Maps and Directions
The park is experiencing heavy usage and frequently reaches capacity.
Eldorado Canyon State Park reaches parking capacity on weekends and holidays throughout the year from about 9 am to 3 pm.
- Due to high visitation, Timed Vehicle Reservations are required for vehicle access into Eldorado Canyon from May 15 - Sept 15 on Saturdays, Sundays and summer holidays from 5:30 am-5:30 pm. Visit CPWshop.com to make your reservation.
- Vehicle entry will be denied when parking capacity is reached.
- No public parking exists nearby.
Ride the Eldo Shuttle into the Park Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend
Shuttle runs Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 8 am to 7 pm.
Boulder County, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, and the City of Boulder offer a shuttle bus service on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the summer to carry passengers from US 36 & McCaslin and Boulder to Eldorado Canyon State Park. The shuttle is free; however, anyone entering the state park is required to have a valid state park pass. Passes can be purchased at the Visitor Center.
- If driving from Denver, park and catch the shuttle at the RTD Park-n-Ride on the south side of US 36 at US 36 & McCaslin Blvd in Superior.
- The shuttle runs approximately every 20 minutes from 8 am to 7 pm.
- For a map of routes, stops, and more info, visit EldoShuttle.com.
Maps
Directions
From Boulder
Eldorado Canyon State Park is located about five miles southwest of Boulder. Take Broadway/State Highway 93 south from Boulder, turn west (right) onto Colorado 170 and then continue about three miles to the town of Eldorado Springs. Highway 170 dead-ends at the town, and a dirt road continues. The park is located at the end of the dirt road on the left.
(Updated: 10/17/2019 4:38 PM)
From Denver
Eldorado Canyon State Park is about thirty miles from Denver. Take I-25 north to State Highway 36, go west towards Boulder. Exit at “Louisville-Superior” (you will also see signs for Eldorado Springs and Highway 170) and turn south (left) at the light. Follow signs to Eldorado Springs/Highway 170 (turning right on Marshall Road/Highway 170). You will turn into the Superior Marketplace, as Highway 170 travels around the marketplace and eventually leads you 7.4 miles to Eldorado Canyon. Highway 170 dead-ends at the town of Eldorado Springs, and the road continues as a dirt road. The park is located at the end of the dirt road on the left.
(Updated: 10/17/2019 4:40 PM)
From Golden
Eldorado Canyon State Park is about 17 miles from Golden. Take State Highway 93 north towards Boulder. Just south of Boulder, take State Highway 170 west (left) towards Eldorado Springs. Highway 170 dead-ends at the town, and a dirt road continues. The park is located at the end of the dirt road on the left.
(Updated: 10/17/2019 4:41 PM)
To Crescent Meadows
Crescent Meadows is a separate, undeveloped part of the park located west of the inner canyon area. To reach Crescent Meadows you can hike on the Eldorado Canyon Trail & Walker Ranch Loop (approx. 4.5 miles), or you can drive from the junction of Hwy 93 and Hwy 72 between Golden and Boulder. Travel west on Hwy 72 for about 7 miles through Coal Creek Canyon. Go through a small town where you’ll see a Sinclair Gas Station on the left. Turn Right on Crescent Park Dr, and travel one mile, always staying to your left, until you come to a T junction. Take a right and proceed a couple more miles. Cross a railroad track. A few hundred feet from the tracks you’ll see the trailhead marked “Crescent Meadows Trail.”
You can also reach the trailhead by traveling west of Boulder on Flagstaff Road to Gross Dam Road. Go South on Gross Dam Road to the Crescent Meadows Parking Lot on the left.
(Updated: 10/17/2019 4:44 PM)