HomeColoradoGolden › Clear Creek Trail

Clear Creek Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 201 Google reviews · Running trail in Golden, Colorado · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Clear Creek Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

PavedScenicTrailhead parkingQuiet

Recreation area with river access, picnic areas, trails, and a playground.

What runners say about Clear Creek Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (201 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“It’s absolutely gorgeous, well maintained, and plenty of parking.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 13 mentions

“Clear Creek is so beautiful 😍 I just love the vibes there it feels ancient and holy to be there 😍 ❤️ 😀 😄 💖 😊”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“The trail was not too crowded (came in the morning) and it offers a serene stroll along the clear, flowing water.”

This is a highly recommended trail. It is comfortably organized so it does not get too busy (especially early in the morning), there are shaded spots, and the maintenance is fabulous. Along the trail there are spots for tubing, carefully going into the water or just quietly sitting by them.

★★★★★ — Jenn , Oct 2023

One of the main attractions for Golden. Plenty of sport and fun to be found in and around the creek off this trail. Or just a beautiful walk no matter the season. Also always good for people watching if that’s your thing. There are plenty of benches all along the path.

★★★★★ — Corbin , Jul 2023

Visited Clear Creek in the winter – it was stunning. The snow transformed and enhanced beauty of the creek. The trail was not too crowded (came in the morning) and it offers a serene stroll along the clear, flowing water. Well-maintained and impeccably clean trail.

★★★★★ — Christopher , Dec 2023

I'm a couples and elopement photographer and the Clear Creek Riverwalk trail NEVER disappoints! Always a great place for engagement photos! And the double rainbow we caught this night didn't hurt either!

★★★★★ — Through , Aug 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 201 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 16 mentions

“Clear Creek is so beautiful 😍 I just love the vibes there it feels ancient and holy to be there 😍 ❤️ 😀 😄 💖 😊”

More trails like this →

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 5 mentions

“The trail was not too crowded (came in the morning) and it offers a serene stroll along the clear, flowing water.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“RV parking area along the upper end of the creek with a baseball field.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“The paved trail appears to go on for quite a while and is definitely peaceful.”

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Plan your run at Clear Creek Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Phone+1 303-384-8000

Hours

Monday 6 am–10 pm
Tuesday 6 am–10 pm
Wednesday 6 am–10 pm
Thursday 6 am–10 pm
Friday 6 am–10 pm
Saturday 6 am–10 pm
Sunday 6 am–10 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Clear Creek Trail

City of Golden, 911 10th St, Golden, CO 80401

Get directions

Running trails near Golden

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Clear Creek Canyon Park, Gateway Trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 246 reviews

Golden, CO

65 miLoopPavedScenic

Popular trail and riverside area for hiking, climbing, fishing and tubing.

under a mile away

Chimney Gulch Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 136 reviews

Golden, CO

Natural surfaceScenic

Hiking area with a trail offering 360-degree views.

1.1 miles away

Mt Galbraith Loop Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 23 reviews

Arvada, CO

LoopNatural surfaceScenic

1.7 miles away

Lookout Mountain Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 8,155 reviews

Golden, CO

LoopPavedScenic

Park boasting wooded foothills, scenic road, picnic shelter & Buffalo Bill burial site & museum.

1.8 miles away

Windy Saddle Park Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,923 reviews

Golden, CO

Scenic

Mountainous park offering 3.5 miles of hiking & biking trails & a launching point for hang gliders.

1.8 miles away

North Table Mountain Park West Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,695 reviews

Golden, CO

7 miLoopNatural surfaceShaded

Sprawling mesa park formed by ancient lava flows provides hiking, panoramic views & native wildlife.

1.8 miles away

All running trails in Golden, CO →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.