Entry No. 40 — the Boulder file — filed under: mining-history
Gold Hill Historic District (Colorado's First Mining Town)
Gold Hill was platted on January 15, 1859 — seventeen years before Colorado became a state — making it the oldest permanent mountain mining settlement in the territory, and the people who live here would prefer you not make a big deal of it. At 8,300 feet, original 1860s log cabins line the unpaved main street as occupied private homes, not museum pieces: no interpretive signs, no visitor center, no gift shop, just a small general store and a handful of year-rounders who chose this on purpose. The whole town (population roughly 218) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means the historic district is essentially every structure in sight, and none of them are roped off.
The move: Drive the winding Left Hand Canyon road up to Gold Hill on a weekday, walk the one-block main street, and grab a beer or coffee at the Gold Hill Inn or general store while the 1860s cabins stand around you doing nothing dramatic.
📍 Before you go Access via Left Hand Canyon Drive (CR 94) from Boulder — about 11 miles, paved to the town limits then unpaved main street; high-clearance not required but road can be rough after storms. No dedicated parking lot; street parking on the dirt main road. Snowpack can close or complicate the route in deep winter.
- 📍 Gold Hill
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Gold Hill, CO 80302
Hours: Added 2026-06-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4
last checked: 2026-06-21