Basics
- Location:
- Between Florissant and Canon City, southwest of Colorado Springs
- Setting:
- Flat to Hilly
- Surface:
- Maintained Dirt or Gravel
- Length:
- 135 miles total
- Time:
- 2 to 8 hours
- Season:
- Year-round
Description
The Gold Belt Tour offers an interesting combination of natural wonders, history, and adventure. Views from this area of central Colorado include the famous Pike's Peak and pristine pine and aspen forests. Travelers have several options to choose from when navigating this byway, including several alternate routes through twisty canyons and mountain passes providing for some of the funnest driving in the region. Other attractions along the way include Florissant Fossil beds, which preserves thousands of fossils in a park and museum, and the nearby historic town of Cripple Creek, an intriguing glimpse back into early Colorado life.
Details
Location:
Between Florissant and Canon City, southwest of Colorado Springs
Setting:
Flat to Hilly
Surface:
Maintained Dirt or Gravel
Length:
135 miles total
Time:
2 to 8 hours
One route of the trip will take 2 - 3 hours to drive; allow a full day to drive all three.
One route of the trip will take 2 - 3 hours to drive; allow a full day to drive all three.
Main Roads:
CO-67 S
Season:
Year-round
Camping Info
Shelf Road Climbing Area, Red Canyon
Additional Details:
Certain routes along this byway may become impassable to two-wheel-drive vehicles in wet weather. No vehicles over 25 feet long are allowed on Phantom Canyon Road. Four-wheel-drive is recommended on Upper Shelf Road.
There are several routes possible along this byway. All routes head south from Florissant and split near the south end of Mueller State Park. Passenger vehicles without four wheel drive should take the paved High Park Road (Highway 9). Shelf Road heads south from Cripple Creek and a 4WD vehicle is recommended. Phantom Canyon Road heads southeast from Cripple Creek through Victor, and vehicles longer than 25 feet are not permitted. The south end of the routes is near Canon City and Florence.
