Cripple Creek & Victor: Historic Day Trip from Colorado Springs
If you are looking for a fun and scenic day trip from from Colorado Springs, Cripple Creek and Victor are two must-visit mountain towns full of Colorado History with a Wild West atmosphere.
Once booming gold mining towns, Cripple Creek and Victor are huge tourist attractions full of mines to explore, amazing mountain views, unique local shops, and famous casinos.
I’ve traveled to Cripple Creek and Victor from Colorado Springs dozens of times. Each time offers a unique opportunity. This post is intended to share all things Cripple Creek and Victor from hiking trails to gambling.
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A day trip to Cripple Creek & Victor from Colorado Springs is one of the best ways to g experience Colorado’s rich history and beautiful mountain landscapes without venturing too far from the city.
Just an hour away, these former gold rush towns offer historic attractions, scenic outlooks, and entertainment.
Hike the numerous trails to see old mines and ghost towns, learn about Colorado’s history at one of the museums, or try and win big at one of the many famous casinos at Cripple Creek.
In my opinion, driving to Cripple Creek and Victor is an attraction in itself, especially during fall when the aspen trees are changing. There are places along the way to pull off, breathe in fresh mountain air, and enjoy Colorado’s beautiful nature.
Getting to Cripple Creek & Victor from Colorado Springs
Driving to Cripple Creek and Victor from Colorado Springs is an attraction in itself. The drive is scenic, winding through beautiful mountain sceneries. Enjoy the views and pay attention to wildlife.
The drive is short, it’s only about an hour give or take.
From Colorado Springs, the most popular route is via Hwy 24 West toward the town of Divide. Once in Divide take Hwy 67 all the way to Cripple Creek. If you want to stop in Victor first, take Hwy 81.
History: Colorado's Gold Rush Towns
I can’t really talk about Cripple Creek and Victor without briefly describing the history and the discovery of gold in the area.
The area surrounding both Cripple Creek and Victor became the site of one of the most famous gold mining districts in the United States after gold was discovered in 1890.
By 1891, more and more gold was discovered and miners, businessmen, and others with dreams of becoming rich flocked to Cripple Creek.
Cripple Creek quickly grew from a small and quiet ranching area into a bustling town.
I read at the Cripple Creek Heritage Center that the population of Cripple Creek was fewer then 500 when gold was first discovered. The following year, in 1892 an estimated 2,500 people lived in the area. By 1900, it grew to more than 13,000.
Between Cripple Creek and Victor, the gold rush economy was booming and left behind a legacy of historic buildings, ghost towns, old mines, and a deep connection to Colorado’s Wild West history for all of us to enjoy today!
Things to do in Cripple Creek
Most visitors that go to Cripple Creek for the day from Colorado Springs tend to gamble at one of the many famous casinos.
Although fun, there are plenty of other options and things to do in Cripple Creek. Whether you are with your family or going solo, below are just a few of the things to do in Cripple Creek.
Cripple Creek Heritage Center
If you choose to visit Cripple Creek first by taking Hwy 67, I highly recommend visiting the Cripple Creek Heritage Center.
It’s basically a tourist information center that is a few stories tall that has a wealth of information on the history of Cripple Creek, activities and things to do in the area, and information on local wildlife and the surrounding mountains.
The staff is always friendly and helpful, there are restrooms inside, and make sure to grab a pamphlet on Cripple Creek and other nearby attractions.
Visit a Casino
In my opinion, Cripple Creek today is most famous for being a gambling town. The town itself is very interesting and I highly recommend walking around, but most people, especially locals, come here to gamble.
There are at least 10 casinos in Cripple Creek within walking distance from the main road. There are without a doubt more in the general area though.
It’s worth stopping in a few of the casinos to try and win big on the slot machines, tables, and other casino games.
If gambling is not your thing, I still recommend popping into a few of the casinos to check out the beautifully restored 19-th century buildings.
Some of the more famous casinos in Cripple Creek include The Brass Ass, Bronco Billy’s, The Midnight Rose, and the Colorado Grande Casino.
Learn About the History
The Cripple Creek Heritage Center is a great starting point with a lot of detailed information on the history of Cripple Creek.
There are historical museums in Cripple Creek that are worth visiting. Although small, the District Museums outline the history of the town during the Gold rush era.
Other attractions and museums include the Outlaws and Lawmen Jail Museum, the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, and the Old Homestead House.
For more information on attractions and things to do in Cripple Creek, visit their official site.
Walk E Bennett Ave
Cripple Creek is not that big, so I feel a walk down E Bennett Ave is a must! E Bennett Ave is the main road that goes through town. There are casinos, shops, restaurants, and so much more lining each side of the road.
You can start on one side of E Bennett Ave near the Cripple Creek District Museum and Narrow Gauge Railroad and walk toward the Outlaws and Law Men Jail Museum.
I always love popping into some of the antique shops and the Rocky Mountain Canary Store for ice cream.
Cripple Creek Donkeys
Growing up and visiting Cripple Creek, I was always fond of the wild donkeys that roam the streets and parks of the town. These are legit wild donkeys!
I haven’t seen them the last two times while paying a visit to Cripple Creek, but they could be roaming anywhere. If you get lucky enough to see them, take photos and enjoy the moment!
Exploring Victor
Victor, aka the “City of Mines,” is just a few minutes drive from Cripple Creek. Victor is a historic mining town with well-preserved buildings, mining equipment on display, and scenic nature trails.
Although much smaller then Cripple Creek, Victor is a must visit town and can easily be added to a full day trip from Colorado Springs.
Hike the Vindicator Valley Trail
One of my favorite things to do in the Cripple Creek and Victor area is hiking the Vindicator Valley Trail.
The Vindicator Valley Trail is 2.02-miles and can be accessed on the American Eagles Road or the Theresa Mine on County Road 81. The trailhead here has a few spots to park.
The trail is fairly easy and maintained. There are small inclines in spots, but the trail is not paved. Just use caution when walking and especially when exploring the mines.
Along the Vindicator Valley Trail, you can see the Theresa Mine, Vindicator Mine headframe, and the Bebee House.
Explore Historic Victor
Victor is much smaller then Cripple Creek but I feel it deserves at least a quick walk through.
Stroll historic downtown Victor, here you can spot many beautiful brick buildings, a handful of antique shops, cafes, and a few nice galleries.
See Rita the Rock Planter
Created in 2023 by the artist, Thomas Dambo, visitors can come face to face with Rita the Rock Plater, a giant troll made entirely of recycled wood.
To see Rita the Rock Planter, there is a parking lot at the American Eagles Mine. Right off Hwy 67, there is a dirt county road, 87. Take the county road to the parking area. Feel free to explore the American Eagles Mine.
From the mine, there is a short 5-10 minutes walk to Rita the Rock Planter. You can walk around her, take photos, and enjoy the beautiful Colorado mountain scenery.
In order to preserve Rita so other can enjoy, please respect the rules posted at the site:
✅ Don’t climb on Rita
✅ Don’t pull her hair, fur, or nails
✅ Be mindful of her mountain and its beauty
✅ Stay on the trails
✅ Be courteous of others
✅ Leave no trace of your visit
✅ Enjoy yourself and fellow hikers!
Tips for Planning Your Day Trip
A historic day trip to Cripple Creek and Victor from Colorado Springs is probably one of the best day trips in the state of Colorado. Here are some additional Tips for planning your trip to these two gold-rush towns.
✅ When driving from Colorado Springs to Cripple Creek and Victor, the mountain roads can be steep, winding, slippery when wet, and icy in the winter. Take your time and enjoy the views.
✅ Speaking of driving, watch out for wildlife on the roads! Colorado has some of the most beautiful wildlife, preserve them and protect yourself.
✅ Late spring and early fall are beautiful times to visit Cripple Creek. Especially fall when the aspen trees are turning colors.
✅ Cripple Creek and Victor are close to 10,000 ft in elevation. If you are not used to high elevation, make sure to take it easy and stay hydrated.
✅ If you can’t find any dining options in Cripple Creek, you can always stop in Woodland Park on the way back for Dinner.
✅ If driving to Cripple Creek from Colorado Springs in the morning, make sure to stop at the Donut Mill in Woodland Park for breakfast to try some of the best donuts and savory options around.
Conclusion
A day trip to Cripple Creek and Victor from Colorado Springs is one of the best trips you can take. It’s a great blend of Wild West history, scenic mountain views, and small-town charm.
I highly recommend planning a short hike, exploring gold mines, trying your luck at one of the many casinos, and just enjoying your time in Cripple Creek and Victor.
If you are visiting Colorado Springs and looking for something to do, then take the scenic drive to Cripple Creek and Victor and make the most out of your day trip!
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2 Comments
Stephanie D Berry
Hey!
That’s a hop and a skip from me. Holler next time you are around, I miss you. We are overdue for a girl’s night.
zimminaround
For sure! Next time we are in Colorado, I’ll let you know. It’s a beautfiul state.