Eldorado Canyon State Park
5 Reviews for Eldorado Canyon State Park
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.
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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.
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Pack up a picnic and toss the dog/kids in the car! This is a great place to come on a HOT summer day and it's only 10 minutes south of town.
Keep an eye out for rock climbers high up on the canyon walls as you drive back the narrow road. Once in the park, find a nice spot down near the creek, throw some burgers on the grill (provided for you) and wade in water 'til you can't feel your feet anymore. Stumble out, inhale your burger, fall asleep reading a book in your folding chair.
If you're curious about the history (surprising and very interesting) or flora and fauna of Eldorado, check out the new ranger station. They have some basic exhibits about the area and lots of great books.
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This is a great place to go if you're looking to do some hiking before working the night shift. They've got plenty of mini-trails, all with something different to offer. I chose the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail (Easy to Moderate climbing ability) and wasn't disappointed by the cool remnants of the railroad that brought visitors to the Crags Hotel at the top. (The remains of the hotel aren't really very interesting, but it's neat just knowing that something like that was up there.)
After the Rattlesnake Gulch, I decided I still had time before I had to head back home, so I chose to hike the Fowler Trail, which has great views looking Eastward. I would suggest the Fowler Trail for those who have a hard time getting around, the (extremely) easy terrain is suited for anyone and is even wheelchair accessible.
Like every other hike I've done in Colorado, Eldorado Canyon has some amazing views. I took a star off because it costs $6 to park. I guess we've got to pay for the upkeep somehow, though.
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Take your breaths before you enter the park, for once there, you won't have too many of them. This place will take your breath away.
Known to rock climbers and Boulder's south siders, this park doesn't get as much attention as it deserves. This place is great, but most Boulderites stop at the southern end of the Mesa Trail.
Granted, good times are to be had within Shadow Canyon, but take a further jaunt and enjoy a day in Eldorado Canyon State Park.
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