Idaho Springs (East) | Exit 239

Dispensary Mine Tours Stanley Road Bikeway

Clear Creek Greenway: Big Five Trail & Idaho Springs Trail l I daho 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. Idaho Springs’ western-most exit is mostly a residential area, but the exit is the best way to access Stanley Road/County Road 312 and mine tours to the west and a network of easy trails through Idaho Springs to the east. EDGAR EXPERIMENTAL MINE

Phoenix Gold Mine Tour

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 by appointment for a fee. Tours cover one-half mile of underground workings representing over 100 years of mine development. Visit mining.mines.edu or call 303-567-2911 to learn more. IDAHO SPRINGS TRAILS A parking lot at the Exit 239 eastbound off-ramp is an easy way to begin a network of nonmotorized trails that connect to 17th Avenue downtown, the east end of Idaho Springs and ultimately Exit 244/U.S. 6 via the Clear Creek Greenway and Scott Lancaster Memorial Trail. The Big Five Trail begins at the lot and runs east along Clear Creek, intersects the Idaho Springs and Prospector trails, then meets the Charlie Tayler Water Wheel Trail at Exit 240/Hwy 103. Continue east on the Water Wheel Trail to connect to the Clear Creek Greenway in Harold A. Anderson Park at 17th Avenue downtown behind Town Hall. Snowshoe, cross-country ski and fat bike the trails when conditions allow. PHOENIX GOLD MINE TOUR The Phoenix Gold Mine, 800 Trail Creek Road, offers an authentic trip into Colorado mining history with a family of fourth generation miners. Experience an educational tour of a working mine and pan for gold. Discover wide, underground tunnels and see gold ore naturally in the rock. Take Exit 238 or 239 to Stanley Road and turn south on Trail Creek Road/County Road 136. It is open daily all year, weather permitting. Reservations are recommended and required for groups of 10 or more. Call 303-567-0422 or visit phoenixgoldmine.com to make reservations and learn more.

Argo Gold Mill & Tunnel Courtney-Ryley-Cooper Park & Steve Canyon Statue Echo Lake Park Echo Mountain Ski Area Hot Springs Resort National Historic District Recreation Center Underhill Museum Visitor Center/Museum & Ranger Station

Barbour Fork Trail n Charlie Tayler Water Wheel Trail l Chief Mountain Trail n Chicago Lakes Trail u Clear Creek Greenway: Big Five Trail, Idaho Springs Trail & Scott Lancaster Memorial Trail l Echo Lake Trail l Prospector Trail l Resthouse Meadows Trail n Access the Idaho Springs downtown National Historic District between 13th and 17th avenues as well as popular attractions and the rest of town at this central exit. This part of town 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 private homes from the Idaho Springs National Historic District town’s early mining days also remain. Echo Mountain Ski Area, Echo Lake, Highway 103 trails, recreation center and hot springs are also reached from this exit. BRIDAL VEIL FALLS AND CHARLIE TAYLER WATERWHEEL Picturesque Bridal Veil Falls, which freezes in winter, and the Charlie Tayler Waterwheel, built in the 1890s, can be viewed up close after a short and easy walk from downtown. The trail, which goes under I-70, begins at Harold A. Anderson Park behind Town Hall, 1711 Miner Street. HERITAGE MUSEUM VISITOR CENTER & NATIONAL FOREST RANGER STATION The Heritage Museum Visitor Center, 2060 Miner St., features local information and a free, informative museum of fascinating county 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 Boulevard. Call 303-567-4382 for additional information. INDIAN HOT SPRINGS RESORT The caves, private baths and outdoor Jacuzzis at Indian Hot Springs, 302 Soda Creek Road, are continually fed pure mineral water at 115 degrees. The mineral water swimming pool, with flowering plants and live palm trees, is a family favorite. The resort also has a spa and accommodations for overnight guests. Call 303-989-6666 or visit indianhotsprings.com to learn more. RECREATION CENTER Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District’s Idaho Springs Recreation Center, 1130 Idaho Street, offers low-priced day-use passes to its 25-yard, six-lane pool and fitness center daily. To learn more, call 303-567-4822 or visit clearcreekrecreation.com.

DOWNTOWN-AREA PARKING SYSTEM In the downtown area, visitors must park, then pay via kiosks or the Park Idaho Springs App. Paid Parking is seven days a week, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. The first half hour is free, hours 1-3 are $1.50 and hours 4 and beyond are $5 an hour. Citations start at $25. Call 303825-0429 or visit parkidahosprings.com to learn more.