Eldorado Canyon Trail

Front Range • Boulder, Colorado

moderateout and back

2.8

Miles

800

Elevation Gain (ft)

2.5

Hours

6,400

High Point (ft)

Overview

Eldorado Canyon is the sandstone gorge south of Boulder where the climbing routes go up the walls, and the Eldorado Canyon Trail climbs the north side of the canyon from the Inner Canyon trailhead to an overlook above it, 1.4 miles each way with 800 feet of gain. The trail continues to Walker Ranch for a longer day, and Rattlesnake Gulch across the road leads to hotel ruins from 1908.

Trail Highlights

Golden sandstone canyon

Rock climbing area

Creek-side walking

Unique geology

The Route

From the Inner Canyon lot at the west end of the park road, the Eldorado Canyon Trail climbs north on switchbacks through pine and rock, with the canyon walls and the climbers on them across the creek. The grade is steady and the footing is good.

At about 1.4 miles the trail reaches a rocky overlook with the canyon below and the Continental Divide showing to the west on clear days, the turnaround for the 2.8-mile day at about 6,400 feet. The trail continues another 2 miles, dropping into and climbing out of a side drainage, to the Crescent Meadows area of Walker Ranch, which makes an 8-mile round trip or a one-way with a car at the ranch. Return the same way.

Getting to the Trailhead

Eldorado Canyon State Park is at the end of Colorado 170 through the town of Eldorado Springs, 8 miles south of Boulder. A Colorado State Parks pass is required, $10 to $15 per vehicle daily or an annual pass. On Saturdays, Sundays, and summer holidays from May 1 through October 1, every vehicle also needs a free timed-entry reservation from CPWshop.com, made up to 30 days ahead in two-hour windows, because the lots fill by 8 AM; there is no public parking in the town of Eldorado Springs for anyone without one. The park is open sunrise to sunset. The Inner Canyon trailhead is at the far end of the park road; the visitor center has water and toilets and is closed on Thursdays. Dogs are allowed on leash.

Best Time to Hike

The canyon sits at 5,800 to 6,400 feet and the trail is open year-round. Spring and fall are ideal; summer afternoons are hot on the south-facing switchbacks and the storms arrive by mid-afternoon. In winter the trail is usually dry between storms and icy in the shade after them. The creek runs loudest in May and June.

🌸spring

☀️summer

🍂fall

Good to Know

Dogs are allowed on leash throughout the park. The steady grade and the overlook make it a good hike for kids; the Rattlesnake Gulch trail across the road is the other family option. Carry water; the creek is below the trail. Rattlesnakes are common in the rocks in warm months. The park's climbing is world class and watching it from the overlook is part of the day. Eldorado Springs has the historic pool; Boulder is 15 minutes. The Boulder hikes page has the rest of the foothills.

Sources

Figures and access details on this page were checked against these pages on 2026-09-04. Conditions change; confirm with the managing agency before you go.

Who to call

Conditions, closures, permits, and anything left behind on Eldorado Canyon Trail.

Managed by: Eldorado Canyon State Park, Colorado Parks and Wildlife
(303) 494-3943 (Eldorado Springs, visitor center daily 9 to 4, closed Thu) · website
Lost and found, non-emergency: Boulder County Sheriff's Office
(303) 441-3629 (lost and found), non-emergency (303) 441-4444 · website
Found property goes through Property and Evidence. Items found inside Boulder city limits go to Boulder Police.
Emergency: 911. Cell coverage is patchy on most of these trails; a text to 911 can get through where a call cannot.

Numbers checked 2026-10-04. Colorado United is an independent guide, not the land manager; wallets, keys, and dogs found on the trail go to the offices above.