Eldorado Canyon State Park is located in Boulder County near the city of Boulder. The park consists of two areas, the Inner Canyon (developed area) and Crescent Meadows (undeveloped area). Eldorado Canyon is home to one of the world's most accessible and comprehensive rock climbing areas. This state park is open during daylight hours only, visitors are expected to leave before dusk. A fee is required for entry, except on Colorado Day (August 1) when all state parks are free.
Map of the Clear Creek Ranger District of Arapaho and Roosevelt Forests in the USFS Rocky Mountain Region 2 in Colorado. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Map of the Boulder Ranger District of Arapaho and Roosevelt Forests in the USFS Rocky Mountain Region 2 in Colorado. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Colorado Fishing Guide. Published by Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Eldorado Canyon SP
https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/EldoradoCanyon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eldorado_Canyon_State_Park
Eldorado Canyon State Park is located in Boulder County near the city of Boulder. The park consists of two areas, the Inner Canyon (developed area) and Crescent Meadows (undeveloped area). Eldorado Canyon is home to one of the world's most accessible and comprehensive rock climbing areas. This state park is open during daylight hours only, visitors are expected to leave before dusk. A fee is required for entry, except on Colorado Day (August 1) when all state parks are free.
C O L O R A D O
P A R K S
&
W I L D L I F E
Eldorado Canyon State Park
FACT SHEET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017
Who we are
Eldorado Canyon State Park is located west of the historic resort town of Eldorado Springs. A world-renowned
technical rock climbing area, the canyon also offers fishing, hiking, picnicking and a quiet retreat from the city. Trails in the park connect
to trails on Boulder County Open Space and City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks lands. The park also features an awardwinning “Junior Ranger” program during the summer months and outstanding opportunities for photography during all seasons.
Top attractions
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Legendary rock-climbing destination
Miles of hiking trails with spectacular views
Picnicking along the scenic South Boulder Creek
Our partners
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Action Committee for Eldorado (ACE)
& Fixed Hardware Review Committee
Eldorado Artesian Springs Water and Pool
The Access Fund
Rocky Mountain Conservancy (RMC)
City of Boulder Mountain Parks and Open Space
Boulder County Parks and Open Space
Eldorado Springs and Kneale Subdivision Homeowners Association
Rocky Mountain Fire Authority
Challenges we face
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Award-winning junior ranger program
Trout fishing and mountain biking
Universally accessible education/naturalist programs
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MountainProject.com
Mile High Youth Corps
Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, Inc.
Denver Water Board
Colorado State Forest Service
Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and Community
Corrections
Colorado Department of Health and
Environment
Wildland Restoration Volunteers
Teens, Inc.
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The park is continually seeing record high visitation.
Eldorado Canyon reaches capacity on weekends and
holidays year-round, especially between March and
November. Such intensive use of the “Inner Canyon”
affects the natural resources and visitor experiences.
Insufficient staffing levels, due to budget cuts, are
leading to undue strains on personnel tasked with
managing the high volume of visitation.
Wildfire mitigation work in the Inner Canyon and
Crescent Meadow areas continues with help from
Colorado State Forest Service and other agencies.
Volunteer activities
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Eldorado offers a volunteer program, including raptor monitoring, trail crew work, naturalist assistance,
maintenance assistance and visitor services.
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The Action Committee for Eldorado provides voluntary, fixed climbing hardware maintenance and
does extensive fundraising for climbing access trail
maintenance.
1Source: Corona Research, Colorado State Parks Marketing Assessment, “Visitor Spending Analysis 2008-2009” (adjusted for inflation).
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 (303) 297-1192 cpw.state.co.us
KEN PAPALEO//HIGH COUNTRY COLORING/CPW
Visitors to Eldorado Canyon State Park spend about $6.9 million annually in local communities.1
9 Kneale Road, PO Box B, Eldorado Springs, CO, 80025
(303) 494-3943 • Email: eldorado.park@state.co.us
Park Manager: John Carson
As of June 30, 2017
Manager’s Message
Eldorado Canyon State Park offers many different activities, including over 1,000 rock climbing routes, miles of trails
for hiking, sightseeing, interpretive programs, picnicking, fishing and hunting (in the Crescent Meadows section of
the park). The geology of the inner canyon of the park creates spectacular views and climbing opportunities that
draws people from around the world. While the inner canyon is less than 10 miles from Boulder and about 30 miles
from Denver, it creates a unique feeling of seclusion and ruggedness common to the Colorado Rockies. It is
recommended that weekend and holiday users visit Eldorado Canyon early in the mornings, later in the day or on
weekdays if pos-sible to avoid the crowds. By working with partnerships that have been formed over many years,
Eldorado Canyon staff will continue to provide many safe and enjoyable recreational opportunities for park visitors
while keeping the canyon from being “loved to death.”
Employees
Permanent: 4
Temporary: 8
Volunteers: 556
Volunteer Hours: 3,235
Geography
Region: Northeast
County: Boulder and Jefferson
Year Acquired: 1978
Elevation: 6,000 ft
Miles From Denver: 30
Trails
Biking: 10.8 miles
Hiking: 17.1 miles
Horseback: 11.3 miles
Cross Country Skiing/
Snowshoeing: 14.5 miles
Total: 17.1 miles
Annual Visitation
384,303
Acreage
Total Acres: 1,393
Roads
Unpaved: 1 mile
Facilities
10 Picnic Sites
Visitor Center
Governmental
US Cong Dist: 2nd
CO Senate: 16th and 18th
CO House: 13th and 25th
Recreation
Fishing
Hunting
Ranger/Nature Programs
Rock Climbing
Wildlife/Bird Viewing
Walden
Fort
Collins
Craig Hayden
Steamboat
Springs
Sterling
Estes Loveland
Park
Greeley
Oak Creek
Fort Brush
Morgan
Meeker
Kremmling
Eldorado
Canyon
Wray
Brighton
Denver
Golden
Avon Vail
Glenwood
Springs
Breckenridge
Collbran
Fruita
Aspen
Leadville
Castle
Rock
Limon
Burlington
Fairplay
Grand Junction
Delta
Paonia
Hotchkiss
Buena
Vista
Crawford
Colorado Springs
Kit Carson
COLORADO
PA R K S
&
WILDLIFE
Your Guide to
Colorado’s 41
State Parks
2018 Edition
cpw.state.co.us
CAMPING RESERVATIONS • 1-800-244-5613 • cpw.state.co.us
i
Welcome to Your State Parks!
Wherever you go in Colorado, there’s
Cheyenne Mountain
a state park waiting to welcome
State Park
you. Mountains or prairies, rivers or
forests, out in the country or next to
the city… Colorado’s 41 state parks are
as diverse as the state itself, and they
offer something for everyone. Take a
hair-raising whitewater river trip, or
kick back in a lawn chair and watch
the sunset. Enjoy a family picnic, cast
a line in the water, take a hike, ride a
horse, try snowshoeing or discover
geocaching. From Eastern Plains
parks at 3,800 feet to high-mountain
parks at 9,500, the network of state
parks offers a wealth of activities
for busy people of all ages, or the
chance to do nothing at all. You can play on land or on water. On
a high peak or on the prairie. In the country or the city. In spring,
summer, winter or fall.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
State parks are great places for families. There are plenty of
activities for families to enjoy together such as boating, hiking or
picnicking, as well as organized nature walks, talks and events.
Junior Ranger programs, activity backpacks, kid-friendly hikes
and fishing ponds for kids are among the many offerings for
youth. From toddler to teen and adult to senior, every family
member can enjoy their activity of choice, then come together to
share a meal and stories around the campfire.
Whether you’re an active
outdoor recreationist
or prefer to spend time
watching clouds go by,
you’ll enjoy the special
moments waiting for you
in the state parks.
Rifle Gap State Park
Cover photos:
Large photo: State Forest State Park; lower left: Pearl Lake State Park; lower center: Elkhead State Park;
lower right: Lory State Park
Plan Your Visit
Colorado’s state parks are open every day of the year, weather
permitting. Day-use areas are generally open from 5 a.m. to
10 p.m., and some parks may have closed gates after hours.
Campgrounds are open 24 hours a day. Contact individual
parks for hours of operation. Check our website for seasonal or
maintenance closures: cpw.state.co.us
Entrance Passes
All Colorado state parks charge an entrance fee. Cost of a daily
pass may vary by park ($7–$9). A pass covers all occupants of a
vehicle and is valid until noon the day after purchase. Some parks
may charge a per-person fee for cyclists and walk-ins. Fees are used
to help pay operating costs. Cherry Creek State Park charges an
additional fee for the Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority.
Annual Pass
Who doesn’t love a deal? And the state parks annual pass is a
great one. For just one low price, the annual pass lets you enjoy
all 41 state parks for unlimited visits for 12 months from date of
purchase. That’s all the parks. That’s
unlimited times. The annual pass
pays for itself in as few as 10 visits.
If you’re a Colorado resident who’s
64 years or older, there’s even a
further discounted Aspen Leaf
annual pass. There are also passes
for disabled and income-eligible
residents. For details and to purchase a pass,
visit a Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) office, state park or buy
online: cpw.state.co.us
Extend Your Stay
Make more of your state park visit
by staying overnight. Bring your
tent or RV, spend a cozy night in a
cabin, camp in a tipi or discover a
comfortable, year-round alternative
State Forest State Park
to traditional camping with a yurt.
All together, the state parks have
more than 4,000 campsites and 58 cabins and yurts. Almost 300
campsites are ADA accessible. Many parks offer campsites or cabins
for large groups. Heated cabins and yurts make a park getaway
suitable any season of the year.
Camping Reservations
Summer weekends fill up quickly so advance reservations for
overnight stays are recommended. Reservations can be made six
months to three days ahead of arrival.
Reserve online: cpw.state.co.us
Toll Free: 1-800-244-5613
A nonrefundable reservation fee applies to bookings, and visitors
must purchase a daily or annual entrance pass in addition to
paying camping and reservation fees. Unreserved sites are
available on a first-come, first-served basis.
1
What Can I Do There?
Colorado’s state parks are places to have fun, get away, recreate and
re-create. Here are some park activities to help you do that:
Fishing
Top-notch fishing awaits anglers in 37 state parks across Colorado.
Think Gold Medal Waters and trophy fish. A valid fishing license
is required for all anglers 16 years and older. Licenses and our
annual Colorado Fishing regulations brochure are available online,
at most parks and at CPW authorized sales agents.
Water Sports
Many state parks are built around a lake or
Crawford
waterway, which means boating and other water
State Park
sports are among the headliners. Larger parks
offer boat rentals and full-service marinas. Any
boat with a motor or sail operated in Col