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Colorado State Parks
Parks > Eldorado Canyon State Park > Trails

Trails

​​​​Elevate your outdoor experience at Eldorado Can​yon State Park, where the canyon meets the sky!

Trails are open to a variety of non-motorized uses.

  • Expect to see mountain bikes, horses, and hikers at any time.
  • Check the trailheads for segregated-use information.
  • Please respect other trail users as they may not be aware of your presence.

Trail Tips

  • Visitors from lower elevations should allow for more time to reach their destinations due to the effects of altitude.
  • For the best view of the lichen-covered canyon walls, walk the easy (wheelchair accessible) Fowler Trail.
  • Continue your journey by foot or mountain bike on the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail and explore the ruins of an old hotel that burned down during an era when Eldorado Springs was known as the “Coney Island of the West.”
  • From the ruins, travel to the Continental Divide Overlook and take in the spectacular views.
  • For a more challenging adventure, hike up the Eldorado Canyon Trail and exercise in the peace and beauty of nature.

Trail Descriptions

Eldorado Canyon Trail

  • Permitted: pedestrians and horses
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 3.5
  • Total distance: 3.5 one-way
  • Usage: Moderate
  • Degree of difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
  • Beginning Elevation: 6,000
  • ADA accessible: No
  • Pets: Yes, on a six-foot leash under control at all times

Comments: It gains over 1,000 feet in elevation and intersects the Walker Ranch Loop for a potential 14-mile moderate/difficult lollipop-loop hike (Eldorado Canyon Trail-3.5 miles, Walker Ranch Loop-7 miles, back to the Inner Canyon on Eldorado Canyon Trail-3.5 miles). You can also access our Crescent Meadows property via the Eldorado Canyon Trail.

Rattlesnake Gulch Trail

  • Permitted: pedestrians and mountain bikes
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 3.6
  • Total distance: 3.6
  • Usage: Moderate/High
  • Degree of difficulty: Moderate
  • Beginning Elevation: 6,000
  • ADA accessible: No
  • Pets: Yes, on a leash and under control at all times (no horses)

Comments: A moderately difficult trail leading 1.4 miles (one way) past spectacular views of the canyon and eastern plains to the remains of the historic Crags hotel, 600 feet above the trailhead. Built in 1908, the hotel was accessed via an inclined railway from the canyon floor until it burned down in 1913. The trail continues as a .8-mile loop as it travels to a view of the Continental Divide and the railroad tracks, 1,200 feet above the trailhead. The trail is 1.4 miles to the ruins and another .8 mile for the loop, making the total roundtrip distance about 3.6 miles.

Fowler Trail

  • Permitted: pedestrians, wheelchairs, strollers
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 0.90
  • Total distance: 0.90 one way
  • Usage: Moderate/High
  • Degree of difficulty: Easy
  • Beginning Elevation: 6,000
  • Wheelchair / stroller accessible: Yes
  • Pets: Yes, on a leash and under control at all times (no horses)

Comments: This easy trail provides a great place to watch rock climbers or simply enjoy dramatic views of the canyon. The trail is .9 miles (one way) to the park boundary. The first .7 miles of the Fowler Trail also offer a self-guided nature walk brochure with corresponding signage as well as educational signs and fixed binoculars to view the climbers.

Streamside Trail

  • Permitted: pedestrians
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 0.5
  • Total distance: 0.5 one way
  • Usage: High
  • Degree of difficulty: Easy
  • Beginning Elevation: 5,800
  • ADA accessible: Yes
  • Pets: Yes, on a leash and under control at all times (no horses)

Comments: An easy half-mile hike (one way) along South Boulder Creek. The first 300 feet of the trail are wheelchair accessible.

Crescent Meadows

  • Permitted: pedestrians, mountain bikes, horses
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 2.5
  • Total distance: 2.5 one way
  • Usage: Moderate
  • Degree of difficulty: Easy/Moderate
  • Beginning Elevation: 7,500
  • ADA accessible: No
  • Pets: Yes, on a leash and under control at all times

Comments: Great view of mountains to the west, open mountain meadow dropping down to South Boulder Creek. Interconnects with Boulder County Parks and Open Space’s Walker Ranch Loop Trail for a potential 7-mile loop hike (moderate/difficult).