The sandstone cliffs of Eldorado Canyon rise sharply from the meadows near downtown Boulder, Colo. As you enter Eldorado Canyon State Park, the road is immediately closed in on as it winds through the narrow gorge sliced by South Boulder Creek.
The tall, steep canyon walls draw hikers, rock climbers and picnickers. For a less active way to enjoy the scenery, simply bring your lunch and sit beside the creek, watching as climbers take to the more than 500 routes up the canyon walls. The walls are so huge it can be hard to spot the climbers, tiny in comparison, but once you do it’s impossible to look away.
Alternatively, you can hike on several trails in the park. Among the best is Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, about 3.5 miles total. This is a moderate trail that climbs through the canyon, offering views back toward Boulder. And you’ll pass the ruins of the Crags Hotel, which burned to the ground in 1913 and was never rebuilt.
Other trails range in difficulty and length, so it’s easy to find one that suits your fitness level, time and interests. Mountain bikes and horses are allowed on designated trails, too.
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