Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a Colorado State Park located in Gilpin and Jefferson counties northwest of Golden, Colorado. The 12,119-acre Front Range park established in 1960 has 42 miles of hiking trails. Horse and bicycle travel is allowed on 27 miles.
Another accessible yurt is located in Golden Gate Canyon State Park, 30 miles northwest of Denver. Just turn on Gap Road from Highway 119 and follow the signs to Reverend’s Ridge Campground
Yurt 1 – also known as Bobcat – features private parking next to the yurt, with ramp access up to the roomy front porch. There’s good access inside too, with plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair. It’s furnished with a 23-inch high double bed, a twin bed, a pair of bunk beds, and a table and chairs. There are lights, electrical outlets and a propane heater in the yurt, but all cooking must be done at the fire ring outside. There’s also an accessible picnic table near the fire ring.
An accessible restroom is just a short level walk away, but the showers are located on the other side of the campground. It’s best to drive to the showers, as there’s not a good accessible path to them. There is a roll-in shower with a fold-down shower bench in both the men’s and women’s shower houses. The showers are coin-operated, and the accessible ones can be easily used from a seated position. It’s costs about $2 for a good shower. There are also accessible toilet stalls with room to maneuver a wheelchair, in both shower houses.
Although this yurt lacks a refrigerator and a microwave, it’s still pretty comfortable; and the front porch is a very pleasant addition. Bedding and towels are not provided.
Make sure and take the short drive up Gap Road to Panorama Point while you’re in the area, as it’s aptly named. There is accessible parking, with level access to picnic tables, and a nice boardwalk out to the overlook. It’s the ideal place to enjoy the sunset.
If you’d like a short nature walk, then go south on Mountain Base Road, turn left on Highway 46, and head to the Visitors Center. There’s accessible parking outside, with barrier-free access to the building, and good access around the interpretive exhibits inside. Outside, the quarter-mile Show Pond Trail features paved access around the trout-filled pond. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it on an accessible picnic table on the back patio. There’s a great view of the pond, and it’s the perfect way to top off any yurt visit.
