Park Rules

Witness a Violation? Call the Police Non-Emergency Line: 303-980-7300

Clear Creek Rules and Regulations

Clear Creek runs through the heart of Golden, offering scenic beauty, recreation, and a valuable natural resource. Over recent years, the number of visitors who come to Golden to enjoy tubing on Clear Creek has increased dramatically. Many visitors and residents also enjoy kayaking at the Clear Creek Whitewater Park, and cycling and walking on Clear Creek Trail. Due to the increased number of visitors along Clear Creek, new management policies have gone into effect. Please visit VisitGolden.com/creek-info for a full overview of rules and regulations specific to visiting Clear Creek.

Golden strives to provide an enjoyable and safe experience for all. Please help us to protect this amazing resource and ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience.

Clear Creek Corridor Map

Clear Creek Corridor Use and Parking Map pdf download
(download for printable version)

Golden Parks: Know the rules before you go!

Park Rangers standing near Clear CreekSummer is an active time in downtown Golden, with visitors and residents enjoying all the amenities of our city. The many parks and trails, and especially the Clear Creek corridor, get very busy during the warm months. If you’re planning a trip to one our parks, it’s a good idea to know the rules before you go!

If you plan to visit Clear Creek, please review the Visit Golden Creek Info page for regulations and parking information specific to that location.

The Park Rangers are ambassadors to the parks and trails along Clear Creek and to help residents and visitors feel welcome and safe. Park Rangers can answer questions, give directions and help visitors understand the park rules. Park Rangers are also equipped to enforce the rules if they encounter visitors who choose to not comply with park rules and parking regulations.

The following are some of the basic park rules that apply to all parks, trails, waterways and open spaces owned, operated or managed by the City of Golden:

Park Hours – 5 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Unless otherwise posted by the City Manager, outdoor parks are open to the public between the hours of 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. Unless otherwise posted by the City Manager, all trails, remain open 24 hours a day to pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

Camping is Prohibited

Overnight camping is prohibited except with a permit in the designated areas of the Clear Creek Recreational Vehicle Park. Visit the Clear Creek RV Park page for reservations and more information about their services.

Fires are prohibitedFires are prohibited except in designated, park-provided grills

It is prohibited for any person to make, or allow to burn, a fire, including a charcoal fire, within any park EXCEPT in park-provided, operative grills. Use of a portable propane camp stove is permitted if the stove’s propane tank has a capacity of two pounds or less. Any fires must be completely extinguished before leaving the park. Bonfires are prohibited in ALL parks.

Alcoholic Beverages are Prohibited

It is prohibited for any person to possess, consume or distribute any alcoholic beverages within any park, except with the written approval of the City Manager by means of a Special Event or Open Container Permit (see a our Facilities and Use Rentals page for a list of pavilions available for rent that also allow application for an Open Container Permit with the rental). Glass containers are prohibited AT ALL TIMES.

Smoking is Prohibited

Smoking, vaping and the use of electronic smoking devices is not permitted in any parks or recreation facilities. The use of marijuana is also prohibited in public spaces.

There is no poop fairy - please pick up after your dog!Dogs on Leashes

Dogs must be on leashes at all times within any city park or trail. It is prohibited for any animal owner to allow an animal to run at large. See our City Dog Parks for a place your four-legged friend can run free!

Removal of Pet Waste

There’s no such thing as a Poop Fairy! A person having charge of an animal will immediately remove any excrement left by the animal and dispose of it in a pet waste station, or in another lawful and sanitary manner.

Slacklining

Slacklines, or any other objects tied, fastened or anchored to trees are permitted in parks subject to the following:

  • Trees must be protected with padding prior to the installation of the anchor lines.
  • Anchor lines may not be attached to signs, fencing, light poles, playground equipment, or an other park structures.
  • Tree trunks must be at least one foot in diameter.
  • Anchor points cannot be damaged or altered in order to secure an anchor.
  • Slacklines and ground must be level and parallel to each other.
  • Slacklines may not exceed 100 feet in length, and may not exceed an elevation of more than 4 feet at the center of the span.
  • Equipment may not be left unattended and, if not in use, must be immediately taken down.
  • Slacklines must not interfere with other park activities, nor cross any sidewalks, waterways, bridges, or any other rights-of-way, and are prohibited upon any trail.
  • Slacklines cannot cross each other.
  • City personnel, as deemed necessary, may order the removal of a slackline at any time.

Preservation of Clear Creek and Clear Creek’s Banks

It is prohibited for any person to locate, use or bring any of the following goods or articles, which include, but are not limited to:  benches, lawn chairs, fire pits, grills, portable outdoor fireplaces, cots, furniture, slides, bicycles and coolers, radio controlled boats (and any other similar object), within Clear Creek and upon the banks of Clear Creek.

**A complete list of park rules are detailed in Ordinance No. 2046, adopted January 2017. Additional rules and regulations for the Clear Creek Corridor specifically are detailed in Ordinance 2182, adopted June 2022.

COG Mesa

 Golden was named after Thomas L. Golden,
a gold prospector who arrived in Jefferson County in 1858.

Additional Resources

City of Golden, Colorado
COG Mesa
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