You can visit the shops and dine in historic Idaho Springs. Founded in 1859 Idaho Springs was first known simply as Idahoe a derivative of an Arapahoe word that meant gem of the mountains. Later springs was added due to the now popular hot springs. When George Jackson discovered gold on the banks of Clear Creek River little did he know it would be the start of the Colorado Gold Rush. With the first substantial gold discovery in Colorado, Jackson with experience in the California gold fields was drawn to the area by clouds of steam rising from some nearby hot springs. Jackson kept his find secret for several months, but after he paid for some supplies with gold dust, others rushed to Jackson's diggings.

With 3 state parks and Rocky Mountain National Park only an hour away the Colorado Rocky Mountains are literally at your doorstep. This high mountain retreat above the Fall River is bordered by public lands and is the mountain get away everyone is looking for.