Golden Gate Canyon State Park | |
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![]() Rock formations on Tremont Mountain in Golden Gate Canyon State Park | |
Location | Jefferson /Gilpin counties,Colorado, United States |
Nearest city | Golden, Colorado |
Coordinates | 39°49′51″N105°24′38″W / 39.83083°N 105.41056°W /39.83083; -105.41056 |
Area | 12,119 acres (49.04 km2) |
Established | 1960 |
Visitors | 1,584,203 (in 2021)[1] |
Governing body | Colorado Parks and Wildlife |
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is aColorado State Park located inGilpin andJefferson counties northwest ofGolden,Colorado. The 12,119-acre (49.04 km2)Front Range park established in 1960 has 42 miles (68 km) ofhiking trails.[2] Horse and bicycle travel is allowed on 27 miles (43 km). Facilities include a visitor center, over 100 campsites and 125 picnic sites.[3] In 2019 the park recorded 1,045,131 visits, a 20.6% increase over 2018.[2]
Wetland andriparian plant communities are found alongRalston, Nott and Deer creeks and small ponds within the park.Ponderosa pine,Rocky Mountain juniper,Douglas fir andaspen are found in forested areas. Commonly seen wildlife includesmule deer,elk,black bear,mountain lion,Abert's squirrel andpine squirrel. Visitors also occasionally spotmoose, which are increasing in the park. Common birds includeturkey vulture,Steller's jay,Clark's nutcracker,mountain bluebird andmountain chickadee.[4]