug
3
Celebrate Colorado Day by Visiting State Parks for Free
Aug 3, 2026 · 5:00am - Aug 3, 2026 · 10:00pm
To celebrate Colorado Day and the state's 150th birthday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is offering free entry to all...
Aug
16
Beginner Archery Clinic
Aug 16, 2026 · 10:00am - Aug 16, 2026 · 12:00pm
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Join us for a fun and informative Archery Clinic where you can learn the basics of archery and improve your skills!
Aug
16
Beginner Archery Clinic
Aug 16, 2026 · 10:00am - Aug 16, 2026 · 12:00pm
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Join us for a fun and informative Archery Clinic where you can learn the basics of archery and improve your skills!
Aug
29
Women's Backpacking 101
Aug 29, 2026 · 9:00am - Aug 30, 2026 · 12:00pm
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Curious about backpacking but not sure where to start? This women’s-only overnight trip is the perfect first step!
Aug
29
Women's Backpacking 101
Aug 29, 2026 · 9:00am - Aug 30, 2026 · 12:00pm
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Curious about backpacking but not sure where to start? This women’s-only overnight trip is the perfect first step!
Aug
3
Celebrate Colorado Day by Visiting State Parks for Free
Aug 3, 2026 · 5:00am - Aug 3, 2026 · 10:00pm
To celebrate Colorado Day and the state's 150th birthday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is offering free entry to all...
Aug
3
Celebrate Colorado Day by Visiting State Parks for Free
Aug 3, 2026 · 5:00am - Aug 3, 2026 · 10:00pm
To celebrate Colorado Day and the state's 150th birthday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is offering free entry to all...
Aug
16
Beginner Archery Clinic
Aug 16, 2026 · 10:00am - Aug 16, 2026 · 12:00pm
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Join us for a fun and informative Archery Clinic where you can learn the basics of archery and improve your skills!
Aug
16
Beginner Archery Clinic
Aug 16, 2026 · 10:00am - Aug 16, 2026 · 12:00pm
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Join us for a fun and informative Archery Clinic where you can learn the basics of archery and improve your skills!
Aug
29
Women's Backpacking 101
Aug 29, 2026 · 9:00am - Aug 30, 2026 · 12:00pm
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Curious about backpacking but not sure where to start? This women’s-only overnight trip is the perfect first step!
Aug
29
Women's Backpacking 101
Aug 29, 2026 · 9:00am - Aug 30, 2026 · 12:00pm
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Curious about backpacking but not sure where to start? This women’s-only overnight trip is the perfect first step!