Top 5 Day Trips From Summit
Leadville, Black Hawk / Central City, Golden, Buena Vista, Glenwood Springs
Looking to get out of Summit County for a day and do some exploring outside of country lines? Well you are in luck! There are a ton of great options for ways to spend your day outside of the immediate area!
Summit County, Colorado - situated just west of the Continental Divide is only 65 miles to downtown Denver and an absolutely wonderful place to visit, offering so much to do no matter the season. Summit is also a fantastic place to base your stay due to its close proximity to so many other incredible Colorado towns and places.
Below are my top 5 recommendations for day trips from Summit County, Colorado. Trust me when I tell you that, it was hard to choose just 5 as there are so many places in and around Summit that deserve to be explored and enjoyed!
Listed from Closest to Furthest
Leadville - 30 miles from Frisco, CO
Not just a summer destination, Leadville has something for all ages and seasons! This once booming gold and silver mining town sits at 10,200 feet elevation and was once Colorado’s second largest city. Leadville nearly became the capital of Colorado when it housed somewhere between 30,000 and 50,000 residents (currently home to about 3,000 residents) during the great silver rush. Harrison Avenue, Leadville’s historic business center still looks today much like it did in the late 1800s. Restaurants and miscellaneous other shops and businesses continue to fill the storefronts and residents and visitors alike fill the 1800’s era buildings and homes that line the streets of this town to this day.
Stop by the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum to learn more about Leadville’s history or take a scenic ride on the Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad. There is so much to do in and around Leadville, from gold panning to mine tours, zip line adventures for unobstructed views of Colorado’s two highest peaks, Mt. Elbert and appropriately named Mt. Massive, take a bike, snowmobile, or cross country ski tour, or get your feet wet or cast a line in Twin Lakes or Turquoise Lake.
Unlike many mining towns of the 1800, Leadville is still a thriving mining community. In the late 1800s when most gold and silver mines across the US were shuttered zinc was discovered and mined in Leadville, then just before WWI molybdenum deposits (which strengthens steel) were discovered just north of Leadville on Bartlett Mountain forming Climax Molybdenum Mine which is still in operation today!
A day trip to Leadville will surely not disappoint!
Black Hawk / Central City - 49 miles from Dillon, CO
Are you feeling lucky? Head to historic Black Hawk and spend your day playing your favorite games at the casinos and participate in a historic tour of Gregory Street! Black Hawk is unique in so many ways. Founded in the mid 1800s during the great Colorado gold rush Black Hawk was set up as a place gold miners could cash in their rush. This town was booming in the late 19th century as the area mills were completed and a railway to Golden, CO was finished. In 1990 Colorado decided this area should once again be booming, like it once was. Black Hawk is now home to over 15 casinos.
The history of legal gambling in Colorado is possibly as unique as the history of Black Hawk. Today, there are still only 3 areas where commercial or tribal casinos are legal in Colorado. Black Hawk/Central City and Cripple Creek offer commercial gambling and the 4-Corners region of Colorado, has two casinos that are operated by Native American Tribes in the towns of Ignacio and Towaoc.
Black Hawk and Central City arguably also offer some restaurants with the best steaks, and several luxury spas with the best treatments available in the state.
Golden - 58 miles from Silverthorne, CO
Golden, a suburb of Denver and college town, offers fun for the entire family! Ride the trains at the Colorado Railroad Museum, hike Golden Gate Canyon State Park, tube Clear Creek through downtown Golden, and take an obligatory tour of Coors Brewery before calling it a day. Golden might be on the “kid’s favorite” list due to it being host to Dinosaur Ridge a National natural landmark boasting title to being the #1 dinosaur track-site in the United States!
Since you'll be so busy while you're in Golden's city limits, you will have to come back another day to drive the scenic and historic Lariat Loop Byway, stopping to see Red Rocks, Hiwan Homestead Museum, and the Evergreen Lake House and Park.
Buena Vista - 68 miles from Breckenridge, CO
Gawk at the Collegiate Peaks off to the west as you drive in and out of Buena Vista. Raft Brown’s Canyon, climb Turtle Rock, mountain bike or rent an ATV to explore the extensive trail and road system of the Four Mile area.
Looking for something a little slower paced, then walk along the beautiful Arkansas via the Riverside Trail and grab a bite for lunch at one of BV’s tasty restaurants on East or South Main Street. Riverside Park offers a free disc golf course, kayak park, dog park, skate and bike park, pavilion, and even has a rock and ropes course. BV is also home to 2 breweries and a distillery! Located just south of BV is Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, open year round. Mt. Princeton Hot Springs offers multiple pools and even creekside soaking depending on your age and desired hot springs experience.
Glenwood Springs - 87 Miles from Frisco, CO
Stare up the canyon walls and watch river enthusiasts raft and kayak as you drive west through the canyon towards Glenwood Springs. Glenwood Springs is probably most known for its hot springs due to being home to three hot spring venues, Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves, Iron Mountain Hot Springs, & Glenwood Hot Springs, each offering a unique experience. Up for something more adventurous? Not a problem! Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, located at the top of Iron Mountain will be sure to thrill, and includes a scenic gondola ride and is home to 2 caves, both which can be toured.
Glenwood’s historic downtown is great for shopping. While exploring downtown check out their latest art display and try to locate your perfect set of wings painted on buildings, in alleyways, and in nearby parks. For those of you that are planners, you might be able to snag reservations to complete the 3 mile round trip almost vertical hike to Hanging Lake, which might just be Colorado’s most notable hike.
Have more questions about the area? I am more than happy to help! Give me a call today!
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