Golden, Colorado, is a town of 17,000 people located 16 miles west of Denver in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Outdoor adventure awaits you in the rolling hills of Golden, along with historical sites and tours of the Coors Brewery. RV camping in a KOA campground allows you to experience all this area has to offer.
Where to Camp
The Denver West/Central City KOA Campground is 20 miles west of Golden and is open from May 28 through Oct. 31 each year. This RV-only location is “big-rig friendly” with pull-through sites available for RVs up to 60 feet in length with full 50-amp hookups.
The Estes Park KOA is 56 miles north of Golden and is open from May 1 through Oct. 15. This location offers 36 RV campsites with 50-amp full hookups available. Advance reservations can be made for both campgrounds at the KOA website.
Campground Amenities
Both campgrounds offer restrooms with shower facilities, dump stations, free Wi-Fi and firewood available for a fee. The Denver West KOA also has a clubhouse, hot tub, mini-mart, souvenir shop and laundry facilities.
The Estes Park KOA has a campground store, basketball court, playground and game room. Estes Park also hosts weekly marshmallow roasts and ice cream socials.
Local Attractions
In Golden, you’ll find 10 museums focusing on the history of the area. Go to the Buffalo Bill Museum and Gravesite or the Clear Creek History Park to learn about the history of the Old West. Or visit the Colorado Railroad Museum to view 15 acres of narrow gauge railroad locomotives and train cars.
The Coors Brewery offers free tours of its facilities every Monday through Thursday. Dinosaur buffs will want to tour Dinosaur Ridge to see tracks, bones and fossils from the dinosaur era.
Mountain Biking
In the spring or summer, try the 6-mile challenging Hogback Trail at 6,400 feet in elevation, featuring a narrow single track with rocky drop-offs atop a step ridge of tilted strata. The trail descends into the Red Rocks State Park, offering scenic views of the rocks.
The 5-mile Apex Park Trail starts at 6,200 feet in elevation and ascends 1,000 feet on a rocky single track with steep climbs through exposed hillsides. Be sure to wear sunscreen and drink lots of water while biking in the Front Range area.
Hiking
For an easy 3-mile hike, choose the Beaver Brook Trail at 7,100 feet in elevation to see mountain scenery and views of Clear Creek Canyon. Try Chimney Gulch for a 7-mile challenging trail featuring steep hillside terrain with wildflowers, cacti and mixed pine forests and an elevation gain of 2,000 feet.
References
- Denver West/Central City KOA Campground
- Estes Park KOA Campground
- Greater Golden Chamber of Commerce: Attractions
- “Mountain Biking Colorado’s Front Range Guide Book”; Stephen Hlawaty; 2003
- “Hiking Colorado’s Front Range”; Bob D’Antonio; 2003
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