Rocky Mountain mining town transformed into a casino corridor above Clear Creek Canyon.
Black Hawk is a former gold mining town in the Rocky Mountains about an hour west of Denver, now almost entirely given over to casinos. Along with neighbouring Central City, it became one of three Colorado towns to legalise gambling in 1991, and the old mining town has been transformed beyond recognition — Victorian buildings sit alongside large casino complexes.
If gambling is not your thing, Black Hawk is mainly a curiosity or a pass-through on the way to Central City, which retains more of its historic character. The drive up Clear Creek Canyon from Golden is scenic.
Guide
Getting There
Black Hawk is about 65 kilometres west of Denver via Interstate 70 and Colorado Highway 119 through Gilpin County, or via the more scenic Highway 6 up Clear Creek Canyon from Golden. The drive takes around an hour from Denver in normal conditions, longer in winter. All the major casinos run free shuttle buses from various Denver-area pickup points — check individual casino websites for schedules, as this is the most practical option if you don't want to drive mountain roads.
There is no public transit connection. A car is effectively required unless you use the casino shuttles.
