Idaho Springs West End | Exit 239

Idaho Springs West End is mostly a residential area, but the exit is the best way to access Stanley Road/ County Road 312, rafting companies, adventure parks and mine tours. This is also a great place to begin a street bike ride along Interstate 70 frontage roads or an easy hike along town trails adjacent to Clear Creek.

The Phoenix Gold Mine offers an educational and fun tour of the mine and gold panning. Take Exit 239 and head west on Stanley Road, then turn left on C.R. 136/Trail Creek Road. Look for signs pointing the way. See page 18 for more details.

The Edgar Mine, the Colorado School of Mines Experimental Mine, 365 8th Ave., produced high-grade silver, gold, lead and copper in the 1870s. Today, it is an underground laboratory for future engineers. Students and staff conduct one-hour guided tours of the underground workings by appointment for a fee. Visit mining.mines.edu or call 303-567-2911 to learn more.

A parking lot at the Exit 239 eastbound off-ramp is the start EXIT 239 Colorado Blvd. of a network of trails that connect to 17th Avenue downtown. Stanley Road The Big Five Trail runs east along Clear Creek, connects to the EXIT 239 Idaho Springs and Prospector trails, then meets Charlie Tayler Water Wheel Trail at Exit 240.

Dispensary Mine Tours Stanley Road Bikeway Whitewater Rafting Outfitters

Echo Lake Park Hot Springs Resort Mount Evans Scenic Byway National Historic District Ranger Station Recreation Center RV Park Squaw Mountain Lookout Underhill Museum Visitor Center

Barbour Fork Trail n Charlie Tayler Water Wheel Trail l Chief Mountain Trail l Chicago Lakes Trail u Clear Creek Greenway: Big Five Trail, Idaho Springs Trail & Scott Lancaster Memorial Trail l Prospector Trail l Resthouse Meadows Trail n Idaho Springs, named for Chief Idaho and nearby natural hot springs, was founded in 1859. It is the site of the state’s first significant gold discovery. Mining was largely responsible for its creation and growth, and the city continues to preserve and celebrate its heritage. During the late 20th century, the town evolved into a tourist center and popular stop for travelers heading to and from recreation areas along Interstate 70 or nearby Mount Evans, Echo Lake and adjacent national forest lands. A Victorian-era downtown offers unique shops, popular restaurants and breweries, while mine tours and historic sites provide insight into local history. Access the historic downtown as well as Mount Evans and Echo Lake areas via Hwy. 103 at this exit.

Miner Street Market

The downtown district between 13th and 17th Avenues is a National Historic District. It has been the commercial center of the community since its development in the late 19th century and continues to be home to a superb collection of Late Victorian-Era structures. Many homes from the town’s early mining days remain as well.

Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District’s Idaho Springs Recreation Center, 1130 Idaho Street, offers low-priced day-use passes to its pool and fitness center every day of the week. The six-lane, 25-yard pool has a one-meter diving board, wading pool and hot tub. The fitness area has a full range of cardiovascular and weight lifting equipment and classes. Call 303-5674822 or visit clearcreekrecreation.com for details.

The Heritage Museum Visitor Center, 2060 Miner St., features local information and a free, informative museum of fascinating artifacts. Arapaho National Forest also maintains a ranger station in the location. It can be reached from either Exit 240 or Exit 241 from Colorado Blvd. Call 303567-4382 for additional information.

Miner Street between 14th to 17th streets is closed to traffic this summer to allow businesses to use the space for outdoor dining, live performances and other activities.

In the downtown area, visitors must park, then pay via paperless kiosks or on the Park Idaho Springs App on a smartphone. Paid Parking is 7 days a week, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Once parked, use a kiosk or a QR code on a parking information sign to pay. The first half hour is free, hours 1-3 are $1.50 an and hours 4 and beyond are $5 an hour. Citations start at $25. Call 303-825-0429 or visit parkidahosprings.com to learn more.