Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Golden Gate is very nice but Mueller is hand downs the best close to a major metro area. Drive south to Colorado Springs and then west past Woodland Park to Mueller State Park. Facilities are better some of the best in the nation and the hiking and scenery is fantastic. Whether you are just hanging with the family or a rugged outdoorsman, from MUeller you have access to very easy trails or pretty hard core trails that will take you all the way up to Pike's Peak. Only issue is you must make reservations well ahead of time. more

There are many other camping areas in Colorado that I would rather go to than Golden Gate Canyon State Park. Rocky Mountain National Park has great camping areas with amazing hikes. There are Federal Campgrounds such as Guenella Pass that I would rather go to. I enjoy Golden Gate Canyon State Park for day hikes mainly because I don't have to worry about mountain bikes running my family off the trail which is a problem in some of the open spaces in the metro area. It is nice and close to Denver/Golden but I would rather camp elsewhere. more

This is a wonderful park close to Denver with great facilities. I love the varity of hiking trials. However in recent years it's popularity has cause it to become over-crowded. It's better if you go during the week. If you go on the weekend to get away from it all, ""it all"" follows you there. Pros: beautiful, hiking trails, facilities more

A Top US Park? This park is pretty pathetic for a top listing besides good places, close to Denver! It's actually a nice park close to the Denver metro area. If you've never been then you should go. Nice place for a picnic and the fishing isn't bad either Pros: Good fishing, Good Location, Not Bad Day Hikes Cons: Crowded, Fish are small, Heavy pressure more

If you have a no time this place is agreat place to log on miles. Most of the trails are open to Horses, Bikes, and Hiking. It is not as crowded as some of the other front range rec area's. Most of the trail's can be done in loop's for a great walk are run. Check it out you mite like it as much as I do. Pros: Trails, Fishing, Shelters on trail Cons: Week-ends more

For those who are looking for a non-primitive set-up, convenient access to commercial/cultural/entertainment/gambling amenities (Golden, Boulder and Blackhawk-Central City are less than half-hours drive-time, and Denver is about three-quarters an hour), and wanting to relax in the outdoors, this is an excellent choice. As stated by others, if you are a hard-core wilderness warrior, as I was when living in the vicinity, there are many, many venues more suitable. Some, such as Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, are within an hours drive of Golden Gate which allows for a magnificent day trip. If said warrior, with family in-tow, wanted to go Gonzo, he could leave the brood at base-camp Golden Gate (or not depending on age, physicality and affinity), strike out at 4:30 AM, drive a little over an hour to trek up Long's Peak, the highest non-technical hike, at well over 14,000 feet, in the United States. Pros: close to amenities, modern facilities, easy access to all Cons: close to amenities, modern facilities, easy access to all more

The fishing at the ponds, like Dude's Hole, is outstanding. The camp sites are clean and easy to access. You can hike all day, and then just crash in one of the back country shelters. BUT..... This place is always crowded on weekends, and holiday weekends are the worst. You have to make reservations to get a camp site unless you camp during the week. Check out the over look as well, fantastic view of the rockies. Pros: inexpensive, clean, secluded camping Cons: crowded more