EXPLORE ELDORADO CANYON

Fowler Trail

Enjoy an easy, family-friendly walk beside Eldorado Canyon’s dramatic lichen-covered cliffs, with wildlife-viewing signs and great spots to watch rock climbers.

State Park Access: 321 Eldorado Springs Dr, Boulder, CO 80303

State Park Directions

Free Trail Access: County Rd 67, Boulder, CO 80303

County Rd 67 Directions

4.9 Fred Footprints rating 4.9 Fred Footprints

Binoculars icon At A Glance

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Location
Eldorado Canyon State Park

Trail difficulty icon

Difficulty
Easy

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Distance
4.0 Miles

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Elevation Gain
314 Feet

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Est. Time
1½–2 Hours

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Route Type
Out & Back

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Dogs
Leashed

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Park Pass
Only in State Park

Fowler Trail

Fowler Trail is an easygoing, family-friendly hike through Eldorado Canyon State Park, with dramatic sandstone walls, views of South Boulder Creek, and frequent opportunities to watch climbers on the cliffs across the canyon.

The route follows a historic railroad grade, giving hikers a wide, mostly gentle path through the canyon. Interpretive signs along the way highlight the area’s wildlife, plants, geology, and climbing culture—making this a fun choice for curious kids as well as adults.

Take your time, bring water and a camera, and keep dogs leashed. The route can be enjoyed as a shorter accessible stroll or extended into the approximately 4-mile out-and-back hike, depending on how far you continue along the connected trail system.

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Fred Says

“Fowler Trail brings big views without a big climb—canyon walls, mountain ridges, valleys and even the railroad rolling through Eldorado Canyon.

We started in fog, watched it clear into blue partly cloudy skies, and even spotted a doe mule deer. Keep your eyes open, Explorers!”

Fred's signature

Why You’ll Love This Hike

Fowler Trail delivers huge Eldorado Canyon scenery without a demanding climb. The wide, mostly gentle route reveals striking canyon walls, mountain ridges, valley views, South Boulder Creek, and the railroad cutting through the landscape below. Along the way, interpretive signs, wildlife-viewing opportunities, and a good chance of spotting climbers on the cliffs make this a rewarding outing for families, visitors, and anyone who wants a memorable Front Range hike.

Trail and park information—including fees, hours, access, reservations, rules and conditions—is subject to change. Always confirm current details with the official managing agency before your visit.

Before You Go

Fowler Trail is within Eldorado Canyon State Park, so a valid Colorado State Parks pass is required. Timed vehicle-entry reservations are required for the inner canyon on Saturdays, Sundays and designated summer holidays from May 1 through October 1. Cell service can be unreliable inside the canyon, so save your reservation confirmation, directions and trail information before you arrive.

NOTE: Fowler Trail can be accessed from County Road 67 in Boulder, where limited free street parking is available near the trailhead. There is no fee to enter the trail from this access point. Parking is limited, so arrive early and be considerate of nearby residents and road traffic.

If you enter through Eldorado Canyon State Park or continue into the park, a valid Colorado State Parks pass is required. Timed vehicle-entry reservations may also be required for the inner canyon on Saturdays, Sundays and designated summer holidays from May 1 through October 1. Cell service can be unreliable in the area, so save directions and trail information before you arrive.

Trail and park information—including fees, hours, access, reservations, rules and conditions—is subject to change. Always confirm current details with the official managing agency before your visit.

download eldorado canyon state park brochure

Wildlife in Eldorado Canyon State Park

Keep your eyes open as you explore Rattlesnake Gulch Trail. Mule deer, elk, black bears, bobcats, red foxes, coyotes and mountain lions inhabit the foothills in and around Eldorado Canyon. Bighorn sheep, fox squirrels and ringtails may also be found in the park, while bats use caves within the Inner Canyon.

Birdwatchers have plenty to look for, with more than 80 resident and migratory bird species recorded in the area. Golden eagles, red-tailed hawks and prairie falcons nest in and around the park, along with songbirds such as Steller’s jays, broad-tailed hummingbirds and lesser goldfinches.

The park is also home to prairie rattlesnakes, western milksnakes, prairie lizards and western terrestrial garter snakes. Stay on designated trails, keep dogs leashed and give every wild animal plenty of space. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Eldorado Canyon State Park

Binoculars icon Wildlife IN THE AREA

Mule deer icon

Mule Deer

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Elk

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Black Bears

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Bobcats

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Red Foxes

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Coyotes

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Mountain Lions

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Bighorn Sheep

General Information

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Current Weather

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Rattlesnake Gulch
Rattlesnake Gulch
2:31 am, Nov 8, 2026
temperature icon 41°F
clear sky
57 %
1025 mb
7 mph
Wind Gust: 0 mph
Clouds: 0%
Visibility: 10 km
Sunrise: 6:38 am
Sunset: 4:51 pm
Hourly Forecast
5:00 am
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35°/39°°F 0 mm 0% 3 mph 66% 1025 mb 0 mm/h
8:00 am
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43°/45°°F 0 mm 0% 2 mph 61% 1024 mb 0 mm/h
11:00 am
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58°/58°°F 0 mm 0% 4 mph 37% 1021 mb 0 mm/h
2:00 pm
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62°/62°°F 0 mm 0% 3 mph 33% 1017 mb 0 mm/h
5:00 pm
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51°/51°°F 0 mm 0% 2 mph 53% 1017 mb 0 mm/h
8:00 pm
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43°/43°°F 0 mm 0% 6 mph 75% 1018 mb 0 mm/h
11:00 pm
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41°/41°°F 0 mm 0% 10 mph 67% 1017 mb 0 mm/h
2:00 am
temperature icon
41°/41°°F 0 mm 0% 9 mph 65% 1017 mb 0 mm/h

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Best Times to Hike

Three hikers representing quieter times
Quieter Times: Weekday mornings are usually your best bet for a quieter walk, cooler temperatures and easier parking. Early light can be especially beautiful on the canyon walls, and wildlife is often more active before the busiest part of the day.

Six hikers representing busier times
Busier Times: Weekends, holidays, and pleasant spring, summer and fall days bring more hikers, climbers and visitors into Eldorado Canyon State Park. Parking is limited, and timed vehicle-entry reservations are required on certain busy-season dates.

Tip icon: Front Range Explorin’™
Fred’s Tip: Start early, bring water and save your park pass, reservation confirmation and directions before entering the canyon—cell service can be unreliable. Fowler is a relatively gentle trail, but the surface is unpaved, so sturdy walking or hiking shoes are still a smart choice. Check current trail and weather conditions before heading out.

Fred’s Footprint Rating

4.9 Fred Footprints rating

4.9 Out of 5

Great scenic trail!


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Good For

Scenic Hiking Mountain Views Historic Sites Leashed Dogs Older Kids Trail Running Mountain Biking Wildlife Watching Snowshoeing A Good Workout

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Official Trail Map

Plan your hike using Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX), the official statewide trail map from Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Colorado DNR. View the Fowler Trail route, elevation profile, trail details, weather and downloadable GPX information.

View Fowler Trail on COTREX →

Map & Directions

Eldorado Canyon State Park Access

321 Eldorado Springs Dr, Boulder, CO 80303

Free County Road 67 Trail Access

County Rd 67, Boulder, CO 80303
Limited free roadside parking; no fee to access the trail here.

State Park Directions

County Rd 67 Directions

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