Golden Gate Canyon State Park

ByChristine Updated on

On a beautiful sunny day, temperatures in the 50s, we went to check out Golden Gate Canyon State Park, which true to its name is located just west of Golden, so easy enough to get to.

The drive in winds through the canyon, so you are treated to pretty views even before you reach the visitor center. Here we stopped to get some maps and then head off to the trailhead that was recommended to us, Horseshoe Trail.

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Horseshoe Trail

This is a 3.6 mile out and back hike (1.8 miles each way).

Pet Friendly

We had brought Maggie along as the park is dog friendly, but keeping them on a leash is a park rule.

Costs

A daily pass is $7, but we bit the bullet and bought the $70 annual pass to all of Colorado’s State Parks. I think that we will get our money’s worth this coming year.

Winter Road Closures

Part of the park’s road system is closed in the winter, so once it reopens that will make even more trails accessible as well as allow us to drive up to Panorama Point for the view.

Christine is the co-founder of Never Stop Adventuring, and an avid traveler who started traveling the world as a child growing up in a military family. She even lived in Germany for numerous years. Since then she has been to 48 U.S. states, 17 countries, and traveled the U.S. in an RV for over 7 years.

With her 3 kids, the adventures continued family travel style. She has planned and coordinated travel with kids for the last 10 years and shares family travel tips and tricks, destinations, costs and even the mistakes so you can be empowered to take your own family trips with confidence!