Golden Gate Canyon State Park
State Park in Golden, CO
Hours:
Park: Day use, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Campground Office: Sun.-Thur. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Visitor Center: Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $12
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.
Campground Office: Sun.-Thur. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Visitor Center: Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $12
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
92 Crawford Gulch Road
Golden, CO 80403
United States
Navigate to:
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.
- 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 only. 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.
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.
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.
The Green Ranch portion of Golden Gate Canyon State Park is open from September to November to limited access elk hunting for wildlife management purposes. An annual lottery drawing is held at the park to determine who will be allowed to hunt.
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.
How to Apply for a Hunt
Applications are due by 5 p.m. Please read the full hunting rules, regulations and application instructions before submitting a hunting application.
Please call the Visitor Center at 303-582-3707, or email Jake McCulloch at [email protected] for more information about the ranch or applying for a hunt.
Green Ranch Hunting Orientation
Registration is required to attend a Green Ranch hunting orientation. Please call the Visitor Center at 303-582-3707 to sign up.
Who should attend an orientation:
- Hunters who have successfully drawn a Green Ranch hunting permit.
- Hunters who have not attended an orientation in the last five years.
Dates: August 16 and October 11
Time: 10 am–12 pm (noon)
Location: Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Meet at the old firehouse at 2236 Smith Hill Road, Black Hawk, CO, 80422
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.
Trails
Did you notice any trail issues in our park while hiking?
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
Rock Climbing
Multiple climbing opportunities can be found throughout the park. Access to these areas requires hiking into the backcountry.
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 Park Manager Todd Farrow 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.
Upcoming Events
Aug
8
Paint Your Piece of the Forest: Tree Coaster Craft
Friday, Aug 8
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Learn about tree rings and then tap into your creativity.
Aug
8
Paint Your Piece of the Forest: Tree Coaster Craft
Friday, Aug 8
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Learn about tree rings and then tap into your creativity.
Aug
9
Colors of the Canyon
Saturday, Aug 9
Aug
9
Colors of the Canyon
Saturday, Aug 9
Aug
9
Bingo!
Saturday, Aug 9
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Play a game and learn about wildlife and what they leave behind.
Aug
9
Bingo!
Saturday, Aug 9
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Play a game and learn about wildlife and what they leave behind.
Aug
8
Paint Your Piece of the Forest: Tree Coaster Craft
Friday, Aug 8
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Learn about tree rings and then tap into your creativity.
Aug
8
Paint Your Piece of the Forest: Tree Coaster Craft
Friday, Aug 8
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Learn about tree rings and then tap into your creativity.
Aug
9
Colors of the Canyon
Saturday, Aug 9
Aug
9
Colors of the Canyon
Saturday, Aug 9
Aug
9
Bingo!
Saturday, Aug 9
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Play a game and learn about wildlife and what they leave behind.
Aug
9
Bingo!
Saturday, Aug 9
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Play a game and learn about wildlife and what they leave behind.