Summer/Fall Activities

Clear Creek County features a wide range of summer and fall recreation options from quiet backcountry trails to active adventure parks, many of which are among the state’s more popular due to easy access and options for all abilities. World-class hiking, biking, fishing, climbing, camping and more can be found through the county. This guide highlights some of the options and should be considered a jumping-off point for discovering all the county and region has to offer. Look for these symbols on I-70 exit information pages to locate where each activity can be found.

LINES Several businesses offer adventure parks, zip lines, via ferrata and aerial attractions in the county and within easy access of interstate exits.

Experience the mountains and breathtaking views on a guided ATV tour from local outfitters or visit local trails with your own equipment. All ATVs, UTVs and unlicensed dirt bikes must remain on designated roads and trails. Travel is prohibited off route or in wilderness areas and is NOT permitted on ANY county road. Use of OHV vehicles on public lands or trails requires a permit from Colorado State Parks. Out-ofstate residents must purchase a Colorado Non-Resident permit. Visit parks.state.co.us for information. Motor Vehicle Use Maps, free from the Ranger Station in Idaho Springs and online, designate where driving is legal. Find maps at fs.usda.gov/main/arp/mapspubs. Keep in mind, forest roads are often shared with mountain bikers, hikers and others.

Hundreds of miles of trails in the National Forest are accessible by mountain bike. Generally, trails are hilly and rocky, winding through forests and grass lands. A newly built trail system for bikes is available at Floyd Hill Open Space at Exit 247 or 248. The county also has hundreds of miles of railroad grade and mining roads, perfect for biking. There is excellent street biking on frontage roads and paved trails.

Clear Creek County is home to five developed National Forest campgrounds open until early October on Guanella Pass Scenic Byway at Exit 228 and Hwy. 103 at Exit 240. With a few exceptions, dispersed camping is allowed on National Forest lands. No overnight camping is allowed at trailheads, picnic areas or in day-use areas. More information on page 7.

The county’s most popular areas for rock climbing can be found in Clear Creek Canyon at Exit 244. It is known for its accessible sport climbs and a few interspersed traditional climbs with a variety of ratings. While individual areas tend to be specialized by route type and difficulty, the canyon offers a wide variety of ratings. Via Ferrata style climbing that uses steel cables, rungs, or ladders to prevent falls on more challenging routes can be found at Lawson Adventure Park at Exit 233 or 234 and AVA Rafting at Exit 240.

Outstanding fishing can be found in county lakes, creeks and streams. Many locations on Clear Creek provide easy access and Georgetown Lake is very accessible. A license is required for those 16 and older. State laws and regulations apply everywhere, so check with Colorado Parks & Wildlife at cpw.state. co.us for details and how to purchase a license. Mt. Evans Trout Fishing, 4125 Chicago Creek Road at Exit 240, offers pond fishing without a license for a fee. Visit Clear Creek Outdoors in Idaho Springs at Exit 240 and Blue Quill Angler near Evergreen at Exit 251 or 252 for gear and advice. More information on page 5.

Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District’s Idaho Springs Recreation Center, 1130 Idaho St., at Exit 240 offers low-priced day-use passes to its pool/ hot tub, fitness center and classes. Call 303-567-4822 or visit clearcreekrecreation.com for information.

Denver operates Evergreen Golf Course, 29614 Upper Bear Creek Road, at 7,220 feet along Bear Creek at Exit 251 or 252. The 18-hole, public course has a pro shop and restaurant. Call 720-865-3430 or visit cityofdenvergolf.com/evergreen for details.

Hundreds of miles of trails for hiking and backpacking — from paved trails, gently sloping foothills and open forest to steep rocky slopes and tundra — can be found throughout the county. Hiking guides are available at the Ranger Station in Idaho Springs at Exit 240 or 241 or online. Various trails are highlighted on I-70 exit pages throughout this guide.

Clear Creek Ranger District and local land management agencies maintain many miles of trails accessible to equestrian uses. The Ranger Station in Idaho Springs at Exit 240 or 241 offers information, maps and can locate trailheads with adequate trailer parking. Pack animals are not allowed in most developed campgrounds, or where posted.

A range of hunting is available in select areas of the region during open seasons, which mostly being in fall, including Bakerville, Mount Evans and Bergen Peak areas. Visit the Colorado Parks & Wildlife website, cpw.state.co.us, for complete information about hunting, licenses, open areas and season dates.

Guided mine tours for a fee include Capital Prize Gold Mine and Georgetown Loop Railroad’s Everett and Lebanon Mines at Exit 228; the Phoenix Gold Mine at Exit 238 or 239; the Edgar Experimental Mine at Exit 239 or 240; the Argo Mill & Tunnel in Idaho Springs at Exit 240 or 241; and the Hidee Gold Mine near Central City at Exit 243. Most areas suitable for gold panning are private property. This is especially true on or near creeks and rivers. Clear Creek Canyon Park at Exit 244 is one of the very few places to legally prospect.

There are four 14ers in Clear Creek County: Mount Bierstadt (14,060’), Mount Evans (14,264’), Grays Peak (14,270’) and Torreys Peak (14,267’). These peaks are less than 10 miles of each other and some of the easiest to summit. Trailheads at each of these locations are extremely over-crowded and have limited parking on weekends. Visit during weekdays. Be aware of quickly changing weather and lightening. The Clear Creek Ranger District Station at Idaho Springs Visitor Center has updated details.

Clear Creek offers unmatched whitewater rafting during spring and summer runoff. Go on your own or pick from a variety of trips offered by commercial rafting companies. The Lawson Whitewater Park at Exit 233 and various points along Clear Creek Canyon at Exit 244 are popular boats launch points. Additional information is on page 15.

Wildflowers can be found on most backcountry hikes and along scenic drives throughout summer. Leaf viewing in September is spectacular. Fall color lasts about a week, so it’s difficult to predict when leaves will turn in a given location. Select travel dates, but not destinations. Head to Guanella Pass at Exit 228, Fall River Road at Exit 238 or Hwy. 103 south of Idaho Springs at Exit 240 to find amazing fall color.

A wide variety of wildlife can be seen in their natural habitat throughout the county from urban areas to high peaks. Head to Colorado Division of Wildlife’s Georgetown Wildlife Viewing Station at Exit 228 to view Colorado’s largest herd of Bighorn Sheep. Avoid unwanted encounters by never approaching or feeding any wild animal. More information on page 5.