Golden Gate State Park

Copyright: Colorado State Parks Golden Gate State Park

The Visitor Center, which is open year-round (excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas), is located just inside the southeast entrance of the park on Golden Gate Canyon Road. Featured at the Visitor Center is the Wilbur and Nellie Larkin Memorial Nature Trail. This trail is designed to be accessible to persons with disabilities and winds around the park's rainbow trout show pond.

Recreation - The park is open year-round for a multitude of activities. Plenty of campsites, 168 total, ponds for fishing, and miles upon miles of mountain trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, make this gorgeous area accessible to everyone. Panorama Point has hosted countless weddings and other special celebrations.

Climate - The elevations in Golden Gate Canyon Park range from 7,400 to 10,300 feet. The high elevations experience quickly changing weather, for which all visitors need to be prepared. Warm summer mornings can quickly turn to cold, damp afternoons. The atmosphere during the late summer months is usually unstable bringing thunder, lightning and cold rain to the mountains by late afternoon. Hats, gloves and long sleeves are necessary during the summer as well as winter.

Temperatures in this region can vary greatly within one day. Summer days may reach 80F and drop into the low 50s at night. Winter days can feel warm with the sun so close, but be sure to bring warm layers for nights and activities in the shade. Sunscreen is necessary in every season.

Location - Directions - Take Highway 93 north from Golden one mile to Golden Gate Canyon Road. Turn left and continue for 13 miles to the park. The park lies amidst the lands of the Roosevelt National Forest north of Interstate 70. It is located west of the Denver Metro Area in the foothills of the Front Range.