Outdoors

Outdoor fun in Golden, CO, is endless for thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike. Whether you’re journeying on a weekend-long hiking adventure or kicking up dirt behind you on a day biking excursion, there are so many sights to see and memories to make with family and friends. 

Get Outside Any Time of Year

Enjoy stunning views and fun activities year-round at our city and state parks. 

Bike up trails for sweeping vistas of springtime wildflowers, catch local fish in the summer, or hike through fiery yellow forests in the autumn, and maybe spot a bald eagle or a moose in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. 

When it snows, don’t hole up inside. Instead, embrace the thrill of the outdoors during the best season for winter sports — give snowshoeing, fat tire biking, or even ice climbing a try at area parks. 

Surrounded by picturesque foothills, challenging trails, and plenty of open-air adventures, it’s no wonder downtown Golden is packed full of shops selling outdoor gear. Whether you’re heading out for a day or several of fishing, snowshoeing, or kayaking, you can get everything you need right in town.

Trailblaze Your Own Adventure 

Grab your friends and hike or bike your way up and down the scenic trails of North Table Mountain, where you’ll be far above the busy world below. Don’t be surprised if you catch a glimpse of an elk or two along the way and stunning wildflowers if you explore the mesa in the spring or early summer.

Golden trails aren’t just for hiking shoes and bike tires. Horseback riding through the scenic outdoors offers a Western experience that can make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time.

And, if you’re tired of keeping things too flat, why not think vertically and head out for some rock climbing or bouldering?

Here, there’s no adventure too big for those who love the outdoors.

Revel in the Local Watering Hole

Splash your way through eddies, pools, and wave drops just a few minutes from downtown Golden at Clear Creek Trail & Water Park. The local watering hole is a prime spot for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding, as well as fishing, one of our most beloved pastimes. Feel the flow of the river against your waders as you sweep your fly line over the tumbling waters of Clear Creek.

On land, explore the Clear Creek Trail, a two-mile paved loop perfect for avid hikers and families with little ones.  

Leave Busy Behind

Take a day to escape it all with a round of golf at Fossil Trace Golf Club and tee off to stunning views of the foothills.

You can easily fill a day trip here with outdoor adventures like golf, biking, and hiking, but if you’d like to stay longer, relax and reconnect with nature on a camping trip. Delight in the quiet at our walk-in-only backcountry camping sites, one of the many lodging options in Golden, and enjoy outdoor activities. At night, share stories by the campfire before cozying up in your guesthouse, cabin, or yurt.

If there’s any activity that’s new to you or you want to challenge yourself with the help of a professional, Golden has plenty of guides and excursions to choose from. And for those who love the adventure of an outdoor treasure hunt, Golden has some of the best geocaching opportunities in Colorado.

Hiking and Rock Climbing

Hiking in Golden is all about the views—mesas, wildlife, mountains, flowers, and more! With trails of various lengths, inclines, and terrains, there’s something for hikers of all abilities, and rock climbers will also find lots of opportunities to hit the crag. There’s North Table Mountain Park, with over 15 miles of hiking trails, beginner-level trad opportunities, and more advanced sports climbing routes. Clear Creek Canyon Park is another favorite rock climbing destination, Lookout Mountain offers hikers some of the best panoramas in the area, and Golden Gate Canyon State Park has everything from short, family-friendly trails to a challenging hike up to Windy Peak. 

Golf in Golden

If you’re looking for a scenic round of golf with the added excitement of altitude, Fossil Trace Golf Club in Golden, CO, is a must-visit. This unique course offers a blend of lush, rolling fairways and challenging bunkers, set against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. What sets Fossil Trace apart are the prehistoric dinosaur fossils and footprints you’ll encounter, adding a touch of ancient history to your game. The course, designed by Jim Engh, features undulating greens inspired by Ireland’s links-style courses and includes a well-equipped pro shop and practice range to perfect your swing 

Kayaking & Paddle Boarding

Kayaking and paddleboarding are classic Golden activities. Discover why when you rent a kayak or paddleboard from one of the adventure outfitters downtown. Clear Creek is an ideal place to get your footing, with a “beginner” stretch of the creek as well as class V rapids further along for experienced paddlers. You can even book a guided tour for the ultimate whitewater adventure, or head up to one of the lakes or reservoirs in the foothills to spend a day on the water. 

Camping & Horseback Riding

Explore the great outdoors by horseback riding and camping near Golden. One of the best locations for both activities is Golden Canyon State Park, where you’ll find over 130 campsites, plus yurts and cabins for those who want the camping experience without sleeping on the ground. With a number of trails that range from dirt paths through the forest to steep trails on more rugged terrain, there are also plenty of opportunities for horseback riding in Golden Canyon State Park. Bring your own horse, or opt for a guided ride. 

Fishing

Golden is a premier fishing destination in Colorado, with a number of creeks, lakes, and reservoirs ideal for fly fishing and spin casting alike. Clear Creek is accessible from downtown Golden, offering over 20 miles of award-winning trout fishing. Catch trout of up to 18 inches in Clear Creek and Bear Creek, or drive a little further outside of town, where catfish, bass, and walleye await in reservoirs and lakes. Stop by Golden Fly Shop and Golden River Sports, both of which offer fly fishing gear and guided fly fishing trips

Whether it’s for a day, overnight, or a weekend, come to Golden and share the love of the outdoors with us.