Overview
Cripple Creek is a small town in Colorado. It is a town steeped in gold mining history, still very much in evidence from the old mine ruins dotted about everywhere. In fact, it promotes itself as "the world's greatest gold camp". In addition, the town is now a major casino destination, as 57% of the residents of Colorado voted to permit this town to have casinos ("controlled gambling") in order to breathe back life into it after it declined in tourism value from the 80s. Today it is a bustling, lively and exciting town that begs exploration of its turn-of-the-20th-century buildings which have been immaculately maintained and makes for brilliant photo opportunities. Watch out though - burros (wild donkeys) roam the streets at large, with the blessing of the townsfolk (except, of course, when the burros are munching up a local garden).
A good time to visit is summer, as the weather is going to be lovely but also expect a high ratio of tourists. The town, however, offers plenty to see and do at any time of year.
5 sights · 3 things to do · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Cripple Creek
Cripple Creek District Museum
Old Homestead House Museum
Victor Lowell Thomas Museum
Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
Take a ride on the old gold trains. This includes detailed commentary on the gold mines in the region.
Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine
A must for mining and history buffs, tour and gold sample
The Butte Theater
Plays, musicals, comedy, and concerts. One of the last theaters to present Classical American Melodramas. Community season January-May, Professional season June-December, with special events throughout the year.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Aug. Summer highs reach about 79°F; winter lows dip to about 5°F. Cold months (Jan, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Aug and Jul. (climate data from nearby Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- COS City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, Colorado Springs — 26 mi away (major hub). Directions
- PUB Pueblo Memorial Airport, Pueblo — 49 mi away. Directions
The best way to reach Cripple Creek is via your own car or motorcycle. There are, however, bus alternatives. The drive from Colorado Springs to Woodland Park and then on through to Cripple Creek is windy but probably offers the easiest entry point. It is bitumen all the way.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Cripple Creek District Museum, Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad, Old Homestead House Museum
- Afternoon The Butte Theater, Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine
Day 2
- Morning Victor Lowell Thomas Museum
- Afternoon Pikes Peak Heritage Center at Cripple Creek
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
There are many places to eat standard fare. There are approximately 12 fine dining restaurants.
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
The best way to reach Cripple Creek is via your own car or motorcycle. There are, however, bus alternatives. The drive from Colorado Springs to Woodland Park and then on through to Cripple Creek is windy but probably offers the easiest entry point. It is bitumen all the way.
Get around
Parking can be a bit of an issue, as many areas are 20 minutes or 2 hours only. Casino car parking is strictly regulated and fines and tow-aways occur for illegitimate parking. Look for one of the public parking lots or move your car around. However, the town is so small, that as long as you find a good park, walking is not going to be a major issue and is the best way to get around.
See
- Late nineteenth century buildings which have been carefully maintained. In spite of the casino glitziness, the old world charm still manages to shine through and enthrall.
See Pikes Peak Heritage Center at Cripple Creek
Do
You could easily spend an activity-packed weekend at Cripple Creek and still wish for more time to do the activities.
- District Museums - there are three museums to visit.
- Casinos - these are situated down Bennett Street.
- Take a walk down the old time main street, Bennett Avenue.
- Take photos of the renewed late 19th century signs painted on the sides of buildings.
- Look for the donkeys roaming the streets at large.
- Visit Victor, which is nearby and not the slightest bit commercialized - it looks as a mining town would have done 100 years ago. It retains old world charm and has some great antique shops, a broom making workshop (the old-fashioned way) and old-fashioned yarn-making. There is also a small amount of accommodation available here.
Buy
- Burro or train souvenirs
- Good reference books on gold, the Wild West and high altitude cooking.
Eat
There are many places to eat standard fare. There are approximately 12 fine dining restaurants.
Drink
There are many bars in the casinos, or you can visit hometown cafés.
Sleep
Options include staying in the casino lodgings where relevant, in bed and breakfasts and in hotels.
Stay Hotel St. Nicholas
Built as a hospital in 1898 by the Catholic Sisters of Mercy, it has 14 individually-decorated rooms in Victorian style. Includes continental breakfast. The Boiler Room Tavern in the basement serves a light bar-fare menu, a patio with mountain views, and indeed, the original coal fired boiler is on display. The hotel also has an independently owned spa offering massages and facials.
Campgrounds
Stay The Lost Burro
There is a superb camping ground nestled in a snug little valley about 4 miles west of the town called The Lost Burro. It is privately run and is in excellent condition, with RV space at one end and large campsites at the other end. Those staying in tents will not even be aware of RV users. The camping property is extremely large and the views are fantastic.
Go next
- If you are adventurous, take Highway 67 south from Cripple Creek through Victor and down to Highway 50, where you can turn east toward Pueblo or west toward Cañon City. Victor remains an authentic old gold mining town with many historic structures. The road through Phantom Canyon is an old railroad route that requires dirt road skills and at points the road is only wide enough for a single car, so be aware of others coming the other way, but this drive is not to be missed. It encompasses the top of the mountain and the base of canyons and has varied vegetation, including cacti. The rock formations have to be seen to be believed and there are two fabulous rock tunnels that were originally blasted out for the railway that created this road initially.
Nearby
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Park · 8 listings · 13 mi away
Manitou Springs
City / town · 30 listings · 16 mi away
Woodland Park
City / town · 5 listings · 19 mi away
Colorado Springs
City / town · 60 listings · 20 mi away
Cañon City
City / town · 25 listings · 21 mi away
Monument
City / town · 6 listings · 29 mi away
Palmer Lake
City / town · 18 listings · 30 mi away
Pueblo
City / town · 17 listings · 45 mi away
My experience
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