Idaho Springs
Idaho Springs is the gold-rush town that still feels like a first stop into the Rockies: Miner Street storefronts, the red Argo Mill on the canyon wall and Clear Creek rushing under I-70, about 30 minutes west of Denver.
Idaho Springs, Colorado: Gold Rush Gateway Town
George A. Jackson found gold at the junction of Chicago Creek and Clear Creek in 1859, and Idaho Springs grew into one of Colorado’s earliest mining settlements. The boom left brick commercial blocks, Victorian homes on Colorado Boulevard and a working memory of tunnels under the hillside. Today you can tour the Argo Mill and Tunnel, browse galleries and cafes on Miner Street, and start the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway from the visitor center at the east end of town.
The Heritage Museum and Visitor Center at 2060 Miner Street is the easy first stop for maps, mining exhibits and tips on nearby adventures. Just up the canyon, Virginia Canyon Mountain Park offers hiking and mountain biking above town, and Indian Hot Springs draws visitors for a soak after a day outside. Pair a morning on the slopes at Loveland Ski Area with an afternoon of candy shops, brewpubs and history on Miner Street.
Insider tip: Park once and walk Miner Street end to end. The Argo Cable Car ride to Miners Point gives you a rooftop view of the canyon, and the Steve Canyon statue near the visitor center is a quirky photo stop before you head up Mount Blue Sky.
Photo Gallery
Photo credits: Downtown Idaho Springs, CO IMG 5437 by Billy Hathorn (CC BY-SA 3.0); Idaho Springs P6040192 by Chris Light (CC BY-SA 4.0); Idaho Springs – the town by Ralphmiester (Public domain); Colorado Blvd over Clear Creek, Idaho Springs, CO by Xnatedawgx (CC BY-SA 3.0); Idaho Springs, Colorado, the sign by Ralphmiester (Public domain); Methodist Episcopal Church (Idaho Springs, Colorado) by Jeffrey Beall (CC BY-SA 3.0); Idaho Springs Public Library Exterior 01 by Erie Bard (CC BY-SA 4.0); Pine Tree Mine, Idaho Springs – DPLA – e62d54d8e11230c13a0035945e020d2a by McLean, Lachlan, 1843-1929 (Public domain); I-70 West at Idaho Springs, CO by Bidgee (CC BY-SA 3.0 au). Images via Wikimedia Commons.
News & Events
Winter hours at the Heritage Museum and Visitor Center are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily; summer hours return to 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check Clear Creek County events and Miner Street Market dates at visitclearcreek.com and museum details at historicidahosprings.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Idaho Springs from Denver?
Idaho Springs is about 30 miles west of downtown Denver on I-70, typically a 35- to 45-minute drive depending on traffic and weather.
What is there to do in Idaho Springs?
Walk historic Miner Street, tour the Argo Mill and Tunnel, visit the Heritage Museum, soak at Indian Hot Springs, ride the Argo Cable Car and drive the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway when it is open.
Where is the Idaho Springs visitor center?
The Heritage Museum and Visitor Center is at 2060 Miner Street. Winter hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; summer hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 303-567-4382.
Is Idaho Springs good as a ski day stop?
Yes. Many Front Range skiers stop in Idaho Springs for breakfast or après-ski on the way to and from Loveland, Arapahoe Basin and the Summit County resorts.
What is nearby Idaho Springs?
Georgetown and the Georgetown Loop Railroad are about 15 minutes farther west on I-70, and the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway starts right from town.
Start at the Heritage Museum and Visitor Center, 2060 Miner St., Idaho Springs, CO 80452. Call 303-567-4382 or visit visitclearcreek.com for lodging and events.