Golden Gate Canyon
The canyon located below Rustic Falls approximately five miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs.
Plan Around Golden Gate Canyon
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Golden Gate Canyon Details
Golden Gate Canyon is the canyon located below Rustic Falls approximately five miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs. The Grand Loop Road runs through it along the Golden Gate Viaduct built in 1972 (the current structure), as does Glen Creek, a tributary of the Gardner River. The canyon is named for the yellow-gold coloring of the walls, a color largely the result of a specific lichen that grows on the rock, and the fact that the narrow south end (Kingman Pass) is the "gateway" to the rest of the park.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
Region
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Nearby Parks Around Golden Gate Canyon
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Nearby Points of Interest Around Golden Gate Canyon
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Golden Gate Canyon while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Kingman Pass
A mountain pass between Terrace Mountain and Bunsen Peak just south of Mammoth Hot Springs.
0.0 mi away
Golden Gate
Plunges more than 1,400 feet in less than three miles.
0.3 mi away
Bunsen Peak Trail
One of the best short, scenic day hikes in the park.
0.3 mi away
Glen Creek Trailhead
Trailhead parking for Bunsen Peak Trail, Bunsen Peak Road and Osprey Falls.
0.3 mi away
Old Bunsen Peak Road Trail
This trail is open to and very popular among cyclists.