Clear Creek County is where Colorado's mountain mining boom began. Idaho Springs grew from a placer gold strike in 1859, and Georgetown boomed a few years later on silver. Both towns kept their Victorian main streets, and both sit right off I-70, so you can spend more of the day exploring and less of it driving. Add a narrow-gauge train, a historic mill, a hot springs cave and a herd of bighorn sheep, and it is easy to see why this corridor is a favorite with visitors who have only one mountain day.
Idaho Springs
Idaho Springs is the first real mountain town you reach heading west on I-70. Its compact downtown along Miner Street has restaurants, coffee shops and outfitters, and Clear Creek runs alongside it.
Where the gold rush started
In January 1859, prospector George A. Jackson found gold near the confluence of Chicago Creek and Clear Creek, just outside today's downtown. Word of the strike pulled thousands of fortune seekers up the canyons from the camps at Denver. Markers around town tell the story.
Argo Gold Mine and Mill
The large mill building on the hillside above the creek is the Argo, built in the 1890s to process ore delivered through a long tunnel from mines near Central City. Guided tours of the mill and museum run on a seasonal schedule, typically from spring through fall, and include a chance to pan for gold. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Hot springs
The town's name nods to its mineral springs. Indian Hot Springs, a short walk from downtown, has a large indoor pool under a glass dome and geothermal caves carved into the hillside. The caves have been limited to adults, while the pool is open to all ages; check the current rules and hours before you go.
Bridal Veil Falls and the water wheel
At the west end of town, Bridal Veil Falls pours past the historic Charlie Taylor water wheel, reputed to be the largest in Colorado. It is a quick photo stop beside the creek path.
Idaho Springs is also the start of the road to Echo Lake and the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway, which climbs to more than 14,000 feet in summer. Our Mount Blue Sky guide covers the reservation system and season.
Georgetown
Ten miles farther west, Georgetown sits in a narrow valley at about 8,500 feet with steep mountainsides on three sides. Silver made it rich in the 1870s and 1880s, and the brick commercial buildings and painted wooden houses from that era survive in remarkable condition. Georgetown and neighboring Silver Plume together form a National Historic Landmark district.
Georgetown Loop Railroad
The railroad is the headline. Steam and diesel locomotives pull narrow-gauge cars on a twisting line between Georgetown and Silver Plume, climbing about 600 feet in roughly two miles of track. The engineering answer to that grade was a series of curves and a loop where the track crosses over itself on the Devil's Gate High Bridge. The original bridge was dismantled in the 1930s; the reconstruction was completed and dedicated in 1984. A typical round trip is a little over an hour, and some departures include an optional mine tour. Fall-color trains are especially popular, so buy tickets ahead for September and early October weekends.
Bighorn sheep viewing
Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, Colorado's state animal, live on the cliffs around Georgetown. A viewing area near Georgetown Lake has fixed scopes aimed at the slopes to the west. Sightings are common, and late fall and early winter are prime time, when rams descend lower. The town has held an annual bighorn sheep festival in November. Watch from the pullouts and never approach or feed the animals.
Historic homes and Guanella Pass
Several restored Victorian homes in Georgetown are open as museums on a seasonal schedule. From the south end of town, the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway climbs to a pass at more than 11,600 feet, with aspen groves that turn gold in late September. The road is paved but narrow and can be snowy or icy from fall into spring, so check conditions before you go.
A one-day plan
- Leave Denver by 7:30 a.m. to beat westbound weekend traffic.
- Georgetown first. Ride a morning departure of the Loop Railroad, then walk the historic district.
- Bighorn stop. Spend fifteen minutes at the viewing area by Georgetown Lake on your way out.
- Lunch in Idaho Springs. Downtown restaurants are a five-minute drive back east.
- Afternoon choice. Tour the Argo mill, soak at the hot springs, or walk the creek to Bridal Veil Falls.
- Head home early or late. Start back before about 1 p.m. or after dinner on Sundays to avoid the worst eastbound backups.
Driving and safety notes
- I-70 traffic: Weekend congestion between Denver and the tunnels is notorious. CDOT's COtrip site shows live travel times, closures and incident reports.
- Winter rules: Colorado's traction law can be activated on this stretch of I-70 from September through May. Make sure your rental has suitable tires or four-wheel or all-wheel drive.
- Altitude: Georgetown is more than 3,000 feet higher than Denver. Drink water and take it easy if anyone feels headachy or short of breath.
- Weather: Mountain weather changes fast. Pack a warm layer even in summer, and expect afternoon thunderstorms in July and August.
| Attraction | Typical season |
|---|---|
| Georgetown Loop Railroad | Spring to mid-October, plus some holiday trains |
| Argo Gold Mine and Mill tours | Roughly mid-April through October |
| Hot springs pool | Year-round |
| Bighorn viewing | Year-round; best November and December |
| Guanella Pass Scenic Byway | Best late spring to fall; winter travel depends on conditions |
Seasons above are typical patterns, not guarantees. Confirm current schedules with each operator before you drive.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Georgetown from Denver?
Georgetown is about 45 miles west of downtown Denver on I-70, usually 50 to 60 minutes away in light traffic. Idaho Springs is about ten miles closer.
When can you see bighorn sheep in Georgetown?
Bighorn sheep can be seen on the cliffs around Georgetown much of the year, but late fall and early winter, around November and December, are especially good because rams come down lower. A viewing area near Georgetown Lake has fixed viewing scopes.
Does the Georgetown Loop Railroad run in winter?
The railroad's main season runs from spring into fall, with fall-color trains through about mid-October and special holiday trains on some dates. Check the railroad's official calendar for current dates and times.
Where did the Colorado gold rush start?
Near Idaho Springs. Prospector George A. Jackson found placer gold near the confluence of Chicago Creek and Clear Creek in January 1859, one of the discoveries that drove the rush into the mountains west of Denver.
Sources
Checked against official sources in October 2026. Hours, fees, reservation rules and road status change often; the agency or venue linked above is always the final word. See how we research.