Location of Gold Lake
Surrounding Attractions
National Parks & Recreation
Estes Park & Rocky Mountain National Park:
Located 35 miles northwest of Gold Lake, just getting to Estes Park is a scenic adventure, accessible via the Peak To Peak Scenic & Historic Byway. While Estes Park is bustling with tourists from June through August, it’s quaint charm is evident year-round. Trail Ridge Road, which cuts through the Rocky Mountain National Park, can be accessed through Estes and is among the highest continuous paved roads in the United States -- rising 12,183 feet above sea level and offering an arctic tundra experience by car or for walkers and hikers.
Indian Peaks Wilderness Area:
Every bit as beautiful and dramatic as Rocky Mountain National Park and only five miles west of Gold Lake, the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area boasts thousands of acres of pristine woodlands. It is a great place for long hikes, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and offers a more secluded wilderness experience than its popular national park neighbor.
Roosevelt National Forest:
Surrounding Gold Lake Mountain Resort & Spa, this forest offers thousands of acres of hiking, mountain biking, horseback-riding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities. It is loaded with mountain wildlife, breathtaking scenery and historical mining relics.
Skiing:
Colorado's famous powder skiing is available just 18 miles away at Eldora Mountain Resort. Known for its world-class Nordic skiing facility and its downhill ski and snowboard school programs, the ski area is ideal for day excursions and family outings. There is also the option of taking a 90+ minute drive to some of the most famous ski resorts in America, including Winter Park, Keystone, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Vail ski resorts.
Neighboring Towns & Cities
Boulder:
Once known as a hippie hangout and eclectic mountain town, Boulder has matured into a thriving arts, cultural and ethnic dining haven with 400+ restaurants, historical entertainment venues, avant-garde coffee houses, bookstores and first-rate music and Shakespeare festivals. Located just 23 miles from Gold Lake, Boulder is an excellent day trip destination. Don't miss Pearl Street, an outdoor, pedestrian-only mall for shopping, dining, people watching and entertainment.
Denver:
For those seeking a real urban exploration, Denver is an easy 30-mile drive from Boulder (50 miles from Gold Lake). Favorite Denver destinations include: "Lo Do" (lower downtown), a revitalized historic district with restaurants, art galleries and sports arenas including Coors Field for baseball games; Mile High Stadium for football; and McNichols Sports Arena for basketball and hockey. Cherry Creek, an upscale urban neighborhood with the city's best shopping opportunities including the Cherry Creek Mall and Cherry Creek North Shopping District, is also a recommended excursion boasting hundreds of boutiques, fashion stores, galleries and restaurants.
Nederland:
Nederland (elevation 8,236 ft.) is a rustic mountain community 15 miles southwest of Gold Lake. A former 1860s mining town, today Nederland boasts a variety of family-owned, homestyle restaurants, saloons, and local artisan’s shops. Eldora Ski Area is located just outside of Nederland.
Ward:
Located just 3 miles west of Gold Lake, visiting Ward is like stepping back in time 30+ years. Local establishments include a post office, church, and general store -- offering hand-crafted pottery and jewelry, wooden pipes and organic comestibles. Visitors will also find locals gathering at The Mill Site Inn, a popular watering hole located on the Peak To Peak Scenic Byway, just across from the Gold Lake entrance.
Directions to Gold Lake
From Boulder:
Go west on Canyon Boulevard (hwy 119) to Nederland.
Take Highway 72 for 12 miles west/north towards Estes Park.
Turn right on Gold Lake Road (County Road 100), 1/4 mile past Ward.
Take the first right onto Gold Lake Road (sign) and follow the 2.5 mile dirt road.
From Denver International Airport:
Take Pena Blvd. west, until you merge with I-70 West.
From I-70 West, exit onto 270 North (follow signs to Boulder).
From 270 North, exit onto Highway 36 west to Boulder.
Follow 36 into the city of Boulder, where it turns into 28th Street.
Take 28 th St. north and turn left (west, towards the mountains) on Canyon Blvd. **Canyon Blvd. is the first stoplight after Arapahoe Ave.
Take Canyon Boulevard west for 17 miles to the town of Nederland.
In Nederland, at the “traffic circle”, take the second right onto Highway 72 North. This is the “Peak-to-Peak Highway”, and you will be heading towards Estes Park.
Take Highway 72 north for about 12 miles, until you see the signs for the town of Ward and for Brainard Lake. **Do not turn on Gold Hill Road! We're further down the Peak-to-Peak.
Almost immediately after the sign for Brainard Lake, turn right on Gold Lake Road (you will see the Gold Lake sign at the turn).
After 1/3 of a mile, turn right again to stay on Gold Lake Road.
Travel three miles down the dirt road and you will dead end in our guest parking lot.
The lodge is straight ahead – go to the south entrance of the lodge for check-in.
