Idaho Springs, CO
I was surprised to see that worldmappin doesn't have a pin for Idaho Springs, CO. It is a beautiful little town right on I-70 going west from Denver. It is about 30 miles west of Denver and is the first town of any substance as you get into the mountains west of Denver. It is impossible to miss and for a lot of people it is a quick lunch stop or a gas-station stop, however the town has a lot more to offer.
When we were staying at Winter Park, CO last month, it was about a 50 min drive south over Berthoud Pass to get there. Idaho Spring is a old Gold Mine town. It's known as the site where the Colorado Gold Rush began in 1859 when prospector George A. Jackson discovered placer gold. That triggered a gold rush. By June that year the 'town' already had 400 residents. I was visiting the city hall and I was told while reading a brochure that the town boomed throughout the 1860s, with estimates of its peak population reaching over 12,000. It quickly became a major supply center for mining activities. Railroad reached Idaho Springs in June 1877. This was a pivotal moment, providing easier access for freight, ore, and passengers, further solidifying Idaho Springs' position as a mining supply center. The town center still have a narrow gauge rail engine with carriages on display.
The building behind the locomotive is the city hall, where I was spending some time in the late afternoon into the evening as my kids were doing some white water rafting in the local river called Clear Creek.
) There are some highly rated whitewater rafting outfitters in Idaho Springs, and my kids chose Rocky Mountain Whitewater Rafting. I am very happy with them.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/eeUtFzxSMmvTZiGb7
They typically focus on Clear Creek, which run right next to their outfit. They cater to different adventure levels, from family-friendly beginner trips with Class II-III rapids to more adventurous intermediate trips with Class III-IV rapids. The beginner trip doesn't require any experience and can be a great family fun. I didn't do it personally, because of my recent neck surgery, but kids had a lot of fun! They provide all equipment and guides and have excellent reviews on google.
While kids did that, I walked around the town to learn the history of the place, which is mostly related to gold mining and railroads.
I also looked at some houses. It is generally a hobby of mine. Whenever, I go to a new town, I look for houses as potential rental properties. Long story short, not a good rental market!
) 
These are the two homes I saw, both were on the market. I really like the second one, but it is hard to make any rental income on these based on the current price point they are at. 4 BR, 2200 sq ft bungalow built in 1907 priced at $400K. It's not a terrible price point, but the home needs about $100K worth of work. In an uncertain rental market where I have no experience out-of-state! Sorry, but no thank you!
But hey, it is an absolutely beautiful town, and if I don't have to work I'd love to live there for a few summer months. Soon, kids were done, and they wanted the other reason they visit the town....Beau Jo's Pizza!
Beau Jo's in Idaho Springs is famous for its Colorado-style "Mountain Pie", a unique pizza designed to be hearty and filling, especially after a day of outdoor activities in the Rocky Mountains. It is basically a very thick crust, and they provide warm honey on the side which you dip the crust and eat! After a long day of jumping around it is wonderful! I looked, I don't have a picture of the pizza :) but you can find many picture here.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/nGmYrZpSrBqYqQfPA
I do have a picture of the town late in the evening when the crowd dies down. It is quite charming at that time and if you look to the left of the frame you can pick up Beau Jo's store front!
) We had a wonderful time here, and visited Beau Jo's three times in a month I think, which is a lot! :)
Comments (9)
Nice! A gold mine town, eh? ⛏️ Perfect spot for a scenic pit stop on the way to the races! 😉
It’s a nice place and very easy to get to.
The feel of the family vacation comes through. I don't think I have to tell you these days will not be repeated. These times are precious, with the family together enjoying summer vacation, together. Even next year, if you were to do it again, it would be different. They would be older.
Thanks for bringing back memories of experiences from long ago.
Oh I know. My older is 14 and she already wants to spend more time with her friends. Just after this vacation she went to Europe with her school. Every year I think this is perhaps the last one. This one might as well be it.
I hope not. If you wait long enough, and you're lucky, the cycle begins again. We had many sweet vacations with my granddaughter over the years. Not the same, but still very much reminiscent of the past. Lovely in its own way.
I hope you are correct.
In 2021 we visited Alaska in the middle of COVID. It was a safe place to visit, with some of the lowest numbers. I friend also was visiting independently with his family and we decided we meet at Seward, AK for a hike. Afterwards in town as we were sitting down having a drink before heading to different directions we simultaneously said the same thing you were mentioning.
Seems like it is a common theme to most parents. We dread if this is our last time or we count how many times can we do it.
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This steam train on the title image associated in my mind with 3rd part of Back to the future)) also as so as today in my country we celebrate Rail Road workers day and I was connected with it I thought that post will be about trains, but reading deeper your post I understood how can be strongly connected history and our current time when I read about this city story look on it's streets photos which saw so many events that hard imagine.
In the American west train was an important thing. Many towns still try to keep that history alive. I think it is a great thing.
Nice post 🦫
That was a very attractive description of Idaho Springs! I would love to see that old locomotive and the historical atmosphere of the city up close one day. Thank you for introducing this lesser-known but incredibly beautiful spot!
It is relatively easy to get to for a local, but not that important if you have to travel across the continent to see it.
This looks like a pretty cool place to visit. I like that it has a lot of history. We didn't go much past Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National park when we were out there. It sounds like you had a really great time exploring!
Yes, really pretty area. Relatively less crowded compared to Estes Park, because it doesn’t get the national park traffic.
I'll have to add it to my list!
I passed by Idaho Springs last year when we were going to Denver from Glenwood Springs so didn't stop, too many places to see en route and we were eager to get to Denver after being on the road for over two weeks.
Of the price point and return is acceptable, would you invest out of state? There's a lot more risk and costs investing in unfamiliar territory
Out of state investments is common. Especially Texas residents love to buy second homes in Colorado. It is the first state they can get away from summer heat and has reliable winter ski season.
There are good property management firms here who help with logistics. Two most important things are price point and interest rate. Both are unfavorable now.
That locomotive is awesome. I’d love to do a proper photo series on it, I’m a big fan of those iron monsters. They have such a powerful presence. I can totally see myself spending a good while there with my camera.
Yes. It is well preserved and very picturesque. It was in a park right next to the city hall.