The aspens along Highway 24 turn gold before most Front Range neighborhoods have even started thinking about sweaters, and by the time a Colorado Springs driver hits the switchbacks past Divide, entire hillsides are shimmering yellow against dark spruce. You could turn around and drive home in the dark, tired and hungry. Or you could plan the day so it ends with dinner, a few hands at the tables, and a warm bed on Bennett Avenue instead of headlights on a mountain curve.
Key Takeaways
- Peak color arrives early: Elevation near Cripple Creek sits around 9,494 feet, so aspens typically turn one to two weeks ahead of Colorado Springs.
- Two routes, two experiences: Highway 24 is the faster direct drive, while the Gold Belt Tour byway trades a few extra minutes for slower, more scenic mining-district views.
- Dress in layers: Temperatures at elevation run noticeably cooler than the Front Range, even on a sunny fall afternoon.
- Bennett Avenue covers the whole evening: Dinner, gaming, and lodging all sit within walking distance of each other in Cripple Creek.
- An overnight beats a rushed drive home: Booking a room turns a long round trip into a relaxed two-day getaway.
1. Why This Route Is One of Colorado’s Best Fall Drives
The drive from Colorado Springs to Cripple Creek climbs roughly two thousand feet in under an hour, and that elevation change is exactly what makes the fall color display so dramatic. Aspen groves that stay green in the city are already flashing gold and orange by the time you pass through Woodland Park, and the higher you climb toward Divide and beyond, the more concentrated the color gets. Add in mountain backdrops, old mining-era architecture, and a route short enough to do as a day trip, and it is easy to see why locals treat this stretch as one of the region’s reliable autumn traditions.
What sets this drive apart from other Front Range fall foliage routes is how little time it demands. You are not committing to a full-day mountain pass expedition. A guest can leave Colorado Springs after breakfast, take a leisurely route with stops, arrive in Cripple Creek by early afternoon, and still have the whole evening ahead for dinner and the casino floor. That efficiency is part of what makes it a favorite for people who want a real getaway without giving up an entire weekend.
A Gold Rush Backdrop
Cripple Creek’s mining heritage adds character you will not find on a typical mountain drive. The town’s Victorian-era buildings along Bennett Avenue, many dating back to the gold rush boom of the 1890s, sit against hillsides that turn gold themselves each fall. It is a fitting pairing: a town built on gold, framed by aspens doing their best impression of it every September and October.
A Manageable Distance for a Day or a Night
The drive covers roughly forty-five miles from Colorado Springs, depending on which route you take, which keeps it accessible for a spontaneous weekend plan. Whether you are coming from Colorado Springs proper, Woodland Park, or even Pueblo West, the distance is short enough that fall color viewing does not require an early alarm or a late return.
2. Best Time of Year to See Peak Color Near Cripple Creek
Timing a fall foliage drive is part science, part luck, and elevation is the biggest variable working in your favor near Cripple Creek. Because the town sits at 9,494 feet, well above Colorado Springs, the aspens here typically shift into full color before lower-elevation stands along the Front Range. That means visitors who wait for peak color to hit their own neighborhood often miss the best window in the high country entirely.
Cooler nighttime temperatures at altitude are what trigger the chlorophyll breakdown that produces those gold and orange hues, and Cripple Creek’s higher, cooler climate accelerates that process compared to Colorado Springs. It is a small geographic quirk that rewards visitors who plan a trip slightly earlier than instinct might suggest.
A General Window, Not a Guarantee
Late September into early October is typically when color peaks in the higher elevations around Cripple Creek, though the exact timing shifts year to year based on temperature and moisture. A cold snap can accelerate the turn, while a warm, dry stretch can delay it. Checking recent color reports or simply calling ahead to local businesses in the days before your trip is the most reliable way to time a visit well.
Weekday Trips for a Quieter Drive
Fall weekends bring more traffic to Highway 24 and the surrounding byways, especially on clear, sunny days when everyone in the region seems to have the same idea. A Tuesday or Wednesday drive up often means fewer cars pulled over at overlooks, easier parking in Cripple Creek, and a more relaxed pace throughout the day.
3. Choosing Your Route: Highway 24 vs the Gold Belt Tour Byway
There is more than one way to get from Colorado Springs to Cripple Creek, and the route you choose changes the character of the drive itself. Highway 24 west through Woodland Park and then south on Highway 67 is the most direct path, and it is the one most day-trippers default to when time is tight. The Gold Belt Tour scenic byway, by contrast, is a designated scenic route that winds through old mining towns and offers a slower, more immersive experience of the region’s gold rush history alongside the fall color.
Neither route is objectively better. It comes down to how much time you want to spend behind the windshield versus how much you want the drive itself to be part of the day’s entertainment.
| Feature | Highway 24 / Highway 67 | Gold Belt Tour Byway |
|---|---|---|
| Total drive time | Shortest, roughly 50 to 60 minutes | Longer, closer to 90 minutes to 2 hours |
| Road type | Paved highway throughout | Mix of paved and unpaved sections |
| Scenery focus | Mountain views, aspen groves | Historic mining sites, canyon views, aspens |
| Best for | Time-conscious day trips | Travelers who want the drive to be the destination |
| Vehicle considerations | Standard vehicle, any season | Check conditions before fall or winter travel |
For most Front Range visitors, the practical answer is to take one route up and the other back, turning the trip into a loop rather than a there-and-back drive. That approach doubles the scenery without adding much extra time, since both routes converge near Cripple Creek anyway.
Highway 24: The Direct Path
Highway 24 west from Colorado Springs through Woodland Park is fully paved, well maintained, and the fastest way to reach Cripple Creek. It is also a legitimate fall color drive in its own right, with long stretches of aspen visible from the road, particularly in the miles approaching Divide. For visitors short on time or less comfortable with unpaved roads, this is the reliable choice.
The Gold Belt Tour: A Slower, Richer Detour
The Gold Belt Tour scenic byway winds through the historic mining district connecting Cripple Creek and Victor, with stretches that pass old mine structures, canyon overlooks, and expansive views of the surrounding hills. Some segments are unpaved, so checking current road conditions before an autumn trip is worth the extra few minutes, especially if an early snow has moved through the high country.
Combining Both for a Loop Drive
Driving Highway 24 on the way up and looping back through the Gold Belt Tour, or vice versa, gives visitors the best of both routes in a single trip. It also spreads out the scenic stops, so the drive there and the drive home each offer something different rather than repeating the same views twice.
4. Scenic Stops and Overlooks Worth the Detour
A fall color drive is only as good as its stops, and this route offers several worth building extra time into your schedule for. The key is resisting the urge to just drive straight through. Pulling off at even two or three points along the way transforms the trip from a commute into an actual outing.
Woodland Park itself makes a natural first stop, with a walkable downtown and views back toward Pikes Peak that are especially striking once the surrounding hillsides turn color. From there, the drive south toward Divide and Cripple Creek opens up into wider valley views where aspen stands cluster along drainages and hillsides in dense pockets of gold.
Divide and the Approach to the High Country
The stretch near Divide marks a noticeable shift in elevation and scenery, with the terrain opening into broader meadows framed by aspen groves. This section tends to hold color a bit longer into the season than lower elevations closer to Colorado Springs, making it a good bet even if you are running slightly behind the earliest part of the peak window.
Mining District Overlooks Along the Byway
For travelers taking the Gold Belt Tour, several pullouts near Victor offer views over old mine workings set against the fall hillsides, a combination of industrial history and natural color that is unique to this part of Colorado. These stops require little extra time but add real texture to the drive, especially for first-time visitors unfamiliar with the region’s gold rush past.
Photo Stops Without the Crowds
Because this route is shorter and less trafficked than some of Colorado’s more famous fall drives, it is possible to find quiet pullouts even on a nice weekend. Early morning or late afternoon light tends to bring out the richest color in photos, so timing your stops around those windows, rather than midday, is worth the small planning effort.
5. What to Pack for a Cooler, Higher Elevation Drive
Cripple Creek’s elevation means the weather can feel like an entirely different season compared to what you left behind in Colorado Springs. A sunny 70-degree afternoon at home can easily be 15 to 20 degrees cooler once you have climbed into the high country, and that gap widens further after sunset. Packing for the destination, not just the departure point, prevents an uncomfortable evening on Bennett Avenue.
Layers are the simplest solution. A light jacket or fleece that felt unnecessary in the car can become essential the moment you step outside at the casino entrance after dark, especially as fall temperatures drop quickly once the sun dips behind the hills.
Layering for a Day That Changes Fast
Mornings can start crisp, midday often warms up nicely in direct sun, and evenings cool off fast once the sun sets behind the surrounding peaks. A base layer, a mid layer like a fleece or sweater, and a wind resistant outer layer covers the full range without requiring a suitcase. Comfortable closed-toe shoes are also worth prioritizing if you plan to walk Bennett Avenue or take any of the overlooks on foot.
Practical Extras for the Drive
A full tank of gas before leaving Colorado Springs is a smart habit, since fuel stops thin out once you are off the main highway corridor. A phone charger, a paper map or downloaded offline map as backup, and a small cooler with water and snacks round out the basics for a smooth trip up and back.
Weather Checks Before You Leave
Mountain weather changes quickly, and an early season cold front can bring snow flurries to Cripple Creek even while Colorado Springs stays clear. Checking a mountain-specific forecast the morning of your trip, rather than relying on your home weather app, gives a more accurate picture of what to expect once you climb in elevation.
6. Where to Warm Up and Refuel on Bennett Avenue
After a few hours of driving and stopping for photos, the reward is stepping into a warm, lively space on Bennett Avenue where the day’s cool mountain air gives way to good food and an easy evening. This is where the plan shifts from scenic drive to full getaway, and it is the part of the day that turns a fall color trip into something worth doing again next season.
Triple Crown Casinos operates three connected properties on Bennett Avenue, the Midnight Rose, McGills, and The Brass Ass, and having three distinct spots within walking distance of each other means there is no need to get back in the car once you arrive. Grab dinner at one, wander over to another for the casino floor, and finish the evening without ever facing a cold walk to a parking lot.
Dinner After a Day in the Cold
A hot meal is the natural first stop after a day outdoors, and the on-site restaurants across the three properties give visitors options ranging from casual comfort food to a sit-down dinner, all without leaving Bennett Avenue. It is a simple thing, but after a chilly afternoon at 9,494 feet, a warm plate of food and an indoor seat go a long way.
Time on the Casino Floor
With over 690 slot machines across the three connected properties, there is plenty to explore whether you are settling in for the evening or just testing a few machines before dinner. Mountain Jackpot readers have voted Triple Crown Casinos as having the Loosest Slots for nine consecutive years, and the floor also includes live and electronic table games along with a poker room for guests who want more than slots. First-time visitors should not feel intimidated. Staff on the floor are used to guiding newcomers through how a machine or a table game works, and the atmosphere leans welcoming rather than high pressure.
A Locally Owned Alternative to a Corporate Casino Floor
Triple Crown Casinos is locally owned and operated, which stands out in a market where several competitors are part of national or publicly traded chains. That local ownership shows up in small ways, the recognition from Mountain Jackpot’s reader poll, the AAA Inspected Clean designation, and 2026 recognition for Best Employees, Safest and Cleanest Casinos, and Best Table Games. For visitors who want their evening spent supporting a business that is genuinely part of the Cripple Creek community, that distinction matters.
7. Making It an Overnight Trip Instead of a Day Trip
The single best decision a day-trip visitor can make is to not treat it as a day trip at all. Driving down Highway 24 in the dark after a full evening on the casino floor is a far less relaxing end to the day than walking a few steps to a hotel room. Once you have already made the drive, spent the afternoon chasing fall color, and settled into dinner and gaming, adding a night’s stay turns a rushed round trip into an actual getaway.
Triple Crown Casinos operates two on-site hotels connected to the casino properties on Bennett Avenue, which means guests can go from the tables to their room without needing a car at all. That convenience matters especially in fall, when temperatures drop fast after dark and nobody wants to scrape frost off a windshield for a late drive home.
Why an Overnight Beats the Drive Home
Beyond simple comfort, staying overnight means you are not rushing the evening to beat traffic or make sure you are home at a reasonable hour. You can linger over a second cup of coffee at breakfast the next morning, take one more slow drive through town to see the color in different morning light, and head back to Colorado Springs without the pressure of a nighttime mountain drive behind you.
Earning Value Through Triple Rewards
Joining Triple Rewards before or during your visit adds value to an overnight stay, since the loyalty program lets guests earn benefits through their time on the casino floor across all three connected properties. For visitors who make this drive more than once a season, whether it is spring wildflowers, summer weekends, or the fall color show, Triple Rewards is built to reward the guests who keep coming back rather than treating every trip like a first visit.
Planning the Return Drive
If you do decide to head home the same evening, planning your departure time around remaining daylight makes the return trip far more pleasant, and it lets you catch a second look at the color on the way down that you might have missed on the way up. But for anyone who has the flexibility, staying the night is simply the more comfortable, more complete way to experience this drive.
FAQs
What is the best time in fall to drive from Colorado Springs to Cripple Creek for the colors?
Late September into early October typically brings peak color to the higher elevations around Cripple Creek, since the town’s 9,494 foot elevation causes aspens to turn earlier than the Front Range. Timing shifts slightly each year with weather, so checking recent conditions close to your trip date helps.
Is the Gold Belt Tour byway open and safe to drive in the fall?
The Gold Belt Tour includes both paved and unpaved sections, and most of it is drivable in a standard vehicle during dry fall conditions. Check current conditions before an early season trip, since an early snow or heavy rain can affect the unpaved stretches.
How far is Cripple Creek from Colorado Springs?
Cripple Creek is roughly forty five miles from Colorado Springs, depending on your chosen route, and the drive typically takes about an hour on Highway 24 and Highway 67. The Gold Belt Tour byway adds extra time but offers a more scenic path.
Do I need to be a certain age to enter the casino floor in Cripple Creek?
Yes, guests must be at least 21 years old with valid identification to enter the casino floor at any of the three Triple Crown Casinos properties. This applies to gaming areas across the Midnight Rose, McGills, and The Brass Ass.
Are the casinos and restaurants on Bennett Avenue smoke free?
Yes, Triple Crown Casinos maintains a smoke free policy across its properties on Bennett Avenue. This applies to the casino floors and on-site dining areas at the Midnight Rose, McGills, and The Brass Ass.
Conclusion
A fall colors drive from Colorado Springs to Cripple Creek does not have to end the moment the sun goes down behind the hills. Choosing between Highway 24 and the Gold Belt Tour byway, timing the trip for peak color, packing the right layers, and building in real stops along the way all turn a simple drive into a full day worth planning around. The final piece, and arguably the best one, is what happens once you reach Bennett Avenue.
Triple Crown Casinos has been part of that Bennett Avenue evening since the Midnight Rose opened in 1992, with McGills following in 1997 and The Brass Ass, the oldest casino in Cripple Creek, opening in 2005. As a locally owned operator of three connected properties, Triple Crown Casinos gives fall color visitors a genuine reason to stay past dinner, whether that means a few hands at the tables, a meal at one of the on-site restaurants, or a room for the night instead of a cold drive home.
Explore Triple Crown Casinos to see what a Bennett Avenue evening looks like after a day chasing fall color on the drive up from Colorado Springs. From dinner to the casino floor to a room just steps away, it is the easiest way to turn a scenic drive into a complete getaway.
