Tourists Attractions
Family Activities
The Western Slope of Pikes Peak is loaded with wonderful history and adventures. The photo of the double rainbow from our parking lot is a common sight up here - keep a look out for the two pots of gold as you explore the Colorado Gold Belt. Here are a few things you can explore.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
A volcanic eruption covered Florissant in deep ash. This tragic event entombed millions of insects, fish and small animals. These fossil are so plentiful that a special train used to bring tourists to fossil hunt. The visitors center is a great educational resource. Several hiking trails take you to historic homesteads, fossilized Sequoia trees and modern ecological tours.
Cripple Creek
For a short while this was one of the largest cities in west with a population over 50,000 and it is still home to the second largest active gold mine in the world. Visit the casinos, museums (Bordello , Jail, and District) , mine tours (Molly Katherine and Newmont) and the famous Butte Theater. Worth a day.
Guffy
A quaint little artist village — and by little, we mean really small. There are several restaurants to enjoy. The town is surrounded by numerous extinct volcanos, the volcanos which covered Florissant in ash , creating the fossil beds.
Cliff Diving at Paradise Cove
About four miles before Guffy on CR9 is Guffy Gorge and a local high adrenaline hang. The gorge has a very small pond with surrounding cliffs ranging from 20’ to 85’ high. Come watch folks dive, cannon ball and belly flop . The trail to Guffy Gorge is about a mile with a few steep runs.
Floating on the Platte
Take Park County Rd 77 (about 5 miles west of here) til you reach the Happy Meadows camping area. The South Platte is cold and gentle for the next several miles. Road access the entire way. Beautiful and relaxing.