North Table Mountain Park is an open space located in Jefferson County, Colorado and is perhaps the most prominent park in all of Golden. Indeed, the 6,552ft. North Table Mountain is an unmistakable landmark towering over downtown Golden, formed into a mesa millions of years ago by ancient lava flows. Both North Table Mountain and its neighboring mesa, South Table Mountain, are proudly displayed on Golden’s flag, highlighting the unique beauty these mesas bring to the area’s landscape. The sheer beauty of North Table Mountain Park makes this destination a popular local attraction for outdoor enthusiasts. For other Jeffco parks, check out our destination reviews on Mount Galbraith Park and White Ranch Park.
DESTINATION GUIDE SERIES: North Table Mountain Park
Why Should You Visit North Table Mountain Park?
Hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, equestrians, and rock climbers all share North Table Mountain Park. Being less than 30 minutes away from Denver, the park sees considerable use. But, with 17.3 miles of trails over 1,998 acres, North Table Mountain Park has ample space for exploration even during the busiest of times. Adding to the park’s popularity is the easily accessible Golden Cliffs climbing area, with a good amount of sport and trad climbing routes. In sum, North Table Mountain Park is a great year-round adventure destination with diverse activity options for all skillsets.
Where is North Table Mountain Park?
North Table Mountain Park is an open space located in Jefferson County, Colorado and the city of Golden. The two most commonly used parking areas are at the West Trailhead and the Golden Cliffs Trailhead. The West Trailhead is located just off of CO-93 (4788 Highway 93, Golden, CO 80403). The Golden Cliffs Trailhead and overflow parking area is located in a more residential area off of Peery Parkway, perhaps best accessed via CO-58 (Golden Freeway).
Things to Do
Hiking and Trail Running
North Table Mountain Park is a very popular hiking and trail running destination given its proximity to Denver and Boulder. With 17.3 miles of trails, the park has a variety of interesting terrain suitable for all skillsets, ranging from “Least Difficult” to “Most Difficult.” Because these trails are mostly all designated as “multi-use,” be observant of mountain bikers and horseback riders.
The park’s signature trail is the 7.4-mile North Table Loop, which intersects with virtually all of the other park trails. Given the North Table Loop’s multiple intersections, visitors can shorten or lengthen their outing by using the park’s various connector trails. Check the park map before you go to see which parking area is best for your day’s adventure. However, the West Trailhead is the most convenient for immediate access to the North Table Loop.
For trail runners, consider picking up a copy of Best Trail Runs Denver, Boulder & Colorado Springs that has more details on awesome routes.
North Table Loop
The North Table Loop is the premier trail within the park and encompasses nearly the entirety of the perimeter of North Table Mountain Park. At 7.4 miles in length, the route is challenging and has a respectable amount of elevation gain. We prefer to start the loop beginning at the West Trailhead in a counter-clockwise direction. Starting in this direction immediately tackles much of the elevation gain via a very steep ascent. Once atop the mesa, the trail begins to level and the rest of the route has more modest ascents and descents. Of course, the clockwise direction is okay as well, but we like the immediacy of the hill workout right out of the gates.
Rating: Sections vary; overall More Difficult
Length: 7.4 Miles (loop)
Use: Multi-Use
Mesa Top Trail
The Mesa Top Trail is a 2-mile connector trail that connects the east and west portions of the North Table Loop. This is a great option for those looking for an alternative to the northern section of the North Table Loop. The Mesa Top Trail connects with a few other park trails, so a “design-your-own-adventure” is entirely possible. Other trail intersections include: Tilting Mesa Trail, Rim Rock Trail, and Cottonwood Canyon Trail.
Rating: Sections vary; overall More Difficult
Length: 2.0 Miles (one-way)
Use: Multi-Use
Tilting Mesa Trail
The Tilting Mesa Trail is a .9-mile connector trail that connects the North Table Loop with the Mesa Top Trail. A popular, lower mileage, loop option is to head east on the North Table Loop from the West Trailhead, connect to the Tilting Mesa Trail, turn west onto the Mesa Top Trail, and reconnect with the North Table Loop for a 3.2-mile loop. Nonetheless, the Tilting Mesa Trail allows visitors to extend or reduce trail mileage.
Rating: Least Difficult
Length: 0.9 Miles (one-way)
Use: Multi-Use
Lichen Peak Trail
The Lichen Peak Trail is a short branch trail just off of the Tilting Mesa Trail that leads to North Table Mountain’s high point. For convenient access, start the North Table Loop heading east with an initial steep ascent. Once atop the mesa, connect with the Tilting Mesa Trail and turn on to the Lichen Peak Trail. Note that this area is within the “Rare Lichen Area” portion of the park, so please be mindful to stay on the trail.
Rating: Least Difficult
Length: 0.2 Miles (one-way)
Use: Hiker Only
Cottonwood Canyon Trail
The Cottonwood Canyon Trail connects the eastern section of the Mesa Top Trail and the eastern section of the North Table Loop. Visitors that access the park from the East Access Trail could consider making a shorter, three-plus mile loop outing with sections of these aforementioned trails.
Rating: More Difficult
Length: 1.0 Mile (one-way)
Use: Multi-Use
Rim Rock Trail
The Rim Rock Trail is a branch trail accessible only via the Mesa Top Trail. Due to it being a sensitive habitat for raptor nesting and other ground-nesting birds, the Rim Rock Trail is seasonally closed from February 1 through July 31. When open, this trail offers excellent variety to extend one’s outing.
Rating: Least Difficult
Length: 1.7 Miles (one-way)
Use: Multi-Use
Tablerock Trail
The Tablerock Trail is a very short branch trail that links together sections of the northern portion of the North Table Loop. This trail technically can be used to slightly shorten the standard North Table Loop route.
Rating: Least Difficult
Length: 0.4 Miles (one-way)
Use: Multi-Use
Mesa Spur Trail
The Mesa Spur Trail is a short access trail in the residential area near the northern section of the park. This trail ultimately connects to the North Table Loop.
Rating: Least Difficult
Length: 0.4 Miles (one-way)
Use: Multi-Use
Golden Cliffs Loop
The Golden Cliffs Loop begins at the Golden Cliffs parking area via the Climbing Access Trail and provides convenient access to some great sport and trad climbing. Together with the short Golden Cliffs Trail, the Climbing Access Trail forms a loop to access various park crags. For detailed climbing route descriptions, check out Mountain Project.
Rating: Sections vary; overall More Difficult
Length: 1.6 Miles (loop)
Use: Multi-Use
West Quarry Trail
The West Quarry Trail is a very short branch trail off of the North Table Loop useful for access to some of the park’s climbing areas.
Rating: More Difficult
Length: 0.3 Miles (one-way)
Use: Multi-Use
Lithic Trail
The Lithic Trail is an access trail off of Easley Rd., near the Tony Grampsas Memorial Sports Complex. This trail provides access to the eastern portion of the park and connects to the North Table Loop.
Rating: More Difficult
Length: 0.2 Miles (one-way)
Use: Multi-Use
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking is permitted on virtually all of North Table Mountain Park’s trails, with only a few exceptions (e.g., Lichen Peak Trail). The majority of the trails are not overly technical, so novices and intermediate riders can thoroughly enjoy the park. Given the popularity of the park and multi-use trail designations, bikers will likely encounter trail traffic with hikers/runners and occasional horseback riders.
For a good balance of ascending and descending, consider the popular 7.4-mile North Table Loop. Starting at the West Trailhead in a counter-clockwise direction will begin the loop with a steep ascent. There is more modest elevation gain along the route, but the initial ascent is the most challenging. If you prefer to avoid an immediate steep ascent, opt to begin the loop in a clockwise direction.
The other connector trails within the park are useful to design your own routes and loops. Consider the Mesa Top Trail as an option to shorten the North Table Loop, since it connects the east and west sides of the loop. In addition, the Tilting Mesa Trail is a great option to shorten the North Table Loop.
For more details on other routes, check out MTB Project. Also, consider picking up a copy of Mountain Biking Colorado: An Atlas of Colorado’s Greatest Off-Road Bicycle Rides if you plan to do more mountain biking around Colorado.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is permitted on the multi-use trails throughout North Table Mountain Park’s trail network. Nearly all of the park’s trails are multi-use, so prepare to share the trails with mountain bikers and hikers. Note that the connector trail leading to Lichen Peak is designated as hiker-only.
Rock Climbing
The Golden Cliffs area of North Table Mountain is renowned for some great sport climbing, though there are plenty of trad, top-rope, and bouldering options as well. Climbing at these crags has long been popular, and in the mid-90s, the Access Fund became stewards of this amazing place. It’s amazing to think that the Golden Cliffs area only officially became a part of North Table Mountain Park in 2014, upon donation to Jefferson County.
Some of the best climbing routes are in the Brown Cloud Crags, The Overhang Area, and the Table Top Area. For detailed climbing route descriptions, check out Mountain Project. Also, a good guide book to consider picking up is Best Climbs Denver and Boulder: Over 200 Of The Best Routes In The Area.
Planning Tips
Fees and Regulations
- Entrance Fees: None.
- Park Hours: Daily; one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
- Pets: Permitted; must be on leash.
- Camping: Not permitted.
Parking
- North Table Mountain Park has multiple access points with parking areas. As with many popular recreation spots near Denver, these lots fill up quickly. Especially during spring and summer weekends. Choose the parking lot best suited and most convenient for your recreation plans.
- West Trailhead: The West Trailhead enables convenient access to the North Table Loop. The parking lot can accommodate approximately 70 vehicles, has a restroom, and potable water.
- Golden Cliffs Trailhead: The Golden Cliffs parking area provides convenient access to the park’s climbing areas, if you prefer to avoid adding the extra mileage of the North Table Loop. If the lot is full, there is an overflow lot that forks off of Peery Parkway. The Golden Cliffs parking area has a restroom.
- Wyoming Circle Trailhead: An alternative to the larger parking areas at the West Trailhead and Golden Cliffs Trailhead is the Wyoming Circle Trailhead. This is a parking lot with 16 spaces just off of Pine Ridge Rd. and Wyoming Circle, which is a more residential area. A short connector trail intersects with the North Table Loop.
- East Access Trailhead: Another parking alternative to access the park is using the Tony Grampsas Memorial Sports Complex. The complex is located at 4471 Salvia St., Golden, CO 80403. Cross Easley Rd. to access the short Lithic Trail to connect to the North Table Loop.
Weather Forecast
- Always check the weather forecast before venturing into wilderness. North Table Mountain Park is only at an elevation just over 6,500 ft., but you should plan ahead. If the weather is not ideal, plan your trip for another day. Safety first!
Recommended Books
For a well-rounded and more interpretive Colorado Open Space experience, consider picking up a few naturalist guides. An easy to use field guide for plants and birds will help identify species and further add to the enjoyment of your time outdoors. In addition, there are a few area-specific guidebooks that offer more details on rock climbing routes, as well as hiking, running, and mountain biking trails.
- Best Trail Runs Denver, Boulder & Colorado Springs
- Mountain Biking Colorado: An Atlas of Colorado’s Greatest Off-Road Bicycle Rides
- Best Climbs Denver and Boulder: Over 200 Of The Best Routes In The Area
- Rocky Mountain Wildflowers Field Guide
- American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of Colorado
- Roadside Geology of Colorado
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