Eldorado Canyon State Park
Also known as Eldo
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- $10 per dayAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- Required
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- cpw.state.co.us303-494-3943
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In Boulder County, about 7 miles south of Boulder, Eldorado Canyon State Park covers about 1,367 acres.
The park supports rock climbing, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, winter sports, and hunting in season.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | sunrise – sunset | — |
| Daily | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — | |
| Visitor center | Daily | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Timed entry reservations needed Saturdays, Sundays and summer holidays May 1 through October 1.
Park: Daily, sunrise to sunset Visitor Center: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed on Thursdays.
The Eldorado Canyon Visitor Center is located 1 mile west of the park entrance on the west side of the park.
Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Licenses and registrations will not be available for purchase on weekends or holidays from May 1 to October 1 annually.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Denver).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $10 · day |
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $15 · day |
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $4 · day |
Official wording
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10-$15 Individual Daily Pass: $4
Colorado park passes
- Keep Colorado Wild Pass — $29. Annual vehicle entry for Colorado residents, bought with DMV vehicle registration Details
- Individual Annual Pass — $29. Non-vehicle entry (foot, bike, horse) for passholder plus three accompanying visitors; resident or nonresident Details
- Family Annual Pass (hang tag) — $120. One household; transferable between vehicles Details
- Annual Affixed Vehicle Parks Pass — $80. One vehicle; resident or nonresident Details
- Aspen Leaf Pass — $70. Colorado residents 64+, vehicle registered in Colorado; $3/night camping discount Sun–Thu Details
From the Colorado state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- Required
- Booking system
- CPWshop (Aspira/Brandt reservation platform)
- Phone
- 1-800-244-5613
• A Timed Entry Reservation - Visitors must make a reservation in advance through CPWShop.com.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed
Animals permitted: Leashed Dogs, Service Animals, Horses
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Things to do
BikingWinter sportsCross-country skiingFishingHikingHorseback ridingHuntingPicnickingRock climbing
Trails
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. Easy Trails Fowler Trail 0.90 miles one way, non-paved Hiking ADA accessible Dog friendly Streamside Trail 0.5 miles one way, non-paved Hiking ADA accessible first 300 feet of trail Dog friendly Crescent Meadows Trail 2.5 miles one way, non-paved Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding Dog friendly Moderate Trails Rattlesnake Gulch Trail 3.6 miles, non-paved Hiking and mountain biking Dog friendly Eldorado Canyon Trail 3.5 miles one-way, non-paved Hiking and horseback riding Dog friendly Trail Closures Closures There are no closures at this time. Trail Map
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Picnic areas
- Visitor center
- Park or camp store
Recreation
- Horse trails
Accessibility
- Accessible restrooms
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
- Accessible restrooms
• Select an available entry time window. Same-day reservations are at the bottom of the grid. (note: ADA refers to customers with a disabled placard or license plate) • Select an available entry time window (note: ADA refers to customers with a disabled placard or license plate). Same-day reservations are listed at the bottom of the grid. Select “Book Now.” 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. ADA accessible first 300 feet of trail Accessible facilities listed: Accessible Restrooms
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 9 Kneale Road
Eldorado Springs, CO 80025 - Nearest town
- Boulder — about 7 mi south (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 39.9306, -105.2946
- Phone
- 303-494-3943
- eldorado.park@state.co.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
GPS Directions Eldorado Canyon is located at 9 Kneale Rd, Eldorado Springs, CO 80025. Eldorado Canyon State Park is about thirty miles from Denver. Take I-25 north to State Highway 36, then go west toward Boulder. Exit at Louisville-Superior (you will also see signs for Eldorado Springs and Highway 170) and turn south (left) at the light. Follow signs to Eldorado Springs/Highway 170, turning right on Marshall Road/Highway 170. You will turn into the Superior Marketplace, as Highway 170 travels around the marketplace and eventually leads you 7.4 miles to Eldorado Canyon. Highway 170 deadends at the town of Eldorado Springs, and the road continues as a dirt road. The park is located at the end of the dirt road on the left. Inner Canyon For the inner canyon location, do not enter Eldorado Canyon State Park into your mapping app, it could route you to Crescent Meadows. Instead enter: 9 Kneale Road, Eldorado Springs CO 80025. Cresent Meadows For our Crescent Meadows location enter Crescent Meadows Trailhead into the mapping app.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Colorado State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Sep 24, 2026
- CPW website Drupal JSON:API, node type state_park (43 published nodes; same store that renders /state-parks/{slug})
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
- Photo: Eldorado Canyon.JPG — Public domain (released by the author), OMCV
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology