Reviews

Iris Ingram

It's beautiful up there. Me and my mom went up there in late June and it's a great way to beat the summer heat. The have several camp grounds there as well as fishing, hikes, scenic drives, and, to my surprise, a hunting area (with permit only). There are so many wildflowers. 🪻🌾

Katherine Lugo

Camped at site W at Clear Creek. Beautiful site. Looking at the others this one was our favorite. Took Burro up by windy peak cut off to get there and enjoyed the challenge with packs. Kids had a blast playing in the stream. Do not anticipate water will last much longer.

Heather Soersdal

I stayed at a tent only camp site. It was a little difficult to find but that was my own fault. I'd underestimated the size of the park. Don't do that. There were toilets and water spouts, a table, and a tent pad. It was as comfortable as a tent only site could get! There are supply stores nearby. The nature is absolutely gorgeous. I will be back!

Bryon Paul Veal

Grew up in Golden. First time up here. Ralston Creek is beautiful and very scenic. Decent roads going up except insane motorcycles and teenange kids flooring it around curves. Will be going back often. Of note, this area has a lot of species observations on iNaturalist. Always a good sign when finding a place to hike. Update...went back 4.12.2026. Banner day for butterflies.

Ashish Mehta

Golden Gate Canyon State Park is an absolute gem in Colorado! 🌲⛰️ This park offers the perfect mix of stunning mountain views, peaceful forests, and well-maintained trails for every skill level. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing walk or a more challenging hike, there’s something here for everyone. The scenery is incredible—rolling hills, dense pine trees, and breathtaking viewpoints like Panorama Point that make the entire visit unforgettable. It feels like a true escape into nature without the overwhelming crowds of other parks. Everything from the parking areas to the trails and facilities is clean and well cared for, and the overall vibe is calm and refreshing. It’s the kind of place where you can slow down, breathe in the fresh air, and just enjoy the beauty around you. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a perfect outdoor day near Denver or Boulder. Definitely a place I’ll keep coming back to!

rachel fiskus

Golden Gate Canyon State Park is absolutely beautiful, especially in the fall when the aspens are changing colors and the whole park glows gold. It’s one of the best places in Colorado to soak in those classic autumn mountain views without having to drive too far into the high country. The park is amazing for hiking and mountain biking, with tons of single track trails that wind through forests, meadows, and rocky overlooks. The terrain is fun, varied, and perfect for anyone who loves being out on the trails. Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, it’s super convenient just a short drive from both Boulder and Denver. It’s a great getaway that feels remote and peaceful, yet still close to everything. Beautiful scenery, great trails, and that perfect Colorado vibe. Highly recommend!

kami berry

Snow shoe hare trail was nice!! Got off track a couple times but mostly marked and found our way! Rocky with some good incline. Had to walk in a quarter of a mile because the campgrounds are closed for the season. Overall fun hike!

Sergey R

Golden Gate Canyon State Park is my new favorite escape! This place is huge, and the moment you get there, you feel like you're deep in the mountains, even though it's a quick drive from the city. The hiking is incredible, with so many trails to choose from.We went to see the "natural gold," and the aspen groves were absolutely stunning—like something out of a fairytale.The views from trails like Raccoon Trail are breathtaking, with a mix of golden, red, and orange leaves everywhere. What I really appreciated was the ample parking; it was great to find a spot without any trouble.It's a beautiful, well-maintained park that I can't recommend enough for a perfect fall day hike.

S Jonesy

We love this area and it's views. From camping to simply leaf peeping or a day drive... our trips are always a great experience. The wildlife variety makes for exciting viewing and we make it a game to see who can spot the most animals or the most variety of wildlife. A few from our past trip included yak, moose, deer, and chipmunk looking squirrels? We love nature and its beauty. ♡

Stephen Jutton

Walked the Raccoon Trail from Panorama Point and stopped in at the visitor center. Amazing views from the trailhead. The trail itself is very well maintained and relatively easy for us (fit 54-55 yr olds). This park looks to be very well maintained by the State. (Makes one wonder if CO should manage RMNP as well!). Exhibits at the visitor center are great for kids and the rangers are very friendly. Kids will love feeding the trout too.

T Efe

My family and I had a picnic these inside the park today near Round The Bend rest stop area. It had 2 picnic tables and a grill. It was a little overgrown but my mom still managed it with her walker. It was besides a beautiful brook. Very peaceful, quiet & serene. It was a gorgeous Fall Colors trip! We will definitely be back to explore more!

Jason Sinn

This is one of the most beautifully maintained state parks that I've ever visited. The trails are clean and clear, the campgrounds are very tidy, there are multiple smooth paved roads (no potholes!), and the forests are well spaced and managed. There's a ton of wildlife and fauna to see too. On just one hike I saw a moose, deer, eagles and dozens of different flowers and mushrooms. Make sure to stop by the Visitors Center as well. The staff were very friendly and helped me (a first time visitor) review a map and gave me plenty of trail tips. There's also a cute trout pond.

Steven

Beautiful hike. Mountain lion is one of my favorites. Hard to trail run due to loose rocks. Pretty busy on weekends, but if you pick a hard or long enough trail, you'll have some nature time

Heather Lloyd

Beautiful park with trails that even out of shape people (ME) can do. Highly recommend checking the trails on Alltrails for current conditions and notes on foot traffic. We went to the Meadow trail. $12 per car daily fee if you do not have a pass. You grab a form, which is accompanied by a pen, and fill out your vehicle information. The back side of the form is an envelope for you to put cash in. Card is accepted at the visitors center if you go during open hours (I believe 9 am).

Zak Norgren

Awesome little day trip to Golden Gate Canyon State Park! Checked out the ranch ponds and then turned around and headed up to Panorama Point which was absolutely stunning. Grabbed lunch in Blackhawk on the way back to Denver.