Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway

The Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway travels through the prehistoric past of dinosaurs and follows historic railroad and stagecoach routes to gold mining towns. Stunning scenery and abundant recreation opportunities await in this “Road to Riches” drive through five fascinating byway communities.

Petrified tree trunks in Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

The scenic loop drive begins in Florissant, travels down to the mining towns of Cripple Creek and Victor, to Florence, Cañon City and back to Florissant. If you are coming from Denver, head south on I-25 for 68 miles, then east on US-24 for 33 miles. This route is not recommended for wide vehicles or trailers.

In Florissant, drive south onto Teller Country Road 1, where you will soon enter Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument (A1). The fossils here were created by the constant eruption of volcanoes which created mudflows and ash storms, which in turn petrified plants and animals. Among the most diverse and rich fossil beds in the world, they tell the story of a warmer Colorado than we know today. For example, redwood and avocado trees thrived here, as did the tsetse fly, now found only in Africa. Begin your adventure at the Visitor Center for exhibits, fossil displays and short film and then head outside. Two short, easy self-guided trails, Ponderosa Loop (wheelchair accessible) and the Petrified Forest Loop, provide an opportunity to experience the forest and wildflowers of today as well as petrified redwood tree stumps. The Petrified Forest Loop passes Scudder Excavation Pit where you can learn from rangers and paleontologists how excavations are conducted and how fossils are found. The 2.3-mile Sawmill Trail explores the wondrous forests of pine, spruce and fir, peaceful streams and offers the chance to spot elk, Richardson’s ground squirrels and rabbits. The Monument has an active archaeology program with demonstrations and classes to learn more about the fascinating geology and prehistoric past.

Continuing south on Teller Country Road 1, you soon arrive in the town of Cripple Creek, where you can ride the narrow-gauge Cripple Creek and Victor Railroad (A2). Climb aboard this restored steam locomotive and step back in time passing abandoned mines and the incredible views. These mines were responsible for making Cripple Creek an important financial center during the boom, extracting more gold than California and Alaska combined. Stop at the Cripple Creek Heritage Center (M2) for information about the area and hiking opportunities. Experience the life of a “Hard Rock Miner” at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine (M1), descending 1,000 feet into a gold mine. Mining still continues in the region, focusing on gold that was not able to be processed with historic mining methods. The mine is open from April to September.

In Cripple Creek, turn right onto CO-67 towards Victor. Along the road are remnants from the mining past and views of the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Founded in 1891, downtown Victor is a National Historic District and many buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. The Victor Lowell Thomas Museum features exhibits, books and photographs depicting life in Victor as well as memorabilia from the famous journalist and author Lowell Thomas. Here you can also pan for gold and tour a working gold mine. Victor enjoyed its share of success and at one point, had streets literally paved with gold.

Eventually the road becomes the unpaved, narrow, and twisty Phantom Canyon Road. Interpretative signs and displays dot the scenic route as bridges and tunnels reveal the area’s history. The road gains 4,000 feet in elevation, bestowing expansive views of mountain ranges and Pikes Peak. The road crosses the Arkansas River and arrives in Florence.

From here, the road meanders to Cañon City, known as the gateway to the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park (B1). To get there, head west on US-50 for 8-miles, and turn left onto Country Road 3A. The Royal Gorge Bridge stands 955 feet above the Arkansas River, which made it the highest bridge in the world between 1929 and 2003. You can walk or drive across the bridge. Or experience it by taking the Incline Railway. Built in 1931, it features a 45-degree angle as it travels to the bottom of the granite gorge. Or if a bird’s eye view is more your style, take the Aerial Gondola which glides more than 1,100 feet above the canyon floor with stunning panoramic 360-degree views. Looking for more of an adrenaline rush, dangle from the Royal Rush Skycoaster or soar on the Cloudscraper Zip Line, the highest zip line in North America! Kids will love the Tommy Knocker Playland. There is a general admission fee with additional charges for the Zipline and Skycoaster

From Cañon, you have two choices to return to Florissant. You can take Shelf Road (T2), but being unpaved, it’s not for everyone. The adventurous with a 4-wheel drive vehicle, will love the challenging road and steep drop-offs, in a land where dinosaurs once roamed. Leave Cañon City on 15th St north towards Red Canyon Road CO-9, which eventually becomes Garden Park Road and Shelf Road before re-joining CO-67 in Cripple Creek. Along the way, explore the Garden Park Fossil Area (H3) where the first stegosaurus was excavated in 1876, and granite rocks preserve traces of the Agnathid fish, the oldest vertebrate known to the world. There are interpretive displays, and hiking trails. At Red Canyon Park (H5), behold spectacular rock formations, spires and monoliths that soar 100-feet high, making this area very popular with hikers, rock climbers, and photographers. Keep your eyes out for the aptly-named Window Rock.

Our map describes the drive back to Florissant on the paved High Park Road. Head west on US-50, and take the turn for CO-9 in 9-miles. After 8.5 miles, turn right onto Country Road 11 which becomes High Park Road. Enjoy stunning views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, wildlife watching, and cattle ranches. Turn right on Teller Country Road 1 and head north towards Florissant where our drive officially comes to an end.