Eldorado Canyon State Park

State Park in Eldorado Springs, CO

Hours:

Park: Daily, sunrise to sunset
Visitor Center: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed on Thursdays.

Entrance Fees:

Daily Vehicle Pass: $​10

Individual Daily Pass: $4

Animals Permitted:

  • Leashed Dogs
  • Service Animals
  • Horses

Park Address:

9 Kneale Road
Eldorado Springs, CO 80025
United States

Contact:

303-494-3943

[email protected]

With more than 500 technical routes up scenic cliffs with names like Wind Tower, The Bastille and Whale’s Tail, Eldorado is a mecca for rock climbers from around the world. 

Eldorado Canyon State Park

State Park in Eldorado Springs, CO

With more than 500 technical routes up scenic cliffs with names like Wind Tower, The Bastille and Whale’s Tail, Eldorado is a mecca for rock climbers from around the world. 

Hours:

Park: Daily, sunrise to sunset
Visitor Center: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed on Thursdays.

Entrance Fees:

Daily Vehicle Pass: $​10

Individual Daily Pass: $4

Animals Permitted:

  • Leashed Dogs
  • Service Animals
  • Horses

Park Address:

9 Kneale Road
Eldorado Springs, CO 80025
United States

Contact:

303-494-3943

[email protected]

Navigate to:

Icy Trails, Use Shoe Traction -

Trails are icy and snow-packed in areas; shoe traction is highly recommended.

Climbing the walls of Eldorado Canyon

Climbing the walls of Eldorado Canyon

Activities and Trails

What to Do at Eldorado Canyon

Located nine miles south of Boulder, Eldorado Canyon is one of the top US climbing destinations with over 500 routes. The park also features scenic trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Anglers can fish in South Boulder Creek.

  • Biking
  • Cross-country Skiing
  • Education Programs
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Hunting
  • Photography
  • Picnicking
  • Rock Climbing
  • Snowshoeing

Best of Eldorado Canyon

Activity

Rock Climbing

Eldorado Canyon is one of the top climbing destinations in the United States. ​​​​​​More than 500 technical climbing routes attract climbers (and onlookers) from around the world.

Fishing

Fishing

Eldorado Canyon is normally an excellent fly-fishing area for brown and rainbow trout. A Colorado fishing license is required. Licenses are available for purchase at the park Visitor Center. There are no bait restrictions or size limits, and catch and release is encouraged.

Picnicking

Picnicking

A beautiful picnic area along South Boulder Creek offers 10 picnic sites. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis only, and they are not reservable.

Hunting

Hunting

Hunting is allowed the Tuesday after Labor Day through March 31 in the Crescent Meadows portion of the park only. Only archery and black-powder weapons are allowed. A unit 29 hunting license is necessary, and all hunting and possession limits apply.

Upcoming Events

Dec

14

Geminids Meteor Shower Astronomy Party

Saturday, Dec 14

Eldorado Canyon State Park

Join us Friday, December 14th, from 6 pm to 8 pm for a star party in partnership with Standley Lake Stargazing.

Dec

14

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Geminids Meteor Shower Astronomy Party

Saturday, Dec 14

Eldorado Canyon State Park

Join us Friday, December 14th, from 6 pm to 8 pm for a star party in partnership with Standley Lake Stargazing.

Jan

1

First Day Hike

Wednesday, Jan 1

Eldorado Canyon State Park

Lace up your hiking boots and prepare for an adventure to kick off the new year!

Jan

1

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

First Day Hike

Wednesday, Jan 1

Eldorado Canyon State Park

Lace up your hiking boots and prepare for an adventure to kick off the new year!

Dec

14

Geminids Meteor Shower Astronomy Party

Saturday, Dec 14

Eldorado Canyon State Park

Join us Friday, December 14th, from 6 pm to 8 pm for a star party in partnership with Standley Lake Stargazing.

Dec

14

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Geminids Meteor Shower Astronomy Party

Saturday, Dec 14

Eldorado Canyon State Park

Join us Friday, December 14th, from 6 pm to 8 pm for a star party in partnership with Standley Lake Stargazing.

Jan

1

First Day Hike

Wednesday, Jan 1

Eldorado Canyon State Park

Lace up your hiking boots and prepare for an adventure to kick off the new year!

Jan

1

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

First Day Hike

Wednesday, Jan 1

Eldorado Canyon State Park

Lace up your hiking boots and prepare for an adventure to kick off the new year!

Hiking, Biking and Horseback Riding

Trails

For the best view of the lichen-covered canyon walls, walk the easy (wheelchair-accessible) Fowler Trail. Continue your journey by foot or mountain bike on the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail and explore the ruins of an old hotel that burned down during an era when Eldorado Springs was known as the "Coney Island of the West." From the ruins, travel to the Continental Divide Overlook and take in the spectacular views.  

    Hiking boot

    Fowler Trail

    0.90 miles one way, non-paved
    Hiking
    ADA accessible
    Dog friendly

    Hiking boot

    Streamside Trail

    0.5 miles one way, non-paved
    Hiking
    ADA accessible first 300 feet of trail
    Dog friendly

    Hiking boot

    Crescent Meadows Trail

    2.5 miles one way, non-paved
    Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding
    Dog friendly

    Hiking boot

    Fowler Trail

    0.90 miles one way, non-paved
    Hiking
    ADA accessible
    Dog friendly

    Hiking boot

    Streamside Trail

    0.5 miles one way, non-paved
    Hiking
    ADA accessible first 300 feet of trail
    Dog friendly

    Hiking boot

    Crescent Meadows Trail

    2.5 miles one way, non-paved
    Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding
    Dog friendly

    Hiking boot

    Rattlesnake Gulch Trail

    3.6 miles, non-paved
    Hiking and mountain biking
    Dog friendly

    Hiking boot

    Eldorado Canyon Trail

    3.5 miles one-way, non-paved
    Hiking and horseback riding
    Dog friendly

    Hiking boot

    Rattlesnake Gulch Trail

    3.6 miles, non-paved
    Hiking and mountain biking
    Dog friendly

    Hiking boot

    Eldorado Canyon Trail

    3.5 miles one-way, non-paved
    Hiking and horseback riding
    Dog friendly

    Photography

    Special Activity Permits for Photographers

    Eldorado Canyon’s dramatic rock formations and abundance of wildlife make this park an exceptional place to take photographs! Depending on how photos will be used, photographers may be required to obtain a Special Activity permit to take pictures in the park.

      If you are a commercial photographer, you are required to obtain a Special Activity permit before your photo session at the park. Permits are not required for film, video or still photography if visitors are taking film or photos for their own personal use, or for news media filming current events or breaking news. Drone usage is prohibited.

      Special Activity Permit (Google Form)

      For permitting information, please call 303-494-3943 or email [email protected]. Completed permits must be submitted 90 days before the event or an expedite fee for processing may be charged, or the permit may be denied.