Community Resources

Canyon Driving

Drive safely on your journey through Coal Creek Canyon:

  • Beware of black ice! Do not allow dry roads at the middle or top of the canyon to lower your guard about ice in the lower canyon.
    • At times, especially in spring, the roads can be clear and dry at the top of the canyon leading to a false sense of security, and inappropriately fast speeds. Roads lower in the canyon, in the shadow of the steep canyon walls, can remain icy including with black ice. Roll-over accidents are commonly a result of black ice and most commonly occur in mornings and early afternoons.
  • Beware the soft shoulder! If you do slip into one,  don’t panic. It is not ideal (and can lead to a flat tire) but more typically the soft shoulder is no worse than a bumpy ride. DO NOT over-correct to get back (see below)! Take time to ease back onto road. (The soft shoulder, however, cannot support the weight of heavy vehicles.) 
  • Beware the creek drop offs! Due to rapid reconstruction after the Coal Creek Flood of 2013, the roadways have steep rocky/concrete drop-offs that threaten motor vehicle accidents that may result in additional damage to vehicles and injury to victims.
  • Do not over-correct! Do not turn you wheel suddenly if you slip into the soft shoulder, slip on black ice, or to avoid additional hazards, such as wild life
    • Attempting to rapidly turn the wheel can result in roll-over accidents and head on collisions.
  • Slow Down! Spring mud can be slippery. Make sure to slow down especially around corners. 
  • Maintain Your Vehicle! Especially your tires. Understanding your vehicle how to handle it is essential is handling adverse weather conditions. 
  • Keep a safe distance and do not pass when conditions are abnormal! Refrain from tailgating as your reaction times will need to be greater during adverse weather. Passing should only be done in legal passing zones, but avoided during hazardous conditions. 
  • Do not drive distracted. Do not engage in anything other than driving.
  • Yield in a safe place for emergency vehicles! Do not yield partially off the road, or at a blind curve. An emergency vehicle won’t pass if it cannot do so safely.
  • Visit the Colorado Department Of Transportation safety page for more information:

Canyon Entrances & Exits

Prepare for unforeseen conditions by knowing the entrances and exits into the canyon:

The main entrances / exits are these:

  • East: Highway 72 to Highway 93 – the typical route down to the flat lands.
  • West: Highway 72 to Highway 119 – the main route to Nederland or Blackhawk.
  • North: Gross Dam Road past Gross Reservoir, down Flagstaff Road to Boulder.
    • Steep winding dirt roads that are maintained and typically accessible to most vehicles. Increased hazardous road conditions during inclement weather.
  • South: Twin Spruce Road to Gap Road, through Golden Gate Canyon State Park to Golden / Blackhawk, or even Nederland / Boulder.
    • Steep winding dirt roads that are maintained and typically accessible to most vehicles. Increased hazardous road conditions during inclement weather.