The City of Golden offers 253 acres of developed parkland as well as 377 acres of open space. The City parks offer a wide range of recreation, including playgrounds, tennis, horse shoe pits, skate boarding, inline hockey, dog parks, archery, fishing, sand volleyball, and kayaking.
Golden is also surrounded by nearly 8,000 acres of regional open space.
Visit the Parks page for details about the parks and the facilities they each offer.
The City and County of Denver maintain a herd of “buffalo” which are descendants of wild bison found in Yellowstone National Park in 1914. A tunnel under the highway connects the two parts of their pasture, so they may not be immediately visible. The Overlook is worth a visit in any case because it is beautiful, with breathtaking views of the Continental Divide.
Address: I-70 West, exit 254 (Genesee Park)
Distance from Downtown: 10.3 miles
Drive Time: 18 minutes
Mountain BikingThe most popular place for mountain biking is Apex Park. Apex is part of the Jefferson County Open Space system, and is adjacent to Golden. Mountain biking is allowed on odd-numbered dates.
The City of Golden maintains a Bike Park with features designed to test all skill levels.
Address: 4471 Salvia (Tony Grampsas Memorial Sports Complex)
Distance from Downtown: 2.4 miles
Drive Time: 5 minutes
Kayaking/Stand Up Paddling/TubingHow many city parks offering kayaking? The Clear Creek Whitewater Park is a hot spot for kayaking and stand up padding in spring and summer, and popular for tubing late summer/early fall, when the water levels go down and the flow is calmer.
Address: 1201 10th St.
Distance from Downtown: 0.1 miles
Drive Time: 2 minutes
FishingClear Creek is a popular and convenient spot for fishing. Trout Unlimited did some work on the area west of the Whitewater Park, and set up good trout habitat. Lions and Vanover parks both offer creek access.
Address: 10th & Maple (and west from there)
Distance from Downtown: 0.2 miles
Drive Time: 3 minutes
GolfFossil Trace Golf Club has won course design awards and offers breath-taking scenery. The club house offers a good bar and restaurant as well as a pro shop.
Address: 3050 Illinois Street
Distance from Downtown: 3.1 miles
Drive Time: 10 minutes
Phone: 303-277-8750
Website: www.fossiltrace.com
Farmers MarketThe Farmers Market runs on Saturday mornings from June through the first weekend in October, just north of Clear Creek at Illinois Street. You can buy locally prepared food, produce and meat, so come for breakfast, stay for lunch, and watch the kayakers in Clear Creek.
Location: 10th & Illinois Streets – Downtown
Phone: 303-279-3113
Website: www.goldenfarmersmarket.org
The Clear Creek History Park gives a glimpse of mountain homestead life. Comprised of nearly a dozen historic structures relocated from a ranch in Golden Gate Canyon, the three-acre history park is situated picturesquely on the south bank of Clear Creek. Today, visitors can explore the historic structures, visit with the heirloom breed chickens, and enjoy historic demonstrations during special events. A number of Golden-area residents attended school in the one room Guy Hill School House. The Reynolds cabin, root cellar, blacksmith shop, and chicken coops are all relics of pioneer times. The Park is free and open to the public. During the summer, professional interpreters are on site to offer fun and engaging activities.
Address: 11th Street and Cheyenne
Website: www.goldenhistory.org/visit/cchp
Phone: 303-278-3557
Heritage Square Amusement Park
Heritage Square activities include go kart tracks, bumper and paddle boats, miniature golf, amusement rides, ponies, and fishing. They also have a maze, jumping castles, and bungee jumping.
Address: 18301 W. Colfax Avenue
Distance from Downtown: 3.4 miles
Drive Time: 8 minutes
Phone: 303-277-0040
Website: www.heritagesquare.info
Hiking/Walking/RunningGolden offers many hiking options, from the flat, paved walkways along Clear Creek to the ascents of North and South Table Mountain. The City proper has more than 20 miles of interconnected trails. It is also surrounded by thousands of acres of Open Space, which is public land and open for hiking. Check the Trails Page to see some of the most popular routes in and around Golden.
Several of the city parks offer walking loops: Beverly Heights, Tony Grampsas, Rooney Road, New Loveland Mine
If you’re looking for some running buddies, check out the Front Range Running & Cycling Club. We also have a group of people who get together to walk, several times a week. You can join any of these walks through the Golden Walks Meet-Up site.
Jeffco FairgroundsThe County Fairgrounds hosts equestrian events year-round, including several rodeos. A youth organization called the Westernaires practices there every Saturday as well as summer evenings. The group includes 1000 youth participants and is well worth seeing!
Address: 15200 W. 6th Ave.
Distance from Downtown: 5 miles
Drive Time: 15 minutes
Phone: 303-271-6600
Website: www.co.jefferson.co.us/fair
Lookout Mountain Nature CenterThe Lookout Mountain Nature Center and Preserve is sited on a 110-acre property that includes several nature trails.
Address: 910 Colorow Road
Distance from Downtown: 7.1 miles
Drive Time: 16 minutes
Phone: 720-497-7600
Website: lmnc.jeffco.us
Horseback RidingPine Cliff Stables offers horseback rides that give you scenic views without having to travel far into the Rockies. Located north of Golden.
Address: 21517 W. 56th Ave.
Distance from Downtown: 4.3 miles
Drive Time: 12 minutes
Phone: 303-279-1221.