Kutsu PointGold-rush town · 30 minutes from the ridge
Cripple Creek
Thirty minutes up and over, Cripple Creek still looks like the boomtown it was in the 1890s, when it was one of the richest gold camps in the world. Today the brick main street holds casinos, a narrow-gauge railroad, a gold-mine tour, and a herd of wild donkeys descended from the mining days. The drive there, over gold-aspen passes in fall, is half the reason to go.
What to do
- 01
Ride the Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad past the old mines
- 02
Go a thousand feet underground on the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine tour
- 03
Meet the town's free-roaming wild donkeys, and try your luck in the historic casinos
- 04
Drive ten minutes on to Victor to find Rita the Rock Planter, one of Danish artist Thomas Dambo's giant wooden troll sculptures
Know before you go
- The casinos are 21-plus, but the railroad, mine tour, and main street are all for families.
- Late September brings the best aspen color on the drive over. Go on a weekday if you can.
- Best for
- History buffs, a fun day trip, groups who want a town day between hikes
- When to go
- Year-round, with a lively summer, brilliant fall color, and a quiet snow-globe winter.
- Official site
- visitcripplecreek.com
30 minutes from your front door
Reach it, and still be back by the fire.
Kutsu Point sleeps sixteen on forty private acres, the perfect basecamp for Cripple Creek and the rest of the Front Range.
More nearby
Your dates
Bring everyone.
Check the dates, hold the week, and get the whole group up the mountain.