Golden Gate State Park

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jomagam
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Golden Gate State Park

Post by jomagam »

Can anyone tell me if you can get into the park for free if you leave your car at the side of the road for example here:

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=39.83293 ... 18&iwloc=A
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tlongpine
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Re: Golden Gate State Park

Post by tlongpine »

Probably, but why not pay? It's only $7, and you'll be supporting the park.
I am unable to walk away from the mountain without climbing it. An unclimbed mountain tugs at my consciousness with the eternal weight of time itself. Until I've pressed my face into it's alpine winds, hugged it's ancient granite walls, and put it's weathered summit beneath my heal I'm unable to resist it's attraction.Knowing nature gives the mountain more time than she gives us adds urgency to the obsession. As has been said before; the mountain doesn't care.

It can wait forever. I cannot.
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jomagam
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Re: Golden Gate State Park

Post by jomagam »

tlongpine wrote:Probably, but why not pay? It's only $7, and you'll be supporting the park.
Sure, though maybe they just want to discourage car traffic *in* the park. Why would they build parking lots right outside of it ?

Also, is it lame to feel wrong having to pay for hiking ? It's not like I couldn't afford it, but still...
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rickinco123
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Re: Golden Gate State Park

Post by rickinco123 »

There is no "entrance" to Golden Gate CANYON State park. As such, the rangers drive around and ticket those without a pass. If that parking lot is part of the park and not just overflow for the ranger station you might need to pay. There will be signs at the parking lot stating whether a fee is required or not.
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Jon Frohlich
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Re: Golden Gate State Park

Post by Jon Frohlich »

That parking lot is absolutely within the park and is one of the trailheads. You pay for gas, gear, and food to go hiking. Why worry about paying $7 for the park?

http://www.parks.state.co.us/SiteCollec ... _FINAL.pdf
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tlongpine
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Re: Golden Gate State Park

Post by tlongpine »

jomagam wrote:
tlongpine wrote:Probably, but why not pay? It's only $7, and you'll be supporting the park.
Sure, though maybe they just want to discourage car traffic *in* the park. Why would they build parking lots right outside of it ?

Also, is it lame to feel wrong having to pay for hiking ? It's not like I couldn't afford it, but still...
Because preservation of public spaces isn't cheap (even if the price to access it is), and it's probably going to cost that much in fuel to get there. The good news, however, is that there are countless places to hike in Colorado that are free of charge - for those that have a principled objection to user fees.
I am unable to walk away from the mountain without climbing it. An unclimbed mountain tugs at my consciousness with the eternal weight of time itself. Until I've pressed my face into it's alpine winds, hugged it's ancient granite walls, and put it's weathered summit beneath my heal I'm unable to resist it's attraction.Knowing nature gives the mountain more time than she gives us adds urgency to the obsession. As has been said before; the mountain doesn't care.

It can wait forever. I cannot.
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Tory Wells
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Re: Golden Gate State Park

Post by Tory Wells »

You should get a state parks pass. You'll be supporting your parks and public lands AND never have to worry about carrying cash around for your entrance fee or where to park. If you haven't been to the newly opened Staunton State Park, there is good hiking/trailrunning, mountain biking, and some sweet rock climbing/scrambling. In the metro area, it'll also get you into Eldorado Canyon, Castlewood Canyon, Chatfield, Cherry Creek, Roxborough....and then of course all the others throughout the state.

And the pass is always good for a year, regardless of when you purchase it.
"Tongue-tied and twisted, just an earthbound misfit, am I." -David Gilmour, Pink Floyd

"We knocked the bastard off." Hillary, 1953
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thetoddman
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Re: Golden Gate State Park

Post by thetoddman »

The parking areas you pointed to have State Fee Area signs on both sides of the parking lot. It is less than a block from the Park Visitor Center so you will almost certainly be ticketed if you park there without paying. Also all the neighboring Gilpin County Roads have signs that you may not park along side of the road (probably in cooperation with GGSP to keep people from trying to walk into the park for free). I used to live just across the street from the park and can assure you that its patrolled heavily.

I'd also suggest paying the fee - it's a very good park to hike, well worth the money.
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