Located an easy drive from our Highlands Ranch apartments, Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers a unique 12,000-acre destination, featuring a dense forest, rocky peaks, and aspen-rimmed meadows.
Highlights include:
Fishing
Fishing is one of the park’s most popular activities. Anglers can cast a line in any of the streams or ponds, except for the Visitor Center’s Show Pond. Fish species include brook trout, brown trout, and arctic grayling.
Nature
With dozens of animals, the park makes a great spot for wildlife photography. Among the larger animals, you’ll find moose, mule deer, and bighorn sheep. Small ones include weasels, marmots, porcupines, and an array of birds.
Trails
Golden Gate offers over 35 miles of trails. Each is named after an animal and marked with the animal’s footprint. Check out:
Buffalo Trail
Stretching 2.4 miles round-trip, the Buffalo Trail meanders past aspen groves and historic buildings. It intersects with the Mountain Lion Trail and ends overlooking the Forgotten Valley.
Snowshoe Hare Trail
Snowshoe Hare marks a more challenging trail. The path winds past Dude’s Fishing Hole, and hikers can extend their adventure by connecting to the Mule Deer Trail and following it to Panorama Point.
Horseshoe Trail
Well shaded, the Horseshoe Trail is bordered by seasonal streams. It passes through aspen groves, and the landscape features wildflowers during the spring and summer months
The Golden Gate Canyon State Park represents just one of the premier attractions near our apartments in Highlands Ranch. If you want a new place to call home, then please contact us. Our leasing staff would love to give you a tour.