VISIT CLEAR CREEK SAFELY

Clear Creek runs through the heart of Golden, offering scenic beauty, recreation, and a valuable natural resource. Visitors and residents enjoy cycling, walking, and water sports along Clear Creek. Golden strives to provide an enjoyable and safe experience for all. Please practice responsible tourism to protect this amazing resource and ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience.

Clear Creek is not a “lazy river” float! It is a naturally flowing creek with objects and hazards that can change without warning. There is an inherent risk to any whitewater sport, including tubing.

If you're looking to rent/purchase water sports equipment, we encourage you to use a local outfitting company listed below.

Current Status: No Flag - Use Caution

No Flag: We begin tracking flag status in June, often with red when the water is high. Please use caution if you plan on tubing before the creek season officially starts (usually in late June or early July when the flag is green).

Creek Safety Status Information

Look for colored flags along Clear Creek that correspond to the safety levels on the Creek Warning Flags sign.

Double-Red Flag: Closure – Clear Creek is closed to all users. This is a combination of high flows and other unsafe conditions, such as low temperature or debris in the water, that makes Clear Creek unsafe for all uses.
Red Flag: High Flow – Clear Creek is closed for swimming and tubing. Only experienced kayakers and other vessels should be on the creek. Users should wear protective gear and be able to rescue themselves in the water. High caution should be used in the water.
Yellow Flag: Moderate to High Flows – Considered unsafe for children under 18. Clear Creek is open to all uses. Please exercise heightened caution while in the creek.
Green Flag: Moderate Flows – Clear Creek is open to all users. Always use caution.

Creek warning flags indicate safety of creek for recreators, from red flags, which closes the creek, to yellow (use caution), and green (creek is open, flows are moderate, use caution).

Clear Creek Rules and regulations

Clear Creek Corridor Rules & Regulations

Getting in the Creek:

Water conditions vary. Please use lifejackets and water safety gear.
If you plan to tube in the creek, watch the safety video below.
Use designated Creek access points.
Establish a safety plan and a meeting place with your party, in the event of separation.
You MUST exit the water no later than at Vanover Park.

Being in the Corridor:

Keep dogs on a leash.
Keep the air clean - no smoking or vaping.
Keep the area safe and clean - no glass OR alcohol.
Keep trash in a can, no single-use plastics in the creek and pick up your trash and recycle.
Charcoal grill fires are prohibited. Use of a portable propane camp stove is permitted if the stove's propane tank has a capacity of two pounds or less.

Using the Path:

Pedestrians and tubers should use the trail on the NORTH side of Clear Creek.
Faster traffic, particularly cyclists, should use the SOUTH side of the creek trail.
Keep trail traffic moving. Travel single file and avoid stopping to congregate.
Cyclists must go 8 mph or less on the North side of the trail, give an audible signal and slow down to a walking pace when passing pedestrians.
Pick up your trash and recycle

Read more about the rules and regulations that apply to using any of our many beautiful parks on our Park Rules page.

"Creek Responsibly"

Creek users may be asked to put a tag on their tube. Local creek outfitters (Adventure West and Golden River Sports) already have tags inside their tubes. These activate sensors at creek entry points and count how many people are tubing on the creek. The City is using this information to better understand visitation patterns as they look for ways to improve the experience of all creek corridor users including pedestrians, cyclists, tubers, and kayakers. Thank you for participating and making the creek experience better for everyone!

Need Help?

Creek Ambassadors – Clear Creek Ambassadors are City of Golden employees who are stationed along the creek each weekend to provide information and direction to creek users. Ambassadors can be found at the Clear Creek Parking Lot, by the beach, and at the west end of the Golden RV Park—just look for the stations and uniforms. The Clear Creek Ambassadors have information on how to access the creek, how to get to where you want to go in Golden, and how to make the most of your day in town!

Report a Concern

To report any concerns about trail maintenance or park issues, or to give feedback about your experience on the Creek in Golden, please call 303-384-8074 or email Creek@CityofGolden.net. To report criminal, or non-emergency issues please contact the Golden Police department at 303-980-7300. For emergencies, dial 911.

Parking

FREE parking is available in the Clear Creek Parking Lot, located at 304 10th St. The Clear Creek Parking Lot is very close to Vanover Park, where tubers and kayakers MUST exit the water. Other parking is available in the parking garages located on Jackson Street, between 11th and 13th Streets.

Parking west of Washington Avenue along 10^th St. in Golden and in the neighboring community requires a permit or payment through ParkGoldenCO.com online or at a payment station. It costs $10 to park for the day. Parking fines range from $50 - $200; please ensure you are parked legally.

The Golden Community Center Parking Lot is reserved only for Community Center visitors and will be enforced. The parking lot west of the Lions Park ballfields on 10^th Street is limited to ADA parking and as a drop-off and pick-up lane for Creek and park users.

If you’d like to park upstream from the City of Golden in Jefferson County, Jefferson County Open Space has a free lot at the Gateway Trailhead west of Highway 6.

FREE PARKING OPTIONS

Public Shuttles

A tubing shuttle, operated by Adventure West (one of the tubing outfitter companies), is available most weekends. Pick-up is located near the Clear Creek Parking Lot and drop-off is at the Gateway Trailhead. A ticket, valid for two trips on the shuttle, is available for purchase. For more information, visit adventurewestco.com.
The “Ore Cart” is a FREE shuttle that runs downtown. While tubes are not allowed, the Gold Route of the “Ore Cart” shuttle service is a great option for shopping and dining in downtown Golden after a day of fun on Clear Creek.

Water Sport Guides & Outfitters

Golden River Sports

806 Washington Avenue
(303) 215-9386

Golden River Sports is a locally owned and operated shop that offers fly fishing, kayaking, SUP, tubing, and ripping gear and rentals. Located in historic downtown Golden, it is near the Clear Creek Whitewater "Playpark" Course and the "Golden Mile" fishing habitat. We are…

Adventure West River Tube & E Bike Rentals

423 10th Street
(720) 722-1645

Rent a commercial grade river tube with life jacket for all-day whitewater tubing on the Clear Creek. Cool off on a hot summer day! Check out whitewater tubing in Golden on Clear Creek for an exciting ride through rapids. Golden opens for adults only who are decent swimmers and…

Golden Goods

1201 & 1205 Washington Avenue
(303) 216-2123

Golden Goods, Inc. is a well-stocked toy and candy store for all ages. Our inventory includes not only the hottest toys on the market but also candy (retro, traditional), snacks (sweet, savory or healthy), ice cream, and souvenirs. We also carry Golden, Colorado or Coors-themed…

Golden Fly Shop

710 Golden Ridge Road #126
(303) 330-1292

Golden Fly is a premiere fly shop with the biggest names in fly fishing! They carry top name brands like Patagonia, Fishpond, G. Loomis, Hatch, Yeti, and many more. They offer local guided trips as well as hosted trips around the world. Follow them on Instagram or Facebook for…

Nyce Kayaks

1926 Sage Drive
(303) 505-4442

INQUIRE ABOUT OUR FREE LOCAL KAYAK DEMO PROGRAM OR MULTI-DAY RENTALS! From the beginning, our mission has been to challenge the cookie-cutter inflatable kayak (IK) offered by leading brands in the rafting industry. IKs on the market simply feel like an accessory for raft owners…

What to Wear

Swimsuit or wetsuit depending on the water temperature
Water shoes or sandals with sturdy soles for protection against rocks
Quick-drying clothing (e.g., moisture-wicking shirts, shorts, or pants)
Sunscreen with high SPF
Sun-protective hat and sunglasses
Waterproof and adjustable life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD)
Helmet for certain river activities such as whitewater rafting, kayaking or tubing
Waterproof and secure dry bag to keep personal items dry
Neoprene gloves for additional hand protection
Layered clothing for cooler weather or early mornings
Lightweight rain jacket or waterproof outerwear in case of rain or splashes

Remember to always check the specific requirements and recommendations for the river sports you're planning to engage in and adjust your attire accordingly. Safety should be a top priority, so it's essential to wear appropriate gear for the specific activity and conditions.