10 Underground Adventures Found in Colorado’s Caves and Gold Mines
Not only is Colorado loaded with excellent gold mine tours, but there are also plenty of incredible caves you can safely explore in the summer. Some are well-known roadside attractions like Colorado's Cave of the Winds; others let you see some of Colorado's most famous gold mines from a long-lost era.
Keep going to check out 10 underground adventures you can enjoy this summer that all include free air-conditioning because they are all well underground.
Ten Cool Underground Adventures in Colorado
Always follow posted signs and follow all safety instructions when going underground. Mines will include guided tours, as do some of the caves. Before visiting a cave on your own, always check with the Forest Service for safety and permit information before heading out.
Got a favorite underground adventure in Colorado? Open our station app and share it with us after you scroll through the list below.
Cave of the Winds
- Name: Cave of the Winds
- Location: Manitou Springs
- Discovered: 1880
- Tour Info: Tap this link to tour the Cave of the Winds.
- Directions: Tap this link for directions to the Cave of the Winds.
Argo Gold Mill
- Name: Argo Gold Mill
- Location: Idaho Springs, Colorado
- Established: 1912
- Tour Info: Tap this link to learn more about tours of the Argo Gold Mill.
- Directions: Tap this link for directions to the Argo Gold Mill.
South Fork Spring Cave
- Name: South Fork Spring Cave
- Location: Flat Tops Wilderness (Meeker, Colorado)
- Discovered: 1891
- Find It: Tap this link to hike to Spring Cave.
- Directions: Tap this link for directions to South Fork Spring Cave.
Country Boy Mine
- Name: Country Boy Mine
- Location: Breckenridge, Colorado
- Established: 1887
- Tour Info: Tap this link for mine tours and gold panning at the Country Boy Mine.
- Directions: Tap this link for directions to the Country Boy Mine near Breckenridge.
Mollie Katherine Gold Mine
- Name: Mollie Katherine Gold Mine
- Location: Cripple Creek, Colorado
- Established: 1891
- Tour Info: Tap this link to make tour arrangements with the Mollie Katherine Gold Mine.
- Directions: Tap this link for directions to the gold mine tour in Cripple Creek.
Bachelor Syracuse Mine Tour
- Name: Bachelor Syracuse Mine Tour
- Location: Ouray, Colorado
- Established: 1884
- Tour Info: Tap this link to tour the Bachelor Syracuse Mine.
- Directions: Tap this link for directions to the Bachelor Syracuse Mine Tour.
Florissant Fossil Quarry
- Name: Florissant Fossil Quarry
- Location: Florissant, Colorado
- Established: 1871
- Tour Info: Hike the Florissant trails.
- Directions: Tap this link for directions to Florissant, Colorado.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure
- Name: Glenwood Caverns Adventure
- Location: Glenwood Springs, Colorado
- Established: Caves opened to the public in 1895
- Tour Info: Tap this link to tour the caves in Glenwood Canyon Adventure Park.
- Directions: Tap this link for directions to the caves at Glenwood Canyon Adventure Park.
Phoenix Gold Mine
- Name: Phoenix Gold Mine
- Location: Idaho Springs, Colorado
- Established: 1875
- Tour Info: Tap this link to tour the Phoenix Gold Mine.
- Directions: Tap this link for directions to the Phoenix Mine.
Hidee Gold Mine
- Name: Hidee Gold Mine
- Location: Central City, Colorado
- Established: 1896
- Tour Info: Tap this link to tour the historic Hidee Gold Mine.
- Directions: Tap the link for directions to Hidee Mine in Central City.