Cripple Creek Things to Do

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Drop by miner's cage 1,000 feet into the depths of a gold mine. The guide, a professional gold miner will demonstrate dynamite techniques (sorry no explosions), mining tools such as the different types of drills, and the equipment used to scoop up the ore. You will come away with a knowledge of the different types of gold ore and how it is processed. In the latter part of the tour you will learn about the history of Cripple Creek and there is a very fine display of nuggets and other gems and crystals. Everyone gets to bring home a piece of gold ore, too.
This is a top tourist experience that you should not miss. Colorado history was made on the backs of the miners and you will come away with a greater appreciation of their efforts. Once the guide lights his candle that the miners used and then he turns the lights out, you will see what I mean. No wonder the miners devised means to smuggle gold out in their clothing and shoes.
In fact, in Sept. of 2006 three miners were arrested for taking 1.7 million of gold from a working mine in Cripple Creek. Be sure and ask your guide about this.
Please seek out "things to do" for more info.

This was the Teller County Jail for nearly 90 years (1901-1992). It was also used as a holding area for Colorado’s criminally insane. Many tales have circulated that the place is haunted, disembodied voices and footsteps have been heard in the building. So if you're ghost haunting in Cripple Creek, you'll want to stop here.

Summer Hours: June 1-Sept. 30
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
7 Days A Week
Winter Hours: Oct. 1-May 17
10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday

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There are two versions of the loop.

First the fast version:
Take 67 out of Cripple Creek. You'll pass through the ghost town of Anaconda and into Victor (you'll want to stop and walk around in Victor. It's one of the largest and best preserved mining camps in Colorado). From there take 81 into Goldfield, past Independence and into Gillet where you'll reach 67 again.

Second Version:
Note: Many parts are unpaved, 4 wheel drive is recommended, allow 5-7 hours, total distance- 131 miles
Begin in Florissant, and head south on County Road 1 into the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Follow County Road 1 into Cripple Creek and Victor. South of Victor, head on Phantom Canyon Road. Eventually, you will reach U.S. Highway 50 and Cañon City (here you should veer off to see Royal Gorge). From here, you can take the rough Shelf Road or High Park Road. The Shelf Road will ends just south of Cripple Creek, High Park Road will bypass Cripple Creek dropping you just south of Florissant.

It's not about the gold, it's about finding the history and story of this area. To do that you must visit both Cripple Creek and Victor. Victor looks like Cripple Creek used to back in the 60's before gambling took over. So drive on over and take a look for yourself. There is a back road that is a turn off before you get to Cripple Creek, go left on that road. Then after visiting Victor keep going on through the town and you will go around the mountainside to come into Cripple Creek.
When you are in Cripple Creek go visit the museum that is near the railroad stop. The most intersting thing there is a model of the mining tunnels that catacomb under the mountain. Yet there is still gold to be mined, 80% of the gold is still there.
Be sure and ask the guide to tell you the statistics that show the comparison for Cripple Creek area to all the gold mined in California back in those days. You will be amazed.