Where You’ll Be:
A quick drive from Denver, Golden Gate Canyon State Park spans 12,000 acres, and features trails that pass through varied landscapes, including forests, rocky peaks, and aspen-lined meadows. The park attracts nearly 1 million visitors annually, offering opportunities for activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. Expect beautiful scenery, rock formations, and the possibility of wildlife sightings, such as deer, elk, and various birds.
Nearest town: Golden, CO 80403
The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.
What You’ll Do:
This trail project is all about building a more sustainable route in a popular part of the park. The focus is on enhancing sustainability, with tasks ranging from moderate to challenging, including:
- trail construction,
- rock wall building,
- and creating switchbacks for those seeking a technical challenge.
No trail building experience is required, just the desire to learn and give back to a well-loved State Park.
Please bring your own lunch for the day!
Why It Matters:
High visitation at Golden Gate Canyon State Park means heavy wear on trails, especially along the Raccoon Trail near Reverend’s Ridge Campground and Panorama Point. This section is steep and has ongoing sustainability and safety challenges for visitors.
In 2020, volunteers began a long-term effort to close the unsustainable trail segment and build a safer, more sustainable reroute. By joining this project, you will be contributing to a six-year effort that improves trail safety and protects the park experience for years to come.
Eligibility Requirements:
Ages 16+
Project Difficulty:
This project is considered moderate to difficult. Please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.
General physical considerations for participating on this project may include moderate lifting and tool use; digging, shoveling, and moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; hiking to the work site while carrying tools; bending, picking up objects, carrying tools, swinging heavier tools, digging, and stretching.
Access Factors:
Vehicle Accessibility: 2WD Accessible
Other Notes: There is limited cell service.
Join us in reducing our carbon footprint by carpooling! Click here to sign up for the carpool (please do this after registering for the project)
If you enjoy trail construction projects, you can view similar projects here.
If you enjoy projects that include components of rock work, you can view similar projects here.
