Overview
Idaho Springs is a city of 1800 people in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. It is known also as the Gem of the Rockies.
7 sights · 14 things to do · 8 places to eat · 5 bars & cafés · 7 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Idaho Springs
Argo Gold Mine and Mill
Here you take a tour of one of the famous mines in the area, also gives live demonstrations as well and you can pan for gold here. Added to the list of National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Mount Blue Sky
the highest peak in the Mount Evans Wilderness at 14,266 ft. A paved road ends about 130 ft below the summit.
Idaho Springs Heritage Museum
Artifacts showing the history of the town. The mining past has several displays.
Phoenix Gold Mine
Tour of a local gold mine filled with lots of history. After the tour you can pan for gold or walk along two of the trails that are nearby. Tours usually take about 45 min to an hour.
Idaho Springs Waterfall
There is also a waterwheel from the 1800s that is right next to the waterfall.
Underhill Museum
Combination home and office for Dr. Underhill and his wife. Showing the history of the town and the family.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 88°F; winter lows dip to about 21°F. Wettest: May and Apr. (climate data from nearby Boulder)
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.
- BJC Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, Denver — 24 mi away. Directions
- DEN Denver International Airport, Denver — 45 mi away (major hub). Directions
Interstate 70 (cosigned with US-6 and US-40) passes through Idaho Springs. Colorado-103 begins at I-70 Exit 240.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $69–$69 a night (typical $184), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$110, mid-range ~$260, comfortable ~$240.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Idaho Springs Heritage Museum, Idaho Springs Waterfall, Historic Train#60
- Lunch Wildfire Restaurant & Bar
- Afternoon “Oh My Gawd” Road, Liquid Descent
- Dinner Marion's of the Rockies
- Evening Westwinds Tavern
Day 2
- Morning Argo Gold Mine and Mill, Underhill Museum, Arapaho National Forest
- Lunch Buffalo Restaurant and Bar
- Afternoon Zipping Colorado, Raft Masters
- Dinner Mangia!
- Evening Westbound and Down Brewing Company
Day 3
- Morning Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway & Wilderness, Phoenix Gold Mine, Pioneer Cemetery
- Lunch Smokin Yard's BBQ
- Afternoon Clear Creek Rafting Company, St. Mary's Glacier
- Dinner Beau Jo's Pizza
- Evening Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Doesn't have a lot of fast food but it does have a McDonalds, Quiznos and a Carls Jr.
Prices for food may seem to be a little higher than what you would pay elsewhere but this is a big tourist spot so expect to pay a little more. Most of the places to eat are on Miner Street or in the surrounding area.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
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.
Understand
The most populous settlement in Clear Creek County, Colorado, it was founded in 1859 during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush, and sits 7543 feet above sea level, about 30 miles from Denver.
Get in
By air
By road
Interstate 70 (cosigned with US-6 and US-40) passes through Idaho Springs. Colorado-103 begins at I-70 Exit 240.
Get around
To get around all you really need is your two feet; park your car in the downtown area and you can pretty much walk to everything you need to see in the area. To get to other places around town you just drive. Parking can be difficult during the tourist season (May 15 through October 15).
See
See Idaho Springs Waterfall
There is also a waterwheel from the 1800s that is right next to the waterfall.
See Pioneer Cemetery
See Historic Train#60
Do
Do Arapaho National Forest
Do “Oh My Gawd” Road
Take a drive up “Oh My Gawd Road”, the hair-raising shortcut to nearby Central City, This scenic dirt road gets its name from its spectacular views as well as its narrow and curving lanes.
Rafting and kayaking
Hiking
You must remember you are hiking in the Rocky Mountains where weather can change very quickly. Always have plenty of food and water and check local weather conditions. Ranger Contact: U.S. Forest Service Idaho Springs +1 303-567-3000.
Do St. Mary's Glacier
Do Squaw Mountain Trail
A 4½-mile roundtrip trail with an elevation gain of 1200 feet, popular with snowshoeing.
Do Mount Blue Sky (Mount Evans)
the highest peak in the Mount Evans Wilderness at 14,266 ft. A paved road ends about 130 ft below the summit.
Buy
Shop Miner Decadence
Shop Safeway Food and Drug
Shop Georgetown Valley Candy Company
Eat
Doesn't have a lot of fast food but it does have a McDonalds, Quiznos and a Carls Jr.
Prices for food may seem to be a little higher than what you would pay elsewhere but this is a big tourist spot so expect to pay a little more. Most of the places to eat are on Miner Street or in the surrounding area.
Eat Wildfire Restaurant & Bar
Serves great breakfast, American and Mexican food.
Eat Marion's of the Rockies
Known for its great breakfast and brunch.
Eat Smokin Yard's BBQ
One of the best places to stop along I-70. Known for its great BBQ and offers complimentary boiled peanuts.
Eat Beau Jo's Pizza
They have been offering mountain pies, which is Colorado style pizza, since 1973. Has a local food challenge called the "14er" which is a 14-pound pizza; you win $100 if you and another person finish it. Offers free Wi-Fi as well.
Eat Buffalo Restaurant and Bar
Serves a lot of great American food and has an old time feel to the place. They have added a casual brewpub called Westbound and Down right next door. The restaurant has had a more upscale remodel and still serves buffalo.
Drink
Drink Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub
A nice place to drink at and also serve beer that they make there as well.
Drink Westbound and Down Brewing Company
Local pub which is the sister company to The Buffalo restaurant and sits next to that restaurant. They have started with 4 craft beers and have 6 guest beers. The "Westbound and Down" brews are possibly some of the best in Colorado. They have a top-notch pub menu with everything fresh, not your typical frozen fried foods.
Coffee
Sleep
Stay Heritage Inn
Stay Idaho Springs Motel
Climate
Always check the weather. It is in the Rocky Mountains which can have fluctuating temperatures. So it's always a good idea to see what the weather is predicted to be and what it actually is.
The colder weather months (Nov-Feb) often bring snow and ice to area roads. Visitors who park their cars should be prepared in case their car is "snowed in" by snow removal trucks. Also, pay strict attention to parking rules and snow emergencies to avoid being towed away at the car owner's expense. During the winter months, a snow brush, ice scraper, and plenty of windshield washer fluid is essential, and many natives opt to carry a shovel, some sand, and a bag of ice melt/road salt in the trunk just in case.
Nearby
Central City
City / town · 10 listings · 4 mi away
Black Hawk
City / town · 13 listings · 4 mi away
Georgetown
City / town · 13 listings · 10 mi away
Evergreen
City / town · 8 listings · 12 mi away
Nederland
City / town · 3 listings · 15 mi away
Golden
City / town · 32 listings · 15 mi away
Winter Park
City / town · 17 listings · 17 mi away
Morrison
City / town · 8 listings · 18 mi away
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