About Cripple Creek

About Cripple Creek

If you’re new to the Pikes Peak region, you may not know much about Cripple Creek, a historic mining town perched in the mountains behind Pikes Peak. We’ve create a quick and easy guide to the history, entertainment and key attractions in Cripple Creek so you can create your own magical mountain adventure.

A Golden History: Cripple Creek’s Early Years

Cripple Creek was established in 1890 and proudly stands as the home of the last Colorado Gold Rush. The town got its start after a cowboy-turned-prospector named Bob Womack discovered gold in Poverty Gulch. Womack managed to work under the radar for a brief time due to a past hoax in a nearby area. However, other prospectors eventually arrived in the town. In 1891, one of Cripple Creek’s other famous residents, Mollie Kathleen Gortner, found her own claim in the same gulch where Womack struck gold. Unlike Womack, however, Mollie’s claim was quite lucrative well into the 1950s. When it closed in 1961, it had produced millions of dollars in gold — billions by today’s rates.

The gold in Cripple Creek was plentiful for many. The tiny town produced multiple millionaires, and no, that is not adjusted for inflation. While it was a bustling place filled with the hopes of fortune-seekers, it also saw its share of tragedy. The town nearly burnt to the ground in 1896 due to two back-to-back fires. And, eventually, the gold rush dwindled — but never stopped completely. Mining still occurs in Cripple Creek and Victor today.

The town has a few other claims to fame. Robert Ford, the killer of Jesse James, was banned from the town by the sheriff before he could even set foot inside. Groucho Marx lived in Cripple Creek for a time after being robbed and abandoned by his fellow performers one night. Thankfully, Groucho would find his brother more loyal after he ditched the rough terrain and high altitude for New York.

Cripple Creek is still, technically, a mining town. However, it has also established itself as a fun destination for Colorado visitors, with fascinating history and plenty to see and do.

Quick Facts About Cripple Creek

• Cripple Creek is home to a wild donkey herd, descendants of the donkeys who accompanied miners across the mountains.
• A little over 1,000 people live in Cripple Creek.
• Large gold deposits still exist in the region.
• Cripple Creek was nearly a ghost town until the early 1990s. Once Colorado voted to allow the town to establish gaming establishments, the town saw a surge of visitors.
• The Butte Theater hosts professional acting troupes and produces multiple excellent performances each year.
• Cripple Creek’s Historic District is also a National Historic Landmark.
• The town is home to the world’s highest KOA campground.

What We Love About Cripple Creek

Colorado History

Cripple Creek is like a living museum. Many of the buildings and structures are over a century old! Check out some of our favorite places for diving deeper into Colorado history:

• Cripple Creek District Museum
• Outlaws and Lawmen Jail Museum
• Cripple Creek Heritage Center
• Old Homestead House Museum
• Mine Tours
• Mt. Pisgah Cemetery

Scenic Beauty

Fall, winter, spring, summer … every season is gorgeous in Cripple Creek. Autumn is a particular favorite among leaf-peepers. Here’s how to see the sights:

• Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
• Mueller State Park
• Gold Belt Scenic Byway
• Gold Camp Trail (Easy)
• Pony Gulch Homestead Hike (Moderate)
• Phantom Canyon
• Mountain Biking
• Rita the RockPlanter troll sculpture

Entertainment

There’s something for everyone in this town, whether you’re looking for family fun or a couple enjoying date night. Check out these options for entertainment:

• Butte Theater
• Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
• Wild Donkeys of Cripple Creek
• Gaming Establishments
• Annual Events, like Donkey Derby Days or the Cripple Creek Ice Festival
• Ice Castles

Cripple Creek Signature Events

• Fall Festival — Cripple Creek welcomes autumn with a weekend of fun. Enjoy live music, fall treats, fun activities and more.
• Aspen Tours — Explore Mueller State Park, Cripple Creek and the Gold Belt Scenic Byway to get the true Colorado fall experience. Pick up a map at the Cripple Creek Heritage Center for a small donation and hit the road.
• Mt. Pisgah Cemetery Tours — Learn who’s who in this old, sometimes spooky cemetery. Tours are run throughout the fall.
• Gold Camp Christmas — The mining head frames across Cripple Creek are decked out in holiday lights for everyone to see. Tours are self-guided.
• 31st annual Salute to American Veterans Rally — Motorcyclists converge on Cripple Creek to honor POW/MIA and recognize the sacrifices of members of the military. Enjoy vendors, live music and lots and lots of motorcycles.
• Top of the World Rodeo — High elevation entertainment featuring roping, riding, mutton busting, bull riding and more. The event includes a street dance, shopping and a very busy beer garden.
• Rocky Mountain Mustang Rally — Stunning cars, mountain views and a downtown party? That’s a match made in heaven and Cripple Creek is close enough to be there.
• Donkey Derby Days — The wild donkeys of Cripple Creek get their time to shine. This block party celebrates these adorable animal friends, complete with races, entertainment and lots of chances to meet these magical creatures.
• Independence Day Fireworks — It’s hard to find fireworks shows these days! Cripple Creek provides a spectacular show made all the more cool by the distinct lack of city lighting and plenty of room for your chairs and blankets.
• Cripple Creek Ice Festival — Chill out in Cripple Creek with this epic event featuring entertainment, artistic ice sculptures and much more.
• Cripple Creek Ice Castles — You can look and touch at the Cripple Creek Ice Castles. Towering structures made of ice and glowing lights create lots of photo opportunities and the icy slides and stairs are the icing on the castle. Just be sure to dress warm.

3 Things You Must Do While You’re Here

1. Ride the Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad: Experience one of the best ways to see the sights with a ride on an open-air train. Your 45-minute journey will take you south of the town and past multiple mines, Echo Valley, World’s Fair and other scenic points of interest. You will learn about the area’s history along the way and have opportunities to take photos. As a little added bonus, the train is dog-friendly!
2. Visit Rita the RockPlanter: Rita was built entirely of reclaimed wood by world-famous artist Thomas Danbo. A short scenic hike brings you to a legendary view with Rita as the centerpiece. Learn more about his Colorado Trolls here.
3. Visit the Donkeys: Descendants of the donkeys once used in the mines over 100 years ago are now the town’s most revered citizens. These friendly four-leggers are completely free-range during the summer months – they have a winter pasture to protect them from the high-country winters – and hunting for the donkey herd is a local favorite when visiting Cripple Creek.

The Best Time of Year to Visit

Late May-June: Snow and colder temps do extend into spring in Cripple Creek, but don’t let that deter you from visiting. There are plenty of sunny, mild days to enjoy. Dress in layers so you can warm up and cool down as needed. Area attractions begin opening up around Memorial Day weekend, and the crowds are still fairly light. As the weather warms up, the wildflowers alone are worth the visit. Both the donkey release and the Donkey Derby Days are usually scheduled during these months.

September/October: Fall is a sight to behold in Cripple Creek. The hills turn to gold as the aspens change their colors, which is pretty fitting for a mining town. The town holds an annual Harvest Festival to welcome the season, and there are self-guided motor tours that will take you on a scenic fall adventure. Temps stay pretty mild, the nights get cold. Bring warmer clothes if you plan to be outside. In October, things get spooky with cemetery tours, themed plays at the Butte Theater, and a giant Trunk-or-Treat party on Halloween.

December-February: Make no mistake, it will definitely be winter when you visit in December. However, it’s a great time of year if you love the holidays. The town gets dressed up, including the old mining head frames. The majestic Ice Castles open for daily visits, and in February, the Cripple Creek Ice Festival opens. The Ice Festival features community events, ice sculpture displays, and ice carving demonstrations. The key to enjoying winter in Cripple Creek is to dress accordingly. Keep your hands, feet, and head covered. Hot cocoa also helps.

How to Get to Cripple Creek

There are two major airports within a reasonable driving distance from Cripple Creek. Colorado Springs is closer to the town and offers a much easier route than Denver, but both are still a fairly easy drive.  

Colorado Springs Airport

This popular airport is located in eastern Colorado Springs. It is easy to navigate, with quick security lines and frequent inbound and outbound domestic flights. Leaving the airport is fast and simple and it is reasonably close to the most popular parts of the city. Transportation is recommended.

Directions: Take Milton E Proby Parkway out of the airport and follow for about 3.5 miles. Follow signage to connect to I-25 via South Academy Boulevard. Take I-25 north to the exit for Manitou Springs, US-24 W/Cimarron (exit 141). Follow US-24 out of Colorado Springs and head west for about 25 miles. In Divide, turn left on CO-67 S and drive for 18 miles until you hit the town of Cripple Creek. Watch your speed heading into town. The switchbacks are tight and the police do issue speeding tickets.

Transportation Options: 

• Cripple Creek shuttles
• Cripple Creek Trolley (in town, seasonal)
• Casino shuttles
• On-site rental car agencies
• Off-site rental car agency shuttles
• Ride shares

Shuttles to Cripple Creek cost as little as $1 per person. Local gaming establishments offer shuttles for a small fee or even for free. In town, you can hop on and off the trolley through October to get around. It’s great for combating the altitude. Get more in-depth info on transportation here.

Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport is about 2 hours and 15 minutes from Cripple Creek on the east side of Denver. The airport is large, with frequent domestic and international flights. Security can be slow, and the airport has frequent construction projects that can make navigation confusing.

Directions: You can exit the airport by taking Peña Boulevard out of the airport to I-70W/I-225S. I-225 will connect drivers to I-25 and south to Colorado Springs. Alternatively, drivers can take Peña Boulevard to E-470 south and connect to I-25 near the edge of Denver. It can be very pricey, so be aware of that before you take the exit. Once in Colorado Springs, take exit 141 (US-24 W) and follow the same directions listed above for Colorado Springs. There are additional routes in your map app, but the route through Colorado Springs is the fastest and easiest.

Transportation Options: 

• On-site rental car agencies
• Off-site rental car agency shuttles
• Ride shares
• Groome Transportation DIA shuttle

Additional Resources

Check out these articles for more help with your visit:

What You Need to Know About the Cripple Creek Ice Festival

Hike Like a Local: Tips for Hiking in the Pikes Peak Region

What to Pack for Colorado Springs

5 Great Parks near Colorado Springs

Influential Women of the Pikes Peak Region

Motorcycle Riding in the Pikes Peak Region: Tips, Rides and More