Eldorado Canyon State Park
| Eldorado Canyon State Park | |
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View from the climbers access trail to the Redgarden Wall a portion of which can be seen on the left. The Bastille sits across South Boulder Creek to the right.
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| Location | Boulder County, Colorado, USA |
| Nearest city | Boulder, CO |
| Coordinates | 39°55′50″N 105°17′30″W / 39.93056°N 105.29167°WCoordinates: 39°55′50″N 105°17′30″W / 39.93056°N 105.29167°W |
| Area | 885 acres (3.58 km2) |
| Created | 1978 |
| Operated by | Colorado State Parks |
Eldorado Canyon State Park is part of the Colorado State Park system. It is located in Boulder County near the city of Boulder. The park consists of two areas, the Inner Canyon (developed area) and Crescent Meadows (undeveloped area). The park encompasses 885 acres (3.6 km2) with a variety of recreation opportunities available. Eldorado Canyon is home to one of the world's most accessible and comprehensive rock climbing areas. This state park is open during daylight hours only, visitors are expected to leave before dusk. A fee is required for entry, except on Colorado Day (August 1) when all state parks are free.
Ute Indians were the first inhabitants into this area that is nestled against the foothills near Boulder. The Indians lived within the walls of the canyon because they provided protection from the harsh Colorado winters. Settlers soon followed in search of gold and agriculture. Eldorado Canyon is famous for its spectacular geologic history dating back billions of years. Near the park’s entrance at the visitors center, there are rocks calculated to be over 1.5 billion years old.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the community of Eldorado Springs was established and became known as a resort for the elite. The town offered visitors warm artesian springs and lush hotels, including the Crags Hotel, the Eldorado and the Grand View. Numerous celebrities and Denver residents enjoyed the beautiful getaway until a fire burned all these hotels in 1912. Crags Hotel operated from 1908 to 1912.
The town also received considerable attention between 1906 and 1949, when Ivy Baldwin performed tight rope acts across the canyon 580 feet (180 m). Like Ivy Baldwin, many visitors enjoy the spectacular views of the park from a higher perspective, but these visitors prefer rockclimbing to a tight rope.
The biggest draw to Eldorado Canyon State Park is rock climbing. Eldorado Canyon offers over 1000 technical rock climbing routes. The beauty of this canyon also engages the non-climber. Park visitors may hike or mountain bike over some of 11 miles (18 km) of picturesque trails that vary from easy to difficult and reach out to adjoining public lands outside the park. Rattlesnake Gulch Trail leads to the Crags Hotel Site and Continental Divide Overlook. Visitors may also picnic by or fish in scenic South Boulder Creek. In the winter, Eldorado offers hiking and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
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