Eldorado Canyon State Park
State Park in Eldorado Springs, CO
Hours:
Timed entry reservations needed Saturdays, Sundays and summer holidays May 1 through October 1.
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
Eldorado Canyon State Park
State Park in Eldorado Springs, CO
Hours:
Timed entry reservations needed Saturdays, Sundays and summer holidays May 1 through October 1.
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
Timed Entry Reservations
Anyone accessing the park in their vehicle must have a Timed Vehicle Reservation to enter the park on Saturdays, Sundays, and summer holidays (Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day) from May 1 through October 1 annually. Learn more about timed entry reservations.
Make a Reservation
Visitors must make a reservation in advance through cpwshop.com. Reservations cannot be made at the state park, including the entrance station or visitor center/park office.
Make an Online Reservation
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.
Activities
- Biking
- Cross-country Skiing
- Education Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Rock Climbing
- Snowshoeing
Best of Eldorado Canyon
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
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
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 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
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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.
Closures
Effective Immediately - The upper loop of the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, above the Crags Hotel Ruin and the Continental Divide Overlook, is closed. This includes the Continental Crag climbing area. These areas are closed to all uses, including rock climbing, through July 15 or until further notice, to protect nesting golden eagles on the south side of the canyon.
Golden Eagles are protected by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under the authority of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. A conviction of nest disturbance can carry a fine of up to $5,000 and one year imprisonment.
Fowler Trail
0.90 miles one way, non-paved
Hiking
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Streamside Trail
0.5 miles one way, non-paved
Hiking
ADA accessible first 300 feet of trail
Dog friendly
Crescent Meadows Trail
2.5 miles one way, non-paved
Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding
Dog friendly
Fowler Trail
0.90 miles one way, non-paved
Hiking
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Streamside Trail
0.5 miles one way, non-paved
Hiking
ADA accessible first 300 feet of trail
Dog friendly
Crescent Meadows Trail
2.5 miles one way, non-paved
Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding
Dog friendly
Rattlesnake Gulch Trail
3.6 miles, non-paved
Hiking and mountain biking
Dog friendly
Eldorado Canyon Trail
3.5 miles one-way, non-paved
Hiking and horseback riding
Dog friendly
Rattlesnake Gulch Trail
3.6 miles, non-paved
Hiking and mountain biking
Dog friendly
Eldorado Canyon Trail
3.5 miles one-way, non-paved
Hiking and horseback riding
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.
Clean Your Gear: Fishing
Help Protect Colorado Waters
Clean Your Gear
Cleaning your gear before and after use helps protect our water from aquatic nuisance species. Check out these videos to learn how to clean your fishing gear.
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.
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.