If you’ve ever driven down I-25 between Denver and Colorado Springs, you’ve seen the signs for Larkspur. Most people just keep driving, maybe stopping for gas or the Renaissance Festival once a year. They’re missing out. Tucked away in the ponderosa pines is the Golf Club at Bear Dance, a place that feels less like a golf course and more like a hike through a national park where someone happened to mow the grass.
It’s rugged. It’s quiet. Honestly, it’s a bit of a beast if you aren’t hitting it straight.
Since opening in 2002, this track has consistently landed at the top of "Best in State" lists. But why? Colorado isn't exactly hurting for high-end mountain golf. You’ve got the flashy resort courses in Vail and the exclusive private clubs in Cherry Hills. Yet, Bear Dance holds a special kind of gravity for local sticks and traveling golfers alike. It’s the home of the Colorado Section of the PGA, which tells you everything you need to know about its pedigree. When the pros choose a place for their headquarters, they aren't looking for a "gimmick" course.
What Sets the Bear Dance Golf Course Colorado Layout Apart
Most mountain courses are "target golf." You hit a 4-iron, pray it stays on a ledge, and then squint to see where your ball went. Bear Dance is different because it actually gives you room to breathe, at least off the tee.
Architect Corey Aubuchon didn't just bulldoze a path through the woods. He let the land dictate the holes. You’ll find massive elevation changes—some drops are so steep you’ll need to adjust your club selection by two or three tiers—but the fairways are wider than they look from the tee box. It’s a visual trick. The towering pines frame the holes so tightly that you feel claustrophobic, but if you trust your swing, there’s usually a safe landing area waiting for you.
The Terrain is the Real Hazard
Forget the sand traps for a second. The real challenge here is the uneven lies. You can hit a perfect drive down the center of the fairway on the par-5 10th and still end up with the ball six inches above your feet. That’s the "Colorado factor."
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The course sits at about 6,800 feet. Your ball is going to fly. If you’re visiting from sea level, you’re basically a superhero for a day. That 250-yard drive suddenly becomes 280. It's intoxicating. But that extra distance comes with a price: spin is harder to control in the thin air. If you slice it, that ball is going to stay sliced until it finds a permanent home in the scrub oak.
The Famous "Bear Paw" Hole and Other Quirks
You can't talk about the Golf Club at Bear Dance without mentioning the 6th hole. It’s a par 4 that features a massive bunker complex shaped exactly like a grizzly bear’s paw. Is it a bit kitschy? Sure. But standing on that elevated tee, looking down at the "claws" made of white sand, you realize how much thought went into the aesthetics.
It’s a risk-reward hole. You can try to clear the paw and leave yourself a tiny wedge into the green, or you can play it safe to the right. Most people go for it. Most people end up in the sand.
Why the Back Nine is Better
The front nine is great, don't get me wrong. But the back nine is where the course really shows its teeth.
- Hole 14: A stunning par 3 that requires a carry over a deep ravine. The wind swirls here. One minute it's at your back, the next it's in your face.
- Hole 16: A long, winding par 5 that feels like it goes on forever.
- The Finish: The 18th hole brings you back toward the clubhouse with a panoramic view of the Rockies. It’s one of those "take a picture even though you just tripled the last hole" kind of views.
The Reality of the "Public" Experience
We need to talk about the price because, let's be real, golf is getting expensive. Bear Dance isn't a "budget" muni. You're going to pay a premium. However, unlike some of the resort courses in Breckenridge or Aspen that charge $300+ for a round, Bear Dance usually sits in a more justifiable bracket for the quality of the turf.
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The greens are almost always lightning-fast. They use a bentgrass blend that holds up well in the Colorado sun, but they can get firm. If you’re used to "dartboard" golf where the ball stops dead on the green, you’re in for a rude awakening. You have to play for the roll.
No Houses. Seriously.
This is a huge selling point. One of the worst things about modern golf is playing through a canyon of $2 million mansions. You feel like you’re hitting into someone’s backyard BBQ. At Bear Dance, there are no houses on the course. None. It’s 750 acres of pure land. It’s just you, the elk, and the occasional mountain lion (yes, they are out there, stay on the path).
Dealing with the Colorado Weather
If you book a tee time in May or October, you are gambling. I’ve seen it be 70 degrees at 10:00 AM and snowing by the 14th hole. The "Bear" in the name is fitting because the weather can be a beast.
- Morning vs. Afternoon: If you play in the morning, bring layers. The temperature swings in Larkspur are wild.
- The Wind: Around 2:00 PM, the wind usually kicks up off the Rampart Range. It makes the long par 4s play like par 5s.
- Lightning: In the summer, the "monsoon" clouds roll in. When the siren goes off, get off the course. You’re on a high ridge; you don’t want to be the tallest thing holding a metal stick.
A Note on the Amenities
The clubhouse is a massive, rustic building that looks like a high-end ski lodge. The "Bear’s Den" restaurant is actually good—not just "good for a golf course," but actually worth eating at. They have a wrap-around deck that overlooks the 18th green. Even if you have a terrible round, sitting out there with a local Colorado IPA makes it hard to stay mad.
They also have a top-tier practice facility. If you’ve got the time, show up an hour early. The range balls are included in your green fee, and the putting green actually mimics the speed of the course, which is a rarity.
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Comparing Bear Dance to Fossil Trace and Arrowhead
People always ask: "If I only have one day in Colorado, where do I play?"
Arrowhead is more iconic visually because of the red rock formations, but as a pure golf course? It’s a bit cramped. Fossil Trace in Golden is fun and has those cool dinosaur tracks, but it can feel a bit "urban" with the surrounding development.
Bear Dance is for the golfer who wants to disappear. It feels more isolated and "pure" than the others. It’s a longer drive from Denver (about 45–50 minutes depending on traffic), but the payoff is the silence.
Practical Tips for Your Round
- Hydrate. I cannot stress this enough. You are at high altitude. If you start feeling a headache on the 6th hole, it’s not just your bad putting; it’s dehydration.
- Trust the GPS. The carts have high-end GPS units. Use them. Distances are deceptive here because of the elevation changes.
- Watch for Elk. They have the right of way. Seriously, they’re huge and they don't care about your birdie putt.
- Book Early. Because it’s the PGA Section home, it fills up fast. Weekends are usually booked out weeks in advance.
Actionable Next Steps for the Visiting Golfer
If you are planning to tackle the Bear Dance golf course Colorado has waiting for you, don't just wing it. Start by checking the local Larkspur forecast specifically, as it often differs from Denver's weather.
Download a dedicated GPS golf app like 18Birdies or Arccos to supplement the cart's system, especially for "blind" shots where you can't see the flag. If you are coming from out of state, plan your round for at least your second or third day in Colorado. This gives your body time to acclimate to the 6,000+ foot elevation, reducing the risk of altitude sickness and helping you better judge your new, "boosted" club distances.
Finally, check the course's maintenance schedule on their official site. They aerate the greens twice a year, and you definitely don't want to pay full price to putt through sand and holes. Aim for late June or September for the absolute best turf conditions and most stable weather.