Entry No. 9 — the Boulder file — filed under: outdoor

Crags Hotel Ruins at Rattlesnake Gulch

In 1908, the Hotel Crags opened as a grand resort perched 800 feet above Eldorado Canyon, reachable by burro, an inclined tramway, and the Union Pacific's Moffat Road trains running day-trippers from Denver. The venture lasted only four years before fire consumed the wooden structure in 1912. What remains is startlingly tangible: a stone foundation, partial masonry walls, a cast-iron cook stove still sitting in the open air, fireplace remnants, and a rock retaining wall that once supported terraced grounds. Interpretive signs at the site explain the hotel's brief, ambitious life. The 1.4-mile Rattlesnake Gulch Trail climbs through scrub oak and sandstone to deliver you to one of Colorado's most evocative Gilded Age ruins.

The move: Hike the 1.4-mile Rattlesnake Gulch Trail together and piece together the hotel's layout from the stone remains. Pack a lunch and eat it on the foundation walls with canyon views — a picnic in a place that once served Denver society on a grand terrace.

📍 Before you go Eldorado Canyon State Park charges a day-use vehicle fee (currently $10). The park gate opens at 8 a.m. On summer weekends the small parking lot fills by 9 a.m. — arrive early or park in Eldorado Springs and walk in. The Rattlesnake Gulch trailhead is near the main parking area; the round trip is 2.8 miles with about 800 feet of gain. No reservation required for the hike. Dogs allowed on leash. Trail is typically open year-round but may be icy in winter.

• 📍 Boulder
• 💸 $$
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, Eldorado Canyon State Park, 9 Kneale Road, Eldorado Springs, CO 80025

Hours: Added 2026-06-11 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-11