Golden Gate Canyon State Park sits in the hills northwest of Golden

Northwest of Golden, the foothills open into Golden Gate Canyon State Park, a large park run by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. It is a different kind of land than the county open space parks closer to town, with its own rules and its own pass.

To enter, your vehicle needs a valid state-parks pass or a daily pass. The Keep Colorado Wild Pass, added when you renew your vehicle registration, is one way to cover it. The visitor center sits where Golden Gate Canyon Road, also called Highway 46, meets Crawford Gulch Road, and that is a good first stop for maps and current conditions.

For fishing, the park stocks several ponds, including Kriley, Slough, Dude’s Fishing Hole, Forgotten Valley, and Ranch ponds. You can fish the ponds and streams in the park, with one exception: the show pond at the visitor center is off limits. Kriley Pond has an accessible fishing pier. A current Colorado fishing license is required for anglers of licensing age.

For staying over, the park has tent and RV sites, plus cabins and yurts. Campsites and lodging are reserved ahead through CPW, not first-come on busy weekends.

Because hours, fees, stocking, and any hunting access on the Jefferson County portion can change by season, confirm the details on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife park page before you visit.