Eldorado Canyon State Park Photos
You might also consider
More like Eldorado Canyon State Park
Recommended Reviews - Eldorado Canyon State Park
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
Easy gorgeous hike with my grandson. Absolutely stunning. Plenty parking and great staff.
Eldorado Canyon is one of my favorite state parks near Boulder Colorado. The hiking trails are clearly marked and plenty of shade! The river in the canyon is always flowing and the breeze feels wonderful on a hot summer day! If you like to rock climb this is the place! The boulders are majestic and the views are spectacular! On a clear day you can see Denver in the distance! It is a state park so if you buy the park pass for state parks your entry is covered. Otherwise vehicles are $10 entry and walking in will be $4 per person. The state pass is worth $29 and you can buy it when you purchase a yearly tag for your vehicle. This park has lots of parking but on weekends you need a timed entry during the busy season. There is a visitor centre, bathrooms, and a water bottle refill station. Picnic tables so bring your basket and snacks! read more
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
This is a nice park with some great trails. We also enjoyed watching all the rock climbers which brought my back to my younger years of watching rock climbers in other parks...also on documentaries and Cliffhanger with Sylvester Stallone. read more
2 months ago
1 year ago
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
5 years ago
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
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
3 years ago
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
5 years ago
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
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
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
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 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
4 years ago
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
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
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
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
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
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
11 years ago
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
Page 1 of 3
More info about Eldorado Canyon State Park
Ask the Community - Eldorado Canyon State Park
Review Highlights - Eldorado Canyon State Park
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
4 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
11 years ago
10 years ago
11 years ago
16 years ago
