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Wanderlog staff Updated • updatedApr 10, 2023
How long is the drive from Gunnison to Pueblo?
The direct drive from Gunnison to Pueblo is 166 mi (267 km), and should have a drive time of 4 hrs 16 mins in normal traffic.
If you’re going on a road trip from Gunnison to Pueblo, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Canon City, as well as top places to visit like Gunnison Pioneer Museum and Three Rivers Resort & Outfitting, or the ever-popular Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Cañon City is a home rule municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Fremont County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 17,141 at the 2020 United States Census. Wikipedia.
Most popular city on this route
1 minute off the main route, 74% of way to Pueblo
Best stops along Gunnison to Pueblo drive
The top stops along the way from Gunnison to Pueblo (with short detours) are Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and Gold Mine Tours Inc .. Other popular stops include Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center, Hot Springs Stables, and Skyline Drive.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a stunning location for hiking, camping and enjoying scenic views of the Gunnison River and Painted Wall cliff. It offers unique vistas that are different from the Grand Canyon with steeper walls making it difficult to see into the valley below. The park is known for its incredible sunsets and should be visited in off-season to avoid crowds. There are limited accommodations nearby but exploring this national park is definitely worth it.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is called "The Grand Canyon of Colorado" which is an amazing way of putting it. The best distinction between the two though is that Black Canyon lacks the crowds! We have done the south rim a number of times and stayed at the campground as well which is well kept and an amazing area to stargaze in due to the lack of lights at night. The south rim drive is full of pull offs and great views around every corner. My two favorite trails here are the Painted Wall View which is best to see at sunrise (the light is too harsh coming down over the ridge in the afternoon) and Warner Point Nature Trail. The sunset from Warner Point is amazing and you can either look toward the sunset over the canyon or back and away from it which offers amazing glows from the sun setting over the horizon. This is a must-see National Park when you are traveling through Colorado!
Jeremy Janus — Google review
What a gem. For a national park the amount of people visiting was less than i expected, which was great for me. Stunning and breathtaking. But you need to experience it yourself to fully appreciate it. The gunnison trail wilderness permit goes fast and can be reserved the previous day at 330pm. First come first serve. The Warner trail is strenuous. Be prepared for steep grades and loose dirt and rocks. Also trekking poles would help immensely. This is a full day hike or an overnight there and back trail. Lots of upper rim trails that have very little elevation gain. This park is worth the visit.
Mark Mascardo — Google review
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a remarkable destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Located in Colorado, this park is known for its dramatic and steep-walled canyon carved by the Gunnison River over millions of years.
The park offers breathtaking viewpoints that provide awe-inspiring vistas of the canyon and its sheer cliffs. The dark, narrow gorge is an impressive sight, with its rugged rock formations and the river flowing far below. Visitors can explore several hiking trails that lead to different overlooks, each offering unique perspectives of the canyon's beauty.
For those seeking adventure, the park provides opportunities for rock climbing, fishing, and kayaking. Camping is also available, allowing visitors to spend more time immersed in the natural surroundings. Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the chance to spot various bird species, including eagles and falcons, as well as mule deer and other wildlife that call the park home.
It's worth noting that the Black Canyon is known for its steep terrain and challenging hiking conditions. Visitors should exercise caution and adhere to park regulations for their safety.
Overall, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers a captivating and rugged wilderness experience. Whether you're an avid hiker, a nature photographer, or simply someone who appreciates the wonders of the natural world, this park is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Bhushan Dharmadhikari — Google review
Awesome views! If you are scared of heights, stay away from the edge of the canyon. Most of the edges almost complete drop-off areas. Roads through this national park are also very windy, so make sure to be careful driving through the park as many areas also are pretty close to drop-off areas with little guard rails.
Skyler S — Google review
A beautiful, small national park that not many people know about. An amazing canyon carved by the Gunnison River, up to around 2700' deep, and impressive vertical walls. The park has a developed campground, plus backcountry ones as well. I wish it had more trails, specially one that went to the bottom by the river. You can do it, but you need a permit and there is no developed trail, so you must do it relying only on your own skills. Otherwise, as spectacular as all other national parks!
Peter Hey (RV PLANET) — Google review
Always check the website and ranger station before venturing out. Great to see even in the winter. Traction gear is recommended as it is slightly icy. Only south rim is open but gorgeous regardless. The visitor center closes at 4.
Bathrooms available but vault toilets. No water.
The Stork Got Lost — Google review
Incredible sunsets, and little brother to the grand canyon.
Walls are steeper and make it hard to see the valley below, adding the the unique nature of this place.
Avoid crowds and go in off season to soak in the full spirit of the place. Not many accomodations nearby.
Max Sawa — Google review
What an amazing place. One of the nicest places to visit in the western portion of Colorado. A definite must see. The vista views are spectacular. Don't believe the yards the signs tell you to walk to see the sight. They are further than what's posted on the signs.
W Foular — Google review
Not the most popular of National Parks, but still very scenic. Didn't really have the opportunity to hike down into the canyon. I think you might need a wilderness permit for that sort of thing. But you can drive along the ridge and stop at a few scenic places that take you up to the edge.
Jeffrey V — Google review
This isn't a park just anyone can drive through and appreciate. We were too large to drive the portal road. You need to park at the scenic view areas and walk to the viewing areas to really experience the park. Beautiful views. Definitely worth a visit. If you have mobility issues this park may be a challenge.
Monica MB — Google review
You know what you’re going to see! It’s Black Canyon! Absolutely gorgeous place in summer or winter. If you go in winter, you’ll have to bring your own snowshoes. I was told you can rent them in town. I ended up hiking a few miles just in my snow boots but it was not the funnest of hikes. So yes, please bring some snow shoes. They use to offer them here if you came years ago but they no longer do.
If you go in summer, get there early and make sure you check the site for any news. It’s an absolutely gorgeous place to visit and I can’t recommend this place enough! Enjoy.
Ty Liddell — Google review
Absolutely gorgeous spot. The drive down the canyon is also 100% worth it! I recommend going here if you have the time any day!! Fishing is also supposed pretty fruitful in the river here.
Kyle Beach — Google review
Absolutely breathtaking. One of my favorite spots in Colorado for stunning views and peaceful serenity. I would recommend the Warner Point hike if you are up for it. The Echoes are insane from up there, short hike that’s definitely worth the view!
Rahul Sankar — Google review
Don't miss the North side... especially the 1.5 mile hike (3 miles round trip) to Exclamation Point! Absolutely gorgeous! I get goose bumps every time I look down from the edge.
Hope Miura — Google review
One of the most underrated national parks. The sheer drop offs from the outlooks were stunning. The north rim is significantly less crowded than the south rim. If you do make the drive up north, make sure to hike the North Vista trail up to Green Mountain and stop at Exclamation Point. In the south rim, we were able to secure a wilderness permit and hike down into the canyon along the Gunnison Route. Took about 4.5 hours round trip. Extremely technical, steep and slippery but has some of the most beautiful views of the canyon. Talk to a ranger at the visitors center if you are interested in obtaining a permit. There are a ton of drivable outlooks along the road which are worth it. You are able to drive down to the Gunnison River via the East Portal road. Be aware that this drive is extremely steep and curvy. There is NO reception in this park except at high point at the end of the Rim Drive Rd. Overall, this is one of my favorite NPs. It’s not the most popular, but that keeps it less crowded. The night sky here is crystal clear so definitely stay for the stargazing also.
Aliza Brown — Google review
This place is stunning. Standing on the edge of the canyon and looking straight down at the river 1,800' below is breathtaking. There are several overlooks that give great views of different areas of the canyon. The South Rim road has the most. Don't miss the East Portal road. It takes you all the way down to the river on a VERY steep and winding road. No trailers allowed, too many hairpin switchbacks. The campground is good, located just a short stroll from the canyon rim. Walk the rim trail from the campground to the visitor center (1 mile). The views are incredible.
Ken Tischler — Google review
After a July 2023 visit, I should say the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is spectacular and more people should see it. I would give it 5 stars except for the problems we had during our visit. We were driving a 32 ft class C motorhome towing a Chevy Trailblazer. I'm always careful where I go with it since we can get stuck easily, not able to turn around. Well the Ranger at the gate waved us on through and I assumed we could find RV parking and tour the park. Wrong assumption! The so called RV parking at the visitor center was pull in only and it was filled with cars. We made the wrong choice of turning left further into the park instead of right back out of the park. Anyway, by some miracle we found a spot to pull over and disconnect the Chevy, then make a U-turn blocking the road for a time. Both vehicles finally made it down the mountain back to Rt. 50. So bottom line take only a passenger vehicle into the park and hope you can find parking. There is a campground inside the gate where maybe the RV could turn round but is at the beginning.
Michael Mills — Google review
Way more than what we thought it was going to be! Worth a trip to see the really cool landscapes. We didn’t have time to stop and hike but so glad we stopped and drove through to see the major outlooks. A lot of the trails we went to were dog friendly as well which was a nice surprise.
Julia Bell — Google review
This is a beautiful area to see. Most of the lookouts are an easy walk from the parking areas along the road. You still need to be a little careful because of loose rocks and dirt, but it's pretty easy to traverse. A couple areas have stairs so just be aware of that if you have any knee issues.
Katie Elisa — Google review
Beautiful and unique sight to behold, it’s hard to see the depth that these canyons are, it was an easy walk from the visitor center to a great overlook. There is some informational content in the visitor center. There is no water up here. Outhouse was clean and heated
Lauren (Rose) — Google review
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a must-see for any nature lover. The canyon is home to some of the steepest and deepest rock walls in North America, and the views from the rim are simply breathtaking. There are also plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, and fishing in the park.
Here are a few tips for making the most of your visit:
Start by visiting the Visitor Center to learn more about the park's geology, history, and wildlife. You can also pick up a map and get recommendations for hiking trails and other activities.
Be sure to hike the North Rim Trail to Painted Wall. This colorful rock formation is one of the most popular attractions in the park. The trail is also a great place to see mule deer, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife.
If you're looking for a more challenging hike, try the South Rim Trail to Warner Point. This trail offers stunning views of the canyon and the Gunnison River below.
Overall, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is an amazing place to visit. The canyon is truly unique and offers something for everyone. I highly recommend adding this park to your travel list!
N D — Google review
Beautiful!! This is different than any national park I have seen before! Awesome to drive to the bottom to enjoy a primitive hike on the river. All of the overlooks were astounding! Highly recommend. We stayed in the camp ground in the park, made it so easy!
Gunnison Pioneer Museum is a seasonal open-air museum that showcases an array of early pioneer artifacts, including an 1876 post office. The museum boasts a multi-million dollar collection of historical items ranging from automobiles to trains, saddles to telephone equipment. Visitors are encouraged to explore various homes and buildings on the premises to get a glimpse into Gunnison's rich history. However, most of the exhibits are not in climate-controlled environments and may deteriorate faster over time.
Great place to visit and learn about the pioneer life. We brought 65 scouts out west and this was one of the stops. More than enough to keep them engaged. Well worth the stop if you are driving nearby.
A Spence — Google review
They have a multi million dollar collection of all sorts of things from automobile to saddles to telephone equipment to trains and more! There is so much history to see there, it's hard to see it all in one visit. We've been to other historical museums with homes and buildings but weren't allowed inside them. Here, you are encouraged to go inside and explore them. Our only disappointment was most of the items are in non climate controlled environments and will deteriorate faster. The next time we are in the area, we will definitely go visit again.
Eric L — Google review
This place is really a must see! I dare to say one of the greatest in the country? They have something for everyone in the amazing collection of items of the past. From tractors, war artifacts, dolls, collector cars, a train, buildings from the area, school houses, old wagons, cowboy hats, and much much much more! Really incredible to have it all in one place. We spent about 2 hours with a 5 year old and 9 year old. Had we really looked at everything could take days. They have golf carts even for people to drive in to go to each building.
Justin C — Google review
Acres of early life in Gunnison. Old 2 story furnished home that is very well displayed. Dozens of antique cars, trucks, mining equipment. Old saddles with a cool hat collection. A doll collection, old trains on display, you name it this place has it. Our group loved every bit of the walk at your own pace museum.
David P — Google review
A fine museum! There is nothing there that is not incredible! The train is in amazing condition as are the classic cars... and there's a lot of them! There is also a considerable amount of war memorabilia of both world wars. The original buildings are amazing too. The grounds are enormous so if you want to see it all, don't wait until late in the day. They even have the old complete collection of 1976 bicentennial 7up cans I collected as a kid! Absolutely worth seeing!
Palmer Turner — Google review
My husband and I travel and work in Colorado 9 months out of the year. We’ve traveled through Gunnison several times and this museum is a must see. Probably one of the largest collections of west slope material we’ve seen. Little gals at the front desk are great and it’s only $10 per adult. We like to give more in their little donation boxes throughout the grounds. It’s a must see!
Tammy Williams — Google review
An absolutely amazing museum, 10 bucks and it took me and my wife over e hours to get through. So many incredible pieces of local area history. Beautiful buildings. A must stop if your in Gunnison.
Dillon Sawyer — Google review
You need a few hours, good walking shoes, and affection for old stuff. So much to see and there has to be something of interest if you have a varied group. My husband loved the cars, I enjoyed the check printer used by the city Fo Gunnison until 2012!
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Rooms, guests
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Rooms and guests
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Three Rivers Resort & Outfitting
Resort hotel
Tours
Rustic rooms, cabins & homes, plus a restaurant & access to rafting, fishing & kayaking.
We stayed in 149 and the heat in the floors was glorious. We took full advantage of the hot tub despite (or maybe because of) the fair amount of snow that fell while we were there. Our family of 11 was perfectly comfortable there. I will say, however, if you have more than 2 couples the bed situation can get a little weird. It all worked out for us though. We had a wonderful time!
Abrieanna Wolfe — Google review
The cabin we stayed in was perfect for the three of us and our dogs. We ate at the restaurant our first evening and cannot find a bad thing to say. Friendly staff, great service and the food was excellent. We will be returning for longer next year. A boot tray and wader hanger would be a great addition to the cabin.
Mike McMullen — Google review
This adventure was a blast and skillfully done. Staff knew what they were doing and could answer questions if needed. The river ride was an adventure and we felt safe the whole time. And we were able to still get our photos after a year had passed! We would definitely do this again if we come this way and recommend to anyone. Very professional. Thank you!
Melaney Warren — Google review
Stayed here several times on work trips to Gunnison. We got the luxury of staying in the humpy (cabins are named after flies) and this cabin is impressive. Great for staying with kids 2 queens in the loft upstairs and a separate master downstairs. With recreational activities all over this is a great place for a vacation. They even have a private fishing spot on the river that only guest have access to.
Darrin Seelye — Google review
These people are the real deal. The property is clean and well taken care of and the rv spaces are nice and with plenty of room. The location is also perfect - we went off-roading and hiking and everything we wanted to do was close by. The restaurant was still open for a few days while we were there (at the end of the season) and their food was really terrific!! Our family had a great time in the few days we were there! We would love to come back someday.
Heather Vail — Google review
We had a wonderful trip here the river and scenery are beautiful! We had cabin 13 which had plenty of beds but sharing one bathroom can be difficult. Cabin 13 is directly on the main and very busy road. Cabin 13 also has a leach field in it’s backyard where some of the caps were broken so we did not sit out back at all as the smell was overpowering and did not open the windows. We were not given any heads up on the leach field being there so that was disappointing because we payed so much more for a larger cabin that would fit our family, when our friends all had river front cabins. We loved the restaurant and property in general, just wish we had a different cabin.
Amy M — Google review
Me and my partner went white water rafting today, and wow. What an amazing experience, our guide was Steve and he was one of the best I’ve ever had, everyone got wet and had a blast. Afterward, we ate at the restaurant and the food was incredible. I highly recommend this place
Justin Ostrander — Google review
It was the best decision for our first time Colorado trip. The staff was so helpful and friendly. We couldn’t get enough of the food from the smokehouse. The fly shop had so much to offer. Willow Fly Anglers guide Audrey led us straight to so many fish. There wasn’t a day we weren’t catching beautiful brown and rainbow trout.
Elana Ortiz — Google review
We stayed in one of the cabins by the river. They are like tiny houses, very small with just enough room...mostly. I'm 6'4" so things were a bit small in the cabin for me personally. The covered deck was really nice and there is a picnic table out back (it was covered in snow while we were there). Close to the river. It is a bit of a drive to either Crested Butte or Gunnison. I did not get cell service nor WiFi at the cabin. The only WiFi they offer is unsecured. Not bad, but probably won't come back.
J D — Google review
White water rafting trip today with Vito was fantastic! We called this morning, and they were able to squeeze us in for the afternoon trip. Vito was so knowledgeable about the rapids and the area! He made sure we had a safe but really fun time. Highly recommend & will definitely plan on doing it again!
Elise Weisert — Google review
Signed up for the Garlic Mikes float. The restaurant was outstanding. On the boat they put 8 full grown older adults on a raft that would comfortably seat 6 at the most. 4 would have been even better. We were so heavy the guide couldn't effectively navigate the river. We were very uncomfortable the entire trip.
Bobp811 — Google review
Wow!!! What a day this was. The staff were super friendly and the river rafting we did was simply AMAZING! Vito our guide was simply a great guy with so much knowledge of the area it was bursting through like the waves he guided us through! He was also a Jack of all trades as he was the van driver, the river guide, the trainer of several new recruits AND a comedian! It was a BLAST to have such a great time with the staff and the experiences had this day! The gift shop was a bit sparse for items I wanted. But we’ll stocked for the normal vacationer. Thank you for a great experience!
R.S. Dickerson — Google review
We really enjoyed our stay at Three Rivers! Our cabin was such a comfy and quaint little space, our kids LOVED the loft! The cabin came with everything you'd need to prep your own meals, although you may want to take a stroll to their restaurant because that was pretty darn good bbq! The cabin was generally pretty clean and maintained, although they require a little TLC and maybe a little updating. Just two cent, not a deal breaker, but small stains in the carpet take all of two seconds to "Resolve" (lol, see what I did there?), and a squeaky, springy mattress shouldn't be a think in 2023, overall small potatoes. Three Rivers is located in relative close proximity to all kinds of fun things to do, which is great. That's why we, and all of our great neighbors stayed there. Not to mention the great wifi, that surprised us, it tends to suck in similar places. Would we return? Heck yeah, overall, great experience!
b1krboy — Google review
Not happy at all with the rooms. My little cabin was almost 300 per night and I walked in and it was 85 degrees Fahrenheit (seriously). I called the front desk and they said there's no air conditioner but that it would cool off at night. It did cool off but was so hot I couldn't sleep till well after midnight.
Tripp — Google review
We always go to 3 Rivers Resort. Their food is always fresh and delicious. We pick up our flies and any amenities that we need. Stayed at their cabins one time and they were clean and cozy. It is the “go to” place in Almont.
Kim Park — Google review
Best experiences! So many hikes to choose from, delicious food, & best of all river rafting. Enjoy the beaty of Colorado in a safe, family friendly environment. Cabins provide all your essentials along with a neighborly feel. Minus the talent show, staying here is the closest to the 1950s Catskills as you can get.
There are so many activities, fishing, fly fishing, hiking, & river rafting/kayaking. Each visit there are more experiences. This time we experienced river rafting. The best guide ever- Geecho- takes you down the Taylor River with just enough thrill & safe feelings. I took the plunge into the cold mountain waters with my son. my son & husband "road the bull" which is setting on the front of the raft bronco style. You not only get the best experience, but with the photos - OMG - you take your professionally captured memories home.
Interesting little store in a ghost town. They need need a better sticker and memento selection. Hear me?
M D — Google review
If you find yourself in the town of Tincup, be sure to check out this little store. They have a fun collection of trinkets and gift items commemorating Tincup. The owners are friendly and the building itself is a well preserved relic of days gone by.
Steve Jenovai — Google review
Cool little store great service
Nicholas Evans — Google review
Cute little souvenir shop with a moderate selection of shirts and other items. The lady behind the counter was friendly.
Kat — Google review
Cool little store in a tiny town. Souvenirs and snacks are about it. Nice people.
Bob Snyder — Google review
This is definitely the place to stop when you're riding through the trails and need some ice cold ice cream they have some really cool Tin Cup drink glasses lots of knick knacks this place is original 1800s and still in operation the kids love to go inside and walk around it's definitely a place that we're going to stop at every time we pass through however there are no bathrooms but I guess they didn't have those in the 1800s you can forget internet and phone service also!
AGENT “Mr. TRUMP” VARNELL — Google review
Neat gift shop. Friendly staff.
Chad Ayers — Google review
The most exclusive shop in the high country, operates on mountain time
Alan K — Google review
Drove from Pitkin to Tin Cup a few years ago , loved the drive .
Wishing I had bought a shirt , tried to find a web site to order one from the general store , but there's nothing.
Guess I will just have to come back 😉
Alvin Martin — Google review
4.6
(25)
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4.5
(83)
342707410006, Almont, CO 81210, USA
5
St Elmo
Sights & Landmarks
Ghost Towns
Saint Elmo is a ghost town in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States. Founded in 1880, Saint Elmo lies in the heart of the Sawatch Range, 20 miles southwest of Buena Vista and sits at an elevation of 9,961 feet. Nearly 2,000 people settled in this town when mining for gold and silver started. Wikipedia.
4.0
(461)
Colorado 81236, USA
I'll never travel to Pueblo without this trip planner again
Everyone was so nice and helpful! The smoothie was tasty too! And the scenery was gorgeous!
Allison Henderson — Google review
Fun place on the divide. Good views on a clear day. Quite a few souvenirs. The shop keeps going and going inside. Bargain bin and even some car fluids and ice scrapers. They also have food. It was more than we expected. Fun place to visit.
Jay Dugan — Google review
Don’t bother driving an HOUR for the tram rides because they aren’t competent enough to put accurate times on their website. They will simultaneously keep an “Open” and “closed” sign up if that isn’t confusing enough. This is the second time they’ve posted hours and not put their actual cut off time and we drove up to find it had closed already. The new Renovations in the welcome center are pretty but now they have way less merchandise that is all much more expensive than when I was here last fall.
Haley Allen — Google review
Just happened to see it as were driving through and decided to stop and enjoy the tram ride. $12 per adult and free bag of popcorn each from the gift shop. Beautiful views but colder up top so bring a sweater!
Kaitlyn Arlotta — Google review
When we can through here it was 16 deg and snowing. My wife bought several souvenirs here as they were very reasonably priced and had a great selection. The people were very friendly and helpful.
Mike McKinsey — Google review
As a CT hiker, I was so happy to have access to the Crest Store to buy all of my resupply for the next stretch of the trail.
A fresh smoothie was a perfect kick start. Delicious!
All of the staff was kind, energetic, and accommodating.
I would urge the store to offer a different brand of backpacker meals - ReadyWise meals are NOT good.
Thanks for being hiker friendly.
Rose V — Google review
It was nice the people were friendly. I thought they would offer more of a variety of food they only served hot dogs & fudge 🙄 lol. The fudge was delish 😋 a ton of gift ideas & memoirs. The bathroom could have used a lil TLC & the soap dispenser was broken. All in all it was a really cool place to stop. Nice views.
Lala Love — Google review
Very beautiful. The gift shop is large with something for everyone, including toys and food. There was some cool taxidermy, too. The gondolas were a little scary, but worth the trip. The folks running the gondolas were friendly. If I could change anything, it would be to add more information about the significance of the continental divide.
Isaac Stross — Google review
The area is incredibly beautiful. The gondola is fine and more great views at the top. You get popcorn when you come back down. They have great fudge in the shop. Definitely worth the stop.
Patrick Hum — Google review
Love the way The Crest Visitors Center has been revitalized by Monarch as an outdoor store. Best of all it is now open in the winter.
Tomas Dawson — Google review
Great gift shop and place to grab something to eat from mom's kitchen. It's family owned which is my jam. Gondola rides are available if you are not petrified of heights.. I did nor ride that.
Heather Chiles — Google review
Beautiful! Quite an adventure driving up in a semi-truck, too!
This tour is one of the most highlighted event we experienced in Colorado! Drove 2 hours from Denver just to go to our early call time, we we're there early and was able to see great views and history throughout the mountain. Our guide Shep telling us cool stories and great history in the abandoned mines. We had someone in our tour who kept getting lost or falling so we had the time to take tons of photos and appreciate the views they had to offer! We will definitely be back again for some more adventures with you guys!
Gelli Cious — Google review
We had a great time with our guide. He was super helpful and made our trip exciting. Booking was a little hard to do as well as understanding which forms to fill out. We rented clothing for both my boyfriend and I and stayed warm and dry the entire time. The only issue we had was with the front desk lady. She wasn’t very helpful when we were trying to buy things from the gift shop, so we ended up not purchasing anything. GREAT time in general tho!
Meaghan Looney — Google review
This was our second time going on a snow mobile tour. We had a blast! Our tour guide was so chill and fun to hang out with and treated us like family. His wife was wonderful and welcomed us in too! The hospitality, general based knowledge and safety measures were phenomenal. The tour was more than perfect. The 3 hour session was the right amount of time. We plan on coming back every year! Thank you Monarch Snowmobile Tours!!! You guys rock!
Chloe Castagna — Google review
BIG shout out to our tour guide, Chris!
We had a beautiful time running the back country! Superb views, great trails and a lot of snow with a beautiful blue sky!
Highly recommend this company for an adventure you’ll always remember!
Thanks to the entire staff for making everyone feel welcomed!
We will be back, someday!
Joanne Saunders — Google review
Our family was a group of 10 (mostly) first time snow-mobilers and we had a great time. Everyone felt safe and properly educated. We rode through some trails, got some interesting tidbits of history about the area and had plenty of time for free riding and photos. Our guide Sean was attentive and always helpful. One thing to note is that upon arrival, they strongly recommend paying an extra $20 insurance, which limits your financial liability should you really damage your snow mobile.
We also enjoyed complementary hot chocolate, a toasty fire, and some adorable furry friends to warm up with after the ride!
Lindsay Hosseini — Google review
I’ve been here twice now. Sean is an AWESOME guide. Half-day express tour - Excellent safety briefing, some adrenaline pumping moments, the trails we rode are gorgeous, and Sean is FUNNY. He told us about some pretty cool history, took the best photos (that’s what happens when your guide also has wedding photography experience) and kept checking in on us. I’d give Sean 10 stars if I could.
I’m still smiling thinking about that roller coaster run!
If you’re going on this tour, breathe deep and enjoy the beautiful scenery you get to experience - it truly is a wonder. I can’t wait to come back for a THIRD TIME!
Nikhil M — Google review
We loved our snowmobile tour. We had the opportunity to explore different trails and amazing views. Our guide Joe was amazing. He was very knowledgeable and cautious. I was nervous at the beginning because it was my first time but after I felt confident riding with an experience guide. Great customer service. Highly recommended.
Claudia P Trousdale — Google review
We had THE BEST TIME. Kyle is the nicest guy and made this a fun experience. We felt safe and free. The views were amazing. Now we just want to own a snowmobile. Will 100% be back again and will ask for Kyle (im sure everyone else is cool too) if you're thinking about doing it...just do it.
Kierstin Benitez — Google review
This is our 3rd season with this company and it has been epic every time. Blizzard conditions and Sean showed us a phenomenal experience. Powder was amazing. Being a mom of boys, it was a perfect day. Highly recommend, we love Shep too.
Amanda Archibald — Google review
Our trip with Monarch with Emilio was nothing short of an amazing lifetime experience. We absolutely loved him and had so much fun!
The check in and equipment process was very fast and efficient. I’d recommend renting a full set. Emilio made sure we were comfortable and warm.
Your guide will load you up in the van and take you to the staging section of the sleds. There you’ll be educated on the machine and how to safely navigate. He will also tell you about the trails, hand signals to follow, etc.
We were the only ones in our group on a double sled so we had more free rein on what exactly we wanted to do. We did 3 free ride sessions and went on 3-4 trails. I would recommend buying the $20 insurance because you just never know. If you’re a first time rider, get it. We were very comfortable riding and on one of the trails we hit really soft snow and got stuck. It sounds scarier than it was. Emilio was great at helping us get out and back on track.
There’s free hot cocoa back at the shop and a fireplace which you’ll likely need on your way back.
We did 3 hours but I think you could be just fine with 2.
Thank you so much Monarch for such a great time! We left talking about all of the amazing photo ops and scenery out there. You made our entire trip!
Tori L — Google review
This was our first time snowmobiling, and we had such an amazing time with the Monarch Snowmobile team! We went on our tour with Joe and he was incredible. We would love to be back and do the longer tour next time. What an incredible experience!!!
Caitlyn Theron — Google review
We had so much fun with Sean! He was super knowledgeable about the history and the general area. We did the two hour tour and next time we will be doing a longer one! The views were incredible. We loved that we were supporting a local, family owned business!
Hayley Rico — Google review
Absolutely amazing!!! We had a family of 7 and our guide Shawn was hands down the best. He helped us learn and enjoy the snowmobiles to the fullest! He was patient with the members who were riding for the first time and took us to the best spots, where he captured some of the best pictures we've taken during our Colorado trip.
100% recommended monarch snowmobiles tours, and our best guide Shawn.
shabana khan — Google review
Did a three hour private trip with Monarch Snowmobile Tours and had a fantastic day. We talked with four or five of the staff and all where very friendly and professional. The tour had a great mix of slower switch backs, some open places where you could give it some juice, small jumps, and several free ride areas. Our tour guide was Joe, and he was funny, very nice (especially when we drifted off trail several times and needed to get unstuck), and will definitely ask for him specifically next time. If you can afford it, its a lot easier to drive a sled with one person, especially if you are going to rip a little bit. Highly recommend this tour company.
Steve Davis — Google review
This was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had in my life. The 2 hour tour was great. We had a chance to have some fun and really let loose which was awesome! Tyson, our tour guide, was the best part of the tour with his upbeat and welcoming attitude. He made the experience that much better! Request him if you decide to book a tour here. Definitely will come back for a longer tour. Thank you Monarch Snowmobile Tours!
Elegant mountain lodging with a spa, hot spring pools, sport courts & on-site dining.
We had a great time at Mount Princeton! Every staff member was delightful, helpful, and took care of us. The creek side pools were really nice for a natural feel, and the upper Japanese style pools were nice for the views! Great geothermal heat from this hot spring. The on-site juice bar and steak house were delicious and made it convenient to not have to leave the resort for anything. It wasn’t too crowded, and hopefully the resort keeps a monitor on the number of guests admitted to provide this relaxing environment. We can’t wait to come back.
Logan Einhorn — Google review
This was our third stay at this resort and the best one, partly because it was not crowded. Check in was friendly and efficient. The Creekside room was comfortable and cozy with the fireplace. Could use some interior decorating though. Also, there is no light in the desk area. The pools were wonderful and clean as always, had a great massage (Jamie). The women's changing room is too small, can easily get very crowded in there. We always enjoy the restaurant, the food and service are excellent. However, we did not like the extra charge for the bread ($9.00). If someone spends $130 for a dinner shouldn't this be included? We did order it but it was dry and nothing special. Overall, we definitely recommend this resort!
Indra Hudson — Google review
Can't say much about the rooms because we live close enough to only need a day pass. I can't stress enough how beautiful the mountain views on the way up and also while you're there.
There are 4 different pools you can choose from that are all heated. The upper pools are more kid friendly with a slide you have to pay an extra 7$ for unlimited use.
Sometimes the access to the hot spring in the river is closed due to the spring going cold naturally.
Every time I go to this place I leave feeling so relaxed.
Christopher Mendoza — Google review
Didn't Stay at the resort, but it looks great! I LOVE coming here when I come to Colorado and I love sharing it with family and friends that I bring as guests! Playing in the creek is always the best time! The pools are so warm and inviting! A great time is always to be had when we visit. Thank you!
Angela Macon — Google review
We went to hot springs on the day pass- it was very nice and relaxing. Five kids age 8-16. They loved it. We did not pay extra for the slide- kids were fine without it. The slide looked slow and geared for younger kids.
I read several negative reviews that I want to address - many said water was dirty. It is a natural hot springs with dozens of people in the pool. I did not find it exceptionally dirty but you should expect it is not perfectly clean. Yes, expect they are a little understaffed so staff on duty might be a little overwhelmed. I thought they were friendly enough.
I found the whole experience amazing and unique to soak in natural springs at the base of some amazing mountains. We loved the natural cold pools along the river. Bring your own towels if you can, because towels are an extra charge. We tried to get our money’s worth and spent 5 hours there and some kids still didn’t want to leave. We brought our own food for lunch and had a picnic in the grass by the upper pool. Highly recommend it!
Ryan Stewart — Google review
Booked this place last minute for an overnight stay with my daughter. We were so impressed. The rooms were impeccable, and the views were priceless. Staring at the Milky Way at night was mind-blowing.
We spent the afternoon in 6 of their 15+ hot spring pools. Temperature offerings range from casual cozy to scalding hot. Sitting in the creek while basking in a natural hot spring was a new experience for us. It's amazing how the earth offers its own spa experience.
To boot, they have a nice cold dunk pool. 30 seconds in there, and you'll be refreshingly renewed.
The resort offers a great steak house restaurant, and a snack shop convenience store with good pizza. The adult spa has towels, a sauna, a steam room, showers, and key code lockers.
Off resort, Nathrop is 15 minutes down a lovely mountain drive offering several restaurants.
I'll definitely book this place again. Hope you do too.
Shanna Bremer — Google review
Buyer beware. If paying with a credit card, you get charged an additional 3.99% of your lodging. This does not show up on your folio receipt. Stupid as it is, bring a check and save yourself some money. We would have saved almost $90. This is a new policy within the last 2 months. The cabin was nice and slept 6 people easily. The fireplace heater did not turn on. Those tend to be finicky anyways. The pools were delightful and we saw a lot of wildlife.
Nichole Rairigh — Google review
My daughter and I went up for the day on Mother's day for brunch and to soak in the pool. We knew that it was going to be a great time and we were not wrong! Brunch was absolutely amazing! The food and service were perfect! The Chef's creations exceeded any kind of expectation we could have had, as did Irene. She added such a personal touch to our day that meant so much to both of us! Thanks so much to everyone involved!
Lauren Duncan — Google review
We got married here on 10/15, and had the best experience possible! This is the most gorgeous venue and the nicest staff to work with! The chef is amazing. I don’t think he could make a bad meal if he tried. We did prime rib carved at the buffet and multiple people said it was the best wedding meal they’ve ever had. The cabins are adorable and the bridal party and groomsmen got ready in 2 different cabins. This venue is great because all of your guests can lodge on site. Plus, hot springs make for a perfect daytime activity! We did our ceremony in the lawn and reception in the pavilion. Wish I could go back and live it again! Thank you, Zelma and everyone at Mt. Princeton for the best possible experience. Can’t wait to come back to visit!
Anne Matelski — Google review
The restaurant is amazing food and excellent staff! The mirage pool is the only one with seating area to be in and the perfect temperature. Morning time is best time for that pool. No crowds and cooler for the hot springs enjoyment. The room was great but staff needs to swap the fridge door to open away from the wall and TV hanging in room 93 is coming out of the wall bracket. Needs some maintenance. The river running by the room balcony at night was refreshing and beautiful. The bike rentals are complimentary but that's because they are basic and you have to ride 4 miles up the 2 lane highway to get to the 7 mile trail. Definitely not an easy ride.
Amy W — Google review
First visit, and I'm in love! The pools are just beautiful. You can soak for hours. The river pools are a bit of a climb and clamber to get to, but so worth it. The restaurant is First class! Highly recommended you eat at least one meal there.
Kimberley Clark — Google review
The spa's are magical on every level. The stream isn't warm as it appears, they pump the heated spring water into the stream and have created "pool" areas that are a joy to spend time in. They have water flowing over you that feels magical.
The facilities are second rate and not worth the price of admission. The attention to detail is budget and for the price they demand here quite the disappointment. The rooms are budget, tables don't match chairs, trim work isn't done by a carpenter and the facilities are lacking in maintenance and care in a big way. The area and views are magical. The furniture and bedding are budget so you're going for the springs only, don't expect a resort experience in the buildings or grounds.
Michael Chadwick — Google review
stayed for two nights in the creek side suites. the room was awesome, very clean and comfy!
the restaurant was amazing and the all the pools were great! if you stay at the resort there is a guest only pool and hot tubs and you can go the infinity pool and water slide 2 hours before they open to day use guests. awesome.
the staff is what drove my 5-star rating. every single person was helpful and kind. Jen who checked us in was the absolute best! Jen, hope u have a great and safe hike up La Plata!
Russell Brown — Google review
The only bad thing I have to say about this stunning hot springs resort is that I miss when it was more affordable and less well known. It's not an excessively fancy place, but it's clean, well put together, and very nice while maintaining the relaxed, laid back environment it's famous for. The entire staff is lovely with Kelly at the spa being a stand out. My other half got the hot stone massage and raves about it still
jack — Google review
I was here for a work training and it was incredible. The rooms were spacious and a lot of them had amazing views of the chalk cliffs and the mountains. They have a great event venue, especially for weddings! The springs themselves were great as well and they do have a cold pool you can dip in if you get a little hot. There’s also a bar with great mixed drinks to help you unwind that much more.
Levi Reisinger — Google review
Such a great getaway spot. From the view, to the rooms and customer service. Every aspect was fantastic. The creekside suits are amazing with a fully stocked kitchen, 2 wardrobes, a back patio.. I adored it. My only suggestion for this room would be them adding some sort of table or shelf in the bathroom for your necessities. There was no where to set my make up, hair tools, toothbrushes, skin care etc. But other than that, it was great. Every single staff member i met was pleasant and kind and helpful. The pools, spa, locker rooms, showers were so clean and functional. I loved everything about our stay.
Nicole Hopkins — Google review
I paid $450 for one of the worst hotel experiences I had. The location is nice, but for a hot springs, they are dramatically overpriced, and their efforts to churn as many people through as they can ruins the experience. We were not able to use any of the hot springs, as check in starts at 4pm, and their infinity pool, and seemingly largest area, closes at 5pm, not re-opening until 9am, so if you are going, expect it to be more day-use.
The other pools, closer to the lodge, and the river, were packed, constantly. We tried 3 times to go find a spot, but the throngs of people made it impossible. We waited about 45 minutes for a spot in the river, but never got one, as once people get a spot they seemed to settle into it for hours. There was some room in the two swimming pools, but they are just heated swimming pools.
When I got to the lodge, we were next in line for check in. I stood for 25 minutes as the desk receptionist talked to a couple, oblivious of the line of 10 people behind me getting bigger by the moment. I was polite when I got to the counter, but the level of service I got was much different, and she rushed me through in less than two minutes, not really giving much information - which is ok, maybe she could tell I was frustrated by waiting 25 minutes for one guest check in.
They called and asked if everything was ok with the room about an hour after checking in, which was nice. The room was spacious and had a good view, though there is a lot of half-finished construction projects around the location that made it feel like they were growing faster than they could keep up with.
The problem with this hotel can be summed up with one issue - greed. The number of people going through this establishment is of a far higher volume than they can sustain, and the hours with which they schedule their pool opening and closings make it almost impossible for single-night guests to enjoy their experience.
In the end, it was $450 for a hotel who's facilities we couldn't use due to the throngs of people everywhere.
Bryon Taylor — Google review
We were hoping to enjoy a nice day at the spa/hot springs, worry free. Instead, we had nearly all of our most valuable belongings STOLEN out of the lockers in the upscale, adults area - engagement ring, wedding ring, class ring, other jewelry, cash. Several other guests had cash stolen or lockers opened as well, and we've been told by authorities and employees that these break-ins have happened before. The issues have not been fixed and now we are suffering for it. I hope to spare the rest of you.
After paying $300 for services I would expect the lockers to work. Unfortunately, after being robbed, we tried four different lockers to make sure it wasn't just ours that had the issue, and all of them were defective. The resort has been extremely unhelpful in talking with us (rarely responding to calls/emails), nor have they made us feel like they are doing anything to locate the missing items, covering the cost of the losses or preventing it from happening in the future. Not to mention the fact that we lost substantial sentimental value with each of these pieces. Now, they aren't responding to our calls or emails as we try to get paperwork sorted with insurance.
I will never visit this place again. I've been to several other spas where I can actually relax for far cheaper. Spare yourselves the trouble and just don't do it.
Taylor Shelnutt — Google review
Great place for relaxing and vacation with family and friends. We liked this place!
The rooms are clean and well maintained.
Staff is helpful, polite, respectful, and caring.
Overall management is good, except the safety precautions are not being followed by management, hence reducing one star in the rating.
We didn't use the restaurant as it required reservations. However, there are lots of good restaurants and food chains available at Buenos Vista town that are just 12-15 minutes away from this resort.
Abhinay Barge — Google review
It's not that Mount Princeton is bad. It's just not a $4xx/night place.
The rooms (creek side suites) felt more like a cheap, grimy apartment. The layout is inefficient, the finishes are cheap and poorly installed, the furniture is showing wear, the refrigerator door opened into the wall, and all the corners of the place were filled with grime, something that could be taken care of with a good cleaning.
The resort itself is spread out with less than adequate sidewalks, so you find yourself driving from place to place to avoid the massive pickup trucks that seem so popular out there. The sidewalks and stairs that do exist are crumbling and often missing railings, but the grounds appear reasonably maintained.
The staff were, for the most part, friendly and helpful but only within their domain. When I asked the front desk staff why people were in the spa pool before opening time, and how we could sign up for whatever activity that was, I was met with a "I don't work down there" followed by a sarcastic "I'm up here, not down there" when I pushed the issue. Asking the staff at the spa if I could return my towel to the front desk was met with a simple "I don' t know". The morning we arrived for water yoga, the instructor didn't show up. No one seemed to care because it wasn't their department.
After experiencing all this, we had low hopes for the restaurant, but it was surprisingly good! While not mind blowing, it was solid with great service. Just know that the courses are massive, so it's easy to over order.
In the end, after having experienced many great hotels and resorts around the world, I have a hard time justifying the price when I can fly somewhere cool, pay something similar, and feel like it's worth it.
Chris Vader — Google review
Wonderful experience. Kids loved it. Rooms were decent (floor was a little dirty and bathroom vent really needed dusting) but beds were clean and wonderful. Gorgeous restaurant patio. If you stay here you should head up to st. Elmo and feed the chipmunks.
Joshua Shimandle — Google review
We unfortunately did not have a relaxing experience at Mt Princeton. The pools were crowded, the vibe was more rowdy / party than low-key and the facilities (other than the pools themselves) were dated and even messy at times. While the scenery was beautiful, the actual grounds of the resort are really just a sprawling parking lot. For $400+ / night (Hillside room) our beds were very uncomfortable, the on-site restaurant was mediocre (and not inexpensive), and we were honestly so disappointed that we decided to just leave early the next day instead of staying for a second round of soaking / pool time.
The one bright spot was the staff, who were very nice and accommodating when we had to make a last-minute adjustment to our reservation. I just wish that sense of hospitality extended to a more consistent attention to detail and quality.
Carly DeFilippo — Google review
Stopped in here on our road trip, it was pricey for the room we got but we were glad they had something available last min on a Friday night. We had lunch and dinner here both meals were very good and great service! The springs weren’t as hot as I would have liked but they said it was cuz the rain they just had. And would have been nice for the price to have access to them later than 9p. I have been having back/hip issues so I got a massage by Lance. He did such. Great job I went in to the massage barely being able to move and came out feeling great! Definitely recommend him if you’re having any issues! Maybe not for a deep tissue I did not get that. He did more of a therapeutic massage. Overall it was a nice time and experience.
Tara Zenker — Google review
I would recommend bringing SOME groceries - resort location is a bit isolated, and the next town with dining options is at least 20 minutes away.
Dinner prices at the restaurant are a little steep, but breakfast and lunch options were more reasonable, and breakfast on the deck with a mountain view was a delight. We didn't eat any real food at the poolside snack bar, but having some soft serve after a dip in the pools was super refreshing!
Country store was modest, but had a lot of snack options and some basics.
Caroline Kazukenus — Google review
This is my favorite hotsprings to come to when I want to get away. Out in the mountains with beautiful views, fresh air and serenity. The price is worth it, from 9am-9pm there's plenty of different tubs and pools to choose from and even when there's a lot of people its still pretty quiet and peaceful. A great date night spot.
Summer G — Google review
The hot springs are small and quiet, set alongside amazing views, and the experience of soaking in the creek is so fun. Staff are very friendly and accommodating. Unfortunately I can’t rate the rooms as well. For what we paid, the value was definitely in the activities. Our room was clean and spacious, but we could hear our neighbor’s voices and alarms, pillows were lumpy and the mattress felt like it was on its way out.
Jon Watters — Google review
One of our favorite places to relax and unwind. The entire staff is friendly and very helpful. The hot springs is beautiful and lots of options to choose from. You have different temperatures and big pools, creek side pods and adult only areas. The restaurant is amazing!!! We left our iPad behind and called to ask them to ship it back. They happily packed it up very well and shipped it out that day for us. Highly recommend this place for a great getaway.
Shari Nomady — Google review
We stayed 2 nights in the main lodge in late December and enjoyed the beauty of a fresh snowfall and the convenience of the on premises restaurant and hot springs. The restaurant is nice and open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We ate there two nights and one morning; everything we had was very good and prices were on par with being at a resort. Nice to just walk back to our room after a great meal. The rooms were comfortable and nice but a little worn in a few spots like carpet and creaking floors. The bathrooms in the hotel rooms are a little small and the coffee pot is right next to bathroom sink which isn’t ideal. Room service was good and they kept the room well stocked with towels and coffee. The bathhouse has lockers that are paid or free with the rooms. You only get one towel per person and bring sandals or something to go to and from the bathhouse, especially if going down to the small pools by the river. Staff were all friendly and nice. Overall a great value if you are wanting to enjoy the hot springs and some good food.
Nick Baker — Google review
The springs are beautiful, with many options. We had a cabin with pros and cons. It was well equiped, but quirky. For example, there is no place to hang wet clothes and towels and the dishwasher was mediocre. Huge cobwebs and dust in the windows was gross, but the rest of the cabin was clean and nice. Plenty of room and a great location.
Customer service is hit or miss. Some staff are friendly and helpful and some are impatient and disinterested.
This is a very relaxing getaway and I highly recommend it overall!
Marla B — Google review
Took a family trip for Spring Break and we had the BEST time! Cody checked us in and he was SO NICE ❤️ We really enjoyed our stay on the property. The pool was so nice and we really appreciated that everything was plowed and accessible after a foot of snow. Thanks so much for your hospitality, we will definitely be back!
Jennifer Clark — Google review
What an amazing experience! The condo we stayed in on the property was incredibly well maintained. Older beds but otherwise fantastic. The staff was excellent as were the facilities. The restaurant was delicious for both lunch and dinner. The servers were on point, especially Kyle at dinner who was my best server I’ve experienced in a long time.
Don’t miss this for a romantic or family getaway!
Truly one of the most amazing experiences we’ve had in our lives. KC was the kindest and most gentle guide. He filled our hearts full to the brim with this awesome adventure at sunset. We crossed rivers, trotted, and went up and down steep inclines. Seriously cant express how great our time here was. If you book, ask for KC!🤍
Lauren Phariss — Google review
My mom had a great ride here. She's been riding for a long time, but she still enjoyed the one hour ride. It wasn't just a boring trail ride where the horses know where they're going and don't really care what you want. She said they went across the river a few times, saw great views of the mountains, and had a very pleasant time. She loved the wranglers who were with them. We booked online and had no trouble. Everything worked out perfectly. Highly recommend!
Valerie Miller — Google review
We had such an amazing time at Hot Springs Stables. The owner and the ranch hands were so welcoming and made our experience one to remember. 2 hours was not long enough, we will definitely going back to do a half day or even a full day ride with them soon. This is a must stop if you are in the area.
Mike Cignarale — Google review
Me and my two kiddos (7 and 10) came for the sunset ride and it was incredible! Our guide, Kaiden (Caiden?), was laid back and friendly and made the kids feel safe and ensured we all had fun! We were only supposed to walk, but we got to do quite a bit of trotting once the boys were comfortable and it made our whole trip!
We saw deer and a coyote, got to cross the river more than once, and had some absolutely stunning views.
Would highly recommend to anyone!
Christina LaRosa — Google review
Definitely a must experience!!!! The owner was very welcoming and knowledgeable. Our wrangler was great! Cory went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable and confident from start to end.
Beautiful views....and great memories were created! Thank you, @coloradotailrides.com
Robert Torres — Google review
If you are looking for something close by to the area, go horseback riding! Our guide was AMAZING at pointing out view points and give us facts around the area. They help by picking the horse that suits you best! We loved our 2 hour ride & felt very comfortable through out it! Definitely worth it all!
Albanie Hersh — Google review
Great experience. Staff was awesome, horses were well trained. We took the 60 minute trail and we got about 70 minutes out of it. Facility is small but clean. It looks like they can handle pretty large parties and have multiple trail lengths ( 1, 2 hr as well as 3/4 and full day). Scenery made it worth it all. Great views!
Tyler Dixon — Google review
Great staff, very pleasant and give good advice. The horses are well trained and clearly well cared for. I’m a first time rider at age 46. I went on the 1 hour trail ride and it was a great experience.
Jenny Crane — Google review
We did the 3/4 day ride. Absolutely beautiful trail. It was a bit nerve wracking in a few spots and I am an experienced rider. I had inexperienced riders that made it but there were times their nerves almost bested them. The horses behaved for the most part and we all enjoyed it. The waterfall was gorgeous. The wranglers were great! I highly recommend but be prepared for sore muscles.
I also recommend getting there early. We arrived 15 minutes early and still did not get to the trail until an hour after our initial appointment time due to them needing to prep the horses selected for each individual and their experience level. We never felt rushed on the ride though. The wranglers went at our pace. Again, I highly recommend!
Tierney Stigall — Google review
What a great place! I did the 2-hour sunset ride and had an amazing time. Our wrangler, Jess, was friendly, inviting, and easygoing. The trail was fun, the horses were kind and well-trained, the scenery was beautiful. And can't forget the barn cats!
No complaints here.
Liam Moore — Google review
We took a ride with The Princeton Stables yesterday and what a fantastic ride it was!! We had the best guide ever in Dave and the horses were amazing! We rode on Moose, Rodeo, and Clifford and wish we could take them home with us! The scenery was perfect and crossing the river was so cool!!! Thanks again to our guide Dave and Ralph for taking us on this ride!!! We’ll be back!!
Travis Blackwell — Google review
Dave and Dillion did a great job for our 2 hr ride. They did a great job on instructions and were very social during the ride. The ride was fun and exciting. Domino and Feather were great horses to ride. Highly recommend! This was a very relaxing few hours with beautiful scenery.
April Hess — Google review
We had Casey as our guide. He was great! We did the waterfall ride. If you haven't been on a horse before, I wouldn't take this. There are some very small trails going up the mountain and it could scare some people. If you have riden before, it's a great view! The horses we took were great. Thanks Casey for a great time.
Robbie and Kristen
robert dotson — Google review
Great 2 hour trail ride with Corey. Really enjoyed our horses, Trigger and Chile. Look forward to being in the area again to book a longer ride!
Caleb Collins — Google review
This was an amazing ride! We did the 3/4 day ride. It was beautiful and the horses were great! Our guide, Casey was fantastic!!
Dabecka Kirk — Google review
We had the best time on our 2 hour ride. Lee, our wrangler, was such a wonderful guide - personable, curious, and knowledgeable about both horses and the terrain. The trail offered stunning views. We would absolutely do this again! Highly recommend!
Allison Buzard — Google review
My wife and I were the only ones on our ride and we went with Corey and he was great. He was easy to talk to throughout, answered questions, and helped out as needed. The route was absolutely beautiful. We went up and down the mountains and through water. As semi beginners, two hours were plenty bc we were sore at the end but it was a really awesome time with our horses, our guide, and the views.
Ross Browning — Google review
Hands down the BEST trail ride ever! We did the 3/4 day ride up to the waterfall with a packed lunch and the views were breathtaking! KC aka the good Kevin but AMAZING!! He made the whole experience unforgettable. I can't wait to come back and do a ride when there is snow on the ground. It was about 2 hours from Denver but SO worth the drive. The views on the way were unbelievable as well which made the time go by. I would 1000% recommend to everyone!
Lizz Kilby — Google review
I had the best time yesterday! My son and husband didn’t want to join me so I went on a group adventure 2 hour ride solo with several other families. Amazing views, sweet tour guides there’s nothing like this anywhere else, I’ve done several trail rides in my time but this was by far the best. The trail guides were so good with the children on the tour AJ let them talk her head off and she even took pictures of me for me! The owner was a sweetheart! All around amazing!
Mallory Hall — Google review
I had a great experience and can not wait to come back again and do a longer ride. The staff was so nice and helpful in getting my mother on the horse and feeling comfortable. She wasn't able to complete the ride but we consider it a win and she was able to get it knocked off her bucket list on her birthday. Jessie is so sweet I enjoyed chatting with her and was pleased to know she is and knows horsemanship. Horses are beautiful and well trained, taken care of in my opinion. ❤️i rode charming ✌️ 🐎
That's Tonya — Google review
This was such an amazing place, both the Ranch and the land we traveled around. My daughter and I plus the family had so much fun riding and it was the best time riding horses with her. Dave was so great at leading and providing a great experience. He is a great rider also! Great to see how welcome the guides make you feel. They'll do anything to improve your ride or teach you how to get to know your horses. Top notch job Dave and The crew. Can't forget the young guys and all great wranglers we met and helped us get going. I highly recommend this place and we will be back.
Pete Chilimindris — Google review
This place is a rare gem! The owner (who looks like Sam Elliot) was so kind and has been doing this business since he was 17! Everything is thoughtfully curated. They choose your horse based on your skill level. The cowboys + wranglers were very helpful and told amazing dad jokes. They accommodated everyone from children to adults very well. I highly recommend for an authentic trail riding experience!!
The Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center is a family-friendly facility that offers indoor lap and leisure pools filled with water from hot springs. The pool water is clear, mildly scented with chlorine, and not heavily chlorinated. The center provides swim diapers for $1 each and new towels for $6. The lifeguards are friendly, observant, and the online reservation system is convenient.
The best public pool I have ever been to. The water is not heavily charged with chlorine, but the water is clear and feels clean, with only a mild smell of chlorine. The warm pool is amazing and our baby looooved it. They sell swim diapers for $1 each and new towels for $6. The life guard told us that the water in the pool does indeed come from the hot springs, but it comes in so hot that it has to be cooled with other water.
Anna Canepa — Google review
I have lived in the county for 38 years and enjoy both Salida indoor hot springs and Mt. Princeton outdoor hot springs. The water temperature at both places is ideal for lap swimming. I have found the employees at both to be kind and welcoming; I have always had positive experiences.
K K — Google review
Lifeguards were rude and blew their whistle at every single thing. My kid is a great swimmer and I had to be in the pool with her at all times within reach. Also took about 20 minutes to check in. Otherwise the facility was nice and clean and best price for a hot spring in the area.
Morgan Anderson — Google review
Did our reservations online and were able to drive up for an afternoon of swimming! Hot springs side with zero entrance for the little ones, and a regular temperature pool with places for lap swimming, a slide and diving board! Fun for all ages! Locker rooms are nice and clean, lockers are available too, and there is a swimsuit dryer available as well!
Wendy Aaron — Google review
While they have added to it, this was built in the thirties and is very interesting. You can get a private soaking room with deep soaking pools and big wooden area to rest on between soaks. Very enjoyable place to spend an hour. Was clean with good showers.
Tom Coakley — Google review
This is a great place for family fun or swimming laps. I was looking for a more natural and private setting... this is not that. The lap swim area is great. The soaking area has families with little kids splashing in the shallow area. The deeper area is nice to float but it also fun for bigger kids. There's a fountain, slide, rock wall, tons to do in the water. I saw a class schedule. The locker room was clean and had everything you need. This is a great INDOOR water facility for families and laps. Free parking. Super friendly staff. Great activity to accompany a ski trip.
Jill Jaeger — Google review
The pool was great other than I got to hear the Karen life guard yell and scream at every one for just haveing fun....for 2 hours straight. She was I think the most mean, entitled, unhappy person I have ever been around.
Annika Butero — Google review
They have clean and accommodating facilities. The lifeguards are friendly and watchful. Their online reservation system is convenient and with the multipass, you save some money. I recommend the Aquatic Center for swimming laps, soaking or whole family fun.
Jennie Kies — Google review
I'm on a multi-month road trip adventure and stumbled across Salida and decided to stay a few days. This GEM of a facility popped up; $14 gets you into a beautiful hot pool (100 degrees) and a cool pool for lap swimming. I warmed up (it snowed on my camp last night - ugh), did 10 laps, then warmed up again. Hit the showers, which are kept clean and new and include soap, then back on the road fully refreshed. I can't recommend this place enough - great investment, Salida! You got it going on!
Josh Dodge — Google review
Nice facility and friendly staff! Lap pool and hot pools are great. It's best to make a reservation on the website for the hot soaks.
Reva Golden — Google review
Used to love this place until I learned they poison the sacred spring waters with chlorine.... there are literally so many other options in keeping a pool sanitary.... do better....
Shelby Fredrickson — Google review
We love the springs as a solid indoor activity. Kids area is wonderful, and I've liked all the classes. Always check hours as they're programming sometimes occupies the space!
Morgan Reitmeyer — Google review
Came with the family, to find out only half of us could swim.
We came to celebrate our son’s birthday, and he and step dad went in first.
15 min later I come in with sister and they said they are full for the next two hours.
The pool barely had anyone in it.
I guess we will wait until they are done and then finish our birthday outing together later.
Huge bummer for a pool of that size to barely get used and turn people away.
Taylor Sims — Google review
Drove over 2 hour to visit and had no update on the website Facebook or Instagram that they were closing for the day (was going to the second session). Unfortunately leaving a bad review until the next time I decide to drive there ND fid out if there open or not
Geoff West — Google review
The showers have little water pressure, showers are cheaply built and locker room very small. I'm not impressed with the showers, the pool is nice but busy.
C J — Google review
The pool area is very nice with lots of family friendly activities. The staff was friendly. The men's locker room was far too small to accommodate all the people coming out of the pool at closing time.
It's a cool place to pick up some swag from monarch ski resort without going up in the hill. Salida is a super fun town, so go grab a coffee from down the street and take a walk. This store closes a few weeks after the ski resort opens so get in while you can. Staff was friendly and courteous.
Billy Nieminen — Google review
Quick and easy interaction to purchase Monarch season tickets.
Mindy Nelson — Google review
Got my ticket for the next day staff was very helpful
bear hilliard — Google review
Friendly staff, able to obtained our Monarch pass with ease.
Riverside Park is a charming urban green space located in a tranquil and shaded environment, offering scenic picnic tables by the riverbank and an open-air stage for concerts. The park is well-maintained with various fun activities like walking along the path besides the river or enjoying outdoor activities such as kayaking. It features an excellent playground area with an exciting bouldering wall and bike paths suitable for all ages. Additionally, it provides spectacular views of its surroundings while being conveniently situated near many amenities.
The park itself is great. They always have events throughout the summer. But my favorite part is the path that goes down by the river. It's a great walk & there's lots of fun places to sit by (or in🐕) the river.
Rox Miller — Google review
Cute little park in historic downtown. Perfect view as it sits at the foot of the mountain and on the creek.
Maria Fair — Google review
Very cute and well maintained park. Great view and close to everything.
Rachel W — Google review
This was a wonderful place to experience with my family. We were able to sit at the river's edge to get wet and watch the rafts float by. There was a playground and amphitheater, as well as portable bathrooms.
Miriam Seigel — Google review
This is delightful park with a great atmosphere and always so clean. Plenty of parking for all in great location to go get an ice cream or lunch. Walking down the river is one of our favorite things to do. The water was rushing so high this year... It was Beautiful. The playground is super fun and great for kid friendly activities. There are dogs everywhere!! I have never seen poo anywhere near this park. It is a great place to bring a blanket for a picnic or choose a table. Definitely a must-see when you come to Salida.
Liz G — Google review
Beautiful park for the kids to play. Great playground and fun bouldering wall. Bike paths are awesome. I'd like to come back and kayak the river too.
Quinn L — Google review
Nice, newly remodeled Lodge and beautiful RV park. They have a barbecue food truck on site which is really cool. There is also a beautiful river walk. Very nice and clean place to stay.
Larry Whitman — Google review
Salida is the place to be! Amazing atmosphere at Arkansas River. Music, great restaurants, dog friendly people everywhere! Just enjoy your life! 😄
Sari — Google review
Road trippin'? This is a sweet spot to stop & shake out the wiggles, dip your toes, swing & slide, monkey about on the climbing wall, stroll around the town, or make a loop around the park. Public restrooms are well kept, the cascading canopy of cedar trees will catch your attention and keep it!
Feeling brave? Hop in a kayak or raft upstream and ride the man-controlled rapids!
Strolling on a Sat? Perfect, the farmers market is where it's at.
Shop local while you're there and maybe take in a band or two...you know on second thought maybe book a stay, Salida is a gorgeous river town.
Brandy Leonard — Google review
Really cool laid-back Park, but the main reason I was there because of the New River Surf Wave which is located right behind the bathroom building down in the river it's the best wave Colorado has to offer definitely bring your wetsuit gear the water is pretty cold this time of year currently November. We pulled up on a Wednesday parked right in front of the park surfed the wave, then longboard skateboard down grab to grab some coffee and then went on a mountain bike ride. It was a pretty good work day in my opinion. On the street where the park is there is an electric car charger and there's public bathrooms that are open kids playground nice green grass chill out picnic benches have yourself a little food.
DIYsavecash — Google review
Unique park - well worth a look. Pathway along the Arkansas River is quiet, paved (big plus!), and picturesque. Loved watching the local "River surfers."
Dennis Morgan — Google review
Awesome park.. safe clean and beautiful..
Jimmy Spoons — Google review
It's one of the nicest parks in Colorado. It is very close to the river and has lots of space. Shops and restaurants are very close.
Shaun Aragon — Google review
Nice little park with a walkway along the water. Perfect for everyday or a 4th of July Celebration!
Jennifer Hoff-Schillaci — Google review
4.8
(1278)
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4.5
(249)
Salida, CO 81201, USA
14
Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa
Spa
Nature & Parks
Quirky spa resort offering rooms, yurts & tipis with mountain views, plus access to hot springs.
The staff were so friendly and worked hard as a team to provide awesome services. The meals were very filling and delicious. We stayed in a yurt and it was very comfortable and cleaner than any hotel I’ve ever stayed at. The shared bathrooms and shower house was spotless and we had no qualms using a shared space like that. The pools were perfect temps and didn’t have that sulfur smell so you didn’t feel icky while enjoying a soak. We will definitely be returning often!
Justin and Whitney Ahmie — Google review
I was truly recharged by my trip here. There were multiple heat options to choose from and as a first time spring-goer, I liked having options. I hit my "Goldie-locks" temperature and felt like I got to truly relax.
Every staff member I interacted with was pleasant, inviting and helpful.
I enjoyed every meal I had here and enjoyed choices and quality of food included with my stay in a yurt. I am usually a carnivore and I really actually enjoyed the vegetarian options I had during my stay.
The background scenery was top notch. Would highly recommend.
Tony Rice — Google review
Had a really great stay here. Beautiful property, the pools were fantastic and even the food was pretty good. Most of the staff was great too! Only criticisms would be how late the pools are open, would be amazing if guests staying there had access to soak later. Also there were two middle aged women at the front desk that really had a chip on their shoulder, customers/guests seemed to be very inconvenient to them.
B Johnson — Google review
What an absolutely tranquil and beautiful place the Joyful Journey Hots Springs is! I spent 3 nights here, and it was such a lovely experience. The grounds are well-kept and are very pretty, the room was very clean and comfortable, and I really enjoyed my patio to sit outside at night and listen to the birds. I found the hot springs soaks to be very relaxing, very clean and taken care of. The breakfasts and dinners (provided) were so flavorful and were delicious! The staff was very polite and really made you feel like you were welcomed whether they were serving you a meal or helping to answer your questions in the lobby/gift shop area. I loved every moment of my time here, and I can't wait to go back!
Liz Greiner — Google review
What a magical and unique hot spring. Loved the whole stay. The food was great, the staff was great, the yurt was great, the massage was great, the view is amazing! Loved the new cold plunge. It's about 3 hours from Denver, and 1 hour from the Sand Dunes. Totally going back again
Chelsea Young — Google review
The food served is great. The rest of the place- not so much. Very run down. The front desk lady who also instructed the yoga was very rude when we first arrived. The yoga was also not merely stretching, but much more spirituality focused, if you are a Christian I would avoid the morning yoga. It was basically worshiping Hindu gods, this was not something we were warned about, she just slipped it in there. The TPs were uncomfortable and filled with bugs and spiders. We had to go out and buy pillows, which had a hard time staying on the cots because you need cot sized pillows which really should have been provided. The highway is so close that the cars going by at night will wake you up while you are sleeping. The pools didn’t seem clean. Lots of walking to get to the bathrooms and showers if not staying in the building, there’s also literally zero places to sit down and enjoy the views. The food and that they are 420 friendly were really the only redeeming factors.
Rachel Beaman — Google review
We’re from Salida and we love this hot spring for its vibes and friendly staff. Also the price point is awesome, we’re grateful to not have to spend $60/per person to have this experience. BUT what really sent me over the edge of gratitude was the staff rescuing us, after realizing we overlooked getting gas before leaving Salida. They immediately started tracking down a gasoline can so we could get home. They even tried to refuse our money - kindness like this still exists?!?!
Thank you so much Joyful 🙏🏼💯
Heather Jackson — Google review
Comfortable beds. I enjoyed the tubs and the steam room. Lots of interesting merchandise available for purchase. The staff are very considerate. The food needs some work. Dinner and breakfast were not very good. The breakfast muffins and pastries seemed homemade though. More gluten free items would be nice. The gluten free pasta served for dinner was not cooked properly at all. It's a wonderful place to visit, just bring some healthy snacks mayb.
Melissha Gorsuch — Google review
My husband and I stayed here for 4 days of our honeymoon and we could not have picked a better spot! The staff members were truly welcoming and personable that made you feel at home instantly! Zebra, who was our main point of contact for breakfast was charismatic and chipper every morning. The tofu vegan scramble was incredible and dinner was always delicious! The 3 pools of differing heat levels was nice because you had options and they were hardly crowded. The best part by far were the people, other visitors, who were very sociable and had interesting stories and suggestions for sightseeing! We hope to make it back to CO to visit again!!
Susan ?Leana? Breakall — Google review
I've visited here a few times and have stayed in the lodge/hotel, a yurt, and a tent site; all are nice, but highway sounds at night are a bit annoying in a tent. The grounds are very well kept, and the scenery is great. I've enjoyed all the breakfasts and suppers I've had here.
The soaking pools are all nice, but my favorite is the medium temperature pool.
The staff is friendly and helpful.
If you're looking for a low-key hot spring/spa, Joyful Journey is a great place to visit.
Robert Moore — Google review
My partner took me here for my birthday. Loved the whole experience. The staff were amazing, the yurts were cool, comfy and clean, the pools were perfect with a good selection. Wasn't crowded nor loud. The breakfast and dinner was simple (obviously not a 5* restaurant experience) but it went perfect with the vibes and atmosphere of the place. The price was a steal as well. We definitely are coming back at least yearly.
Inoke Tonga — Google review
Joyful Journey is our happy place. From the friendly staff to the beautiful views, there is a lot to be said for this beautiful, safe, affordable, family friendly, clothed hot springs spot. The staff are friendly, services are nice, and the clientele are respectful. Located at a peaceful distance from Salida and the Great Sand Dunes, it’s almost five stars from me.
As a disability worker, I regret that some of the poolside handrails are in disrepair and are dangerously loose. Ableism is not a new thing. But I’ve almost fallen a couple of times there and for folks that rely on them, this seems like a lawsuit waiting to happen. You can’t have them just for show. They must be weight bearing and stable.
Fix the accessibility barriers and we are back at five stars for me!
Michael “Micha’el” M — Google review
Excellent massage with Angela Rios! I usually don't bother getting massages at spas - you never know what you're going to get and I'm so often disappointed. I decided to go for it this time and for once, was not disappointed. I highly recommend getting a massage with Angela if she's on the roster for the day.
The pools were also great. Recommend this as a stop for anyone. I did not stay at the accommodations.
Julia Yanker — Google review
We stopped in here for an evening soak on our way through the area. It was a really unique experience. The pools were clean, the views of the mountains made the trip! We appreciated the glass partitions that kept the wind at bay. There were pools to fit anyone’s temperature preference. We can’t wait to come back!
caleb pearson — Google review
We had an absolutely lovely experience. It was incredible sitting in the pools looking out at the mountain range and the snow falling on us. We both had massages as well and it was absolutely wonderful. We will definitely be back.
Janelle Crawford — Google review
We LOVE Joyful Journey❣️We used to go all the time when we lived in Crestone & just visited again after a couple years away. It’s better than ever with new improvements- fire pits, seating, cold plunge & new tubs. The mood lighting creates such a peaceful, meditative vibe at night. Highly recommend! 🙌🏻
Marshall Beck — Google review
we stayed in a yurt for 2 nights. i was a little nervous after reading some of the reviews, but we had a wonderful stay. if you are coming into this wanting a full blown luxury hotel experience, this is probably not the place you’re looking for. our yurts were clean, had incredibly comfortable beds, and kept us warm and cozy during the cold windy nights. the meals that were prepared were always great, and it was so nice to have vegan/gf options. breakfast had so many different options, teas, coffee, infused water. the pools were also a dream. staff was extremely helpful and everyone was so kind 💗 i think we will definitely be coming back in the future✨
Meganne Love — Google review
Had a great ladies spa weekend and would definitely recommend. We all felt well cared for the entire time from amazing healthy meals (I think the portions were fine and you can certainly ask for more), excellent massages by experienced therapists and hours of just plain soaking. The yoga in the mornings with Nancy were the best way to start the day. What a gem she is! The staff is all around wonderful and caring. Can't wait to go again.
Tracey Lucks — Google review
My wife and I brought our 2 teenagers, and 3 dogs for overnight stay in a double queen room with roll out extra bed. We absolutely love the quiet relaxing vibe. Dinner and breakfast the family loved.
My wife and I enjoyed the private bath the next morning for 90 minutes. There are 2 soaking tubs and you get to set your water temp. We filled one up with hot and other cold and went back and forth. Amazing!
Thanks again for having us! We will definitely be back.
Josiah Mueller — Google review
My partner and I only spent one night at Joyful Journey, but we both loved it. The hot springs were great and the view of the mountains was breathtaking — especially if you get up early enough to watch the sunrise. However, the best part of our stay was meeting Kelly, the chef, and not just because the food she made was delicious. We arrived late, so we were the only ones eating in the dinner hall. Kelly came out while we were eating and started chatting a little bit. She mad us feel very welcome, and I can honestly say she made the best cupcakes I’ve ever had. When she said they were vegan and gluten-free, I had a hard time believing it. I’ve got two nephews that are allergic to dairy, so finding substitute recipes can be a challenge. I mentioned this to Kelly, and she gave me some pointers for baking without dairy. My partner and I were both blown away by our experience at Joyful Journey, and we’ll definitely stay here again.
Adam Burba — Google review
Pools were clean and well separated. Pool Temperatures were 60, 98, 104, 107 a perfect range for all soakers. Check in Lady was so nice and accommodating. We will definitely be back but next time we want to stay overnight. Great resort considering the low price.
Arkos Ahn — Google review
This is a treasure of a retreat! We have been here multiple times this year because we love it so much. The rooms and yurts are so nice. I love how the tubs are emptied and cleaned every morning. The views are gorgeous and it is very secluded in nature. A magical healing place to be. I love the staff. Having meals made for us as a part of the stay makes it so nice and easy just to relax and enjoy. Massages are excellent!
Andrea Montoya — Google review
A great soak! Have always enjoyed it here a lot and will absolutely say it’s better than the springs in the Arkansas valley an hour north. Half the price and so much less crowded. Love this place so much we bought a punch pass!
Ben Banet — Google review
Amazing experiences I've had a Joyful Journey. I signed up for my first retreat coming up in May. I've only stayed in the lodge but now I'm getting ready to stay my first time in one of their heated Yurts. It's so relaxing I can't believe they provide a free breakfast and dinner. It's all healthy and the most perfect place to go to get away from it all.
Cindy Gehman — Google review
We stopped at this spa on our recent trip to crestone, the hot mineral water pools are amazing. The staff is friendly and professional, the sauna is great. Overall absolutely deserves five stars! Will definitely be stopping back here again!
Carlos Dionicio — Google review
I really loved the location, which is perfect if you're looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the cities.
The staff was incredibly warm and friendly, and the meals were included in the cost of the room, which is great since there's not much of a variety regarding grocery stores.
It allows you to stay in the relaxing atmosphere of the springs.
Jose Chavez — Google review
The motel rooms had nice furniture, BUT the tub shower combo was full of hair from the guests prior to us. After seeing all of this hair and having to wash it out myself, it really made me wonder if the ceramic tile floors had been cleaned and also if the sheets had been changed. The hot tubs were OK. They’re deeper, larger pools but there are only a few so be prepared to share with other guests. I would never stay in a motel room there again. The included dinner was OK, the portions were very small and were not the best tasting, but it met the need. Overall, I would go somewhere else. There are many other hot springs that have better amenities and other businesses near for food, etc. (Stayed 2021)
Jessica Whiddon — Google review
We stayed overnight in a yurt and the breakfast/ dinner was super healthy and yummy! Having a vegan option was a definite plus. We went during a cold weekend and there were the perfect amount of people in the springs. The yurt took a bit to heat up but once it did it was comfortable however the bed sank in the middle and there was a party in the yurt next to us so I got no sleep. Yurts are the same price as the rooms with private bathrooms which is a stretch
Outdoor pool for year-round use, with a water slide, volleyball, basketball & more, plus a hot tub.
We travel with our RV from Fort Collins (about 5 hours) to visit this pool. We’ve visited 3 times in the past 4 years for Spring Break. The views are so pretty!
The staff is really friendly. The campgrounds are kept neat, and the restrooms are clean and well stocked.
The pool is great! When we visited, the temperature ranged from just above freezing in the morning to the 50s at the peak of the day. The water temperature varies depending on how close you are to where it fills, but there isn’t a cold spot in the pool. There’s a baby pool for the little ones, and the big pool goes from 3ft to a deep end with diving boards. The ladies showers were completely clean.
There’s free air to fill your inflatables for the pool. The kids love the snack/gift shop, and you can rent water toys if you don’t bring your own.
The grille has a great variety of really yummy foods.
Pamela V — Google review
Loved it. Not easy to find but once there didn't want to leave. Not crowded at all. Good water temp. Very nice people working there. Didn't know about the tubs and bar in the greenhouses until we were dressed and leaving. Would have spent time in the greenhouses. Just a fun time!!
tk w — Google review
Been coming here for years; absolutely love swimming, soaking, eating and feeling like family. Everyone is exemplary in what they do; Chef Lo, the greenhouse crew and the front desk team's are just pleasures & treasures creating an environment where everyone is welcome and smiled upon. Cheers.
Deb D — Google review
Our first time here ever on Father’s Day. The people who was at front gate not only had major attitudes, they shouldn’t have allowed any other guests to come in while there was a father looking for his missing child. Apparently the father had been looking for his missing son for over an hour when they discovered his body at the 10 feet deep end of the pool.
This place should have had a life guard on duty. I get that there are signs everywhere stating there are no life guards on duty. However, as soon as the father asked for help of his missing son, they should have told everyone to get out of the pool immediately, and not let anyone else entered the premises. That was not done after us being there for 40 minutes. My family and I wasn’t in the pool yet, because we were still prepping all 3 kids. If we had seen the boy jump in the deep end, we would have been able to save his life. We witnessed everything and it is the most horrific scene my family and I ever witnessed.
One guest started performing CPR, because the employees who work there didn’t have a clue on what to do. This tragic event could have been prevented in so many levels had this place have the proper protocols.
Also, the first responders took forever to get to this location on top of that.
I called the next day to see if they were open for business after this tragedy, and they were. I guess this place do not care that a child lost his life in their facility. I feel bad for the families of this 14 year old boy. May his soul rest in peace.
If you’re planning on visiting here, be mindful of your children even if they are able swim. Do not leave your children unattended by going to the adult side. Always keep an eye on your children even if they are a teen and able to swim. Keep in mind that this place do not have proper procedures in place if tragic events ever occur.
Cristina M — Google review
This is one of our favorite (semi hidden) spots. Many people don't know about the incredible le 10000 square foot 21 and over greenhouse. So, you might believe it's a giant outdoor pool for kids...it can be, but the greenhouse is where we go to relax and hang, have a beer or wine and eat great food. They do an amazing job and the staff and people you meet are always relaxed and happy. We have campped many times, but have never stayed in the cabins, so I can't really speak to that aspect. Nonetheless, it always seems to just get better and better. I hope you enjoy as much a we do.
Read Lockhart — Google review
We stayed here halfway through our Colorado road trip. Loved this place. So quiet. We stayed in a cabin which was very comfortable. I was worried about being cold but the cabin was extremely cozy. The sunrise was amazing. We all loved the pool center and the restaurant was great. Customer service was out of this world. Justin was particularly helpful and went above and beyond to provide great service. For breakfast I highly recommend driving over to The Hooper Junction & Ruby Rose Bakery / Cafe. About 7 min drive. Great place. I definitely recommend a stay here.
Lilith Bun — Google review
We stayed three nights in our pop up camper here while exploring Great Sand Dunes National Park. Nice facilities for camping, clean restrooms and laundry facilities. They also have a well stocked gift shop and boards for the dunes you can rent on site. The hot spring fed pools were a great way to relax after a morning of exploring the Dunes. The Greenhouse was great if you want a little quieter atmosphere (21+) out of the wind. Awesome atmosphere with all the plants, plus the food and drinks at both pool side areas were tasty. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area!
Laura Tourville — Google review
This was our first time here and our kids’ first time to a hot spring. It was so great! The cafe had a great selection and wonderful food. The gift shop was amazing. The pool was LOVELY. You could rent anything you needed—towels, goggles, life jackets, anything. It was just such a wonderful time. The staff were amazing. I think, even though we live a couple hours away, we will get an annual pass next year. We will definitely go again.
Jessica Lee — Google review
Great staff! There is a great selection of items at the gift shop with reasonable prices. The food offered at the concession was fantastic! Plenty of drink options too. I love this place. The staff are very professional and I appreciated the great service and understanding. Highly recommend if you are in the area.
Melissha Gorsuch — Google review
This is a nice oasis in the middle of the valley, right by the Sand Dunes. I went directly to the "Greenhouse," which is for adults only. The ambience of the plants and the pools were really nice.
If they were to improve, I would advise adding lockers for the adults area, and expanding the restrooms area if possible, by adding additional showers. The existing restrooms could be pretty cramped with multiple people at once.
Justin Saxfield — Google review
The water was disgusting and dirty. We literally got in and out within 5 minutes due to hair and other stuff floating around in the water. The pools definitely need to be cleaned more than once a week. Some people don't even shower before getting in. Definitely won't return, a total waste of time, money and gas.
Crissy Garcia — Google review
Pros: Pool is cozy and warm. Awesome food options. Gift shop is expansive.
Cons: I had to dry camp which was really far walk from everything. The pool was super crowded to the point you couldn't move without getting knocked or hit by a pool ball. I was looking forward to showering but they nickel and dime you. Quarters were needed for a 6 minutes shower and to go into the pool. It's also 30 minutes from sand dunes.
Jess — Google review
This is one of my favorite campgrounds that I have stayed at! Check-in and check-out was easy, and the amenities were amazing for the price. We really enjoyed the close proximity to the National Park, but the facilities were perfect to unwind throughout the evening. The heated pools, bar, and convenience shop made the stay excellent. Definitely check out the greenhouse bar and hot springs if you stay! The facilities were clean and well-maintained throughout our stay. We would definitely come here again.
Hailey C. — Google review
We went to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. The customer service was beyond our expectations. Justin and staff were so nice and hospitable. The grounds were clean and well maintained. My only reason for the 4 stars in the rooms category is because of the water and bathroom access. The cabin had a foot pump with very minimal water and a port a potty outside. We will go back and bring the family. Thank you for a great time.
Charlie Mitchell — Google review
The Green House is the BEST! We had the most fun and relaxing day here. It’s an adults-only enclosed area with 5 pools/tubs of varying temperatures of natural hot springs water. The hottest tub was around 111* and is called “coffin”. Then, you can cool off in the other various pools. We went in the middle of the winter, and spent all day here. They have a restaurant and a bar with a lot of variety in food and drink. On the grounds they also have a family friendly outdoor pool, snack bar, gift shop and golf simulators. It’s welcoming to tourists and locals alike. I hope to go back again someday!
Ashley H — Google review
I was SHOCKED by this place! We stayed in the dry spots in our camper and could not believe the amenities for such a cheap price. (Please don’t change🤪) This is a true hidden gem. My husband and I enjoyed hanging out in the Greenhouse the entire time. This little oasis had fantastic food and drinks! I cannot wait to go back. Such a relaxing spot!
Lauren Lyons — Google review
A fun place with warm pools. It was a very windy day when we went so maybe it would have been better on a nicer day. The adult area is beautiful but the pools were not clean at all. Probably wouldn't go back but it was fun once.
Natalie Acheson — Google review
21+ greenhouse was awesome to escape all the kids in the main pool. Friday AM is the best time to go as they clean the pools weekly on Thursdays. I’ll be dreaming about the steak medallions with bone marrow compote butter for some time
Boondocking across the street is the way to go. Cheaper, no reservations needed, and still have access to the amenities(and discount) for staying across the street. Just be smart and turn around in the employee entrance parking lot if you have a big rig to drive in the tiny gate.
Sarah Wood — Google review
My friends and I chose this campground because we wanted to be close to the Sand Dunes while still having some amenities. While the location can't be beat, basically everything else was a letdown. Staff was unhelpful, showers were gross, campsites were way too close together, and they were constantly running out of firewood and ice despite the campground not being at full capacity.
At check-in, the staff was unnecessarily rude and unhelpful. We'd booked two campsites well in advanced, but we had been placed in Sites 2 and 4. No one was in 3 yet, so we asked the front desk if we could switch to 2 and 3 or 3 and 4. The staff said that would be "impossible, because everything is booked". When we pointed out that we had not been informed of our campsite in advance and therefore a switch would not even be noticed, they insisted on calling the guests scheduled for site 3. Of course, these people didn't mind and we got to stay at adjacent sites, but the staff made this much more difficult than seemed necessary.
After check-in, things did not get much better. We (and other campers) had been counting on ice and firewood being available, and they were constantly running out. The campground wasn't even full, so I don't know how they managed to not order enough supplies.
The shower house was literally the main reason we picked this campground, and it was a huge letdown. Two showers for something like 50 people meant long lines, and they clearly weren't being cleaned often enough. They advertise more showers available at the pool house, but that isn't open until 10 in the morning.
Finally, this is just a poorly designed campground. The sites are closer together than even the biggest, most corporate, national park campground, to the point where our tents were <10 feet from strangers. Also, the ground in the tent areas is really hard, driving stakes was almost impossible. The lighting on the pool house, shower house, and around the campground was poorly aimed and way too bright, making sleep difficult.
I'm sure this is a fine place to stay in an RV or a cabin, but I'd highly recommend tent campers stay elsewhere.
Danny Havelick — Google review
Nice pool! There is a small creek that runs through the property you can play in. There is a 21+ area, the Greenhouse. Since this was a trip away from the kiddo the Greenhouse was a great escape. 3 smaller pools and one long area for larger groups. If you are in the area definitely stop by!
Kalena Popson — Google review
What a gem! The staff here are incredibly pleasant and attentive. We stayed in one of their 'glamping' cabins and it was really a great value. I was surprised to see how many hot springs options they provided, and the adult lounge was just the place for the two of us to unwind after a long day of hiking and sand sledding. The food was also fantastic (both kitchens). I would stay here again and can't recommend it highly enough.
Thomas Healy — Google review
The hot springs are amazing especially the green house. There's several very hot pools along with a larger pool that's a little cooler. The food at Steel Box cafe is always delicious and they have a nice selection of adult beverages.
The only down side is not related to the hot springs
When I made overnight reservations, I said it was for 4 adults. They said that cabin 3 sleeps 4 and no mention that meant 2 adults and 2 children A bunk bed full on the bottom twin on the top. At the slightest movement the bed creeked making it impossible to sleep.I hope that this will be improved in the future.
The staff is nice and the hot springs are clean. If you book cabin #3 bring a cot and ear plugs.
D Valentine — Google review
I really wouldn't recommend anyone coming here anymore, not only has this gem been discovered, but they only clean the greenhouse pools once a week. Best believe 9/10 you'll see knots of hair, floating flakes of other people's skin, and food crumbs. Best of luck to anyone going there anytime soon
Suffix81 21 — Google review
We were here to enjoy the hot springs. We opted to pay the extra to go to the adult section (greenhouse) to stay away from the bigger crowds with kids.
The greenhouse has a bar and had a lounge vibe to it between the decor and music playing in the background.
Some of the smaller pools were a bit packed, but the bigger pool was open enough to enjoy a good soaking.
PS: They also have a sauna. And they rent/sell towels too.
Miguel W — Google review
A true diamond in the rough. In my opinion some of the best food in the area also. Pools are clean and staff is super friendly. We LOVE this place!
Chris Garrett — Google review
I can’t say enough about our experience with Sand Dunes rec. Everyone on their staff was so nice, from reservations to bartenders. We camped with friends in the full hook up Rv sites for two nights. Visited the sand dunes and monte vista wildlife reserve while we were there.
We loved the greenhouse, adult only area. It was lush and green, warm and relaxing with a dry sauna as well! The FOOD! We read the other reviews and they aren’t lying. It was delicious, all of it, we tried a bunch of menu items. Just throw a dart at it, but maybe aim at the tuna. Unbelievable! We are putting this in our list for regular hot springs spots. Feel like maybe I shouldn’t tell folks about it, it was that good.
Anika Zappe — Google review
Amazing location and nice facility, and kids have fun here, but beware. The groundsperson, part of the owners family, threatened me, and he is clearly dangerous. The food was good, but the kids at the restaurant are rude to tourists. The pool is a great temperature and huge and fun, but it's not clean. The campground and cabins are clean and well kept, but there are only two toilets and showers serving up to 100 people. We've been many times and won't be back after the last experience. Tourists beware.
A Customer — Google review
We stopped here on our way back to Denver from Taos and loved it!! It is such a neat concept and was very relaxing. The pools are all different temps and loved the sauna & lounge chairs. We tried the crab cake & tuna and they were both delicious ! The only downside is the bathroom is small for changing, so come wearing your suit or pack light.
What a awesome adventure!!! My whole family went and enjoyed it! We can't wait for next year. It's a must do, my best part was the views.
Felix Brena — Google review
Absolutely Amazing time!!! Dave and our guide John were both so nice and knowledgeable about the area. We got to experience the mountains in a way we never would have on a hike. They even stop at scenic spots for pictures!! Hands down the highlight of our trip. Worth every penny and highly highly recommend!!
Angela Hayden — Google review
We loved the experience. Had great fun, got amazing pictures and learned some history of the area too. Pete was a fantastic guide; had us completely taken care of the whole time. First class excursion. Can't wait to come back and go again!
Jay Burke — Google review
We had a BLAST on our trip! Our tour guide Buzz was awesome and very informative about the history in the mountains! And he wanted to take all the pictures for us he could! We really appreciated that! Easy to find— right off the highway! We had a three hour tour and we used every big of time, the views were beautiful! 20/10 would recommend!!
Alexis Norris — Google review
Our family of 7 (5 adults, 2 children, ages 9 & 7) absolutely LOVED our Ride The Rockies tour on August 30th. It was an incredible experience you should not miss!! I highly recommend the 4:30 pm time slot as the sunset at the end was breathtaking! Our guide, Dakota, was fantastic. He loves what he does and sharing his knowledge of the area with you. We truly enjoyed his company and easy going style. Everything from making the reservation (we had a ton of questions) to arrival, being educated on the safe operation of the vehicles, and what to expect on our adventure was handled with excellence, patience and our personal favorite...humor! Thank you Play Dirty for being a memorable part of our first family vacay to beautiful Colorado!!
Gayle Brickert — Google review
We took our small company on a team building trip to Colorado Springs last week. As part of the experience we booked a 3 hour ATV (all of us had our own ATV) tour with Play Dirty ATV Tours that took us from the 6,000 feet elevation to 9,000 feet--3,000 feet of absolute awesomeness. From our first experience with Katrin at home base to the experience with our guide, Scott, it was perfect.
Scott was fun, super energetic, experienced, and knew the area quite well (Scott grew up in these mountains and it was apparent). Because we were on our own ATV's we had the opportunity to run some trails that were quite narrow and a little more challenging than others. There really is nothing like experiencing these views and landmarks. We would definitely do this again with Play Dirty ATV Tours.
Thanks for a great time in such a beautiful part of our country!
Michael King — Google review
We had a group of 10 and Randy took us on a great ride. Everyone in the group had a great time. A couple of them were in their 70’s and truly enjoyed themselves as did the rest of us. Randy really made it an enjoyable experience. Thank you!
Tim Huggins — Google review
Our Tour Guide was Frankie she was amazing! Very informational and was a great teacher! We did the Rockie Tour and it was literally the best three hours of our lives! Worth every penny!
Lauren Rowe — Google review
What a wonderful afternoon spending time riding ATVs through the Rockie Mountains!! Our tour guide was great and made sure everyone stayed together and was safe. The views are absolutely spectacular!! Highly recommend not to miss this adventure!!
Kristi Smith — Google review
We had a blast on this tour! Pete was a wonderful tour guide! Made several stops to share local historical info with photos and took pictures of us too. Views were amazing (even though weather was moving in and smoke from Canada didn’t allow better views) We did the 2 hr tour and over all, well worth every penny for the memories!
Wendy Menk — Google review
Took a vacation to Colorado Springs and decided to take a hour and half drive to Cotopaxi for a 3 hour ATV tour with Play Dirty. This was an amazing experience packed with thrills and relaxation. We never been on a ATV up a mountain before and it was a whole experience that you MUST TAKE! Being on top of the mountain how quiet and peaceful it was is what I meant by relaxing. Sun shining 67 degrees and little snow flurries just sparkling in the views! We got to see some wildlife and be inside a volcano that is no longer active. Will was our tour guide and he was awesome! Super friendly, knowledgeable and made sure we were safe and comfortable the whole ride. Very hospitable guy! Thank you for this experience! 6 out of 5 stars I strongly recommend!!!
Stephanie D — Google review
My son and I had a great time yesterday! Scott was an awesome guide and we were grateful to have him with us. Every part of our visit to Play Dirty was positive, including the online reservation system. I'm sure we'll be back again. I've heard Texas Creek OHV area can get pretty hectic on the weekends so if you're able to book a weekday I highly recommend it, we had minimal traffic on a Tuesday.
Paul H. — Google review
Fabulous must do! Scott was our guide and man did he. We drove on a snowy trail in our own side by side up and down the mountain. Scott would stop and point out interesting facts about the area which were really cool. My husband and I travel to Colorado several times a year, doing all sort of things but this was a 1st. Glad it was with Scott. He gave us insite into the areas history and you can tell he loves his job. We will be back.
Jennifer Espinosa — Google review
Our tour guide, Randy, was amazing and made sure we were safe and had the most fun! Very genuine and friendly! Would recommend this ATV tour for anyone who’s a beginner to expert. Such amazing views! We will be back again!
Franchiska Green — Google review
Very organized and very nice outgoing guys! Pete and Scott were great! They were very informative! Had a blast out on the trails and very nice views! Highly recommend them! Would definitely come back!!
Antonio Romero — Google review
If I could give more stars I would! We did the 4-hour tour and it was absolutely amazing! Pete (I believe that was his name) also added historical aspects to the tour which we loved! Everyone was so kind and helpful and made my first time in CO so memorable.
Kristen Reilly — Google review
Our experience was unique. Pete made the tour one of a kind for me and my husband. Best thing we could have done in Colorado. Thank you ☺️
Liliana Alonso — Google review
Had a great time! We were a group of 6 and got the last tour of the day. Our tour guide led us all the way up 3k feet elevation. it was a bumpy and extremely fun ride. Some parts were indeed very rocky- overall adventurous and we made a bunch of scenic stops with stunning views of the Rockies. Highly recommend if you are looking for a fun, different activity in the area. And oh, it stands true to its name. We were totally covered in dust/ mud by the end so be prepared accordingly. Wear the goggles they provide for sure, else you won’t be able to see much in just sunglasses/ shades.
Overall great fun!
Good times. As a lightly experienced climber among brand new clients, they still put me on some routes that were challenging enough. We climbed and did some rapelling. Safety Steve and Nate were good hosts and Steve presented a great allegory relating the trust and faith needed in climbing to that which God calls us. Highly recommend.
Donnie Martinez — Google review
Mark was an awesome guide. He shared stories wirh us during the slow parts of the river and kept us all on the right track in the rapids. I highly recommend Journey Quest.
Andrew Heber — Google review
What a fun time! Our tour guide Luke was awesome. He was knowledgable about the river, funny, and patient with the kids in our group. Would absolutely recommend this company.
Shayna Worley — Google review
We had such a blast on this trip. Our guide Jake was excellent and funny. The water was so cold but thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved that this company is Christ Centered and they pray with you and talk to you about Jesus!!!! Can hardly wait to book another trip in the future. Thanks Journey Quest!!
Erin Ballard — Google review
My family had such an amazing time here! Steve was so much fun to be around and made all of us laugh. We were also able to see how God applied to everything we were doing and how beautiful the landscape around us was. It was an awesome experience and I would highly recommend to anyone looking to go hiking/rock climbing/rappelling to go here!
Tara Mayes — Google review
We went as a Trail Life Troop - nine youth and three adults. Great rafting, kayaking, and rock climbing. The best guides (Josh, David, and Tim), who entertained and encouraged us with God's Word the whole time. Mark, the owner, and Josh took us down the Royal Gorge, which was amazing. Highly recommend for your family, troop, or youth group!
Richard Snyder — Google review
We had an incredible day kayaking with Steve. The whole team was gracious and helpful, knowledgeable and skillful. If you're considering kayaking or rafting in the area, I highly recommend Journey Quest!
Ben Whittinghill — Google review
Absolutely amazing! Riley was our guide and he was fantastic. Very thorough with safety, knowledgeable, and super friendly. Would definitely recommend and will book with Journey Quest again on our next visit.
Holly Amaya — Google review
Our family felt like this was our favorite activity of the week. Our five-year-old granddaughter and our 13-year-old daughter had so much fun!
Our guide was fun, friendly, and skilled! I fell in the river and he quickly responded and got me out quickly! We will definitely be back for more family fun!
Elizabeth Thomas — Google review
Last May my husband and I took an 1 year anniversary trip out west! One of the highlights was Journey Quest - Mark our guide was exceptional! Everyone there was friendly and informative about the white water rafting we did that cold morning. I will be going back and maybe we will try the full day this time. As a Christian this place made me feel safe, especially as Mark prayed over our boat before we left and the encouragement felt during the ride.
Personally, I did some mental, emotional and spiritual healing out on the water. If you have never done white water rafting before I recommended. Being out in nature makes you feel close to God and I was able to clear my head while rafting. Thank Journey Quest for now holding a special and precious memory in my heart!
Lily Welch — Google review
We had a blast. This was my first time going. Our group was mixed from experienced and first timers. Our guide was hilarious and very helpful (Luke)
We would definitely do this again!!!
Facility offering exhibits & a short film about the park, plus a bookstore, snacks & souvenirs.
This place just doesn’t make sense. It’s incredibly beautiful and a wonderful place to camp! It has great meadows, mountains and of course huge sand dunes. This park is absolutely worth the adventure. The pictures DO NOT DO THIS PLACE JUSTICE. Definitely going back.
JB — Google review
Who knew there were sand dunes in the mountains of southern Colorado. I've vacationed all throughout Colorado when I was young with my parents and as adult with my wife and daughter. The sand dunes are NOT what you see at the beach. It's an amazing experience to see and interact with the sand. You can hike up to top. You can rent sleds and or boards to slide down the sand dunes. The park is open 24 hours. However the visitors center open for specific times and days. The Great Sand dunes admission is $25 per car load. I recommend during the summer go early in the morning before the sand heats up. At night you can see the stars and on a full moon the dunes come alive, but bring a flashlight.
The Park Rangers are helpful and friendly. Plan to visit when you're in Southern Colorado.
Jeffro Turbo — Google review
An excellent stop! Very informative, inviting and interesting. All of the displays and videos were top notch. The view of the dunes from the visitor center is fantastic as well. The rangers are very thoughtful and helpful.
Elise White — Google review
Awesome place. Stop at Zapata Falls. Short hike but, wading a creek. Be sure to go all the way in to see the top falls.
Lavonna Skeans — Google review
Decent educational exhibits, wonderful views, plenty of parking, great customer service, decent bathrooms, and as for the park itself. It’s a lot harder to get to the top than you think! At least it is for a pregnant lady used to living below sea level!! Hahaha it’s definitely something pictures will never do justice. Also sitting down in the wind is a BAD idea. Sand goes in every hole… although this park is dog friendly and you can bring your dogs. Please note that this area is very very windy and on bare human skin the sand feels like needles when you get higher. If you have your dogs it might be best to not bring them up high on the dunes. When you’re standing it seems fine but if you sit you feel what they may feel…. Also something really cool we seen was people sledding and sand boarding down the dunes! It looked like a lot of fun and I wish we would have brought something!
April Somerville — Google review
This is a hidden gem. It seems like nearly no one knows that there is a national park in the middle of the Colorado mountains that has miles and miles of sand dunes. Yes it feels like and looks like you are in the middle of the Sahara desert but you are in the mountains of Colorado! It is truly eerie that there are 700 foot sand dunes that you can climb and literally walk for miles in sand dunes in the middle of the Colorado mountains. But be prepared for a tough hike up towards the top, the 2 mile hike feels like four since you are walking in sand. Yes it is a bit off the beaten path but definitely worth the trip. Truly a must visit, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Sandy Silverman — Google review
Beautiful national park with great views! It will be windy, so prepare accordingly. Also a hike on sand takes longer so if you’re going up the dunes give yourself ample time. However there is plenty of flatter terrain to hike as well.
Katie Vincent — Google review
Loved the experience. Trail behind Visitor's Center leads to a lower parking lot and the dunes, or you can drive down and park and go on to the dunes. Sand is hot, hydrate! Be careful with dogs, paws will burn on sand. Just beautiful landscape. So much wildlife in area.
Stephanie Crain — Google review
When we went the visitor center was only the gift shop. All of the exhibits and theater were closed, due to Covid, so we weren’t able to have the full experience. You can buy your souvenirs here. NOTE: they do NOT sell or rent sleds or boards here. If you are planning to sled or board, you must buy or rent beforehand. I’d like to go back sometime to experience the rest the visitor center had to offer:
Ashley H — Google review
I have been wanting to see the dunes in Colorado for a long time. They were pretty cool to see. I wasn’t able to climb them this trip due to a recent knee repair surgery but hopefully one day. The people were climbing up then sledding down. It looked like a lot of fun. It’s well worth the stop yo see. Again, it was a little less than organized. There were signs but there was no one around to explain anything or ask questions unless you went to the visitor center.
Patricia L — Google review
This park is one of a kind. Beautiful views all around. The feeling of a beach in the mountains. Make sure to make the hike up to Zapata Falls. And take a plastic sled or board for the dunes. There is something to do here for all ages and enjoy.
Jessica V — Google review
Very unique national park with extensive sand dunes for miles. I went during fog after a storm. The wet sand was easier to walk on and the clouds made for cool pictures.
Emery Emerson — Google review
Tourist trap. It's decent enough, crowded, and the ac isn't great with all the doors opening all the time. The exhibit is neat inside. Didn't go to shop, but some peeps in the crew bought stuff. Water refill station is great (wish there was more than one).
The signage on the trail is not maintained, but the views are great.
H C — Google review
Very interested location. You can buy different souvenirs here. Rangers tell you the history of dunes, and you can watch some video how changed territory during years.
Iryna Potishna — Google review
The views are great. Most of the exhibits were "out of order" which was a letdown for my child. The gift shop is expensive, like all of them. They had some cute ornaments. The cost to enter the park is $25/car.
Amanda & Jerry Harper — Google review
Spectacular!
I'm so glad I read reviews. People are not kidding when they say get there early. On a week day. Not a holiday
We've traveled on a motorcycle from Richmond Virginia to the Grand Canyon and we are slowly heading back east. This National Park was on our to do list. It is Saturday, Memorial weekend. There was a 13 minute backup delay at the entrance going in at 10. Coming out at 12:30, the line of cars stopped, waiting to enter, is over a mile long. CRAZY!
The park rangers were not letting cars go down to the parking lot to the dunes, because it was full. We were allowed to go down on the bike. Otherwise, its parking on the side of the main road and walking a half mile or more.
Once we parked, we took off our shoes, rolled up our pants, walked across the rushing stream and went up the first hill. The water was cool, inviting.
Families are all around, kids digging in the sand, splashing in the water. It's the beach in a vast, land locked area.
Definitely worth the trip. I cant stress enough the importance of going early. On a weekday. Not on a holiday.
Billie Evans — Google review
A wonderful pitstop on the road! While I didn't climb the peak it was amazing to climb to where I was and the views were stupendous!
Bring closed shoes and hiking poles if you plan on going up past 8500ft. 😀
Rick Shaw — Google review
It was a really beautiful spot. I will hopefully be back to visit at nighttime one of these days. The visitor center is very nice too.
Joe Schmoe — Google review
Very informative Visitor Center as usual! Lots of infographics here and big maps that details the park. There is restrooms and also a gift shop in here as well.
Facility offering exhibits & a short film about the park, plus a bookstore, snacks & souvenirs.
This place just doesn’t make sense. It’s incredibly beautiful and a wonderful place to camp! It has great meadows, mountains and of course huge sand dunes. This park is absolutely worth the adventure. The pictures DO NOT DO THIS PLACE JUSTICE. Definitely going back.
JB — Google review
Who knew there were sand dunes in the mountains of southern Colorado. I've vacationed all throughout Colorado when I was young with my parents and as adult with my wife and daughter. The sand dunes are NOT what you see at the beach. It's an amazing experience to see and interact with the sand. You can hike up to top. You can rent sleds and or boards to slide down the sand dunes. The park is open 24 hours. However the visitors center open for specific times and days. The Great Sand dunes admission is $25 per car load. I recommend during the summer go early in the morning before the sand heats up. At night you can see the stars and on a full moon the dunes come alive, but bring a flashlight.
The Park Rangers are helpful and friendly. Plan to visit when you're in Southern Colorado.
Jeffro Turbo — Google review
An excellent stop! Very informative, inviting and interesting. All of the displays and videos were top notch. The view of the dunes from the visitor center is fantastic as well. The rangers are very thoughtful and helpful.
Elise White — Google review
Awesome place. Stop at Zapata Falls. Short hike but, wading a creek. Be sure to go all the way in to see the top falls.
Lavonna Skeans — Google review
Decent educational exhibits, wonderful views, plenty of parking, great customer service, decent bathrooms, and as for the park itself. It’s a lot harder to get to the top than you think! At least it is for a pregnant lady used to living below sea level!! Hahaha it’s definitely something pictures will never do justice. Also sitting down in the wind is a BAD idea. Sand goes in every hole… although this park is dog friendly and you can bring your dogs. Please note that this area is very very windy and on bare human skin the sand feels like needles when you get higher. If you have your dogs it might be best to not bring them up high on the dunes. When you’re standing it seems fine but if you sit you feel what they may feel…. Also something really cool we seen was people sledding and sand boarding down the dunes! It looked like a lot of fun and I wish we would have brought something!
April Somerville — Google review
This is a hidden gem. It seems like nearly no one knows that there is a national park in the middle of the Colorado mountains that has miles and miles of sand dunes. Yes it feels like and looks like you are in the middle of the Sahara desert but you are in the mountains of Colorado! It is truly eerie that there are 700 foot sand dunes that you can climb and literally walk for miles in sand dunes in the middle of the Colorado mountains. But be prepared for a tough hike up towards the top, the 2 mile hike feels like four since you are walking in sand. Yes it is a bit off the beaten path but definitely worth the trip. Truly a must visit, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Sandy Silverman — Google review
Beautiful national park with great views! It will be windy, so prepare accordingly. Also a hike on sand takes longer so if you’re going up the dunes give yourself ample time. However there is plenty of flatter terrain to hike as well.
Katie Vincent — Google review
Loved the experience. Trail behind Visitor's Center leads to a lower parking lot and the dunes, or you can drive down and park and go on to the dunes. Sand is hot, hydrate! Be careful with dogs, paws will burn on sand. Just beautiful landscape. So much wildlife in area.
Stephanie Crain — Google review
When we went the visitor center was only the gift shop. All of the exhibits and theater were closed, due to Covid, so we weren’t able to have the full experience. You can buy your souvenirs here. NOTE: they do NOT sell or rent sleds or boards here. If you are planning to sled or board, you must buy or rent beforehand. I’d like to go back sometime to experience the rest the visitor center had to offer:
Ashley H — Google review
I have been wanting to see the dunes in Colorado for a long time. They were pretty cool to see. I wasn’t able to climb them this trip due to a recent knee repair surgery but hopefully one day. The people were climbing up then sledding down. It looked like a lot of fun. It’s well worth the stop yo see. Again, it was a little less than organized. There were signs but there was no one around to explain anything or ask questions unless you went to the visitor center.
Patricia L — Google review
This park is one of a kind. Beautiful views all around. The feeling of a beach in the mountains. Make sure to make the hike up to Zapata Falls. And take a plastic sled or board for the dunes. There is something to do here for all ages and enjoy.
Jessica V — Google review
Very unique national park with extensive sand dunes for miles. I went during fog after a storm. The wet sand was easier to walk on and the clouds made for cool pictures.
Emery Emerson — Google review
Tourist trap. It's decent enough, crowded, and the ac isn't great with all the doors opening all the time. The exhibit is neat inside. Didn't go to shop, but some peeps in the crew bought stuff. Water refill station is great (wish there was more than one).
The signage on the trail is not maintained, but the views are great.
H C — Google review
Very interested location. You can buy different souvenirs here. Rangers tell you the history of dunes, and you can watch some video how changed territory during years.
Iryna Potishna — Google review
The views are great. Most of the exhibits were "out of order" which was a letdown for my child. The gift shop is expensive, like all of them. They had some cute ornaments. The cost to enter the park is $25/car.
Amanda & Jerry Harper — Google review
Spectacular!
I'm so glad I read reviews. People are not kidding when they say get there early. On a week day. Not a holiday
We've traveled on a motorcycle from Richmond Virginia to the Grand Canyon and we are slowly heading back east. This National Park was on our to do list. It is Saturday, Memorial weekend. There was a 13 minute backup delay at the entrance going in at 10. Coming out at 12:30, the line of cars stopped, waiting to enter, is over a mile long. CRAZY!
The park rangers were not letting cars go down to the parking lot to the dunes, because it was full. We were allowed to go down on the bike. Otherwise, its parking on the side of the main road and walking a half mile or more.
Once we parked, we took off our shoes, rolled up our pants, walked across the rushing stream and went up the first hill. The water was cool, inviting.
Families are all around, kids digging in the sand, splashing in the water. It's the beach in a vast, land locked area.
Definitely worth the trip. I cant stress enough the importance of going early. On a weekday. Not on a holiday.
Billie Evans — Google review
A wonderful pitstop on the road! While I didn't climb the peak it was amazing to climb to where I was and the views were stupendous!
Bring closed shoes and hiking poles if you plan on going up past 8500ft. 😀
Rick Shaw — Google review
It was a really beautiful spot. I will hopefully be back to visit at nighttime one of these days. The visitor center is very nice too.
Joe Schmoe — Google review
Very informative Visitor Center as usual! Lots of infographics here and big maps that details the park. There is restrooms and also a gift shop in here as well.
The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is a 360-acre amusement park situated on top of a canyon, which is spanned by one of the world's highest suspension bridges. The bridge was built in 1929 and spans 1,260 feet across the 950-foot-deep Royal Gorge. The park was greatly affected by a wildfire in 2013, but has since been rebuilt with attractions such as aerial gondolas, rides, and a theater.
We arrived to Royal Gorge Bridge and Park after a snow storm the day before. The weather was beautiful staging a nice sunny day. This historic landmark was worth the almost two hour drive to get there. While most of the activities were closed due to winter maintenance, we were lucky enough to have been able to ride the gondola. The gondola alone was worth the cost of the ticket of admission. The landscape continued as far as the eye can see, beautiful gorges and canyons that you could have taken in for hours. For those that are scared of heights, I have a fear as well and managed to walk across the bridge with comfort. Don’t let fear keep you from experiencing this park.
Ashley Suarez — Google review
What an amazing view! I really enjoyed the day. Consequently, there was a storm coming in, so we were not able to ride the gondola across the canyon.
The Park Ranger Michael was so kind. He gave us a really nice history of the park, and let us know if we came back the next day our tickets would still be valid.
The Raphtor Show was really educational.
The landscaping is pretty.
It was worth the drive! Go check it out!
Les Bro — Google review
Entrance fee is $32 per person and that includes unlimited gondola rides. It won’t take too long to walk around the park if you don’t do the zip lining or the rafting tours. It took us about 2.5 hours to get food, walk the bridge, see the shows in the theater and take the gondola back to the visitor center. The view from the bridge is quite amazing and a little unsettling if you look through the gaps in the wooden planks. Definitely stop by the theater and watch the bird show.
Aliza Brown — Google review
We truly enjoyed our visit, the views and history are remarkable in itself. The show is very informative and Tom was an excellent ambassador with so much information about the park and the region. I really enjoyed our chat. Views are spectacular, no question however it's a bit pricey hence the 4 stars. $32 per adult is high and the add-on experiences as well.
David Troncoso — Google review
It is definitely a beautiful area! Today the gondolas were closed because of high winds! The winds were in excess of 40-50 mph. It was cold with the wind chill but beautiful!! We also watched the movie on how the bridge got its start and how the fire in 2013 effected the area, as a lot was completely devastated by fire! Everything had to be rebuilt around the bridge. Thankfully not much of the wooden planks on the bridge were damaged by the fire. But they are now presented in front of the building that houses the ticket booth, restaurant, restrooms and gift shop! Enjoy your trip!
Chris Hamm — Google review
Last time I visited here was about 15 years ago, so it's been awhile! But it was as awesome as I remember it being from back then! Although they were still allowing cars to drive over it back then, I definitely like it more now that it's mostly pedestrian traffic. I highly recommend reading the history of the bridge on the walls to the left hallway once you get past the ticket area. General admission tickets include the red gondola ride, so go get on that! And if you're brave enough, go do the zip line! Love this tourist spot and it's always really cool to see engineering masterpieces like this!
Stephanie Ellis — Google review
It was a great experience! We bought the tickets there! But actually, you can buy it online for faster entry! And the main thing is the Gondola rides! The zipline and the skyline! The bridge is the main reason! The cafe has good food! At a reasonable price! Make sure you apply bug repellent!
Brolin Allfan — Google review
Adult tickets are $35pp and it includes the gondola across the gorge, when the whether is good. We went two hours before closing and it was a bit too windy, so we couldn’t ride the gondola. It was a beautiful walk across the bridge, with every state flag, people zipping past on the zip lines and flying back and forth on the swing. Looking down over at the river and train track was really wild, as you could feel the bridge move because of the sway in the wind. Definite must see!
Erica Edwards — Google review
During our visit to Royal Gorge, Colorado, we enjoyed the complimentary gondola ride that came with the entrance ticket. The bridge itself was stunning, and we loved the breathtaking view it offered. The zip lining and sky coaster activities provided thrilling experiences. At the ice cream store, we found the best vanilla ice cream on the mountain. The bird show was also quite enjoyable. Additionally, they had a theater presentation showcasing the history of the bridge. Overall, it was a decent experience, but we felt it didn't quite live up to the hype.
Srujana Mereddy — Google review
Great experience, the general entry is around $25 bucks, they offer military discount. Great view. You can add other recreative activities, (you paid extra for them).
Dario Doro — Google review
We spent the night in Canon City and was able to arrive at Royal Gorge Bridge and Park Just as it was opening for the Day. We quickly purchased our tickets and proceeded to walk across the Bridge. Seeing and hearing the river almost 1,000 feet below was amazing. As you walk across the bridge each states flag is displayed and I had to stop and get a picture with the Virginia Flag (my home state). The views from the bridge are spectacular and in almost every direction. As we approached the south side of the bridge, we saw a several big horn sheep scampering around on the rock. Our ticket included a gondola ride across the gorge which afforded us a spectacular view of the Bridge and gorge. Because we arrived early there were no lines and we were able to enjoy the Bridge and the other attractions at our leisure. Several people in our group did the Sky coaster thing and the zip line. They all said they were totally amazing. All the employees that we encountered were polite, Professional and went out of their way to be helpful. Like most attractions the concessions prices are inflated. $3.00 for a Bottle of water is in line with most other attractions. All total we spent almost two hours here and had a most enjoyable experience.
Garry Thompson — Google review
Fantastic place to take the family. Kind of pricey admission but a lot of clean and well maintained attractions come with it. We were advised to enjoy the gondolas first in case the wind picked up. Once across the gorge you have access to the theater and play ground and can walk the bridge as well. I recommend doing all the attractions. We had our little with us but the zip line looked amazing. We spent 2 hours here. Could have spent an hour more.
Y. L. Lawson — Google review
This is absolutely a must if you are near by. We went on a Saturday morning with perfect weather and not busy at all. We road the gondola over to the other side first then it was a down hill hike to the bridge to cross back over. Once on the other side we did the swing that swings you out and over the canyon. The walk back over the bridge is breathtaking experience. The bridge does move a little side to side once you are in the middle. And the wood planks are a little loose for a better experience. They have a great Cafe and food court and a gift shop as well. Great facilities (Bathrooms, food, drinks, gifts, attractions, and lots to do) like I said this is a must go to.
Mike George — Google review
I went to the Royal Gorge in the '70 when I was just a kid. It's obviously changed since then (fire) but in general it's a long bridge over a very scenic gorge and was enjoyable to walk across. I don't agree with the fee to do this though, but I guess it's private and they can charge what they want. The parking is free though.
We got there a few minutes before it opened and there weren't a lot of other people, which was nice. We talked about doing the zip line but when we saw that it was only a single ride across the gorge, we didn't think it was worth the money. There is a lot of walking, and it can be very steep on some walkways that have clearly seen better days. We walked across, then walked up the hill on the other side to the free gondola and rode back. The scenery is gorgeous and you can spend as much time as you want. We also sat through a short film and looked at the history (all on the other side from main entrance) and these were nice. We did not eat or buy anything beside popcorn for the film.
I'm glad I went, as I've fondly remember going with my family in the '70's. Just too bad it is expensive for a family to experience.
Lisa H — Google review
A fun place to take out-of-state guests.
Ever want to induce vertigo for the family member you don't like while making memories everyone else will enjoy forever? Or are you an adrenaline junkie who loves dangling by a small rope over a huge drop? Either way, this place has you covered!
The view in late spring / all summer is gorgeous. It feels like you can see beyond the horizon from the bridge.
Walk over the historic bridge or enjoy a brief gondola ride to the other side where the brave few among your group can zipline across or swing out over the canyon.
Like your feet on the ground? Grab a snack and let the young ones run wild in the large park or go in circles on the merry-go-round. Adult beverages are served on-site to make the natural beauty just that much more enjoyable.
This is a must-see destination for those visiting the state or even just locals in the area for a weekend.
Nova L — Google review
An awesome experience! The bridge was a little scary to cross but well worth it. A quick tip that I wish we knew: the bridge opens at 9am but the gondola doesn’t start until 10. So get there at 9:50 and take the gondola across first and walk the bridge back because then everything is downhill walking wise. Also buy tickets online in advance to save $2 per person.
Justin Idle — Google review
2nd time visiting this remarkable bucket list item. THIS TIME we were able to purchase tickets and go through the various shops, movie auditorium for the 17 minute program.
We elected to "walk" to the south side across the bridge and look down at the canyon. AMAZING views on both sides of the bridge lined with state flags. Wow, not for the faint of heart and not in shape people. There are some super steep winding grades going UP the hills to get to the attractions.
Took the Gondolas back to the north.
To me, the price of $70.00 for 2 adults is too much. (minus 1 star)
DreamRider — Google review
I've had the opportunity to visit several times, but this time of year was my favorite (September). The weather was perfect, not hot/cold nor too windy, and it was not crowded. We actually got to ride the gondolas this time, and it was superb. Everything from the views, bridge, and educational video made it a great family experience. So, regardless of the time of year, I hope you make time to visit and don't forget your comfy shoes.
Cynthia Escobedo — Google review
Just spent an absolutely wonderful day at the Gorge. It is so much more than a bridge and worth every penny. The staff were so helpful and polite. We visited the restaurant/cafe located by the gondola and enjoyed both the food and hot drinks. We could and would have stayed longer but rain and wind stopped play. Thanks to all the staff for making everyone's day a memorable one.
Steve Walsh — Google review
We drove out to the Royal Gorge from Colorado Springs, about an hour drive. The drive and scenery were awesome. We enjoyed the Royal Gorge. We rode the gondola across and then walked back across the bridge. Very nice, well worth the $30 each.
Roll Tide 55 — Google review
Spring Break in Texas schools comes much earlier than most places, so my family & I enjoyed the benefits of an off season visit. No lines, no waiting & the ability to soak up all the untouched natural beauty of this magnificent park. We even got 1/2 price tickets for visiting late in the afternoon which was incredible.
kevin bowden — Google review
What a beautiful experience at the Royal Gorge Bridge. If you want to enjoy peaceful sights and feel a nice breeze this is the place to come. The bridge feels secured and you have the opportunity to use the gondola 🚠 as it is part of the ticket purchase. The ride on the gondola was smooth (I am terrified of heights) I absolutely loved it.
Thalia Velasquez — Google review
Fun place to spend time appreciating the scenery. The rides were a cool experience, and to walk across the bridge and seeing and standing on a feat achieved a long time ago was amazing. Friendly staff to make the experience even better. Must visit if your close by
ngawang sherpa — Google review
The day we picked to visit was pretty miserable weather wise. We arrived a few days after a monster snowstorm. It was roughly 38 degrees with 40mph wind gusts. My husband paid about $130 for the four of us to visit. Unfortunately, to my surprise, there was loads of snow on the bridge. I understand it cannot be plowed because it would damage the wood. There was about 2 feet of snow and we were walking in tire ruts that were partially cleared at best. We had to sign waivers prior to entry. Considering the weather and conditions were poor.... And the add-ons (zip line, gondola, and swing) were closed, perhaps you could offer a discounted entry fee. $35 a person to walk back and forth across a bridge is a rip off. We had a high interest in visiting this historical man made achievement despite the adverse conditions and overpriced entry fee. It is truly an engineering marvel and the views were breathtaking.
Jessica Westfall — Google review
The ride coming here is very scenic and memorable. The view is very beautiful and incredible. The long on the bridge is very scenic and all of the state flags. The zip lining was great and it’s a good way of seeing all of it. Location and parking is easy to find.
Darshanie Dyal — Google review
The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is a renowned tourist attraction located near Cañon City, Colorado, USA. Spanning the Arkansas River, the Royal Gorge Bridge is one of the highest suspension bridges globally, standing at a height of 956 feet (291 meters) above the river below. Completed in 1929, the bridge offers breathtaking panoramic views of the rugged Royal Gorge and surrounding Rocky Mountains.
Aside from the iconic bridge, the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park features various attractions and activities. Visitors can experience the thrill of walking across the suspension bridge, which has steel cables anchored in massive granite cliffs. The park also offers an aerial gondola ride, providing a unique perspective of the gorge.
Additionally, the park includes a scenic railway that travels along the canyon rim, offering spectacular vistas. Adventure enthusiasts can partake in ziplining and other outdoor activities, making the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park a destination that combines natural beauty with thrilling adventures. The park's location within the stunning Colorado landscape adds to its allure as a popular destination for tourists and nature enthusiasts.
Charlie — Google review
Definitely glad we made the trip here. Breathtaking views. The whole park was very well laid out. We took a ride on the gondola. Definitely suggest it as you can get some amazing photos. Also DONT look down between the boards on the bridge 😅
Well worth the cost of the pass. Make sure to get a pic with your states flag while on the bridge!
James Anthony — Google review
Fun and great experience. Nice and accomidating staff. Wheelchair accessible gondola and other parts of the park. Food is expensive and average quality so plan to eat before or after.
Always one of my favorite places in Canon. The road is pretty narrow and steep, but once you get to the top the view is amazing (especially at night!). Highly recommend anyone passing through to check it out.
Alli M — Google review
This short but exhilarating free drive is located only an hour southwest from Colorado Springs. We drove it during sundown and was not disappointed by the views. You are literally driving along a narrow ridge line. There are several spots to pull off and park. There are also several hikes at the top where you can walk along the ridge with amazing 360 views of Cañon City and the mountains. Do it at night and you will get beautiful views of the city lights. Overall the drive is super short but if you stop and do some of the hikes it can take around an hour depending on speed and frequency of stops. Definitely a quick must do if you’re visiting COS, Cañon City or Pueblo.
Aliza Brown — Google review
If going to the Royal Gorge Bridge, definitely take some time to check out this drive. They are some amazing views along with a few spaces to stop and explore. Be aware that this is a one-way road, and you’ll drive with caution. Just don’t look down too much when driving.
Luke Ahn — Google review
My husband & I drove Skyline Drive in September after going to the gorge. Wow! This little drive is terrifying. The double drop-offs were a total trip. I don't know why but it felt like we could just fall off the edge of the earth. Exhilarating. We didn't stop but it was only because I just wanted it to be over. I was freaking out a little. We want to go back and do it again. We'll definitely get out of the car to look around a little more on the next trip.
Tia Pirkl — Google review
Great place to go and get a new view. This has a great view of the lights during the sun set and night time. Also a grat place to hike and hang out with people.
Sam Morgan — Google review
Definitely don't take your eyes off the road. It's a narrow road with steep drop offs. The road was built in 1905 by inmate labor. It's a one way road that rises 800 feet above surrounding terrain with some beautiful views that only the passengers can see.
Lyndee D. — Google review
Just go....
I'm afraid the drive on roads like this...not afraid to be a passenger....
If your related to mountain goat like some people I know.....you will love this....
Look close you can see dino tracks....they are up on a ledge.....use your imagination....its the underside of Tracks....cool little cave too...
Can't imagine how those prisoners made this road so many years ago...
Thankfully it's a one way road....
If your young.....and in shape....you coukd leave car at bottom....and just hike it....
Fran C — Google review
This place is great and it’s absolutely free. Super short simple drive from Pueblo, the views are amazing the parking is ample even when it’s busy and it’s truly unique. Take your time and pull
Over often to really get in the view. At the top there are some light hiking trails so you can climb even higher.
Michele Buckles — Google review
A one way road that goes up a steep ridge that offers some parking spots at the top, about halfway into the drive, in that area there is also some access to trails that go around the area. Overall the drive and experience was worth it and offers great views of the Canon City and the surrounding areas. The landscapes in this area of the state are really pretty. This drive does not take very long at all, if you didn’t stop at all it would take less than 15 minutes I’d say. So stop by and do it if on the way to the royal gorge or driving into canon city.
Nick Walters — Google review
Short & sweet drive with great views of Canon City. It’s a must-do for anyone who loves heights + scenic panoramas. There’s multiple pull-offs + a few short “trails”/walking paths to explore as well.
Christine Billie — Google review
Free drive over the mountaintop, not too narrow for a regular sized car. There are stopping points at least two. But you kind of drive up to the skyline start to go up the mountain, and drive down to the other end that winds around to exit into a neighborhood. No turn around point. So you pull in and you have to drive across to exit. It’s not as scary as it sounds in my opinion.
K C — Google review
HA - Yup, this is a bucket list item. The 2 1/2 mile UP the mountain and down is a GREAT view of the entire town and surrounding mountains. WOW.. Like others have mentioned there isn't ANY room for errors. I recently found out that this skyline drive was actually built by inmates from Canon City Prison. VERY COOL.
First time, I drove this on my BMW 1200 GSA motorbike and this time I drove this in my F450 with the wife on board. Only ran into 1 issue where someone parked on the road and I couldn't get around until they moved. Nonetheless, the F450 is 19.5 Ft long. Restrictions on this road are no vehicles over 20ft and speed limit is 15 MPH. Take the trip, you won't be disappointed.
DreamRider — Google review
It’s an amazing road to drive on in the beautiful canon city. It really felt like driving on the sky. Narrow road is worth trying. You can also go for a walk or jog. Highly recommend this place it has some breathtaking views from the top
Prison history dating back to 1920s, with 30 cell exhibits, a gas chamber & confiscated weapons.
This was by far one of the most interesting museums I have been to. This is still a working prison just on the other side of the museum. The span across history they have been able to capture with their artifacts is like a time machine. It truly leaves you feeling like you know what the daily life of inmates was like in the early years of the prison. If you have an afternoon and are in the area, stop by.
Barbara Tomey — Google review
Neat little place, staff was friendly. Lots to look at and learn. Has some unusual items, coffin, gas chamber, escape ladders, prison art etc. Has a gift shop that apparently current inmates make the clothing & gifts while currently incarcerated. Self guided, takes about an hour give or take. Your given a very detailed booklet to explain in additional detail info about different exhibits. Helpful but alot of reading. We enjoyed looking around on our own mostly because everything is labled with good descriptions of what your looking at. Only complaint is not really anywhere to sit to get off your feet other than a couple chairs on lower level. Otherwise pretty cool & reasonably priced.
Kimmie Up North — Google review
It’s a museum of its kind, we enjoyed interacting with the staffs and knowing about the colorado prison system, The long history of this century old museum, some gory incidents thatbtook place here. You can buy some handicrafts made by the inmates. But not sure if your kids would enjoy
Biswanath Das — Google review
Loved our time here! The young gentleman that helped us was very passionate about the museum and the history. It was nice to see as the museum was chalked full of interesting stories from all of the years. They also kept it updated with recent criminals so they continue to work on this museums. Learned some local accounts on the two criminals that escaped the neighboring penitentiary in 2018 so it made the trip and visit so much more memorable!
M Dahl — Google review
On my recent visit to the Colorado Prison Museum, we we're greeted and told a little about the history about the Museum and given a pamphlet to use as a self guided tour. The Museum is housed in a former Prison, and gives alot of information about the history of the Prison system and what you'd see back in the day there. There are so many fascinating artifacts here including an old gas chamber and things made by prison inmates.
Brian Kindle — Google review
If you are a history buff or a true educational nerd, then this quaint prison museum is a place to come visit and learn something interesting about how this prison system works years ago. This is not a guided tour, self pace with full of information and interesting facts. I recommend travelers coming through Canon City to visit this museum.
Humphrey Vives — Google review
A worthwhile stop if you are in the area. Lots of interesting artifacts and contraband on display, and many accounts of the different inmates that have stayed in the area prisons. Add a trip on the Royal Gorge railway to see the fading evidence of the 8 mile water pipeline built by inmates back around 1900 and you will start to appreciate how integral the prisons have been to life in Canon City.
Gordon MacKean — Google review
Prior to visiting this museum a local advised to watch the 1949 "Canon City" movie through youtube to get a context of what this museum is all about. Although this museum is actually the Woman's side of the prison (Man's side is still in use), you still get the full gest of how it's built.
To start, we had to park in the back since the F-450 was too big to fit in the small front parking lot.
We toured the outside of the walls for about 30 minutes reviewing the buildings and gas chamber. There wasn't any cost associated with that. I guess this is to "wet your whistle" before entering the main museum and gift shop.
Walking up the 20 steep steps to get into the door we were greeting by an enthusiastic receptionist that gave us a quick overview of the facilities. Then we went on a self-paced tour.
There was approx 30 cells, each outfitted with memorabilia and history of events, weapons used by inmates, riot control items, uniforms, movie garb, medical items, Warden Best saddles, and stories about how, when and where the history took place, gang member photos, chow hall, fire department equipment, and all the other items you'd expect to house all the inmates.
THEN, there was the lower deck that portrayed inmate created items, infirmary, scale models replica of the gas chamber and how it was built and how rehabilitation for prisoners was their primary goals.
As you exited the lower deck you can visit the gift shop. Some pretty neat stuff in there.
This should be a bucket list item and we highly recommend you spend the 10 bucks to get in. We spent about an hour 1/2 here
DreamRider — Google review
Very cool place to check out!!
Tickets are $10 and the museum is so much fun. Each cell you enter has descriptions and you can follow with the guide book. The artificers are original. Very clean and staff is super friendly as well as informative!
Highly recommend!!
S Pharmd — Google review
This was by a wide margin quite possibly of the most fascinating exhibition hall I have been to. This is as yet a functioning jail simply on the opposite side of the gallery. The range across history they have had the option to catch with their curios resembles a time machine. It really leaves you feeling like you understand what the day to day existence of detainees resembled in the early long periods of the jail. Assuming you have an evening and are nearby, come by.
Chris P. Bacon — Google review
Very interesting history. We enjoyed walking through at our leisure and reading the history of such an old prison.
JoLene Bernal — Google review
Cool small museum with good mix between things to read and items to look at. Spend about an hour at the museum
Ernst Bovenkerk — Google review
Visited with my 25 y.o. niece while she was visiting. The IDEA of this museum is great/fascinating. There is so much history, so many interesting things and stories (history, artifacts, warden and inmate profiles, artwork, etc.) contained within these walls that couldn’t be experienced/known any other way. We were pleased to have gone. However, even though we paid for a “guided tour,” were told when we arrived that there was none (no explanation given). Instead, we were given a guidebook with info that coincided with each cell/display and did our own, self-guided tour. And that was fine, except that there is just SO much written information posted (and lots of small print) that we eventually became overwhelmed by the sheer amount of it. And yes, that is sometimes the nature of museums, but this felt like much more written info than most museums. I suppose if someone were especially fascinated by all of the details provided, reading all of the info provided might work. But I cannot imagine the average visitor taking the time that would be required to take in all of the info they provide. And maybe that’s OK. But I have to wonder if others have left feeling the same or worse. I strongly urge the state (or whoever maintains this museum) to find a way to invest in some sort of audio option (like other museums have). It would make it much more palatable (and possibly more popular?).
Kathryn Presnal — Google review
Most unique museum visit I've ever had.
This strikes a good balance of incarcerated and the people who guarded/administrated.
It is apropos that the yard of the museum is literally buttressed by the wall of the functioning prison.
Good mix of past and current.
Make this a stop while you are visiting the Royal Gorge area
Lance Odvody — Google review
Very interesting. I recommend talking to the front desk staff a bit too as they have an inside scoop on a lot of things, such as the 2 prisoners who escaped in 2018. Such a unique experience to hear the staff recounts of this. Worth every penny! Loved it!
Jake Dahl — Google review
An amazing museum! Really excellent display and walkthrough of all sorts of unique American prison lore. Great to see a current engagement with local prisons too, showcasing art from some of the inmates.
Absolutely worth a visit if you're in Colorado
Alan McLaughlin — Google review
We had some time to kill in the area, and although hesitant to go spend time in a museum, the first exhibit---the gas chamber---got my interest!
For 12 bucks (Oct 2023), I have to say that I was truly amazed by how drawn in I was by the displays in the jail cells. There are a lot of printed stories about past prisoners, events, and I found myself reading one after the other after the other. Next thing I know, although I had planned for an hour visit, I was 2hrs into the visit and had more stuff to read. If you have the time to go here, go in, specially if you like crime stories. I'm not a fan, but even then, I was captivated by what I was reading.
I honestly thought we would walk in, walk around and leave, but instead, I found myself reading stories, searching for more on my phone, and well, next thing i know, had to leave cause had no more time to spend here.
Worth the 12 bucks!
Max ROJAS — Google review
We enjoyed the tour but would have REALLY preferred audio devices and more places to sit for those who are handicapped! Make people leave a deposit or a credit card on file if they damage the MP3 players. There was too much reading for someone who has bad eyesight. If you are able to read, walk, and stand for long periods I highly recommend this tour! I have problems with all 3 but am able to do stairs. I very much enjoyed it but was tired and sore after. Great gift shop with some unique items too! Not horrible prices.
A nice casino with soda fountains found in the casinos. Friendly bar staff (and very attentive), slot techs, wait staff and casino hosts. Christine is a very attentive casino host. She always made sure my visits were pleasant. She always has a smile on her face and cheerful demeanor.
Al Engesser — Google review
They let one person take up 5 or 6 machines at a time. So chair is empty nobody playing you try to put money in and some woman screams at you from 4 machines down " I'm playing that ". Not an isolated incident. Happened 10 to 20 different times.
Dana Koehler — Google review
Terrible experience yesterday at the Mexican restaurant. The portions are cut in half. No cheese on my dish I always get anymore...on tacos no lettuce and cold canned tomatoes!! Won't go there anymore... New owners suck for not at least giving us ppl who go there a lot a good meal. But waitresses who bring drinks in the casino are great.
Sharon Cisneros — Google review
We hardly ever hit anything good here but lots of fun machines to play, new and old. Now they have a parking garage that's confusing to navigate but a good addition.
Nyla Young — Google review
Biggest casino in Cripple Creek, takes up most of the Main Street, and is in construction to make it even bigger. The casino was clean and the machines were maintained. The construction made it impossible to really walk around and explore the property.
Ashley H — Google review
We were looking for someplace with an all day breakfast menu and this place popped up on Maps. I ordered the biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs. The biscuits were so dry and hard, even when smothered in gravy, they tinted when tapping with the fork. I've had rice cakes with better texture! The sausage was tasty and eggs average. The server was in a rush to end her shift. She was pleasant, but distracted.
Tim Callahan — Google review
Friendly staff, free cocktails while gambling, and love their restaurant Home Cafe. You can get breakfast all day and for a decent price. The service was quick the two mornings we went. The bartender was so friendly and cheerful and the wait staff were also pleasant. Definitely recommend it!
Melissa F — Google review
Rooms ar very unique and nicely upgraded , casino was clean and everything was well stocked . Machines are tight however , barely even stayed afloat .. wasn't really lively or upbeat. The guy running the restaurant is very friendly and genuinely seemed like he liked his job. It needs more music ,and machines need to pay out once in awhile to keep people around . The outside is the coolest spot , they should consider stringing lights back and fourth creating a canopy of lights and out door music
Brooke Carter — Google review
Had a great lunch at the cafe played a little had a good time . Got a Philly cheese steak big enough to share or take half home.
Steve Hathaway — Google review
It was fun, and YES, I won a few bucks. Actually, out of my party of 8, 6 people won, and 1 of those 6 hit a big jackpot. Great customer care folks at this establishment as well.
Dana Soto — Google review
Great casino, plenty of options for slots. I have only seen blackjack for tables. Staff is nice and facilities are clean and kept tidy. A must stop if you are in the area and 21+!
Alex Garduno — Google review
First thing me there service all around was great. The slots were fun, payed out well! Definitely look forward to visiting again.
Christian Yolo — Google review
I love the layout of this casino (wish tickets could be redeemed anywhere) easy flow from one area to another. The bar staff and wait staff are very helpful and attentive. The hosts are really there for the customers, they listen and want to make everyone's gaming experience the best it can be, especially Christine who is an asset to the company and shows what a host is supposed to be like
Gretchen Moore — Google review
If you’re going to go there’s no parking because of new construction to the building, there’s a shuttle just before you get into town. The slots were very tight, but did have a nice variety of slots. The best part of Cripple Creek is the beautiful drive to get there, you’re on the backside of Pikes Peak and when you get to the top of the pass beautiful views to the west!!
Tim Wyman — Google review
We enjoy ourselves everytime we come up. Great games and free drinks and snacks. The restaurant's are wonderful! Bronco Billy's treat's their customers with great customer service. The hotel was a little on the older side but that doesn't bother me, it adds to the experience. Very courteous and thoughtful employees. If I'm always treated like this, I'll keep coming back. :)
Departing from an 1894 depot, this 45-minute steam-engine train ride passes historic mines.
Loved it!!
All the people working there were super friendly and so informative. Listening to the history by the conductor was so interesting!! It's crazy how you can live your whole life in a state and not know about some things.
It was also pretty cool to see the conductor run the train on coal!! Definitely not an easy job and they really ran around making sure everything was taken care of. Totally recommend 😊👍
Tracy Bertapelle — Google review
We went down to CC today. What a beautiful, perfect day. There weren't a lot of people on our ride. The train ride was so fun and relaxing. The conductor was very informative. All the staff were really friendly.
A Ames — Google review
I'm not sure how to start, The staff was so incredible and so nice. Everybody on the staff was so warm and welcoming and friendly. Even in the Adversity of one extremely rude and obnoxious guest. The staff remain polite and professional at all times. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. The train ride was fun the engineer was extremely knowledgeable About the area. If you're in Cripple Creek or within a 100 miles of it. You must go take the train ride. If I had one negative thing to say it would be about it about it being such a shame that they've turned it into a gambling town. They're building a 19 story modern hotel in the middle of downtown. I think it's really going to take away from the experience of Cripple Creek and that's going to be a shame.
Taylor Almon — Google review
One of the finest condensed history lessons provided of the area by the locomotive engineer (and CC&V Railroad owner) during the 45 minute Train ride!
We arrived just as the full train was about to depart, so we purchased tickets for the following trip (first come, first served, so tickets cannot be purchased in advance)…perused the nicely stocked Station…and enjoyed delicious freshly popped Kelpys Kettle Corn located between the train station and local Museum.
The train ride was an enjoyable trip along many of the local mines to Echo Valley. With ages from 3 to 63…we all had a great time. We felt prices were reasonable when considering the opportunity to “relive” a portion of history. The Engineer’s history lesson wet our appetite to visit all of the town’s several museums.
We will definitely plan to visit and ride again.
dave vet — Google review
This was such a fun family trip! It was a little loud for my kids in the front car, but seat up early for your departure time in the 2nd or 3rd car if this is a concern. The views were awesome and the tour info was interesting but not droning! Thank you for the memorable trip!
Katherine Denler — Google review
Always such a fun and informative ride! Great for kids and adults alike. The views are beautiful and it’s cool to experience being on an old coal-powered train. It is pricey for large groups with kids, but it’s worth it if you want a unique way to sightsee and learn more about the area’s history.
Elsa Sanders — Google review
Kind of a short little ride but worth the money. Gorgeous scenery and nice staff, especially the train engineer who seemed to love what he did. Worth going again, maybe in fall.
Alex B — Google review
This place is magical! even to reach the destination, the roads are worth admiring, everything is beautiful. Being able to see the mountains from that angle is rewarding for the soul. And the town is so beautiful! do not leave without walking its streets
Esbeydy Morales — Google review
This train excursion was SO MUCH FUN! Our engineer/tour guide was very knowledgeable and told interesting historical information all along the trip. I had no idea that there were so many gold mines in this area.
Doug Piette — Google review
This narrow gauge rail train trip was so fun. The trip is about an hour long on a coal fired steam engine drawn train. The conductor/engineer gives great informative commentary on all the sights along the way. There is a section of the route near the gold mine where the train whistle echos in an amazing way. I would definitely do this one again. So fun. Also there were some younger children on our trip and they also enjoyed the ride.
Annette — Google review
We went to see the leaves changing. They didn't disappoint. Took a train ride. Very informative about the history. Found "Rita" the other troll in Colorado. Beautiful
B K — Google review
This was such a fun trip ... Lots of great information about the area, fantastic scenery and tons to see. The conductor and crew were a delight for the day. Got lovely pictures even with it being a cloud full day. How often can you say you've ridden a train into the clouds.
Catalin Shines — Google review
Went first train out on Friday morning. It was full, and they added a car. Get there early if you need to go out at that time.
Trip is 45 min long. Tip: Sit on the side facing the town for best views throughout the trip. Also, sit at back of 1st car or front of 2nd car to avoid the most smoke from the coal engine.
Beautiful views. Nice commentary about the area if you can hear it. Easy trip.
Selene Kaye — Google review
Had a wonderful time with my family riding the train. The views are gorgeous and the history you learn about Cripple Creek while riding is extremely interesting. Wonderful activity to go do with family and friends.
Acclaimed winery offering a tasting room & expansive grounds in tranquil surroundings.
My sister got a flight of sweets, and I got a flight of dry reds. Enjoyed them all! Definitely not as a dry as some I've had, but still enjoyable. Cute little shop for souvenirs and trinkets. We also enjoyed a glass of their riesling.
International Traveling Clown — Google review
Loved this small winery. Just right for a quick stop during my trip to Colorado Springs. Enjoyed the tastings in the patio area in the fall breeze.
Dora Jean Flores — Google review
So much fun! Such good wine! Great atmosphere, great people. A little hard to find but we got there. Tour the Abbey while you are there.
Sara M — Google review
Loved doing the VIP tasting here we were able to try almost all of the wines one was already gone gone and they were all very good, the meat and cheese platter is actually plenty of food the two of us hadn’t eaten lunch yet and we’re definitely not hungry after. The grounds are wonderful and the ambiance pairs well. 10/10 would recommend 😊
Jacinda Corkill — Google review
My fiance and I had never really experienced wines before, so while we were in Colorado we decided to have a wine tasting experience.
We booked a VIP Tour and this was one of the best experiences we've had during our time here in Colorado. Tara, our guide, was extremely knowledgeable and just an overall fantastic person to talk to while sipping wine. The wines were great, the conversations were fantastic, we even walked out with a bottle. We will definitely be back!
Joshua Cook — Google review
We didn't make a reservation here, but were seated fairly quickly on the patio. We requested to do a wine tasting and although the lady that helped us was nice, it took over an hour to sample 12 wines. She brought out 3 bottles to sample at a time, but then went back inside for 15-20 minutes (to chat with her co-workers) before coming back outside with the next 3 tastings. That makes sense if you're poured a full glass of wine (for time to enjoy it), but it doesn't take 20 minutes to take 3 sips of wine! We were talking with the 2 guys at the table sitting next to us who were also wondering why they don't just do the tasting inside at the counter like most other wineries do - unless you request to sit outside? There was only 2 other customers there while we were. It's like we were all seated outside together on the chilly patio (intentionally) so that we wouldn't interrupt their conversation inside. My wife and I have done tastings at over 100 wineries, and it's never taken over an hour (to do a tasting) - even during peak hours. We generally do a tasting, then buy a bottle of our favorite wine (off the list) to sit and enjoy for awhile. Even though this was an unusual experience, we did enjoy the Colorado Divinity very much and purchased a few bottles to take with us. We just wouldn't recommend you going here if you're on a timeline or have other scheduled stops on your agenda for the day.
Adam Nichols — Google review
Stopped here on our way out of town after a day of hiking. So glad we drove by and saw the Abbey!
The scenery is gorgeous, and so nice to sit on their patio and enjoy some wine.
We each bought a few bottles, I bought one of the Norton and the Sav Blanc. I was seriously impressed with the Norton, I don’t enjoy red wine. The sweet wines were well done, I just don’t like sweet wine in general.
The staff was so knowledgeable, recalling all the details of how each wine was made. They were also all very friendly and kind, really capping off a wonderful experience.
Overall, will be stopping here on my next time in town!
Sidney DuVarney — Google review
We love love love the wine tasting! Tara was our hostess and took her time to explain everything to us and to teach us about the wines. Not only that, she took time to explain the history of the whole place to us.
As far as "covid" goes, you can feel safe here as all interactions inside the store are socially distanced and the wine tasting itself is done outside on the patio. If you come in cooler weather, they also have patio heaters.
This is a "must do"!!
Joe Day — Google review
Very nice atmosphere for outdoor wine tasting. A tasting fee of $8 to try 12 wines. Wines also sold by the glass. Good wines, great friendly service. I won't rate wines because it is such a personal taste thing. You should visit and try for yourself. A good vendor was on site during my visit serving pizza.
Errol Oguzhan — Google review
My wife and I decided to stop by here on a 100+ degree day after a hike around the Royal Gorge. I was super happy with my selection of their sweet wine flight. It was extremely refreshing, which is an odd thing to say about wine. But it was just what I needed after a hot day. Safe to say I’m always on the lookout for their wines in store. Especially their Sangre de Christo Nouveau.
Gold Mine Tours Inc. offers group tours of its underground facility, including tram rides and exhibits. The hour-long tour takes visitors 1000 feet below the surface of a former operational gold mine, providing an educational experience for all ages. Knowledgeable guides, who are experienced miners themselves, share insights into mining techniques and demonstrate historical equipment used in the industry. Visitors can explore the property while waiting for the tour to start and enjoy informative storytelling from guides like Harley.
An absolutely amazing experience to be able to go down 1000ft into the earth! The tour guides are extremely knowledgeable on all that is mining and will happily answer any questions that you may have. It was a fun adventure and it was so cool how the guides gave us demonstrations on the mining equipment. I Highly recommend this tour.
Caleb Foltz — Google review
What an amazing place! It is definitely worth the drive up there. Sarah - our guide - is the sweetest person, she’s so knowledgeable, professional & friendly! Don’t worry, if you’re claustrophobic, it’s not that bad. It’s a 2 min elevator ride to the bottom, and the tour down there is just outstanding. This gold mine has been operational since 1891! It’s cold up there, so keep yourself warm.
A Sabbagh — Google review
I visited the Mollie Kathleen mine tour in May of 2023. I thought it was great, with lots of educational demonstrations and explanations as well as just really cool being in tunnels that deep underground. Heads up that the trip down is cramped, so just be prepared; though they do warn you about it ahead of time on the website.
If you visit, I strongly suggest after the tour going across the street to the heritage center and seeing the scale model of the Mollie Kathleen mine; it really gives you a nice sense of scale for the tour.
Corey Freeman — Google review
Best tour ever!!! Sara was our tour guide and she is amazing! Fun, knowledgeable, and knows everything about the mine. We are definitely going back with our kids next time. Thank you so much Sara and all other staff that was there!
Buckaroo — Google review
Well worth it. It's a tight fit in the elevator! Literally front to back, shoulder to shoulder, but a quick ride down. There were lots of cool demonstrations of the tools used when the mine was active. Easy walk. Short ride on an original underground air powered train. There was also a lot of interesting history and facts during the tour. Quick ride back to the top. Coolest mine tour I've ever done.
G Lem — Google review
From being up in one of the most beautiful places in the mountains, to the some of the nicest people. This tour was in the top three of adventures on this trip. Start off by being put into a 9 miner lift, then dropping down 1000’ into the mine, walking in the steps of the miners while your tour guide is a miner. Learning the history and seeing it in action will give you a better understanding of how important mining is to your life.
Shannon Felder — Google review
Highly recommend to anyone in the area! Definitely one of the coolest interactive tours that I have ever been to! The tour guide was awesome! He was very funny & informative. He gave lots of time for questions and educational information on the history of mining. Going down the mine shaft was a bit scary for me just because of the confined area on the way down but it opens up once in the tunnels. It is safe and honestly well worth the money! 10 out of 10 would go back
jacqueline donahue — Google review
Parking to super close to tour. Need more bathroom stalls. Fun to walk around property while waiting for tour to start. Tour guide Harley was the best! He was informative, patient w the little ones and a kind story-teller. Hope you get him as your guide! If your claustrophobic the mine shaft that takes you down 1000 ft in total darkness will get you. But if you hold a loved one's hand and just breathe slowly...you should withstand the 2 mins.
Patsy Gonzales — Google review
We did the Tour. We were lowered 1000ft down and did a 1hr walk through. We seen how kids worked the mines at 7yrs old to old men. The old machinery was shown to us on how it worked..etc.. Good Tour
Will Turtle — Google review
This is a very cool and educational experience for all ages and will be unforgettable. This tour is about an hour long and will take you 1000 feet below the surface of what was once an operational gold mine. Each of the tour guides are all miners themselves and /hat gives them so much knowledge to share. They explain the types and ways of mining through the years and demonstrate actual equipment used. Today (Oct 15th) was the last day of the season for tours until next Spring. *Also fyi, service dogs are not allowed on the tour.
Mark Manwell — Google review
First tour down in to a mine. Was a great time and very informative. Well worth the price of admission and the trip just to see it. Staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. Cripple Creek is just below the mine and your able to over look a working mine next door. Also you can start the phantom canyon road from here which will take you about 2 hours to travel.
David Whitehead — Google review
our guide was such a blast and the tour was awesome. these guys are so awesome and the admission price is well worth it to give these hard workers a living wage!! a whole bunch of sweethearts just doing what they love! was so freakin fun and one of the coolest things i’ve ever done! don’t want to give TOO much away, you gotta go see for yourself!
Scout Grove — Google review
Definitely a must do if you're in the Colorado Springs/Cripple Creek area! Ben our tour guide was awesome and will explain everything to you about the mine. You can tell he really enjoys what he does! We felt it was a really good value for what you get out of it!
Slay — Google review
This is a must tour. One of the best Mine tours I have been on - I have been on 6 different ones before. Teenagers loved it and small kids. Lots of information - love the small group tours. Wow what the miners of 1800s did to get this gold. Very safe feeling in mine.
Karen Bennett — Google review
This place is absolutely amazing! Our guide (Sarah) was extremely knowledgeable & super friendly. She made the entire experience come to life.
We were a little reluctant to go but when we left we were so happy that we did.
Wear at least a T-shirt & shorts because my son wore his tank top and was cold. You can always bring a little sweatshirt too just in case.
Great place & a place where history comes to life.
Amazing place to learn about wolves, potentially meet them and enjoy some breath taking scenery ... wholeheartedly recommend spending the time to go out to Mission Wolf if it definitely worth the time.
The staff is friendly, engaging, and knowledgeable ... you are guaranteed to learn something you never knew before ...
One nugget i learned is that wolves breath is better than most humans ... totally without smell, i was amazed 😜
Daniel Burkard — Google review
I had a 3 hours drive in each direction and it was totally worth it! The crew in m:w are so knowledgeable and dedicated, and the wolves are amazing. My group was able to visit 3 enclosures, meet 5 wolves and wolf dogs and learn so much from Mike and Moira. We also toured the area, saw the green house and visited the gift shop. It is recommended that you consider donation, wolf sponsorship or just helping out around the property. They accept volunteers on a short and longer basis. My favorite part was meeting the wolves up and personal, and learning that “if you don’t like a wolf to lick your teeth- don’t go into the wolves enclosure”. The 13 mile dirt road leading to m:w is not too bad, but I wish I had a 4x4 instead of my little car (it might be worse in the winter). To summarize: an amazing experience!
Jenn Gray — Google review
Your family will enjoy every minute! Don't miss out! An experience if a lifetime! Great job mission wolf!!! Love very minute!
David Dirgo — Google review
A great mission with compassionate, salt-of-the-earth type people. Kent was extremely knowledgeable and impassioned about working with the wolves, and a truly gentle soul. A powerful experience in a beautiful Colorado setting, and an effort worth supporting. This is a memorable adventure absolutely worth embarking upon.
SeventhSamurai72 — Google review
It's an indescribable place. Come for an afternoon visit or show up and volunteer. There's always work for the willing! My girls pulled weeds and chopped wood. We're talking massive weeds on the mountain side with thorns that get into the wolves paws, not landscape weeding. It's a hardworking community of .... well ... anyone... from everywhere ... you're welcome as long as you respect the wolves. Work hard and you might learn something and have a wolf encounter along the way.
Ivery Kaufman — Google review
total scam. ordered a sweatshirt on 11/16/2022. as of 12/16/2022 still no sweatshirt. total contradictory to what website states as shipping times. item supposedly is in china. tracking number provided is not recognized by any shippers in US or international. don't waste your money. help support locally.
brian carson — Google review
Staff is very warm and informative. They spent lots of time teaching and answering questions. The mission to give each wolf quality care and to teach others about the importance of wolves is the most important thing to them. Their love and passion drives them to do everything possible to ensure the welfare of each wolf. This is an amazing place and it deserves donations and volunteers to carry on the mission they dedicate their lives to.
Becky Pebworth — Google review
My family and I had the most amazing experience today! I've traveled all over the place and I'd say this is one of the best experiences to date. The tour was fantastic, the staff are so knowledgeable, friendly, and we learned so much about wolves. It was very educational and we had no idea the wolves behaviors until now. The best part was our encounter with 5 of the wolves, and lots of kisses from Eden! Such a fun, fascinating and fantastic experience! We highly recommend Mission:Wolf! Thank you MW!
Tammy Gilmer — Google review
This is an incredible experience. We did the meet and greet where we met, pet and were kissed by live wolves. Then we took a second tour to look at all of the other members of the pack. Not exclusively wolves, there were fox and New Guinea singing dogs.
Bob Marr — Google review
Apparently there's another place called wolf mission that is using the same name as the sanctuary taking care of wolves they are are selling clothing and coats etc bracelets and necklaces. They are scams. The products are not the same as the pictures very poorly made. Please look into where you are when it cones to these sites. I was contacted by the actual wolf mission which I believed is this site. I recognize doing your research. And maybe not buy online e as most places give u very cheap material. If it's cheap in cost u get what u paid for but I paid 40 each sweater and got what amounted to a 5 dollar shirt.
Justanotherday inparadise — Google review
Very amazing experience! The road at the end was pretty bad thanks to the rain but it wasn’t a bad hike and the rest of the road was fine. I loved learning about and meeting the wolves.
Zoey “Zoey” Nyberg — Google review
Definitely a must stop situation if you are ever down Westcliffe way. Highly educational and completely safe! Who doesn't love to pet furry animals? The wolves were lovely and the staff was friendly and well trained.
Skyla Christensen — Google review
Absolutely loved it 😭💕 came in since I've always wanted to go to a wolf sanctuary and the wolves here are definitely amazing!
Bishop Castle is a unique and eccentric building made entirely by one local resident named Jim Bishop. There were no blueprints or plans used in its construction, with Jim working on it single-handedly over his lifetime. The castle boasts an array of features including bridges, turrets, and even a fire-breathing dragon created by Jim himself. Admission to the castle is free for all visitors who can explore the self-guided tours and gift shop.
By far one of my favorite places to visit. It's amazing and beautiful. Hand crafted by an older gentleman Jim. A must see attraction.
You must experience the climb to the top of both main towers...it's scary and uplifting, just breathtaking:)watch where you step. There are no guidelines except be careful!
5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
jeannette Koopman — Google review
Very cool structure is definitely a must see. Got my adrenaline pumping going up so high. That being said definitely hope some of the donations goes toward up keep its definitely explore at your own risk. Had me nervous at times.
ali phillips — Google review
This place is nuts! Very scary to think about climbing all the way to the top, and definitely looks like someone’s home project. But it’s kitschy and fun. The history is fascinating, even if the manifestos all over the place are weird.
Tina Edwards — Google review
This is the one of the most unique spots within the US. The building is quirky to say the least, and hands down the most adrenaline-pumping place I've ever been to. You've got parts seemingly held up by wires and sections that look like they'd barely hold up a cat, let alone a person. But against all odds, they do—and do it impressively.
Navigating the stairs, towers, and metal bridges truly sends shivers down your spine. And here's the kicker: this entire place was the vision of just one incredibly inspired individual. No formal building experience, no permits—just pure passion and a big dream.
They don't charge an entrance fee, which also means they're not guaranteeing your safety. It adds an edge to the experience, making every step a thrilling venture. If you're in for an adventure, I highly recommend giving this place a go. Safe travels!
Daniil Karpenko — Google review
This place was a work of beauty. The intricacies of this place were mesmerizing. There were so many staircases that went to a different part of the castle. There were some areas that couple potentially be hazardous to people- holes in the flooring and holes in the staircases. But it was so beautiful! I was fascinated and wanted to explore the high up area outside but my husband was worried it wasn’t safe enough. There was one area that had a lot of animal feces. The gift shop was cute. There’s no public bathroom but there was a portable bathroom. There was also a stand with hot chocolate. It is free to visit and there’s a place the leave donations for them to continue improving the site. It is definitely worth a visit.
Michelle Fuhr — Google review
I can definitely understand the hype with this place. It's legit scary cool, but petrifying. The idea that some guy just built this castle with his bare hands is insane. Definitely stop by, but remember to tread lightly and watch your step! The views from the top are amazing, especially when you're terrified from the trip to get there.
Melissa Huynh — Google review
This place is just WOW!! This place is a piece of art. It amazing to know it handmade. Just an awesome place to see although it's not for the faint of heart. I only got up to the second story with the kids. Hubs and one of my boys went to the top of one of the towers. Overall was such a cool place to visit.
Rhonda Hoornstra — Google review
Fun place to explore at your own risk! I loved the eclectic feel the whole place had, You can see the love that went into making the castle over so many years and it's still under construction. Allow maybe 1 full hour to 1 1/2 to explore it all.
John Murphy — Google review
A great place to check out. A bit of a drive from Denver but worth it. Beautiful scenery leading to the castle. This place will test your height nerves. We loved it.
Eric W — Google review
Seriously what a cool slice of Colorado History! Bishop Castle is a must see day trip! Beautiful drive only a few hours from Denver. The history and story behind the structure is classic American Dream.
If your visiting or a native make sure to put this on your list! Feed the chickens too, you won’t be disappointed, and drop a few bucks in the donation can.
Highly recommend
Scorpio67 Photography — Google review
Very interesting and odd place. The drive up to it is beautiful and many pictures taken. The building is not for the weak or disabled but cool place. No bathroom facilities, small gift shop, make sure to watch the video on floor one of how it was built.
doug brasel — Google review
I enjoyed visiting this place very much. There's a lot of stairs, which was a bit difficult for me. The story about the castle is very interesting. The engineering behind some of the designs was amazing.
Judy Powell — Google review
Totally bizarre place that is worth the visit. Definitely watch the intro video. Be careful walking around, especially in winter- wear spikes or hiking boots. It's super slick. Some gaps and drop offs that are scary if you have a Fear of heights. Slippery. But such a cool story and fun playground like castle with a dragon and gift shop at decent prices and some souvenirs and hot beverages on a trust-business (trust that you pay). Glad I went once in winter but I think I'd prefer summer.
Grace R-L — Google review
Bishop Castle is a Colorado Roadside attraction that is free (donation box on site). When you arrive, the entrance is right off the highway. Park alongside the highway and walk to the entrance, keeping an eye on cars. I visited 2/19/22 and the area around the castle was muddy and icy in some places, wear good shoes to get around. The highway in from Colorado Springs had dry roads the entire way, but it is at 9000 ft elevation and definitely in the mountains. If your vehicle can't manage snow and ice be aware before heading up. When touring the castle I wore a backback and I wouldn't recommend it. The staircases are very narrow and wind up and down in spirals. The day I went had very little tourists and I could take my time resting (remember, 9000 ft elevation) climbing up and down the castle. This was a peculiar, wonderful, interesting, fun thing to see for free. It took me about 90 minutes to view everything. The wind was gusting and some of the metal walkways and stairs were swaying in the wind, which felt exciting and maybe a little dangerous. A couple was taking wedding photos inside, but they were only there a little while and it was still easy to see everything. Check it out.
Melissa Byres — Google review
I feel this is a place that everyone should visit. What an experience. The drive out there is so beautiful. When you get there there is parking along the road. You can see the castle from the road but you will want to go in and explore. Just a heads up, it could be muddy. This is just one of those just go see it. There is a food bar which was closed when we were there, but the gift shop was open.
Lu O — Google review
Definitely a workout to climb all the stairs. The views from the towers were incredible. It was amazing to see the use of natural rock and metal scraps and pieces. The stained glass is beautiful. The concessions were reasonable priced.
Sheri Beeson — Google review
This was such a fun and interesting experience. Well Worth the detour on the way home from a camping trip. This castle has so many places to explore. The story of this castle is also interesting. It is hand-built by the Bishop, and despite many legal battles and complaints the castle still continues to be built. We were both afraid of heights so we did not go all the way to the top. There is some adrenaline for those adrenaline seekers. The views around the castle are great. The castle is such an impressive feat. Be prepared that the steps and stairs are steep and sometimes uneven, so if you have balance issues you might not do well here. When we got up the stairs we immediately were transported to a fantasy world. This would be a great place for live-action role-play games or to host a DnD session. Another great benefit of this place is that it is free to explore. You can make donations and explore buying things at the gift shop.
Cassie Michel — Google review
My husband and I visited Bishop Castle, in Rye Colorado, during our recent trip to see family in Colorado Springs. The drive to Bishop Castle, located in the middle of a National Forest, was lengthy, but beautiful! Well worth it when we arrived! The castle is an amazing structure that is hardly justified with words, or even photos. You truly have to see it for yourself to really appreciate it. Since I'd have to write a novel about it, to explain the history of the place, I'll suggest you look up information about it and the remarkable place that it is. Truly a work of love, labor, and no doubt more sweat and tears than I can imagine.
Tina Hubler — Google review
We came to this place on my birthday looking for adventure. It is a bit of a drive, but it's definitely worth it. This castle was built by one really talented guy. If you have kids, keep them close. You can fall off and die. If you love adrenaline, then you should definitely check this place out.
Torin — Google review
Interesting place that's worth visiting. Use caution when exploring, especially with children. It's an active construction site. There are many gaps in the flooring and stairways, low overhead clearance, and pieces of metal sticking out. There are visually no safety features to prevent you from falling from many of the high points and towers if you venture upward. They're are porta-potties at the entrance. It's free to visit and always open, despite the hours Google lists.
Robert Clarke — Google review
January 21, 2024 was my third time to visit this masterpiece in work. I am amazed every time I visit. Just the sheer height and size of this structure is amazing. It is a work in progress (construction site) so there are some obstacles and potential dangers. Just be aware and careful of your surroundings. I like to explore but the height of some of the areas elevated my adrenaline and heart rate. No entrance fees and self guided. I will continue to stop and visit Bishops Castle anytime I'm in the area and I would recommend to anybody else to please stop by and visit and also leave a donation
Del Rodg — Google review
What a amazing hidden gem in Colorado, this castle is worth the drive. This castle was built by a man named Jim. This is a self guided tour through his castle. Please beware if you have children, you can absolutely die here if you're not careful; for the risk takers.....get ready to feel your heart beat!!!!!!
It is recommended to donate few bucks. You can buy farm fresh eggs here for 6 dollars and there's a gift shop!!!!!!
Britney Fuqua — Google review
What a crazy cool place!! We went at a bad time weather wise. It was just mud. But so worth it! If you want to visit, I would suggest June when it’s dry and all the snow is gone. It is very strange and a marvel to experience.
Cheyenne Mountain, one of the most famous and secretive attractions in Colorado Springs, is a 3 peaks and 2 forested parks attraction with hiking trails and cascading waterfalls. The mountain is also home to a crashed military plane that's been up there since 1957.
Absolutely beautiful views...... great trails. We had a great time!!!
burt montalbano — Google review
Beautiful and conveniently close to Colorado Springs. Easy, well marked trails. Can get crowded though on the weekends. I would avoid altogether on weekends and holidays.
I. Vladimirovich — Google review
Some of the most beautiful places to see!
Judy McCrary — Google review
Love driving this mountain. Highly recommend it to anyone. Please please please if you are up there to site see and someone wants to go faster then you simply stop as safely you can to the side of the road and let them pass you. It makes it a more pleasant experience for everyone.
Suade Husted — Google review
I've been twice and had a great time. As someone who's new to hiking I found this place a great starter environment for climbing up the side of a mountain. Starting at the trail head and ascending the mountain gave way to a nature walk that was breathtaking and wonderful. Between the tiny and big creatures and the amazing variety of plant life and rock formations there's something to behold at every corner. The Dixon trail is where it's at for scaling to the summit but get an early start. The ascent is about 3,000 ft from the trail head. On my 2nd visit I saw deer, wild turkey, humming birds, lizards, chipmunks, rabbits, squirrels. I'm looking forward to returning in the colder months to hopefully see some elk and other big game.
Dan Nordmann — Google review
Started from the very bottom right next to highway 115 and all the way to the top, 18 miles round trip. A very cool mountain to stand on top of. There's a crashed military plane that's been up there since 1957.
Joe Jacobs — Google review
This is a official complaint about the former residents of chyanne mountain complex in Colorado, I am officially making my statement about the US military members at that base as they have been abducting people using area 51 made ships used for abductions I was awake during all of the times i was abducted by colonel Samantha Carter of the us air force, and by Russian military members she works with at that base formerly used by SGC, I was abducted in the summers of 2001, 2002,2007,2008,2009, i called the fbi the Pentagon they hanged up on me after I said truthfully about what happened, and I sent my statements to the fbi numerous times, and i still don't have justice, so don't trust our own military members and don't trust our government, this is a freedom of speech truthful official statement.
Glenn — Google review
Beautiful hiking trails all around!
Jamal Francis — Google review
This beautiful mountain contains NORAD, and antennae farm, the Horns with Cloud Camp, & the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. But you don't need to go to the zoo to see wildlife here. Regular visitors in the wild include bears, mountain lions, bobcats, foxes, racoons, an occasional skunk, large rafters of turkeys, and tons of mule deer. It is an enjoyable place for bird watching of perching and tree clinging birds and hawks. There are several places to hike, but trailheads are not advertised.
Sandy Smith — Google review
When the air force base commander said my deployment would be out of this world I DID NOT HAVE SPACE TRAVEL IN MIND.
The May Natural History Museum is an attraction located in Pikes Peak region that focuses on roadside collection of tropical insects. It is open daily during summer and by reservation otherwise. The museum has a large variety of insects all mounted together in one spot, making it a unique experience.
We took our kids here and we all had a great time. I wish I would've known about this place sooner. It's a beautiful, family friendly place.
Adrienne Siqueiros — Google review
To every single person that has ever played with insects of all types, ones that look like they belong on this plant and some that don’t. This was the best collaboration I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing. It’s definitely worth the drive to see something this big in one place. We hade a wonderful time and would love to see more people going to this work of art/museum.
Shannon Felder — Google review
A little smaller than I expected, but still beautiful!! I definitely want to come back! I feel like it's one of those places where you will see something you missed on the second time around.
Victoria Coleman — Google review
A place for ALL NATURE LOVERS!! I visited here a couple of days ago and absolutely loved it! You could spend hours in the museum looking at all of the different specimens. The gift shop has some of the most unique pieces and items to buy. Herkimer, the largest beetle isn’t the only attraction here, the museum is a must see!
I love supporting family operated business, and this is one.
They have a campground as well, but I didn’t stay there. It looks like a nice place and there is cell service for those who need their phones.
Ashley E — Google review
SIMPLY AMAZING! Took the grandkids today (4&1 1/2), and it was absolutely perfect! Perfect size, great display AND TONS of information. The Kiddos had a blast, was a little "creeped out" as you can tell by their faces, but the were VERY entertained! We thank you all for keeping the display open, and to share Mr. May's passion!
TheBigsteww — Google review
Really enjoyed coming to this lovely museum! I am an oddity collector & this was a very impressive, HUGE collection! The staff were extremely welcoming & we even got to hold a Tarantula. Highly recommend for any age!
Mikaela Budzick — Google review
This place is full of fascinating and intriguing insects from all over the world! What an incredible experience!
Lisa Lynn — Google review
I loved it here and there's just not enough time in the day to look at EVERYTHING. It's not good if you're not into bugs because that's all there is besides one fruit bat. The lady working there was so nice and I wish I had asked her name. This place blew us away. The amount of bugs was incredible. And I ended up taking a photo of EVERY case. It's mostly butterflies but there is wayyy more other bugs too. Absolutely worth it. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere almost but you should do it, you won't regret it.
Potato — Google review
Absolutely a great place to stay. Lots of hiking, wildlife, and family-friendly!!
Jennifer “Jennie” Wells-Petrungaro — Google review
This is a must see. First they show you a video about the history of the museum (which is actually interesting- I’m usually not into history stuff) , and then you walk around and see thousands of unusual bugs. And even a bat! My kids loved it.
The Reslers — Google review
This is a must if you are in town. We stopped because my nephew is into bugs. I wasn't expecting much, but we ended up loving it. I'm so glad we went, and it is just unbelievable. We will definitely be back.
Aracelis Matias — Google review
Definitely an impressive collection! The history of John May and his collection was quite interesting. How one person conceived a collection of this magnitude is amazing really, as most of the insects were acquired in very remote areas of the world. And, during the early 20th century I can just imagine how much more remote those areas must have been. At the time, he likely discovered some new species that one would think would take a team of scientists years to capture. It's wonderful that such a treasure has remained in the family which they continue sharing. It's worth the drive to visit. The building itself is small and probably could get busy. A few people were there during our visit and it was impossible not to overhear conversation as those visitors didn't lower their voices as you typically would in a confined space or a museum. I would suggest wearing earbuds to tune out noise if you want to read the history and marvel at the insects. Think we spent two hours here. Would like to return when we have visitors in town.
Gabrielle Watkins — Google review
This was a small, family run business. They had insects from all over the world. Before you go in to look at bugs, you can watch a documentary about it that was on TV. They have a small souvenir shop, campground and fishing. All of them cost but the souvenir shop. The employees were very nice and part of the family probably. It is a short distance off the road.
Belinda Clouse — Google review
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710 Rock Creek Canyon Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80926, USA