Nowhere in Colorado is the state's mining history more obvious than in Idaho Springs. Gold was first discovered in Colorado here in 1859. Idaho Springs began as a workingman's town, and remains much the same — accessible and affordable.
Several mine tours give visitors insight into local mining history. In town is the Argo Gold Mill, where you can see what a working mill looked like. And not far from town is the Phoenix Mine, a working gold mine, where you can learn about modern day, as well as historical, mining techniques. You can also pan for gold! A walk around town shows the many buildings that have been preserved — though most now have different uses than what they were originally.
Adjacent to Idaho Springs, due west of Denver, is Mount Evans. The road to the peak is a 14-mile ascent on the highest paved road in North America, rising to 14,200 feet above sea level. Keep on the look-out as mountain goats often graze alongside the highway. If you stop, they'll even come to car windows begging for food, but please don’t feed them.
There are plenty of good little restaurants in Idaho Springs, including a brewpub. All are affordable, as is area lodging and genuinely unique shopping.
After a long day of playing tourist, enjoy the hot mineral waters of the springs for which the town is named. You can stay at the hot springs lodge or just visit the geothermal springs and caves for a fitting end to your hard-working day.
Clear Creek County Tourism Bureau
P.O. Box 100 Idaho Springs, CO 80452
800-882-5278 |
