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Eldorado Canyon Trail

Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 3.9 (51)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Boulder
  5. Eldorado Canyon State Park
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“A scenic and fairly easy climb ending at South Boulder Creek and Walker Ranch. ”

Ben Carver
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3.1

Miles

5.0

KM

Point to Point

7,087' 2,160 m

High

6,128' 1,868 m

Low

1,057' 322 m

Up

735' 224 m

Down

11%

Avg Grade (6°)

44%

Max Grade (24°)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views

There is an $10.00 vehicle fee to enter the park.

Description

This trail starts at Eldorado Canyon State Park. Drive to the visitor's center and hike north from there.

The trail climbs steadily through several switchbacks. After an hour or so it will flatten out and then descend to South Boulder Creek. From there, you can join the Walker Ranch trail. Watch out for bikes at the trail junction.

Eldorado Canyon is very popular with hikers and rock climbers. It will be crowded on weekends. Get there early to avoid the crowds.

Contacts

Land Manager: City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks

Shared By:

Ben Carver with improvements by Catherine O.
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 51 votes

#2

in Eldorado Canyon State Park

#81

Overall
  3.9 from 51 votes
5 Star
20%
4 Star
57%
3 Star
16%
2 Star
8%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#2

in Eldorado Canyon State…

#23

in Colorado

#81

Overall
27 Views Last Month
8,788 Since Apr 13, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
2%
63%
12%
24%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Views at Eldo.
Oct 31, 2016 near Coal Creek, CO
Looking southeast towards Denver. from the Eldorado Canyon Trail Denver skyline visible through the haze in the "V" of the mountains.
Apr 13, 2015 near Coal Creek, CO
Mallory Cave
Jan 6, 2024 near Boulder, CO
Eldorado
Jan 6, 2024 near Boulder, CO
Eldorado Canyon
Jan 6, 2024 near Coal Creek, CO
South Boulder Creek
Apr 13, 2015 near Coal Creek, CO

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 1 day ago
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Check-Ins

Feb 14, 2026
Alex O'Connell
Totally dry. Climb intense first 6.2mi — 2h 15m
Aug 4, 2025
Anonymous
August 4th. sunny switchbacks, cool river. kinda steep. timed entry and ticket entry. 7mi
Sep 27, 2023
Cory K
just across the bridge to whales tail and behind 1mi
Aug 22, 2023
Cory K
ticking bc the climbers trail to wind tower and whales tail is not listed. scrambled up behind whales tale and traversed the backside jugs
Jul 24, 2022
Michael X
6.8mi — 2h 39m
Jul 16, 2022
Gina G
May 14, 2022
Sam W
Apr 2, 2022
Dan Shanley
Difficult. Small "waterfalls". Knees hurt on way back. Luckily no mountain lions. 6.2mi — 4h 10m

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