ACTIVITIES IN BLACK HAWK, CO

Maryland Mountain Quartz Valley Open Space Park

Maryland Mountain Quartz Valley Open Space Park is an outdoor day-use recreation park for walking, hiking, running, mountain biking, picnicking, and wildlife observation. In 2020, the City of Black Hawk opened the Hidden Treasure Trailhead and corresponding bridge linking to the City’s open space.

The trail system weaves around and through Maryland Mountain, Chase Gulch, Quartz Valley, and the historic narrow gauge Gilpin Tramway. Hikers and bikers will enjoy vistas and panoramic views of Black Hawk, Central City, and the northern rural regions of Gilpin County. The park also includes interesting historical sites, such as the Bonanza Mill, the Belden & Tennal Stamp Mill, the Robert Emmet Mine, and the Queen of the West Mine, to name a few.

The Maryland Mountain trail system has opportunities for various levels of interest and ability. Whether  you are hoping to complete a leisurely mile or a longer summit climb, you will surely find a piece of Black Hawk’s rich history and abundant beauty during your outdoor adventure.

DENVER WEST / CENTRAL CITY KOA

The Denver West / Central City KOA campground has many RV sites for you! They are considered “Big-Rig Friendly” with many pull-through sites – all with 50-amp full hookups, cable TV and Wi-Fi. The campground’s amenities include a clubhouse, hot tubs, mini-mart, souvenir shop, laundry and showers. They are within easy driving distance of casinos, the Red Rocks Amphitheater, Coors and Budweiser breweries, the Denver Zoo and many other attractions.

You’ll enjoy the family-friendly campground service!
Whispering Pines KOA, 605 Lake Gulch Road Central City, CO 80427

Phone: 303-582-3043; 1-800-562-8613

GOLDEN GATE STATE PARK – REVEREND’S RIDGE

Reverend’s Ridge Campground has 97 sites and accommodates trailers, pickup campers and tents. Facilities include flush toilets, shower and laundry facilities and a dump station. Some facilities are closed during cold weather months. Fifty-nine campsites at Reverend’s Ridge have electrical hookups. Non-electrical sites are $14 per night, and electrical sites are $18 per night plus the vehicle park pass. Each site is limited to a maximum of 6 people. View the Reverend’s Ridge Campground Map.

Reverend’s Ridge office is located off of Gap Road. The office is open seven days a week from Memorial Day weekend through September 30, Sunday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00p.m.

Phone: 303-642-3856

KELLY DAHL CAMPGROUND – ROOSEVELT NATIONAL FOREST

Situated in a wooded setting adjacent to the Peak-to-Peak National Scenic Byway. The campground provides the visitor with spectacular views of the Continental Divide. Other historic sites nearby include the Rollins Pass (Moffat Road) abandoned Railroad grade. Four-wheel-drive roads can be found in the Tolland to Apex to Idaho Springs area.

Kelly Dahl is the closest Forest Service campground to the city of Boulder. Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash at all times. It is usually among the last of Boulder Ranger District’s campgrounds to fill up on weekends; however, reservations are recommended, especially around major holidays. Full-service camping is generally available from Memorial Day through mid-October.

Our Daily Fee: $16 per site per night

Reservations Accepted: Sites #21 – 46 are reservable from Memorial Day weekend through mid-September.

Services: Picnic tables, fire rings, grills, water, vault toilets and trash services are provided. There are no electrical hook-ups, dump stations or showers. There is a playground suitable for small children.

Sites: There are 46 sites that will accommodate tents and campers, trailers, and motor homes. A maximum of 8 people are allowed per site.

Maximum Vehicle Length: 40′

Location: Drive approximately 17 miles west of Boulder on Colorado Highway 119 to the town of Nederland. Continue south on Colorado Highway 119. The entrance to Kelly Dahl Campground is located on the east side of the highway at mile-marker 22, about four miles south of Nederland and approximately two miles north of Rollinsville.

Visit the Kelly Dahl Campground web site.

COLUMBINE CAMPGROUND

Columbine Campground is located about 5 miles from Black Hawk at an elevation of 9,200 feet. The campground is situated in a grove of aspen and lodgepole pine. There are forty seven sites in the campground. Forty three are suitable for RV camping and 4 are more suitable for tents. Most of the sites are heavily wooded. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring or grate. The maximum vehicle length that can be accommodated is 55 feet.

The roads through the campground are dirt. There are 6 water hydrants and 4 restrooms. One of the restrooms will accommodate disabled persons and is located on the lower loop. Camp sites in this campground are reservable. The season for this campground normally runs from late May through mid-September, depending on the weather. Bears have been known to frequent the area. Check with the Forest Service for the current fees.

Phone: 303.567.3000

Visit the Columbine Campground web site.

THE PEAK-TO-PEAK HIGHWAY

The Peak-to-Peak Highway was established in 1918, making it Colorado’s oldest scenic byway. Its 63 mile journey begins in Central City and ends in beautiful Estes Park, with attractions and beautiful views the whole way.

MOUNT EVANS SCENIC BYWAY

The 28-mile Mount Evans Highway is the nation’s highest automobile road and doubles as a national forest scenic byway. It climbs from Idaho Springs to the 14,264-foot summit of Mount Evans, and features some stunning views of the eastern plains. We recommend that you check the road’s status beforehand, as weather will occasionally close it down. The drive isn’t for the faint at heart, as the road drops off precipitously in same places, and the air at the top is quite thin.

GUANELLA PASS

This relatively short drive between Grant and Georgetown passes over 11,700 foot Guanella Pass, and offers great views of a variety of Colorado ecosystems. The lower elevations of the drive feature thick stands of native trees, while higher elevations give way to treeless tundra, ripe with wildflowers in the summer months.

LARIAT LOOP

For something a little different than the other byways featured above, we recommend the Lariat Loop, a 40 mile drive through the foothills near Denver, through the towns of Golden, Evergreen, and Morrison. Explore a variety of open space parks, museums, and heritage sites, including the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater, or just take in the unique geologic scenery along the way.

LOVELAND SKI AREA

Near to the hearts and homes of generations of Colorado skiers and riders, Loveland is Colorado’s true winter wonderland. Just 53 miles west of Denver, Loveland boasts 1,800 acres of remarkable terrain, free snowcat skiing along the Continental Divide, an innovative lesson program and more snow than any Front Range or Summit County resort. Loveland is home for those that simply want to ski or ride.

BRECKENRIDGE

Situated about an hour and twenty minutes from Black Hawk, this immensely popular resort is sure to please skiers and boarders of any ability. Advanced skiers will love Breckenridge’s European-style bowls, while boarders are sure to rave about the highly regarded terrain parks. Families and younger, less experienced riders will also have plenty to enjoy on Breck’s 2,300+ acres of skiable terrain.

ELDORA

With a drive time of under 40 minutes, this is the closest resort to Black Hawk, and a perennial local’s favorite. Affordable lift tickets and a different crowd make this a unique destination among Colorado ski resorts.

ECHO MOUNTAIN

Echo Mountain, Colorado’s newest mountain resort, is a mere 45 minutes from Black Hawk, and sets itself apart from other, larger mountain resorts by focusing on the on-mountain experience, rather than food or lodging. If all you want is some time on the snow, this is your place.

KEYSTONE

Keystone is a little over an hour’s drive from Black Hawk, and is unique among Colorado ski destinations in one popular respect: when most other resorts start après ski, Keystone turns on the lights, letting skiers keep going into the night!