Colorado Scenery
Gold Belt Tour
Activity best for: Ages 12 & Over
Take Your Time: Allow 3+ Hrs
The Colorado Scenery offered by the Gold Belt Tour delves into the history of the Colorado Gold Mining Era of the late 1800's. The Gold Belt Tour was designated as a National Scenic Byway in 2000 and is definitely one of our family favorite scenic road trips.
The Gold Belt Tour covers more than 130 miles, 5 Cities, 1 Colorado National Park, 1 State Park and 1 National Historical Landmark.
Accessing the Gold Belt Tour From the North
If you head West on Highway 24 from Woodland Park towards Lake George you can turn left on County Road 67 at Divide or continue to Florissant and turn left on Teller County Road 1. Both routes are gorgeous drives and offer plenty of activities.
Points of Interest Along Teller County Road 1:
The drive on the Gold Belt Scenic Byway along Teller 1 from Florissant to Cripple Creek is about 18 miles. Here are some worth while family friendly things to do along the way. There are plenty of roadside displays/signs where you can stop and read about the history of the area and take photos.
Hornbeck Homestead
Activity best for: All Ages
Take Your Time: Allow 30+ Min.
Located: Just North of the Florissant Fossil Beds
The Florissant Hornbek Homestead was a ranch that was homesteaded by Adaline Hornbek a single mother in the late 1800's. What made this so unique was the fact that it was men that generally owned property. Adaline managed to not only Homestead the property but also made sure that the ranch was prosperous.
Stop to checkout several structures that still exist and read about the history of the property and Adaline Hornbek.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Park
Activity best for: Ages 9 & Over
Take Your Time: Allow 1+ Hrs
15807 Teller County Road 1
Florissant,CO 80816
General Information:(719) 748-3253
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument offers a unique look into the prehistoric period in Colorado. If you love Paleontology and Geology then this would be a great stop.
The park offers plant and insect fossils within a large outdoor display. The displays include large petrified redwood stumps. It's hard to believe their size until you see them up close. You can choose from a Ranger led or Self-Guided tour of the park. The Colorado Scenery looking out from within the park is absolutely stunning.
Points of Interest Along Highway 67:
The drive on the Gold Belt Scenic Byway along Highway 67 from Divide to Cripple Creek is about 19 miles.
Mueller State Park
Activity best for: All Ages
Take Your Time: Allow 2 Hrs - Several Days
21045 Highway 67
Divide,CO 80814
General Information: (719) 687-2366
Mueller State Park offers year round enjoyment. Services are limited during the Winter months. Enjoy camping, picnic areas, hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, skiing and 3 areas designed for sledding and tubing. Remember to bring you camera, the Colorado scenery offered here includes an abundance of wildlife including herds of deer and elk, black bear and numerous birds of prey.
Accessing the Gold Belt Tour From the South
If you head North on Highway 67 from Florence you can stay on Highway 67 via Phantom Canyon Road or take High Park Road (Hwy 9 to County Road 11) out of Canon City.
Must Read: checkout the information below about driving Phantom Canyon Road before planning this route. Larger vehicles will need to take High Park Road
Heading West on Highway 50 from Pueblo will take you through Canon City and you can continue on High Park. The only drawback to taking this route is that you miss the city of Florence entirely.
Word of Caution: Do Not Pickup hitch-hikers along any of these roads. It may sound like a "Well Duh" but when your traveling these roads it's hard to leave someone standing on the side of the road knowing the next town is more than an hour away.
Every state has them, it just so happens that one of Colorado's State Prisons is located in Canon City. The town is an absolute must do for any family with school aged kids. We would not hesitate to take Danielle again. Just be wise when traveling.
Scenic Roads Worth Traveling
Phantom Canyon Road and Shelf Road
Shelf Road photo courtesy of longhorndave
Phantom Canyon and Shelf Road are two roads, definitely not for the faint at heart. Both roads are considered part of the Gold Belt Tour and offer great Colorado Scenery. You'll find the entrance to these two roads in the small town of Cripple Creek. These roads are unpaved and narrow.
Any vehicle over 25 feet is not permitted to travel these roads.
Colorado Cities Along the Gold Belt Byway
Here's a small tidbit on each of the 5 cities along the Gold Belt Tour. Each town is definitely worth visiting. Our favorite cities to visit were Cripple Creek and Canon City. The Colorado scenery from these cities is what makes the Gold Belt Scenic Byway so popular. We have included links to additional information on the area.
Florissant Colorado
Florissant is more of a stop along the way. It's great for attractions and sightseeing. There's really no amenities offered in this small unincorporated town.
This is one of our favorite small towns. It reminds me of a very small scale Las Vegas. It offers a great little downtown just brimming with casinos, shops, dining and lodging. If you have time plan to go on the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine Tour or attend the Cripple Creek Butte Theater for a Melodrama.
Victor
This is a neat little town, very similar to Cripple Creek. A quaint little downtown offers shopping and dining. If you happen to drive into Victor you have two ways out. Highway 67 South via Phantom Canyon Road or turn around and go back Highway 67 North to Cripple Creek.
Canon City is the largest city along the Gold Belt Tour and definitely offers the most family friendly attractions. I would plan on spending a couple of days here to take in all the activities.
The best white water rafting in Colorado can be found right here in Canon City. Try a combination train and white water rafting excursion with the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. Visit the Royal Gorge Park, it's a major attraction where you can easily spend an entire fun filled day. The park is extremely pet friendly if you happen to have Fido with you.
Florence Colorado
This small town of about 3,600 is a great stop for Art and Antique lovers. The small downtown offers plenty of shopping and dining. Limited lodging accommodations are available.
Gold Belt Colorado Scenery to Colorado Vacation
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