The Fowler Trail | Eldorado Canyon State Park

The Fowler Trail is a short, family friendly hike at Eldorado Canyon State Park. It’s fairly flat, with minimum elevation gain and beautiful views of the park and foothills.

You can follow the trail for up to 2 miles, 4 miles round trip, however I like to hike it for one mile, where it intersects the Goshawk Ridge Trail and turn around there, making it a quick two mile trot.

This trail begins at the Rattlesnake Gulch Trailhead in Eldorado Canyon and eventually exits the park into the national forest land surrounding it. You follow the trail east and continue straight when the trail meets the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail. After climbing a short distance, you will pass the Bastille rock formation on the left. This is a popular rock climbing destination, so keep your eyes open for climbers ascending the rock. A few hundred feet later, there is a side trail on the left that takes you up to a spectacular view of the park. It’s a little bit lose but not to be missed.

After checking out the overlook, you just continue on a mostly flat trail for another 1/2 mile before coming to a trail intersection. This is where I usually turn around. You can continue east for another mile, or you can take the right trail up the Goshawk Ridge Trail if you want to view some beautiful wild flowers (note: dogs are not permitted on this trail).

Stats: 

Total Distance: 2 miles round trip

Estimated Time: 30 minutes to one hour.

Elevation Gain: 385 ft

Dog Friendly: Yes, but please keep your dog on a leash.

Parking area: The Rattlesnake Gulch parking area on your left, about 3/4 the way through the park.

Fee: $8 fee to get into Eldorado Canyon State Park

Bugs: Wildlife was great on this hike. No bites and the stinging insects left me alone.