Cripple Creek Casinos & Historic Mining Town

Cripple Creek offers a unique blend of Wild West history and modern entertainment, making it a popular day trip from Canon City. This historic gold mining town sits at about 9,500 feet. With neighboring Victor it made up one of the richest gold mining districts in the country, and today its Victorian buildings house casinos, museums, and shops. The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine tour, long the town's best-known attraction, is not running: as of September 2026 the mine's own website says it is closed for the foreseeable future. Check goldminetours.com before you plan around it. For gaming enthusiasts, Cripple Creek is one of Colorado's three casino towns, with casinos offering slots, blackjack, poker, and other games. The casinos range from small local operations to larger resorts, many housed in beautifully restored historic buildings. The Cripple Creek District Museum offers excellent exhibits on the gold rush era, including artifacts, photographs, and recreated storefronts. Walking the main street reveals stunning Victorian architecture and provides great photo opportunities. The drive from the Canon City area on Phantom Canyon Road, part of the Gold Belt Tour, is an adventure in itself: a gravel road on the grade of the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad, built in 1894, climbing from about 5,500 to 9,500 feet through bridges and tunnels. Shelf Road, the byway's other gravel route, comes in from Canon City to the south. Allow plenty of time on either one.