Apex Park

A trail comes in from the left side of the image, with rolling, tree covered hills rising beyond.

NOTICE: You must know the calendar date to safely use the park. Affected trails include: Enchanted Forest, Magic Mountain, Poco Calle, Rocker, Paydirt, and Smelter (see map below for more details).

•   Even Calendar Dates (2nd, 4th, etc.) = Bikes only, no hikers or equestrians

•   Odd Calendar Dates (1st, 3rd, etc.) = Hikers and equestrians only, no bikes

SWITCH GEARS Exceptions: 
In appropriate snow and ice conditions, Jeffco Open Space will announce if Apex Park is SWITCHING GEARS. SWITCH GEARS conditions lift the downhill only directional designation on Enchanted Forest and Magic Mountain Trails for EVEN calendar date/BIKE ONLY days. All other trail use designations remain in place. Announcements for SWITCH GEARS will be specific for a date/time and will expire based on conditions.

For more information on Apex Park management please view the Apex Park fact sheet (PDF)

Apex Park provides a popular, accessible foothills experience minutes from downtown Golden. A stream runs alongside a trail in part of the park, and a dense forest provides shady areas on the west end. This park is popular for mountain biking as it offers more technical trails and a steep challenge up Lookout Mountain.

Directional Use 
Enchanted Forest and Magic Mountain Trails are directional-use trails and Poco Calle, Rocker, Paydirt, and Smelter Trails are multi-directional connector trails. Bicyclists are required to ride in one direction only (downhill/east) on even calendar dates. These designated use trails are also split by visitor types on even and odd calendar dates.

•   Even Calendar Dates (2nd, 4th, etc.) = Bikes only, no hikers or equestrians

•   Odd Calendar Dates (1st, 3rd, etc.) = Hikers and equestrians only, no bikes

Apex Trailhead
121 County Highway 93
Golden, CO 80401

Apex Park Visitor Safety/Trail Management

Following extensive community engagement and analysis, Jeffco Open Space (JCOS) implemented a new trail management plan to improve safety and the visitor experience at Apex Park in September 2020. This plan was adopted as a one year trial to test its effectiveness and was implemented on September 10, 2020. This management scenario has been effective at reducing conflict while improving safety and the visitor experience at Apex Park. Given its success, the current trail management will be used on an ongoing basis.

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  1. NOTICE: System-wide parking lot maintenance at multiple JCOS parks over the next two weeks.
  2. REOPEN: White Ranch Park - East and all other parks reopen following mud closures
  3. 2023 TST Now Hiring!
  4. Seasonal Wildlife Closures Begin Feb. 1 at Several Parks
  5. REMINDER: Some JCOS Parks have designated-use trails or alternating use days
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