More than 12,000 acres of dense forest, rocky peaks, and aspen-rimmed meadows laced with miles of trails awaiting the hiker, horseback rider, mountain biker and winter sports enthusiast at Golden Gate Canyon State Park.
Only 30 miles from Denver, Golden Gate Canyon offers such amenities as a electrical hook-ups and tent-sites in two different campgrounds, stocked fishing ponds, picnic sites and the Panorama Point Scenic Overlook, where visitors can see 100 miles of the Continental Divide. The park’s numerous group facilities can host several types of events, from weddings to family reunions and company picnics.
Besides camping, overnight guests can also stay at one of the five cabins and two yurts at Golden Gate. In 2008, the park began renting out guest houses, a first for a Colorado State Park. Winter will find visitors cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, ice fishing and ice skating. Please be aware that drive share services such as "Uber" do not operate in the area. If you are dropped off you may be unable to get a ride back.
Backcountry camping
Golden Gate offers 4 backcountry shelters and 20 backcountry tent sites. All backcountry shelters and tent sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis year round. Register and purchase permits at the Visitor's Center. All shelters now have bear boxes and tent sites share a double bear box located in between sites. Please remove all food and trash from bear boxes when you leave. FIRES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE BACKCOUNTRY!
Biking
Mountain bikers can utilize trails designated for multiple use (approximately 19 miles of Golden Gate Canyon's trails). All trails are open, however there is still a large amount of snow on the upper section of the Mountain Lion trail. Also, due to flood damage, the Deer Creek section of the Mountain Lion Trail is extremely difficult for mountain biking. Unless you are experienced with rough terrain, our recommendation is to avoid that area until repairs are made.
Cabins and Yurts
Golden Gate Canyon's Reverends' Ridge Campground features five cabins and two yurts. Cabins and Yurts stay open all year round and can be reserved online at www.cpwshop.com or by calling 1-800-244-5613. Please note there is a two night minimum stay in all cabins and yurts.
Camping
Campgrounds are open from Memorial Day weekend to early October, there are 132 campsites in 2 campgrounds: Aspen Meadows and Reverend's Ridge. Aspen Meadow offers 35 tent sites and vault toilets. Reverend’s Ridge Campground is open year-round, but only limited sites available during the winter and no water for RVs. During the summer months there are 38 tent sites and 59 sites with electrical hook-ups. Facilities at Reverend’s Ridge include flush toilets, shower, ice machine, laundry facilities and a dump station.
Dog-friendly
Dogs are welcome on all trails and campgrounds in the park as long as:
they are on a six foot or shorter leash at all times
their waste is properly disposed of
Fishing
Fishing is permitted in any stream or pond at Golden Gate Canyon State Park with the exception of the Visitor's 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. A Colorado fishing license is required as well as a daily or annual vehicle pass. All Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations apply.
Group Camping
Group Campgrounds are open Memorial Day weekend through October. The Works Ranch Cabin and group camping area can accommodate up to 30 people. The site has a camper cabin that houses 6, and 2 high-use tent pads can accommodate 24 tent campers. Outdoor eating area, fireplace, grills, vault toilets, and water spigot on site. Rifleman Phillips Group Campground is available for groups up to 75 people. This campground is for tent campers only. These campgrounds are closed during the winter months. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance, so please plan accordingly
Hiking
All trails are open for hiking year-round, unless otherwise posted.Dogs are permitted on all trails, but they must be on a 6 foot leash at all times. Please clean up after your pets.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riders can utilize trails designated for multiple use (approximately 19 miles of Golden Gate Canyon's trails). Nott Creek, Kriley Overlook and the entrance to Aspen Meadow Campground offer parking for horse trailers.
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 regulation, hunters must sign in and out daily at the Visitor Center. Hunting is limited to 35 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.
Picnicking
There are 125 scenic picnic sites throughout the park. Several are located along Ralston Creek on Crawford Gulch Road and along Mountain Base Road at Ole' Barn Knoll and Bootleg Bottom. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis and include a table and charcoal grills for cooking. ADA-accessible picnic tables are located at Kriley Pond, Bootleg Bottom, Panorama Point and Bridge Creek. Large groups can reserve the Red Barn Group Picnic Area.
Rock Climbing
Golden Gate Canyon does not maintain climbing areas for rock-fall, nor routes for fixed hardware, and makes no representations or warranties regarding the safety, reliability or suitability for use of any fixed anchors or other hardware currently existing or installed in the future. Multiple climbing opportunities can be found throughout the park. Access to these areas requires hiking into the backcountry. It is unlawful to place fixed or permanent climbing hardware without a permit obtained by the park manager.