GILPIN COUNTY - Throughout the last 65 years, Golden Gate Canyon State Park has offered thousands of Gilpin County residents and visitors the opportunity to recreate, relax, and explore the beauty and rich history of over 12,000 acres of natural lands.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. The park also brings in Park Interpreters, volunteers, and other conservation experts to lead educational events that inspire visitors to become more knowledgeable and passionate stewards of their natural lands. 

During the summer season, at least four of these events are held every week at the Ridge Amphitheatre, located directly behind the Visitor Center in Reverend’s Ridge Campground.

One of this year’s recurring park events has included our Star Parties, each of which has been led by either local astronomer Carolyn Peterson or the CU Boulder Astronomy Club. 

The star parties bring interested groups up to Panorama Point, where constellation enthusiasts get to examine the bright Rocky Mountain skies through telescopes and learn more about the wonders of the moon and stars at one of the best stargazing spots in the state. 

The next Star Party will be held at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, July 25.

Additionally, our own parks staff have been leading Archery Clinics throughout the summer for all interested parties ages six and up, to learn, hone, or master their archery skills at the Red Barn Group Picnic Area. 

Online registration is required for archery clinics and can be accessed through our website, with our next clinic coming up at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 20. Additional archery clinics will be available at Eldorado Canyon State Park this August.

To highlight some additional events: the Raptor Education Foundation will be returning to the park on Saturday, July 26 at 10:45 a.m. for visitors to meet an assortment of owls, hawks, and other rescued raptors. As there will be live animals at their Raptor Program, please leave your dogs and other pets at home.

Other volunteers from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the US Geological Survey, and the Golden History Museum have also made appearances to give specific information on different aspects of Golden Gate Canyon’s lands, wildlife and history. 

So stay tuned for additional opportunities to learn even more about the park from local experts both this summer and in the years to come.

Finally, starting in August, we will be hosting Fishing Clinics at Kriley Pond on Golden Gate Canyon Road, where our parks staff will teach you all of their secret fishing tips and make you even better fishermen than the cormorants.

The first fishing clinic will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 11,  fishing licenses will be required for the program, and online registration is required for the event (https://cpw.state.co.us/event/2025/08/fly-fishing-clinic).

Stop by one of our Visitor Centers for information about registering for our fishing clinics, our other upcoming events, and anything else you would like to know before enjoying your time in the park.

All parties visiting the park must have valid state parks passes displayed on their vehicles, unless they purchased the Keep Colorado Wild pass when registering their vehicles in Colorado. 

And, as always, stay safe out there.

For more information about our Star Parties, see https://cpw.state.co.us/event/2025/07/galaxies-and-good-times.  To learn about Archery Clinics, see https://cpw.state.co.us/event/2025/07/bullseye-basics-adult-archery. Check out the Raptor Program at https://cpw.state.co.us/event/2025/07/raptor-program. 

Keep an eye on our website, https://cpw.state.co.us/state-parks/golden-gate-canyon-state-park, or our social media pages, https://www.facebook.com/goldengatecanyonCPW/.