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    Golden Gate Canyon State Park

    4.2 (98 reviews)

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    Reviews With Photos - Golden Gate Canyon State Park

    Sabrina M.

    Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a solidly lovely spot in Colorado--because honestly, in this state, Mother Nature doesn't really miss. There's no such thing as a bad view out here, and this park is no exception. That said, nothing here totally blew my boots off compared to some of the flashier, five-star show-off parks nearby. But there's absolutely nothing bad to say about it either. Well-maintained, peaceful, scenic. It's like the dependable friend who always shows up on time with snacks. Maybe it won't make your "Top 5 Most Life-Changing Hikes" list, but it will give you a beautiful day outdoors with zero regrets.

    Mountain Lion trail
    David G.

    GGC State Park has a special place in my heart as I passed my Navigation skills class in some of the more remote areas. GGC has some amazing trails and campsites. The mountain lion loop is simple stunning with streams, wildflowers, gorgeous outcroppings , animals etc. Take the Burro trail over to windy peek for stunning views ( great lunch spot). Good facilities. Good trails

    View from Racoon Trail
    Cassie P.

    I came here this past weeked for some leaf peeping! I was looking for a scenic hike that wasn't too far from Denver and Golden Gate Canyon State Park came recommended. We did Racoon Trail which is a moderate 3.5-4 mile hike that's suitable for most levels, although there are some pretty steep inclines at times. In general, this park is very big so there's lots to explore. The trailhead for this particular hike is near Reverends Ridge Campground. We arrived around 11 and parking was available. We paid $9 for a day pass and started on our way. The midway point is Panorama Point which is also accessible via car and provides gorgeous sweeping views of the mountains and trees. The hike wove through the woods and I was happy there was plenty of leaves still on the trees to see! There was a good amount of people, dogs, kids, and a few bikers on the trail. That being said, everyone was respectful of distancing, wearing masks when getting close, etc. I would definitely recommend this hike if looking for a trip from the city. It tooks us a little over an hour to get here and we stopped in Golden on the way back for lunch! A lovely day trip.

    Isaac A.

    We hiked the Ralston Roost/Black Bear/Horseshoe Loop, maybe a bit over 4 miles. The views were great and there were a lot of interesting rock formations. Heading up had a lot of elevation change and it was still quite icy (especially on the way down) in April.

    Jesse K.

    We visited Golden Gate Canyon State Park the second weekend of October to see some Fall colors. The park is gorgeous with ample trails, AND, is dog friendly! I'd recommend getting to the park around 7am; we arrived at 9 and had to drive around for nearly 45 minutes to find parking. We got lucky with someone leaving and were able to hike a good chunk of the Mule Deer trail. The weather was perfect, the colors were mind-blowing, and we had an amazing hike!

    Tiffany N.

    Want something more secluded than the regular parks and trails near Denver? GG is the place for you! Its well worth the state park fee for the day or if you want to spring for an annual pass. On our most recent trip we did the Mule Deer Trail and it was stunning! Not too many people on a Wednesday and a lot of shaded areas to stop and take a break. I don't live in Colorado anymore but I will be visiting here more once we move back!

    Alisa J.

    Golden Gate Canyon State Park has awesome trails! Really nice area and great views. We did the Black Bear Trail it was the perfect length and not too hard. Will be back again to try more. The park wasn't too crowded and there was ample parking. Make sure you pay and get one of those registration things for your car. I did see people getting tickets.

    Kara H.

    Stunningly gorgeous, especially as fall is coming on. We did raccoon trail, off panorama peak. Really pretty, but busy on a Saturday. Parking was a struggle to find, even at 9am (which I thought was early enough but apparently not). Definetly get here way early for parking and slower trails. Self pay and dogs are allowed on the trail. Be careful for the bicyclists, and the roads are narrow with lots of switch backs.

    Heather V.

    I had absolutely no idea such a beautiful park was hidden here in the town of Golden but I'm happy because now I know. I did some research before so I was aware of the $8 fee to explore the park but if you have the State Park pass, you can use that to get in as well. There are so many trails to choose but I went with the Black Bear Trail that was about 4 miles roundtrip give or take. This trail was very well maintained with the terrain varying from smooth to rocky with some stairs and rocks to climb which was real nice to switch up the pace. The trails are typically marked so be sure to keep an eye out to make sure you are staying on track. Eventually you gain enough elevation to reach an epic view of Mount Evans and the Canyon. The view alone was worth it especially during the fall time overlooking to Colorado foliage. Beautiful park!

    Cat S.

    Beautiful state park! We have the annual state park pass for the Cherry Creek state park, so we were able to skip the growing line at the front and move along. I would advise getting there early. We arrived around 9:30AM and there was still plenty of parking available. Once our hike was over around noon, the park was packed, and all lots were full, and roads/parking lots was mayhem. The hiking was easily marked and we knew where we were at all times, and the views are amazing, especially when the leaves start to change color!

    Walkway to trout pond at visitor center
    Andrea A.

    We booked the Red Barn Group Picnic Area for our small, causal wedding. The price was very hard to beat, especially for a summer wedding in Colorado. It was about $210 for the entire day (10 am to 10 pm). We had to book it 6 months to the day in advance. When checking in the day of, the park staff at the visitor center was really nice and helpful. She allowed us to check in a little earlier so we could begin decorating. A park ranger checked in with us in the morning and went over some basic rules, we didn't see or hear from them much after that- we had a small crowd and didn't cause issues. They did drive by a couple of times- but nothing more. There is a lot of versatility with the location and perfect for a causal outdoor wedding. Our only complaint was that the bathrooms could have been a little cleaner, but they are public park bathrooms so we weren't expecting much. I love the visitor center, staff has always been nice and there is a lot of information and educational items available for guests. The small store is cute to get some souvenirs. The trout pond is fun to look at and feeding the fish is a plus.There are plenty of hiking trails, camping options and lakes to fish at. Highly recommend this park!

    So many beautiful areas
    Kyana M.

    We went to Golden Gate in the fall and it was beautiful. The drive through the park was gorgeous with all of the beautiful foliage. The leaves were yellow and the park was not too crowded. We had our 4 small children with us so we parked near a picnic bench, had lunch, and let them explore the area around us which included a lot of rocks to climb and small trails to explore. The views all over the park were so beautiful. We can't wait to visit again!

    Scenic view
    Jim H.

    Almost all of the Colorado State Parks are great. I can't attest to the fact that all are great only because I haven't had a chance to visit all of them yet. Golden Gate Canyon, however, is one of my favorite state parks due to its beauty, the scenic views, and its relative proximity to the Arvada area. I never get tired of visiting Golden Gate Canyon State Park.

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    Such a beautiful hike. We had so much fun. Love the trails and the trees. There are so many different trails to take.

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    Ask the Community - Golden Gate Canyon State Park

    Are there trails here that is safe for a single hiker? (Someone living in LA asking)

    IMO, it's based more on your skill level versus solo safety. Check out the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website for Golden Gate Canyon (http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/GoldenGateCanyon/Pages/Trails.aspx) to view information specific to each… 

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    Review Highlights - Golden Gate Canyon State Park

    We did the Raccoon Trail at the top of the mountain, and got a splendid view of the Continental Divide from Panorama Point.

    Mentioned in 11 reviews

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    Mt. Galbraith Park

    Mt. Galbraith Park

    4.2
    (28 reviews)
    9.5 mi

    For its close proximity, you truly can't beat it. A 15 minute drive from my house is an absolute…read morewin. On a warm weekend, you probably won't score a spot at the parking lot. I'd say 25-30 spots? Keep in mind, this trailhead is POPPING. It's always busy, so know before you go. You can park at different places roadside, which will add to your hike total. The hiking trail is narrow, at times rocky, but mostly dirt. There are some nice views. If you're looking for a serene hike though, this definitely isn't it. I can't tell you the last time I encountered over 100 people on a hike. But again, it makes sense considering where it is. You get some nice views of the Great Divide and even the Coors brewery. There's not much shade, so sunscreen and a hat are a must. I'd probably do this hike again in the winter to avoid the crowds. It's one of the closest hikes to Denver and for the people who've never hiked a mountain I'm sure they'd love doing this one.

    I am from the flatlands of Texas lol. I am also a 11 time marathoner and this hike got me good! I…read morewas huffing and puffing all the way up! It was great! It felt like hiking 10 miles for hours, but was only 3 miles in one hour hahah. The only negative is there is no shade, so I got a really bad sunburn. I would give this a go again though! I will also say, we took a wrong turn at the loop and ended up going through a less traveled path. I'm not sure exactly where we went wrong but we ended up at the peak somehow. The trail was barely traveled on. It was strange. Either way a fun one!

    Photos
    Nightbird Gulch Trail | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie
    Nightbird Gulch Trail | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie
    Nightbird Gulch Trail | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie
    Nightbird Gulch Trail | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie
    Nightbird Gulch Trail | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie

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    Nightbird Gulch Trail | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie
    Tanglewood Park

    Tanglewood Park

    4.7
    (6 reviews)
    14.7 mi

    Incredible park, complete with two tennis courts, a baseball diamond, huge open field for…read moresoccer/frisbee, and full playground with a pirate ship! Not to mention a covered seating area with multiple picnic tables. They've also added a putting green area to practice your short game, but make sure to bring your own golf balls and putter/wedge. The park can get pretty busy in the summer with birthday parties, baseball games, and other group events, but it is a great environment and there are plenty of things to keep people busy.

    What a great little park! There are two play ground areas. Don't be fooled... the one that's off…read more20th is actually for the preschool there and it's fenced in. The fence isn't too easy to see unless you're right on top of it. Anyway, Tanglewood Park has a nice sized field and a baseball diamond next to the play area. The playground is nice. There are two sections to it. The larger one has wood chips in it, and the smaller one has sand. The larger section has a large play structure with numerous slides on it. There are two regular swings and two small swings. The smaller side has a boat, a couple of rockers and a sand tractor thingy. While we were there, a lot of kids took their socks and shoes off to play in the sand. The area looked pretty clean, so this wasn't a cause for freaking out. There were about 5-15 kids playing at any given time, with some coming and going pretty often. There were moms and grandparents there, and they all seemed friendly and approachable. There is a large shelter next to the large playground. There are numerous picnic tables underneath, as well as two or three which are not under the shelter. When we visited, there were a ton of parking spaces in the parking lot, although I can see the lot filling up when there's a baseball or football game going on. In all, this is a nice and well maintained park.

    Photos
    From the listed website.
    From the listed website.
    From the listed website.
    From the listed website.
    Tanglewood Park

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    Ralston Central Park

    Ralston Central Park

    4.8
    (13 reviews)
    16.7 mi

    Bravo, Arvada!!! Brought our just-walking toddler for her first splash pad experience and we…read morestarted off with a bang. Came on an early Friday afternoon so it was busy but not overwhelmingly so. Lots of age ranges (ours was the littlest but the big kids were very respectful) and so many fun water features that cater to a wide array of ages and comfort levels. Very clean and well cared for with plenty of shady picnic tables adjacent to the splash pad. Once we finished getting soaked (parents who need to be near their little one, note you will absolutely get drenched) we tried off in the playground which was also top notch. Lots of cool features and again, clean and cared for. When we needed a break from the sunny swings, there were more shaded picnic tables next to a huge grassy field. The charcoal grills are also huge. You could spend a whole day here, easy. I can't wait to come back for more fun memories!

    Large and spacious. A huge area for kids and lots of grass for frisbee or soccer or whatever you…read moremay like. Dedicated parking along with tons of other parking on any nearby street. Very bike-able going through on the nearby trail and all the sidewalks are wide for strollers, dogs, walking groups, and people biking or skating along. Really enjoy the design and open layout of this park. I've seen a few birthday parties hosted at the nearby tables adjacent to the playground. Still even on the weekends the park never seems to be over crowded. Even in the heat of summer the water features next to the playground are in use but not swarmed. Lots of nice businesses nearby you can walk to so a great location all around. Certainly one of the premier parks in the local area.

    Photos
    Ralston Central Park
    Ralston Central Park
    Ralston Central Park

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    Golden Gate Canyon State Park - hiking - Updated August 2026

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