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Home › Colorado › Public land › Ralston Creek SWA

SWA · Jefferson County

Ralston Creek State Wildlife Area, a guide for Colorado hunters

State wildlife area in Jefferson County and Gilpin County, about 2,100 acres.

Get driving directionsAll Jefferson County spots

Stand-in photo: Gilpin County, a short way from Ralston Creek SWA.

Photo: David Herrera (CC BY 2.0)

Getting to Ralston Creek State Wildlife Area

Get driving directionsParking on Google MapsTrailheads on Google Maps

Parking, trailheads and gates near Ralston Creek State Wildlife Area

  • Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
  • TrailheadTrailhead · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
  • Bridge Creek TrailheadParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections

Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.

Ralston Creek SWA: licenses, dates and restrictions

Anyone 16 or older on Ralston Creek SWA needs a valid Colorado hunting or fishing license or a State Wildlife Area Pass, unless the property rules below say otherwise. Stay on open roads in a vehicle and use only authorized camp spots. Portable blinds and tree stands are the only kind allowed, and not earlier than 30 days before the season. Firearms and bows may not be discharged in parking lots, camps or picnic grounds.

Rules posted for this property:

  • Public access is prohibited from February 1 through June 14.
  • Public access is restricted to hunting activities from the day after Labor Day through the end of the late deer/elk season.
  • No public access to the Mount Tom Administrative Area.
  • Discharge of firearms or bows is prohibited except while hunting.
  • Dogs are prohibited.

From the agency source, CPW SWA finder; checked November 5, 2026.

Nearby

Places to hunt and shoot around Ralston Creek State Wildlife Area

Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Public land · 3 mi from Ralston Creek State Wildlife Area

Directions
Eldorado Canyon State Park

Public land · 7 mi from Ralston Creek State Wildlife Area

Directions
Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge

Public land · 10 mi from Ralston Creek State Wildlife Area

Directions
Shooting Ranges Near Lakewood

Range · 16 mi from Ralston Creek State Wildlife Area

Directions
Hunting Near Lakewood, Colorado

Town · 16 mi from Ralston Creek State Wildlife Area

Directions
Mount Evans State Wildlife Area

Public land · 17 mi from Ralston Creek State Wildlife Area

Directions

Ralston Creek SWA at a glance

Measured by the CPW SWA page, Ralston Creek SWA runs to 2,100 acres. A GIS measure of the boundary gives 2,789 acres instead; this page prints the CPW SWA page figure. Sorted by acreage, Ralston Creek SWA sits at number 63 of the 224 state wildlife areas in this guide. Counting Ralston Creek SWA, Jefferson County has 2 state wildlife areas. On the CPW map it sits in Area 1 (Northeast Region) and the Blackhawk district. The office named for Ralston Creek SWA is Area CPW Office, Denver; the number is 303-291-7227. Hunting, per the printed 2026 brochure: big game, small game, furbearers. Plan to sleep somewhere else, since camping is not listed.

You can pursue, by the agency list: Waterfowl, Furbearers, Big game, Small game.

2,100Acres
2,789GIS acres
2Counties
38GMU
NortheastCPW region
1CPW area
23Brochure page

From the agency page, 2026 Recreation Lands brochure, p. 23 (Colorado Parks and Wildlife); retrieved 2026-11-04, checked November 5, 2026.

2026-27 seasons in the units of Ralston Creek SWA

For Ralston Creek SWA the season list holds 41 lines across its GMUs. OTC here means elk and wild turkey; everything else is by limited license. Rows that need private land (4) stay off this table. The spring turkey rows are the 2026 season; CPW has not yet published spring 2027 dates.

GameWeaponSexTypeFirst dayLast dayGMUs
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateSep 1, 2026Jan 31, 202738
ElkArcherycowLimited, nonresidentSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202638
ElkArcherycowOTC, residentsSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202638
ElkArcheryeither sexLimited, nonresidentSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202638
ElkArcheryeither sexOTC, residentsSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202638
ElkMuzzleloaderbullLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202638
ElkMuzzleloadercowLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202638
ElkRiflebullLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 202638
ElkRiflecowLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 202638
ElkRiflecowLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202638
ElkSecond riflebullOTCOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202638
ElkRiflecowLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202638
ElkThird riflebullOTCNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202638
ElkRiflebullLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202638
ElkRiflecowLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202638
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateDec 1, 2026Jan 31, 202738
DeerArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202638
DeerMuzzleloaderbuckLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202638
DeerMuzzleloaderdoeLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202638
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202638
DeerRifledoeLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202638
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202638
DeerRifledoeLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202638
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202638
DeerRifledoeLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202638
DeerRifledoeLimited, lateDec 1, 2026Jan 31, 202738
DeerRifleeither sexLimited, lateDec 1, 2026Jan 31, 202738
MooseArcherycowLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 30, 202638
MooseArcherycowLimited, splitSep 12, 2026Sep 30, 202638
MooseMuzzleloadercowLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202638
MooseMuzzleloadercowLimited, splitSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202638
MooseRiflecowLimited drawOct 1, 2026Oct 14, 202638
MooseSeason choicebullLimited drawOct 1, 2026Oct 14, 202638
MooseRiflecowLimited, lateOct 14, 2026Nov 22, 202638
Black bearArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202638
Black bearRifleeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202638
Black bearMuzzleloadereither sexLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202638
Black bearRifleeither sexLimited drawOct 14, 2026Nov 22, 202638
Mountain lionAll methods–Group harvest limitNov 23, 2026Mar 31, 202738
Wild turkeySpring–OTCApr 11, 2026May 31, 202638
Wild turkeyFall–OTCSep 1, 2026Oct 4, 202638

Small game and bird seasons for the listed species

GameSeasonWhereOpensCloses
Dusky grouseSeasonWest of I-25Sep 1, 2026Nov 22, 2026
Ducks and cootsSeason (split)Mountain zoneOct 3, 2026Jan 31, 2027
Dark geeseSeasonexcept zoneNov 2, 2026Feb 14, 2027
CottontailSeasonStatewideOct 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027

Season rows and hunt codes from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, the 2026 Small Game and Waterfowl brochure, the Turkey brochure and the Mountain Lion brochure; property access dates still apply; checked November 5, 2026.

GMU rules that reach Ralston Creek SWA

GMU overlay for Ralston Creek SWA (1 unit): GMU 38.

GMU 38 carry the elk antler point restriction. Group 4 set the lion harvest limit here.

GMU totals from 2024 give a sense of the game: GMU 38 produced 275 deer.

UnitSpeciesHarvestHuntersPct success
GMU 38Elk881,0968%
GMU 38Deer2751,12924%
GMU 38Black bear2––

GMU overlay from the CPW Big Game GMU layer; unit rules from the 2026 Big Game brochure; 2024 elk harvest by GMU, 2024 deer harvest by GMU, 2024 pronghorn harvest by GMU, 2024 bear harvest by GMU; checked November 5, 2026.

Finding Ralston Creek SWA on the ground

Route, per the brochure: From Golden, go 1 mile N on Highway 93 to Golden Gate Canyon Road Turn left and go for W 13 miles up canyon. Turn right at Crawford Gulch, go 3 to 4 miles E; SWA parking on right.

Coordinates used on this page: 39.8340, -105.3676.

Map the pointCPW map PDF

Directions from the 2026 Colorado State Recreation Lands brochure; map files from the CPW property page; point from CPW Managed Properties (public access only) layer, CPWAdminData (1 polygon) (polygon centroid); checked November 5, 2026.

Supply towns and CPW help near Ralston Creek SWA

The handiest town is Central, 8 miles off in a straight line. A bigger stop is Arvada: population 121,873 in 2024. CPW Denver Office is the closest CPW office, about 20 miles.

TownCountyPeople (2024)DistanceDirection
CentralGilpin7938 mileswest
Idaho SpringsClear Creek1,6999 milessouthwest
GoldenJefferson20,15110 milessoutheast
FairmountJefferson–11 mileseast
ArvadaJefferson121,87312 mileseast
CPW Denver Office

CPW office · Denver, Adams County · about 20 mi away

(303) 291-7227Plot the wayBusiness web
How the West Was Won Guns Inc

sporting goods · Golden, Jefferson County · about 8 mi away

(303) 979-6203Plot the way
Vital Outdoors

sporting goods · Golden, Jefferson County · about 9 mi away

(303) 215-1644Plot the wayBusiness web
Elk Mountain Taxidermy

taxidermy · Golden, Jefferson County · about 10 mi away

(303) 984-0057Plot the wayBusiness web
Rough Country Taxidermy

taxidermy · Golden, Jefferson County · about 12 mi away

(303) 278-0817Plot the way
Cowboy Camp Outfitters Inc

guide or outfitter · Arvada, Jefferson County · about 12 mi away

(303) 420-4788Plot the wayBusiness web

Towns from places.json (Census 2024 estimates); CPW offices from the CPW Contact Us page; businesses from services.json listings; straight-line miles. Checked November 5, 2026.

Ralston Creek SWA and the land around it

If Ralston Creek SWA is busy, Golden Gate Canyon State Park lies 3 miles to the west. Close by you will find 2 state parks, 2 SWAs and 1 wildlife refuge. No hunting at Sawhill Ponds State Wildlife Area (CPW lists no hunting) and Staunton State Park (no hunting designation).

Public landKindAcresCountyDistanceDirection
Golden Gate Canyon State ParkState park11,895Gilpin3 mileswest
Eldorado Canyon State ParkState park1,441Boulder7 milesnorth
Rocky Flats NWRRefuge6,560Jefferson10 milesnortheast
Beaver Brook STLState trust land480Clear Creek10 milessouthwest
Bergen Peak SWASWA1,093Clear Creek12 milessouth
Mount Evans SWASWA3,438Clear Creek17 milessouthwest

Point: CPW Managed Properties (public access only) layer, CPWAdminData (1 polygon) (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Closed places from lands.json closed rows. Statewide public land map.

Game and terrain near Ralston Creek SWA

Mallards and Canada geese taking flight over a snowy field
Mallards and Canada geese taking flight over a snowy field
Snow geese in flight
Snow geese in flight
Mallard drakes taking flight
Mallard drakes taking flight

Legal light on Ralston Creek SWA, opener by opener

Walk-In Access properties open an hour before sunrise and close an hour after sunset, two hours for waterfowl, deer, elk and pronghorn hunters.

DayMomentFirst sunLast sunRifle hoursShotgun hours
Aug 15, 2026Pronghorn bow opener6:13 a.m.7:59 p.m.5:43 a.m. to 8:29 p.m.5:43 a.m. to 7:59 p.m.
Sep 2, 2026Archery opener6:29 a.m.7:33 p.m.5:59 a.m. to 8:03 p.m.5:59 a.m. to 7:33 p.m.
Sep 12, 2026Muzzleloader opens6:38 a.m.7:17 p.m.6:08 a.m. to 7:47 p.m.6:08 a.m. to 7:17 p.m.
Oct 3, 2026Duck season opens6:58 a.m.6:42 p.m.6:28 a.m. to 7:12 p.m.6:28 a.m. to 6:42 p.m.
Oct 24, 2026Second rifle opens7:19 a.m.6:11 p.m.6:49 a.m. to 6:41 p.m.6:49 a.m. to 6:11 p.m.
Nov 23, 2026Lion season opens6:54 a.m.4:42 p.m.6:24 a.m. to 5:12 p.m.6:24 a.m. to 4:42 p.m.
Dec 21, 2026Shortest day7:18 a.m.4:40 p.m.6:48 a.m. to 5:10 p.m.6:48 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.

Furbearer night rules are in the CPW small game brochure.

Hours rules from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure and the Small Game and Waterfowl brochure; sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula (Mountain Time); checked November 5, 2026. Legal hours for every county.

Public and private ranges before Ralston Creek State Wildlife Area

Clear Creek County holds the CPW-listed range nearest Ralston Creek State Wildlife Area: Devils Nose Target Range (16 miles). Beside it sit the closest club ranges inside 30 miles.

Devils Nose Target Range
CPW-listed range

Idaho Springs, Clear Creek County · 16 mi

Set up for: rifle, handgun, to 100 yd

Public, no fee · cpw.state.co.us, checked Nov 4, 2026

Golden High Country Archers
archery range

Golden, Jefferson County · 10 mi

Set up for: archery, 3D archery

Access not stated · findarcheryranges.com, checked Nov 4, 2026

Arvada Rifle & Pistol
Club
indoor range

Golden, Jefferson County · 10 mi

Set up for: handgun, rimfire, air gun, muzzleloader

Members only · boisegunclub.com, checked Nov 4, 2026

From the CPW Shooting Range Finder, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 5, 2026.

Backup spots for Ralston Creek SWA

SWA

Bergen Peak SWA

1,093 acres, 12 mi

SWA

Mount Evans SWA

3,438 acres, 17 mi

SWA

Georgetown SWA

670 acres, 19 mi

SWA

Twin Sisters SWA

640 acres, 31 mi

State wildlife areasWildlife refugesPublic land map

Quick answers about Ralston Creek SWA

Orange or pink on Ralston Creek SWA?

Solid orange or pink, at least 500 square inches above the waist, and a hat, for firearm deer, elk, pronghorn, moose and bear.

Is it legal to hunt over bait on Ralston Creek SWA?

No. It is illegal to hunt big game, turkey, small game or migratory birds over bait in Colorado, whoever placed it.

What legal shooting hours apply on Ralston Creek SWA in November?

Big game: half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. On November 7, 2026 that works out to 6:05 a.m. to 5:24 p.m. in Jefferson County (NOAA solar formula).

Is camping allowed on Ralston Creek SWA?

Camping is not listed as an amenity; plan to stay off the property.

Is there an official website for Ralston Creek SWA?

Yes, run by Colorado Parks and Wildlife: the official page.

Is there an entry fee or permit for Ralston Creek SWA?

Carry a Colorado hunting or fishing license or a State Wildlife Area Pass if you are 16 or older.

Roughly how much country does Ralston Creek SWA take in?

About 2,100 acres in all.

Which county sheriff and county roads serve Ralston Creek SWA?

GIS puts it in Jefferson County and Gilpin County.

Which game management units cover Ralston Creek SWA?

The CPW GMU layer gives GMU 38.

Are there date or time limits on Ralston Creek SWA?

Public access is prohibited from February 1 through June 14.

What animals can be hunted on Ralston Creek SWA?

Waterfowl, furbearers, big game and small game.

Is there OTC elk on Ralston Creek SWA?

Not entirely; 4 OTC rows apply, such as archery (OTC, residents), and the rest need the draw.

Is CWD testing required for elk from Ralston Creek SWA?

Testing is optional in these units; CPW charges $25 for a voluntary test. Antler point rule: GMU 38.

What is the closest town with services to Ralston Creek SWA?

The closest town with a page here is Central (8 miles).

Which CPW contact handles Ralston Creek SWA?

Area CPW Office in Denver, 303-291-7227. Poaching tips can go to CPW Turn In Poachers.

Ralston Creek SWA: the final check

Confirm your hunt code, GMU and the open dates for Ralston Creek SWA before you load the truck.

Public land pinsEvery Colorado placeJefferson CountyState wildlife areasSource website

Sources: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4; seasons from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure. Checked November 5, 2026.

Other photos on this page: Larry Lamsa (CC BY 2.0); Birding for Climate (Public domain); USFWS Mountain Prairie (CC BY 2.0).