Eldorado Canyon State Park
Encyclopedia
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 365 days a year. Except for on Colorado Day when all state parks are free across Colorado.
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 ago. 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 town of Eldorado Springs was established and was 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.
The town also received considerable attention between 1906–1949 when Ivy Baldwin performed tight rope acts across the canyon 580 feet (176.8 m) in mid-air. 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.
. Eldorado Canyon offers over 500 technical rock climbing routes luring climbers from around the world to challenge their skills on “Eldo’s” sheer, golden cliffs. The beauty of this canyon also engages the non-climber. Hike or mountain bike 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. Enjoy a picnic by or fish in scenic South Boulder Creek. In the winter, Eldorado offers hiking and limited cross-country skiing
and snowshoeing (depending on snow conditions).
on State Highway 170
. To the west of Eldorado State Park is the Roosevelt National Forest
and Colorado's Front Range. East of the site you'll find the heavily populated areas of Boulder and Denver
on the High Plains
.
Boulder County, Colorado
Boulder County is the sixth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county seat is Boulder. The most populous municipality in the county and the county seat is the City of Boulder...
near the city of Boulder
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
. 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 365 days a year. Except for on Colorado Day when all state parks are free across Colorado.
History
Ute IndiansUte Tribe
The Ute are an American Indian people now living primarily in Utah and Colorado. There are three Ute tribal reservations: Uintah-Ouray in northeastern Utah ; Southern Ute in Colorado ; and Ute Mountain which primarily lies in Colorado, but extends to Utah and New Mexico . The name of the state of...
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
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
and agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
. Eldorado Canyon is famous for its spectacular geologic history dating back billions of years ago. 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 town of Eldorado Springs was established and was known as a resort for the elite. The town offered visitors warm artesian springs
Artesian aquifer
An artesian aquifer is a confined aquifer containing groundwater under positive pressure. This causes the water level in a well to rise to a point where hydrostatic equilibrium has been reached. This type of well is called an artesian well...
and lush hotels including the Crags Hotel, the Eldorado and the Grand View. Numerous celebrities and Denver
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
residents enjoyed the beautiful getaway until a fire burned all these hotels in 1912.
The town also received considerable attention between 1906–1949 when Ivy Baldwin performed tight rope acts across the canyon 580 feet (176.8 m) in mid-air. 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.
Recreation
The biggest draw to Eldorado Canyon State Park is rock climbingRock climbing
Rock climbing also lightly called 'The Gravity Game', is a sport in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling...
. Eldorado Canyon offers over 500 technical rock climbing routes luring climbers from around the world to challenge their skills on “Eldo’s” sheer, golden cliffs. The beauty of this canyon also engages the non-climber. Hike or mountain bike 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. Enjoy a picnic by or fish in scenic South Boulder Creek. In the winter, Eldorado offers hiking and limited cross-country skiing
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
and snowshoeing (depending on snow conditions).
Geography
The park entrance lies immediately west of Eldorado SpringsEldorado Springs, Colorado
Eldorado Springs is a census-designated place in Boulder County, Colorado, United States. The population was 585 at the 2010 census. The Eldorado Springs Post Office has the ZIP Code 80025....
on State Highway 170
Colorado State Highway 170
State Highway 170 is a highway in Colorado that connects Eldorado Springs and Superior.-Route description:The road begins at the edge of Eldorado Canyon State Park at El Dorado Springs. SH 170 then heads eastward, meeting County Road 67 before passing through a rural grassy area. The route then...
. To the west of Eldorado State Park is the Roosevelt National Forest
Roosevelt National Forest
The Roosevelt National Forest is a National Forest located in north central Colorado. It is contiguous with the Colorado State Forest as well as the Arapaho National Forest...
and Colorado's Front Range. East of the site you'll find the heavily populated areas of Boulder and Denver
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
on the High Plains
High Plains (United States)
The High Plains are a subregion of the Great Plains mostly in the Western United States, but also partly in the Midwest states of Nebraska, Kansas, and South Dakota, generally encompassing the western part of the Great Plains before the region reaches the Rocky Mountains...
.
Climate
Climate conditions in Colorado should be taken seriously throughout the state. Snow and ice are common on roads and trails from mid-October through late April. In the summer months, snow is still possible but less common. Varying conditions throughout a given day can be expected throughout the year. Summer days can typically have beautiful sunny mornings and short sudden thunderstorms in the afternoon.See also
- Boulder, ColoradoBoulder, ColoradoBoulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
- Denver, ColoradoDenver, ColoradoThe City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
- Eldorado Springs, ColoradoEldorado Springs, ColoradoEldorado Springs is a census-designated place in Boulder County, Colorado, United States. The population was 585 at the 2010 census. The Eldorado Springs Post Office has the ZIP Code 80025....
- List of U.S. state parks
- List of Colorado state parks
- Rocky Mountain National ParkRocky Mountain National ParkRocky Mountain National Park is a national park located in the north-central region of the U.S. state of Colorado.It features majestic mountain views, a variety of wildlife, varied climates and environments—from wooded forests to mountain tundra—and easy access to back-country trails...
- Eldorado MountainEldorado MountainEldorado Mountain is located on the eastern edge of the Colorado Front Range. It is largely in Boulder County. But it straddles the border, and its southern flanks are located in Jefferson County...
External links
- Colorado State Parks: Eldorado Canyon (official site)