Nature Area Hours: 1 Hour Before Sunrise to 1 Hour After Sunset 

Golden Ponds Nature Area opened in 1990.

Land was donated to the City of Longmont by the V.V. Golden Foundation. Vernon Golden, who had mined gravel on this site, donated the land to Longmont residents as a place to fish, walk and enjoy nature. A bronze sculpture of “Vern” helping a small boy fish was donated by the family and is located along the path just west of the parking area.

With a magnificent view of Longs Peak and the Front Range, this park features 88 acres including 56 acres of water surface in four ponds. The nature area is a trail head to the western end of the St. Vrain Greenway, and has 2.6 miles of trails, a handicap-accessible fishing pier, two restrooms and nine picnic shelters. Wildlife of all kinds, especially waterfowl like great blue herons and cormorants, are easily viewed in the park. To view a complete list of amenities and associated trail distances, visit our Plans, Maps & Reports webpage and view the Park Amenities Chart.

Dogs are allowed on leash; please pick up after your pet.

Golden Ponds was heavily damaged in the severe flooding that Longmont experienced in 2013. Replacement of the Golden Ponds spillway in the easternmost pond was completed in 2018. This work included a new pedestrian bridge over the spillway. All trails around Golden Ponds are once again accessible to the public.

For more information or to reserve a shelter at this park, contact Parks, Open Space & Trails.