Click here to go to the Creede Underground Mining Museum page

Creede - Southwest Colorado

Experience Creede, Colorado

Isolated and picturesque, Creede, at 8,854', is in Mineral County where 95 percent of the land is national forest or wilderness. Prospector Nicholas Creede discovered silver here in 1889 and one of his mines, the Amethyst, produced $2 million one year. What attracted hundreds of miners also brought crooks: "Soapy" Smith opened the Orleans Club to separate miners from their riches. He was eventually banned from Creede which was also home to other famous westerners, including Calamity Jane and Bob Ford, the man who shot Jesse James in the back. Today, the old mining town atmosphere still exists in restaurants, shops and the Creede Repertory Theater. North Creede, Spar City, and Bachelor are all ghost towns located within 14 miles of Creede.

Historic downtown of Creede, Colorado with Canyon in the background
Shop, Eat and Discover Downtown Creede
Donkey dash competition along mountain trail in Creede, Colorado
Annual Creede Donkey Dash Every June
 

The Wheeler Geologic Area, 24 miles northeast, is a photographer's dream: unusual volcanic rock formations have earned it the name City of Gnomes.

The Commodore Mine structure on a cliff near Creede, Colorado
The Commodore Mine Perched on a Cliff
Playing pond hockey with blue sky and sun streaks in Creede, Colorado
Pond Hockey on Creede Pond
 

From the Rio Grande Reservoir, 30 miles away, to Creede, people raft and fish for the plentiful German brown trout along the Rio Grande headwaters. Colorado's upper Rio Grande from the Rio Grande Reservoir above Creede through Wagon Wheel Gap and South Fork to Del Norte is "a high-country angler's paradise...an undiscovered paradise," according to American Angler, the magazine of fly fishing and fly tying. The Bachelor Historic Loop, a 17-mile ride through the unique silver mining district and two ghost towns, and the Silver Thread Scenic Byway, which runs from South Fork through Creede northwest to Lake City, are two ways to enjoy the backcountry without crowds. Along the Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway, State Highway 149, are some of the most majestic valleys in all of Colorado - the distances between mountain peaks appears vast and mesmerizing.

Creede is near: Lake City & Wagon Wheel Gap

Featured Creede Businesses

Cottonwood Cove Guest Ranch: Cabins, RV Park, Jeeps, Horse Rides, Rafting, Fishing, Restaurant and Gift Shoppe
Vacation along Silver Thread Scenic Byway (Hwy 149) between Creede and South Fork. Guest ranch mountain cabins: kitchens, fireplaces. RV sites: full hookup, pull-thru. Jeep Rentals, Horse Rides Here!

 Email link icon Reservation link icon Photos on page icon Cabins, Glamping and Cottages Family Friendly Scenic Byways and Drives Horseback Riding, Trail Rides Jeeping and Offroad Vehicles White-water Rafting and Kayaking Restaurant Activities and Fun Things to do 


Creede Underground Mining Museum, Mine Tours and Community Center
ON-SITE: gift shop, event center, family picnic area. Blasted out of a solid rock cliff by 3 Creede miners; this is an authentic Underground Mining workplace Museum with demonstrations and exhibits in shafts.

 Web page link icon Family Friendly Scenic Byways and Drives Activities, Tourist Attractions 


Creede-Mineral County Chamber of Commerce - Historic Mining District
Creede is best known as a historic mining town but its fishing and ATVing that keeps vacationers coming back! Stop at the Creede-Mineral County Chamber of Commerce for trail maps and fishing tips.

 Fishing Jeeping and Offroad Vehicles 


Last Chance Mine: Underground Tours, Museums, Gift Shop
Near Historic Creede explore a 1891 Silver Camp and the Last Chance Mine! Spend a day: mineral and rock hunting, geo-caching, taking an underground tour. 3 Museums, Custom jewelry in historic cabins.

 Web page link icon Photos on page icon Activities, Tourist Attractions Activities and Fun Things to do 


South Fork Lodge, Cabins and RV Park
In South Fork on Highway 149. Year round cabins with Satellite TV, Free WI-FI, pets welcome. Spacious SEASONAL Park with full hookup RV sites. Lodge hot tub. Discounted ski tickets. Near Rio Grande River.

 Email link icon Web page link icon Photos on page icon Cabins, Glamping and Cottages RV Parks and Resorts Pets Welcome Fishing Hunting Winter Lodging 


Soward Ranch: Colorado Cattle Ranch - Guest Cabin - Fly-Fishing
Guest-Cabin est 1932. A cattle ranch for 133 years. Exclusive fishing at Soward: fly-fishing streams and stocked ponds. Secluded Colorado cabins on 1,200 acres in the upper Rio Grande Valley near Creede.

 Email link icon Web page link icon Photos on page icon Cabins, Glamping and Cottages Scenic Byways and Drives Fishing 


Sportsman Fly Shop, Fly-Fishing Trips and Shuttle Service
In Lake City 50+ years! Full Service Outdoors Stop: Pro Fly Shop, fishing guides - beginners to advanced, sportsman equipment rentals, trail maps. Shuttle service. Soaring mountains, clear streams, wildlife!

 Web page link icon Photos on page icon Scenic Byways and Drives Fishing 



For more travel information contact:

Creede Activities & Maps

National Historic Sites and Landmarks:
Slumgullion Earthflow

Scenic Byways:
Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway

Hiking Trails:
The Colorado Trail

Fishing:
Creede Fishing Map

Jeep & 4WD:
Creede Jeeping & ATV/UTV Trails

Snowmobiling:
Lake City & Creede Snowmobile Trails

Local Area Maps:
Lake City, Creede, South Fork Area Map


 
Click here to go to the Creede Underground Mining Museum page

Places to Stay, Rentals & Amenities
Cabins & Cottages | Motels & Hotels | Lodging & Lodges | Vacation Homes | Condos, Suites & Townhomes | Bed & Breakfast | Tent Camping | RV Parks & Campgrounds | RV Sales, Service & Rentals | Romance Packages | Family Friendly | Pets Welcome | By Water | Swimming Pools | Guest Horses | Groups, Reunions & Retreats | Weddings & Elopements | Winter Lodging

Fun Things to Do
Calendars of Events | National Parks, Monuments & Historic Sites | Scenic Byways & Drives | Fishing & Fly Fishing | Hot Springs | Horse Riding | ATV/UTVing | Jeeping & 4WD | Whitewater Rafting & Kayaking | Attractions | Golfing | Restaurants & Dining | More Fun Stuff | Hunting & Land Leases | Snowmobiling | Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding | Snowshoeing | Cross-Country Skiing

A-Z Towns & Areas | Colorado Maps | About Us

©Copyright 1997- by The Colorado Directory, Inc. This is a directory only; it is not and does not contain a recommendation, warranty, guaranty, inducement or endorsement of any kind. Representations herein were supplied by the individual businesses. The publisher, The Colorado Directory, Inc., does not assume any responsibility for truth, falsity or completeness of any representation made herein or any errors, changes, services rendered, or changes made in the use of this directory. This information was compiled as accurately as possible. Prices and services are frequently subject to change. Errors called to the publisher's attention will be corrected in the future. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.