16 Fun Things to Do in Idaho Springs Colorado From a Digital Nomad Who Lived There
Updated November 10, 2025
If you’re looking to spend some time enjoying Colorado’s natural beauty without elbowing through all the Estes Park tourists, I highly recommend Idaho Springs. I spent a month living in this underrated mountain town as a digital nomad and loved it because it had it all–charming downtown streets, cozy cafes, hot springs, and easy access to some of the best hikes and scenic drives in the state.
Just an hour away from Denver and two-ish hours away from Rocky Mountain National Park, let’s get into some of the best things to do in Idaho Springs and why it deserves a spot on your Colorado bucket list.
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Top Things to do in Idaho Springs Colorado
Downtown Idaho Springs at dusk
What to Do Downtown
1. Stroll around
If you like cute downtowns, you’re in luck. Idaho Springs has consignment shops, coffee shops, a bakery, a brewery, and more. And most, if not all, are located right on Miner Street and are easy to walk to. Idaho Springs is not very big. Top picks:
Clear Creek Cidery 1446 Miner St
Tommyknocker Brewery 1401 Miner St
Beau Jo’s Pizza 1517 Miner St
The Frothy Cup 1510 Miner St
Mural at The Frothy Cup. Eye opening.
2. Relax in hot springs
Indian Hot Springs
302 Soda Creek Rd
Choose between soaking in the main pool or sweating it out in the geothermal caves—both feel divine after a long hike. This is the closest hot springs to Denver.
3. Get some discounted outdoor wear
You know how people say to go to thrift stores in wealthy neighborhoods to have a better chance at finding designer goods? This is kind of the same principle–if you go to the consignment shops in outdoorsy areas, you will get your fill of affordable fleece, ski pants, heavy coats, and accessories. The Miner Street consignment shops are goldmines (pun intended) for cute hiking fits.
4. Check out the Charlie Taylor Water Wheel
An Idaho Springs staple. You can’t miss it–it’s right off I-70 and is a short walk. They even decorate it for holidays!
I believe there was some Karen on Facebook that didn’t like the pumpkin. Boo!
Adventurous and Outdoorsy Things to Do
5. Tour a gold mine
Weird scenes inside the gold mines…
Okay, enough of that. At Argo Mill and Tunnel, you can learn all about the Colorado gold rush and even pan for gold yourself!
6. Drive to the top of a mountain
There are two CO fourtneeners (a mountain that’s 14,000 ft. elevation) you can drive right up–one is Mount Blue Sky (f.k.a. Mt. Evans), and the other is Pike’s Peak in Colorado Springs. Mount Blue Sky is just outside of Idaho Springs. You will need a reservation. Get it here. NOTE: Mount Blue Sky is closed for 2025 due to construction. It will reopen in 2026.
Luckily, there are other mountain passes nearby you can drive up, just not as high:
Guanella Pass. Starting in nearby Georgetown, this scenic drive is the road to Mt. Bierstadt. Plenty of amazing views along the way.
Loveland Pass. This pass is famous for being the highest mountain pass in the world that’s open year-round! But I wouldn’t want to drive it in winter… See fantastic views of the Continental divide!
7. Go skiing
A great option in Idaho Springs is Echo Mountain. It’s beginner-friendly and has a tubing hill. I’m more of a tuber than a skiier, personally.
Bonus: If you bring along that special someone, you can even get married at Echo Mountain and have your wedding photos taken right on the ski lift! The adventures of Adventure Couple…
8. Go Off-Roading
Rent a Jeep and drive old mining roads, see ghost towns, and take in spectacular mountain views that not many people get to see! Here is a tour option where you have a guide, but drive your own Jeep!
9. Go White Water Rafting
I had so much fun doing this I had to do it twice! Here is a beginner-friendly option right on Clear Creek.
10. Drive Oh My God Road
If you’re in more of a driving than a hiking mood, here’s where you want to go. You’ll get plenty of gorgeous mountain views (omg) along with scary drop-offs (omg). This drive is best done in the summer.
Hiking in Idaho Springs
St. Mary’s Lake
St. Mary’s Glacier
11. Hike to a glacier
Take a short, 20-minute drive up the mountain to St. Mary’s Glacier. Then hike to it! You’re in for a treat. This is a steep uphill hike on very rocky terrain, but it’s super short and well worth it! St. Mary’s Lake is one of the most gorgeous lakes I’ve seen.
12. Hike a Fourteener
If you’d rather hike up Mount Blue Sky than drive it, feel free. It’s known as one of the “easier” fourteeners, so it’s a good option for experienced hikers who want to tackle their first fourteener. Again, you do need reservations, and the standard route from Summit Lake is closed for the 2025 season.
View of alpine lakes from the James Peak trail
13. Hike a Thirteener
Why hike a thirteener instead a fourteener? A fourteener is only one more eener…
Thirteeners are a bit less crowded and more chill than fourteeners, particularly the popular, “easier” fourtneers such as Blue Sky and Bierstadt (don’t get me wrong, there’s no such thing as an easy fourteener!). James Peak is a spectacular thirteener that’s located on the same trail as St. Mary’s Glacier. You’ll experience beautiful views, and for the most part, mountain solitude.
Echo Lake
14. Hike to Echo Lake
CO-103 & Mt Evans Rd, Evergreen, CO 80439
A beautiful hike! Enjoy the relaxing views.
15. Hike Chief Mountain Trail
A very popular hike–it’s 2.8 miles out and back, is moderately challenging, and has spectacular views!
P. Hughes, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Slightly Off the Beaten Path
16. Ride the Georgetown Loop Railroad
646 Loop Drive Devil’s Gate Depot, Georgetown, CO
Take a 15-minute drive to nearby Georgetown and ride the old-timey train. Take in beautiful mountain views and see remains of old gold and silver mines.
Day trips from Idaho Springs
Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park. RMNP is a must-do if you’re anywhere near it. Whether you want to hike or just drive around and take in the views, it’s well worth it. And while you’re there, Estes Park is worth checking out too, especially if you’ve never been.
Denver. If you’re craving city life, Denver is only about an hour away.
Colorado Springs. For even more natural beauty, check out Colorado Springs! At a little over an hour and a half away, it’s home to the beautiful Garden of the Gods, another great hiking area.
Elgie at Garden of the Gods
Golden. So many great hikes in Golden, and it’s only a half hour away!
Glenwood Springs. Want to trade one cute mountain town for another? Glenwood Springs is your spot! At just over 2 hours away, you’ll find hot springs (the world’s largest!), natural beauty, and some of the most delicious donuts you’ll ever have!
Worth the trip…
Weekend Trips from Idaho Springs
Downtown Telluride
The Western Slope/Telluride: Western Colorado has some of the most gorgeous scenery you’ll ever see. Telluride is a picturesque mountain town and is very dog-friendly. Dogs can even go on the ski lift!
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Another natural wonder in Colorado. Check this underrated national park off your list!
Where to Stay in Idaho Springs
I was lucky enough to find a place in scenic St. Mary through Furnished Finder, my go-to as a digital nomad. Here are some hotels in Idaho Springs:
Budget option: H&H Motor Lodge
Nice views: Argo Inn and Suites
Map of where to stay in Idaho Springs:
When’s the best time to visit Idaho Springs?
It depends on what you’re looking for. The summer months will be the most temperate and the most enjoyable for outdoor activities. Summer is also the busiest season. Fall (when I went) is the slow season, but personally, as an introvert, I live for a good slow season.
Seasonal Fun in Idaho Springs
Here’s a quick overview of the most popular activities by season:
Summer: Whitewater rafting, wildflower hikes, patio dining
Fall: Fall leaves along Guanella Pass
Winter: Tubing and hot springs (ultimate combo)
Spring: Quieter trails, waterfalls at peak flow
The takeaway: Is visiting Idaho Springs worth it?
Yes! I found it to be the perfect blend of lively downtown and mountain solitude. It’s not as crowded as Estes Park and is an absolutely beautiful, charming place that’s convenient to many Colorado attractions! I loved living here and would stay here again.
