Raccoon Trail in Golden Gate Canyon State park is one of my favorites when it comes to fall colors, but it’s beautiful in all of the seasons! You do have the pay to enter the park, but the views are totally worth it.
This is a very popular trail during the peak of fall colors, so go early & on weekdays to avoid the crowds & of course practice Trail Etiquette and Leave No Trace.
If you pay attention to the signs, it’s an easy trail to follow but of course I found a way to make it over 6 miles – whoops! Might be worth browsing the AllTrails comments before you hit the trail.
One of the great parts about this hike is that there is a lot of shade. All those trees also make for a spectacular sight when it comes to enjoying the Aspens & fall colors! There’s even one stretch where you’re totally surrounded by gold.
The view at Panorama Point is the real winner of this hike with gorgeous views of the park and mountains behind it. Bring lunch or a beer to enjoy before heading back down!

