☰Idaho Springs

Idaho Springs is positioned at the entrance to the high country, and the road west on I-70 opens up quickly into some of Colorado's best scenery. The ski resorts at Breckenridge, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin are all within an hour's drive over Loveland Pass or through the Eisenhower Tunnel — in summer these operate as hiking and mountain biking destinations.

Mount Evans is the most compelling day trip from Idaho Springs itself. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway climbs from the town up to 14,130 feet at the summit parking area, one of the highest paved roads in North America. The drive passes through alpine tundra above treeline, and mountain goats and bighorn sheep are commonly seen near the summit. The byway is typically open from late May or early June through mid-October, depending on snow.

Georgetown, just twelve miles west on I-70, is a well-preserved Victorian silver-mining town with a good collection of nineteenth-century architecture and the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a narrow-gauge tourist railway that runs between Georgetown and Silver Plume on a dramatic loop of trestle bridges. Central City and Black Hawk, two other historic mining towns turned casino districts, sit about fifteen miles to the north via Highway 119.

Idaho Springs is a small town and the main strip along Miner Street is walkable end to end in under fifteen minutes. The historic commercial district, the Argo Gold Mine, Indian Springs Resort, and the riverside access points for Clear Creek are all within easy walking distance of one another or a short drive.

A car is useful for reaching trailheads in the surrounding national forest and for making the drive up the Mount Evans Scenic Byway. There is free street parking along Miner Street and several small lots near the main attractions. Congestion can be noticeable on summer weekends when the town fills with day-trippers from Denver.

Clear Creek Greenway, a paved multi-use path, runs along the creek through town and connects to trails heading east toward Golden. It is good for cycling and walking.

Idaho Springs sits directly on Interstate 70, 35 miles west of Denver, making it one of the most accessible mountain towns in Colorado. The drive from downtown Denver takes about 40 minutes under normal conditions, though the highway can back up badly on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings when ski traffic is heavy. Exit 240 puts you directly onto Miner Street, the main street through town.

The Bustang intercity bus service operated by the Colorado Department of Transportation stops in Idaho Springs on the mountain route between Denver and Glenwood Springs. Buses run several times daily and accept bicycles with reservations. The Flatiron Flyer and RTD regional buses from Denver connect to points along the Front Range, and transfers are available at the Denver Union Station. Idaho Springs does not have a train station.

Denver International Airport is about 60 miles to the east. A rental car is the most practical option if you are flying in and want to explore the surrounding mountains.

Idaho Springs is accessible year-round, and each season brings a different crowd and character. Summer (June through August) is the busiest period: the mountain air stays mild and cool, Clear Creek runs at good whitewater levels through July, and the Mount Evans Scenic Byway is open to the summit. Expect plenty of traffic on I-70 on summer weekends as Denver residents head up to escape the heat.

Autumn is quieter and arguably the most pleasant time to visit. Aspen groves in the surrounding mountains turn gold in late September and early October, and the crowds thin after Labor Day. Winter brings ski traffic from the resorts further west — Idaho Springs sits on the main artery to Breckenridge, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin — so the restaurants and shops stay busy on weekends. Spring is mud season at higher elevations, but the town itself is fine, and prices are low.

The hot springs at Indian Springs Resort are appealing in any season, though soaking in a geothermal pool has obvious appeal in winter. The mine tours at Argo run year-round except for a brief closure period in late fall.