Trails at Eldorado Canyon State Park

Elevate your outdoor experience at Eldorado Canyon State Park, where the canyon meets the sky!  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.

View the Eldorado Area Map and Brochure.
View the Eldorado Canyon Climbing Routes Map.

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. Visitors from lower elevations should allow for more time to reach their destinations due to the effects of altitude.

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, and on 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 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 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                                             Elevation: 6,000
wheelchair / stroller accessible: Yes
Pets: Yes, on 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 offers 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 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 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).