Journey through Colorado’s legendary gold mining heritage on this 135-mile National Scenic Byway connecting Florence to Florissant. This remarkable route winds through the heart of the historic Cripple Creek Mining District, where fortunes were made and lost during the late 1800s gold rush.

Travelers will discover dramatic landscapes as the byway climbs through rugged canyons, past towering rock formations, and across high mountain meadows. Stop at the ghost towns and historic mining sites scattered along the route, including the still-vibrant town of Cripple Creek with its Victorian architecture and working casinos. Don’t miss Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, where ancient redwood stumps and delicate insect fossils tell stories millions of years old.

The route offers stunning viewpoints of Pikes Peak and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, with wildlife watching opportunities including deer, elk, and bighorn sheep. Shelf Road provides thrilling passage through narrow canyon walls popular with rock climbers.

Best time to visit: Late spring through early fall offers ideal conditions, with wildflowers blooming in summer and golden aspens lighting up the hillsides in September.

Allow: A full day to explore the historic sites and scenic overlooks along this unforgettable Colorado treasure.

Explore Nearby

• Elevenmile Day Use Area — Public Land in Idaho
• Mueller State Park — State Park in Colorado
• Horsethief Mesa Trail — Public Land in New Mexico
• Eleven Mile State Park — State Park in Colorado
• Pike National Forest — National Forest in Colorado