Idaho Springs Basecamp
Activities: Whitewater Rafting
Rivers: Clear Creek
Retail: Rafting memorabilia, Photos
Use the "get directions" form below the map to get driving directions
When George Andrew Jackson stumbled upon gold near Idaho Springs in 1859, it was the first major stash discovered in Colorado. Today, Idaho Springs offers a picture of how the gold rush began in Colorado. Idaho Springs’ downtown district is on the National Register of Historic Places and visitors can explore museums, a working mine, a pioneer cemetery and other glimpses into Colorado’s mining history. When you stop in Idaho Springs to glimpse a piece of history, don't forget to make plans for the ultimate Colorado adventure: whitewater rafting on Clear Creek.
When the Colorado gold rush
began, some 50,000 treasure-seeking pioneers streamed into Idaho Springs, Clear
Creek Canyon and the surrounding Colorado towns. One area near Idaho Springs,
Colorado has been dubbed the richest square mile on Earth. As miners explored deeper
underground, the 4.5-mile Argo Tunnel was dug from Idaho Springs to Central
City to prevent flooding in the maze of Colorado mineshafts. At the Idaho Springs
end of the tunnel? The Argo Gold Mine & Mill. It’s a National Historic site,
it serves as our boathouse and it sits right on the banks of Clear Creek.
All Clear Creek whitewater rafting trips meet at our Idaho Springs Basecamp.
When you check in for a Clear Creek rafting adventure, you’ll stand inside the mill, where ore was
processed over 100 years ago. Self-guided tours cover the Double Eagle gold
mine and tools used by miners many years ago. Gold panning, anyone?
Post-rafting, peruse the
Idaho Springs Downtown District. In a few short blocks you’ll find Colorado
microbrews, locally roasted coffee, homemade ice cream, natural mineral springs
and historic mining equipment. Now this is Colorado. Use the "Get Directions" form below the map to get printable driving directions to Idaho Springs, Colorado.
