Eldorado is THE state park that keeps me renewing on the "Keep Colorado Wild" Pass w my car registration. During the summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day - you'd need to get timed entry to get into the park. We have been parking outside of the park and hike on Fowler Trail. We've also done the Rattlesnake Gulch. All in all this canyon is me and my family's favorite. We just can't get enough! read more

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This is an amazing small State Park that offers some magnificent creek views. Many locals do rock climbing activities which is really cool to watch. You need to buy an access pass online to drive through for $10. Great short hickingbfor approximately 1 mile next to the visitor's center! read more

Eldorado Canyon State Park - Parks Near Me - Eldorado Springs, Colorado

Beautiful state park right outside boulder. Trails for all skill levels and viewpoints to drive to if you're not a hiker. Great rock climbing area as well. Trails can be snowy/icy/muddy, so dress accordingly. read more

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What an awesome hike with some light snowfall. We did the Eldorado Canyon Trail, maybe 7 miles out and back. Spikes were helpful, but were packing a bit of snow and dirt on occasion. This hike ends at the river or you can continue on to the next trail. The views of the mountains, rocks, snow, and water were amazing. I highly recommend this hike and will do it again when it is warmer. There was plenty of parking and the trailhead is right behind the large sign. There are bathrooms in the parking area. read more

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An awesome state park not too far from Denver. There's not a ton of parking, so the earlier you arrive the better. There are a few hiking trails, some that are short and some that are longer. Rattlesnake Gulch. This was a great trail with a decent amount of elevation gain. Go earlier in the day so you don't get caught in the heat. The end result is stunning and definitely worth the "climb." All in all, this place is beautiful and offers a lot of wonderful views! read more

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One of my favorite hiking areas continues to delight. Well known for the climbing, Eldorado Canyon also offers great hiking for the average person. Rattlesnake Gulch (I have never seen one there), is a pleasant 45 minute hike to an old hotel site that burned down long ago. Hikers will enjoy a well trod path that gradually climbs, with no undue exertion. Another ten minutes walk beyond the hotel site will get you to the Continental Divide overlook that offers magnificent views. There is a charge for access -$10 per vehicle and weekends and holidays require reservations. The road in is narrow and a bit rough, but your average 4WD vehicle will do it without breaking a sweat. There are bathrooms. The Canyon should be on everyone's list to visit at least once. It's about ten minutes outside Boulder. read more

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Okay it ain't a secret...especially on the weekends but Eldorado Canyon State park is just pure heaven. A bit of a drive from Denver but worth it. Plenty of great trails: I especially recommend Eldorado Canyon Trail to Walker Ranch loop and Rattlesnake Gulch trail ( which has great views of the Railroad. Amazing Rock climbing here: Everything from beginner to stuff that can get you smushed ( and that did happen last year). Get there early as the lots fill up quick. read more

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One of my most favorite places on the planet. It's so beautiful and makes me feel like I'm really getting away when I'm only 20 minutes from my house. We have gone here twice this week and will be back throughout the summer. The staff is always friendly! Hikes are amazing and the picnic spots are lovely. If you picnic and someone has their stuff on a table it's fine to use the other tables but so not ok to just take over the trash able with other people's stuff on it. It's so rude. This happened to us and we tried talking to the family/group who moved their stuff to our table but it didn't do any good. So sad. Just be kind! We never get tired of going here. Note there is timed entry on weekends and holidays during the summer read more

Eldorado Canyon State Park - Plying chess at Eldorado - Parks Near Me - Eldorado Springs, Colorado

Yes, NPS parks are amazing but do not overlook the many great State Park options like Eldorado Canyon. Great rock climbing and hiking opportunities here in just a short drive from downtown Boulder. Vehicle pass is just $10. Note that there is limited parking and the park frequently reaches capacity on weekends. Timed Vehicle Reservations are required from May 15 - Sept 15 on Saturdays, Sundays, and summer holidays from 5:30 am-5:30 pm. Visit CPWshop.com​ to make your reservation. ​​​ read more

Eldorado Canyon is the finest state park I've been to in Colorado. The remoteness, the breathtaking scenery, and the challenging trails made Friday's early morning trek one I won't soon forget. $10 to get in and boy am I glad I came here early. As other Yelpers have mentioned, parking isn't all that plentiful compared to other parks at the trailheads. I arrived at 7:45am and was one of three cars in the lot. When I left at 11:30am there were at least fifteen cars. Eldorado Canyon Trail - this was a doozy. I've been living in Colorado for almost a year and am in good shape (good, not great). And the beginning of this hike kicked my butt. It's a steep incline at the start, with stairs and rocky terrain. Check out my selfie, I was sweating like an animal! The hike itself is between 7--7.5 miles roundtrip. The difficulty lies within the elevation changes. Pretty much you have to go up to go down, since the canyon is your destination. Back and forth between shade and sun most of the way. However, when you begin to hear the rushing current and make eye contact with the bridge, you know you made it to a Colorado treasure. Making it to the canyon was incredibly rewarding for me. There's nothing like earning the scenic views right in our backyard. Pro tip* when you cross the bridge, I recommend climbing over the big pile of rocks to snag the best views of the canyon. I can wax poetic all day, but this is one worth seeing for yourself. For me, this was a strenuous and rigorous hike. One of the most difficult I've done acclimating to the elevation spikes. AllTrails said the trail would take four hours, and I knocked it out in 3 hours 15 minutes, including a break at the base of the canyon. So maybe I did something right? Go here! read more

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A moderate hike with equally exciting views, especially for friends coming into unfamiliar territory. August appears to be the prime month to explore nature. Light jackets and and sunglasses in tow read more

If you're looking for a hiking spot close to Denver and Boulder, this is your place. The views are breathtaking and there are numerous trails that are catered to all skill levels. We chose Fowler Trail since we are novices and wanted to take it easy. It was perfect for us and was such a peaceful experience the higher you get in elevation. On the day we went, there were rock climbers on several of the cliffs, which I had never seen in real life. I would love to come back to try out some of the other trails. It's absolutely gorgeous here! read more

What a beautiful park for so many uses. With high towering cliffs, a raging mountain river, and crisp evergreen trees, it's an oasis only a half hour from downtown Denver or Boulder. From the tiny town of Eldorado Springs, you drive up an easy dirt road to the visitor center a few miles up. There's sightseeing on the way and lots of spots to rock climb or hike. We only had a few hours to cook but I'll be back soon to do more! You can take trails from here both to the Boulder parks or south to Golden. I love the wildflowers and gift shop! Hope to go back in the fall. read more

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Great hiking trails and ample parking! We did the Eldorado trail and it was a great trail. Very nice and scenic. There's also shade and it's not too steep. Very pleasant hike in a nice area. Would go back! read more

Eldorado Canyon State Park - Parks Near Me - Eldorado Springs, Colorado

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I am an experienced hiker who fully supports state parks and always will. However, my hiking experience at this particular park was not pleasant. We had the Eldorado Canyon trail loop mapped out as our hike. When we got to juncture #5 listed on the posted trail map, the marker was not labeled properly. With only one officially marked path to take, we took it. Because if this, we ended up hiking over seven miles out of our way and arrived at the Crescent Meadows parking lot completely lost and disoriented. As avid hikers, we were prepared, but this could have been a terrible mistake for someone who was not prepared. This needs to be fixed asap so others do not make this potentially dangerous mistake. Aside from this, the park is beautiful and has some stunning sweeping views facing the continental divide and surrounding canyons. I'm going to take a break from this location for a while, but I encourage you to visit. read more

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Easy gorgeous hike with my grandson. Absolutely stunning. Plenty parking and great staff. read more

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Eldorado Canyon State Park is one of my favorite parks in Colorado. It is so beautiful. There are so many hiking trails, opportunities to climb, a nature center, and a river. It's beautiful in the winter and summer. My favorite trail, especially with kids, is the Fowler trail. It's pretty flat but has gorgeous views, especially at sunset. There's also a small cave to explore near the entrance to the park. We come here over and over again because s it's just so beautiful. read more

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$10 parking fee but totally worth it. There were several trails at this park. We opted for the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail that led to Crags Hotel Ruins and the Continental Divid Overlook. This was about 3 miles and it was not strenuous. Perfect for a hot day since there was plenty of shade. It was pretty populated and there are some short steep areas. You can brings dogs on leash here and there is a great view of the top. I would love to come back and experience the other trails in this park. Unable to post photos at the moment but the views were amazing! read more

This area is such a hidden gem! We arrived in evening and wanted to get that "Instagram" photo from the continental divide overlook by taking the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail. This trail says it's moderate but I'd say it's easy. There are areas that have loose rocks on the path which might be why it's considered moderate. It took us 40 min to get up (although we were going at a fast pace to beat the setting sun). I highly recommend for any hikers who just want to gorgeous view near Denver. How to get to the Instagramable site: go up Fowler, turn right on to rattlesnake gulch, cross bridge, after two hairpin turns you'll take the right at the fork. Parking: it is $10 and there's a restroom at the entrance parking lot. This is not the only parking lot. In fact there's a road that is about 3/4 a mile up to the Fowler parking lot. There are also many parking space along this road. Park closes 1hr after sunset. read more

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Beautiful views right from the initial parking lot. We didn't even make it up the first hill before we hopped out for a hike. There are marked trails and the scenery competes with those from a national park. The drive to the is park ROUGH. If it's wet you will not make it through unless you have a vehicle equipped for extreme dirt potholes and gravel roads. We will definitely be back! read more

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Beautiful views!! Driving in was a little sketchy, parking is very limited. In the snow the trails are pretty slippery and dangerous. But a fun hike none the less worth the views at the top! read more

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What a beautiful place!! We found out about it from our friend who lives in Aurora. It can, however, be tricky to find. You go through a neighborhood, and it appears you are going the wrong way but keep going and you will realize that you are in the right location. There is a dirt parking lot so prepare for dust, and an admission cost but well worth the price. The canyon and park are beautiful. Pictures do not do it justice. This is a well-known rock climbing place with the sandstone walls being around 700 feet high. Not a rock climber myself, it was amazing watching the climbers. If you are not a climber, but interested in a challenge, there are some trails that will kick you in the butt especially since there is not a lot of shade. read more

Eldorado Canyon State Park - Beautiful area! Great for experienced rock climbers. . - Parks Near Me - Eldorado Springs, Colorado

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The Eldorado Canyon may not have much shade on its steep incline, but when you stop to catch your breath, the views will distract you from the summer sun and sore legs. It was late May, the wildflowers were blooming, and the skies were clear. Not many people on a Thursday morning... which made it feel like a real escape. At one point, the train rolled along the other side of the canyon, and it felt like a scene right out of Westworld. We hiked for an hour and turned around, but I could have gone for longer, and there's a lot more to explore. Overall, the drive from Denver is beautiful, and it's the perfect place for a quick day hike. You can pay the $10 to get in... but this state park will surely make you want to purchase a yearly pass. Pro tip: the first parking lot you see is just the first parking lot... keep driving if you want to limit your road hiking. read more

Eldorado Canyon State Park - There's a parking lot when you first enter the park. You can park and walk from there or continue up the road for a chance of more parking - Parks Near Me - Eldorado Springs, Colorado

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Beautiful park, dozens of trails, paths well marked. This is nature at it's finest! Parking can be a bit scarce though. read more

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Magnificent! This is a beautiful and clean park. There are clean non-flushing bathrooms near the entrance. We parked near the bottom and walked along the road to the well marked trailheads. We checked out a couple of the hiking trails. Spectacular views from the top. We were hoping to see some wildlife, but other than a hummingbird, no dice. We're looking forward to checking out some of the other trails in the near future. The park filled up quickly so we opted out of walking up to the visitors center. Next time. read more

Eldorado Canyon State Park - Parks Near Me - Eldorado Springs, Colorado

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Eldorado Canyon State Park is one of Colorado's state parks. As its name indicates, it's a canyon with some amazing rock formations and scenery. The park attracts a lot of rock climbers (technical climbers) and it's fascinating to watch them as they scale the sides of a cliff. It's about 1.5 miles from the entrance (fee required) to the Visitor's Center at the other end. There is 1 road that runs from the entrance to the visitor's center with a large parking lot at the visitor's center, a smaller one near the entrance and numerous small parking areas along the road. There are also a number of hiking trails, ranging from an easy 0.7-mile trail to others ranging from a moderately difficult 1.4 and 3.25-mile trails to a moderate/difficult 7.5-mile trail. South Boulder Creek traverses the park - largely parallelling the park road. There are numerous places with access to the creek and there are a number of small waterfalls and some rapids that provide great photo opportunities. There are also a number of picnic areas - especially near the visitor's center. The visitor's center has nice restrooms, a knowledgeable and helpful staff. If you're into rock climbing, hiking, photography or just want to have a picnic - this place is great. read more

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Hard to believe they used to let you pay on the honor system, before the pig -dog capitalists took over the very quaint town, where we used to go rock climbing g. read more

Easy getaway-Eldorado Canyon State Park has an open panoramic view, with tourist friendly ambiance and lots of seating made out of wood. I found live deer, and nearby White Ranch, my other favorite hiking area. (Perfect for weddings) We got some good hiking, as well as nice views of Golden. Panorama Point, where you can see over 100 miles of the Continental Divide and 4 Colorado 14ers while standing in one spot, is a must-visit. We came in the summer of 2019, when Covid-19 was a sci-fi thing of the future. Just an hour from Denver, but it feels much further, can you believe that?? Also, if you're going to go here, go very early in the morning, especially on the weekend! It costs $9 for a day pass that you need to pick up upon entry into the park. read more

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I have only been here a few times over the years but family and friends are here more frequently. It's beautiful scenery, fun for me to do little hikes like the Fowler trail which I did last week with house guest visiting from out of state over the weekend. and watch the climbers on a beautiful climbing day. The Fowler Trail starts at the Visitor Center and at its midpoint, crosses the area where some of the climbers of the Bastille formation finish up so you can watch them really close up. The visitors center provides bathrooms, information and a small gift shop. There are picnic areas along the creek at the Trailhead at the Fowler Trail. I have never been to the historic resort and the pool is closed this summer for renovation. This is a classic visit for any visitor to Boulder County. The views are incredible and if you are a skilled hiker, there is much to see. World renowned climbing of course. read more

I've visited about a dozen of our state parks, and Eldorado Canyon is at the top of my list. A quick note, however - parking is not exactly plentiful - arrive early to guarantee a space. Today I started along Fowler trail, and caught the path up Rattlesnake Gulch and around the loop including the continental divide overlook. I'm not in great shape, and the whole thing took me about 2 hours and 20 minutes. Various sites rank it differently, from easy to strenuous, but I agree with the park - it's a moderate hike that offers incredible views. Wear something with decent ankle support, as parts of the trail are pretty rocky. The first leg of the RG portion is pretty easy, but one of the switchbacks had me pausing for "photo breaks" (aka, "catch my breath" breaks) every couple minutes. The ruins of the Crags Hotel are cool, but if you continue up the loop, the views from the continental divide overlook are even better. Once you've made it that far, don't turn around - the rest of the trail is pretty easy compared to what you've already done. Take plenty of water, and maybe lunch or a small snack to enjoy somewhere along the trail. There are a couple places to sit on the way, but the best option is the CD overlook. read more

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Really enjoyed the park. Small parking area so plan accordingly. I did the rattle snake gulch trail with my wife and kids. Awesome views all along up and down. The Crags hotel ruins were interesting. Hike another .5 miles to the continental Divide. Excellent views and spot for pictures. Only $8 to get in was a good deal. The hike was somewhat challenging. read more

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You have to check out this gem of a state park! Absolutely gorgeous. I wish I knew about this place when I was a student at the University of Colorado. Make sure that you drive slow while driving through the park because kids play along the rode. There is great rock climbing throughout the park and I recommend going down to the stream...wow...gorgeous. read more

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Wow! This park is gorgeous! We were in town for some music and had an extra day to pop over to Eldorado Canyon State Park. It was pretty close to Broomfield (Boulder too) so we thought we'd check it out. Of course being from the South, I forgot to think to bring a jacket to the higher elevations, so fellow Southerners, take note. Luckily it warmed up nicely and the winds died down a bit. We did a drive through the park to the visitor center to ask about a short easy trails for us flat-landers. (And my friend bought something warmer) The ranger was so friendly and gave us a few Trail options. Based on the relative flatness and length, we decided on the Fowler trail, which is just about a mile or so in, then we turned around and came back due to our time constraints. The Fowler trail was really cool as it wound around the ridge. We got some great views of the mountains across the canyon and were able to see a few rock-climbers make their way up the mountain! Seriously, this was the best view I've ever had of rock-climbers doing their thing. So, we just chilled a bit and watched them go up and up. This trail was also an excellent place for photos SO of course I took hundreds! There were many other trails that were a bit more challenging I'd like to check out one day. If you're looking for a quick pop over from the Boulder, Broomfield, or Westminster area, then Eldorado Canyon State Park is the best bang for buck and the most time efficient. You get the gorgeous mountain views, amazing rock formations and can even squeeze in a quick easy hike! read more

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Beautiful place to take the kids or romantic partner. Love it here! The annual parks pass is the way to go to enjoy so much beauty in Colorado. read more

Great for hikes and watching climbers. High on list of places to visit with out of town company. Pool is great but only go on a very hot day...very cold spring fed water, but no chlorine! Old metal slide with running water-try launching yourself off this baby and you'll skip across the pool like a rock! Hike up to the ruins of a hotel (The Crags) that burned down in a Chinook windstorm about 100 years ago. If I remember correctly, it's up Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, a pretty good hike up for uninitiated (or acclimated) flat-landers. Not much left but fountain and fireplace. read more

I wish I were a rock climber, I just can't afford the gear. But I enjoy a leisurely day hike with my dog, which I was able to find at Eldorado Canyon. On the south side of the creek there's a couple of trails. Hop on the Fowler Trail, which is paved and wheelchair accessible. A short distance up you can turn onto Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, leading to the ruins of Crags Hotel (which burned down in 1913) and beyond to overlook the Continental Divide. This part of the trail is not paved, but I would still qualify it as easy although not wheelchair accessible. Rattlesnake Gulch Trail is 1.4 miles one way. On the north side of the creek is Streamside Trail, very short (just a half mile) but good for two things: walking underneath boulders (kids would most likely get a kick out of it) and getting a closer look at some rock climbers. The trailhead to Eldorado Canyon Trail is near the Visitor's Center. It is 3.5 miles one way. I didn't walk this one, but I probably should have because the other two were too short, but I wanted to see the hotel ruins. By the way, thank goodness for the Visitor's Center, where I was able to refill our water bottles. We went on the hottest day of the year, hoping to escape the city, and it was maybe 2 degrees cooler up there. read more

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My girlfriend and I stopped by El Dorado Canyon during our final day in Colorado. There was an $8 fee to allow our vehicle entry to the grounds. Well worth the price, as we drove into the site; you could see rock climbers heading to the top of the mountain, passing scenic waterfalls along the way. Upon parking near the ranger cabin, we started our descent up the trail. The views were different from what we saw on the Royal Arches trail, but not a bad different. We saw more wildlife along this path as well than in Chautauqua Park, but loved both parks. Hoping to hit some other parks during our next stay, thank you for the wonderful photos! Best, Charlie read more

Such a beautiful place!!! Highly recommend, there are many trails and rock climbing options. The fee to get in is only $10. The park is dog friendly. Some roads are quite narrow, so just be sure to drive slow and watch out for fellow hikers. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. read more

Smaller than I expected but still beautiful. I would have loved to come here to climb but I had a fishing partner with me not a climbing partner. I did gaze longingly at the people climbing roadside. The scenery is amazing. Tall rock formations, and a glittering stream nearby make for a nice way to spend the day. We had read online that fishing was pretty good here so we thought we'd give it a shot. We didn't have much luck, the water level was low and at that time of year the fish weren't in the biting mood. We did see a couple of snakes intertwined in the shade by a tree which was a good reminder to be wary of mother nature's creatures. read more

Eldorado Canyon State Park - 2 Gopher snakes - Parks Near Me - Eldorado Springs, Colorado

This park is absolutely beautiful and well worth the short drive from Boulder. Leisure opportunities are quite endless between fly fishing, picnic-ing, mountain biking, strolling, rock climbing, hiking, and snowshoeing/x-country skiing in the winter (if you bike into the park you will still need to pay the entry fee). The visitors center is a must see during the summer months as I've counted up to 10 hummingbirds feasting upon the feeder just outside a sizeable viewing window. Loads of keepsakes/informational books/postcards are also available for that out of town guest or to make your friends/family jealous that this spectacular place is just in your back yard. The park is open year round though the roads running through the park are often covered with snow and may be slippery. The person manning the entry has on occasion inquired as to the driving capability of the vehicle and or tires when I've entered during inclement winter weather. There are a variety of hiking trails to choose from if that is your activity of choice. A favorite of mine that just takes a quick hour or two is Rattlesnake Gulch trail (it leads up to the ruins of the Crags hotel) with nice views of the continental divide with an option to check out some still functioning train tracks (be careful if you trek up/onto the tracks). There have a been a couple occasions where mountain bikers were ripping down the trail but thankfully that has been a rarity for me. I look forward to returning to take part in another park clean-up, to give another go at catching those fish, or finally setting foot and completing the Eldorado Canyon Trail. As a side note the folks working the gate greatly appreciate if you carry/pay with small bills (the early comers usually pay with $50/$20 and they tend to run out of change). read more