The Golden Gate National Park is located in the northeastern Free State, in the foothills of the Maloti Mountains. The park was proclaimed in 1963 and has a surface area of approximately 11 500 ha. The layered yellow, red, brown and purple sandstone formations are probably the most striking characteristic of the park. The name Golden Gate refers to the golden appearance of the cliffs in the setting sun. The Golden Gate itself consists of two massive bluffs that face each other across the road that follows the valley. The Brandwag is a giant sandstone earthwork (rampart) with the shape of an ocean liner's bow. The Golden Gate National Park is scheduled to be merged with the Qwa-Qwa Park in the southwest.

Vegetation is typical of the Highveld with its sour grasses, herbs and bulbs. The oldwood tree is the tree that is most commonly found. Winters are very cold due to the high altitude and snowfalls are common. Beautiful, frozen waterfalls can often be seen in winter in the mountainous terrain. Summer nights can also be cool. The average annual rainfall of 806mm supports a rich flora in the area. Wildflowers such as watsonias, fire lilies and arum lilies bloom from spring to autumn.

The Golden Gate National Park is a very popular holiday destination. Two rest camps provide accommodation. Glen Reenen features rondavels and a caravan and camping site. The Brandwag Lodge has rooms as well as equipped family chalets. Hiking and horse riding are some of the sporting activities offered. Environmental education takes place at the large youth hostel. San paintings can be viewed and a vulture restaurant enables visitors to observe these endangered birds closely.

Golden Gate is known for its scenery and game viewing is a bonus. Blesbok, herds of black wildebeest, eland, springbok, mountain reedbuck, rhebuck, oribi, buffalo and Burchell's zebra can be found in the park. The rare lammergeyer (bearded vulture), black eagle, jackal buzzard, blue crane, secretary bird, Cape vulture, bald ibis and many other raptor species are some of the many interesting bird species that have been recorded.