GOLDEN GATE CANYON — Longtime Gilpin County residents are likely more than well-acquainted with Golden Gate Canyon State Park (GGCSP). The park’s vast trail network, accessible fishing spots, and countless aspen trees that set the forests aglow every autumn offer up some of the best backcountry experiences that the county has to offer.

However, even the locals who have camped at Reverend’s Ridge Campground may not have been aware of the charming outdoor amphitheater right behind the campground office, where educational events are held throughout the summer. For years, visitors of all ages have learned about local wildlife, conservation practices, and more from parks staff and other experts at the amphitheater. 

This summer, GGCSP is working with several environmental organizations and Colorado educators to bring fun and engaging educational programming to the park every single summer weekend. Considering the recent announcement of Gilpin County’s recent stage 2 fire ban, campers and  locals looking for fun outdoor activities may just find an outlet they need in these  programs. Even better, anyone with a Keep Colorado Wild pass can attend most park events for  free.

Four different events will be held at the Ridge Amphitheater this weekend, starting with a screening of the original “Snow White” at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 10. Then, the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance will bring a few of their rescued raptors to the park at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 11 (no dogs allowed). Night owls can also plan to search for nocturnal creatures on a one mile Night Hike at 9 p.m. that evening, and longtime park volunteer Jack Egan will be hosting his classic Tree Walk at 10 a.m. on Sunday.

Those looking for programming that will help them learn or hone new skills should look no further than GGCSP’s first Archery Clinic of the season on Sunday, July 12. Online registration is required for most clinics, including this one; see the Eventbrite link below in order to register. 

Many more educational clinics will be held throughout the summer, including another Archery Clinic on August 16, and Fly Fishing and Fly Tying Clinics on August 2 and August 5 respectively. Evergreen Audubon will also be hosting a Birding 101 Hike on July 25, and a Women’s Backpacking 101 Trip will be led overnight from August 29 to August 30.

Other highlights for the summer will include trivia nights at Very Nice Brewery - Gilpin on July 30 and August 27, and an Astronomy Night at Panorama Point on August 8. Anyone planning to camp at GGCSP this summer can also ask parks staff about upcoming events at the campground office or the Visitor Center during their stay.

Spaces dedicated to learning about and discussing the local environment can be hard to find, and tourists and new residents alike may struggle to learn the ins and outs of wildlife management, safe fire practices, and more. The need for those educational opportunities is exactly what makes GGCSP’s events so unique and valuable.

Whether park visitors are new to living in the Rocky Mountains or have been a steward of the local forests all their lives, an enthusiasm for learning more about the great outdoors will always be welcomed and cultivated at Golden Gate Canyon’s wonderful weekend events.

Introducing GGCSP’s Park Interpreters For 2026

Every summer, the park hires two seasonal Park Interpreters to design and organize all of the park’s educational events for the year. Whether or not they are leading a given program, event attendees can expect to find an Interpreter at most events. Read on for a brief introduction to this year’s Park Interpreters, Ella Pader and Jacob Clabby.

Pader is a mountain girl through and through. Growing up between Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the Appalachian Trail, she found a deep love and reverence for the natural world and decided to harness it into education and interpretation. A Certified Interpretive Guide with a degree in Outdoor Leadership, Pader can't think of a much better summer than connecting people with the mountains of Colorado through fun and transformative programs (plus hiking and climbing those mountains in her free time!).

For as long as they can remember, Clabby has had a pervasive awe and fascination for the natural world. They hold a degree in Fine Arts, and have become a Master Naturalist, Certified Interpretive Guide, and now Park Naturalist with Golden Gate Canyon State Park. They are thrilled to get to teach at this beautiful park, especially on some of their favorite topics like foraging, cooking with wild foraged ingredients, pine needle basket making, and botanical illustration. Clabby can't imagine anything more rewarding than the summer ahead.

Keep an eye on GGCSP’s website (cpw.state.co.us/state-parks/golden-gate-canyon-state-park) or Eventbrite page (ggcsp.eventbrite.com) in order to get information on locations, times and requirements for upcoming park events. Many, but not all, events will be held at the Ridge Amphitheater, 313 Reverends Ridge Road in Black Hawk.

Further questions about events, camping reservations, park passes and more can be answered by parks staff at 303-582-3707 every day between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.