Located in-between Leadville and Buena Vista on Highway 24, Clear Creek Canyon is full of ruins from Colorado’s early mining days. There are four remaining ghost towns in the canyon, which lies just west of Clear Creek Reservoir off Highway 24.
Clear Creek runs the length of the canyon and is a tributary to the Arkansas River. Miners began prospecting tributaries to the Arkansas River in the 1860s. Most of the old mining towns reached their heyday around 1890.
Vicksburg and Winfield are the best preserved out of the four. They are both located on County Road 390, which is almost halfway between Leadville and Buena Vista.
Getting to Clear Creek Canyon near Leadville
Take Highway 24 north from Buena Vista or south from Leadville to CR 390/Clear Creek Res. Take this 2WD road back to the ghost towns. Winfield is the last town you reach 12 miles back.
The 2WD road should be good for most cars, but it does receive heavy truck traffic, so expect bumps. It’s open in the winter, but the road is not plowed, so the other seasons are best for seeing the ruins.
There is one campground at Clear Creek Reservoir and many free dispersed car campsites on the road back to Winfield. Please use an existing site and pack out everything you pack in.
Beaver City
Beaver City was the first mining camp in Clear Creek Canyon. Two of the original twenty buildings remain. It’s the first old town you reach on CR 390.
Vicksburg
Vicksburg was the second-largest town in the canyon, with around 600-700 people during its peak. A museum is open on some weekends during the summer. There’s also a recording outside that tells the local history, available 24/7. Many of the cabins in Vicksburg are privately owned and seasonally occupied.
Rockdale
Another smaller town with several original buildings remaining. It’s located just past Vicksburg and Winfield. Several cabins remain.
Winfield
Prospecting was done in the Winfield area in 1867, but the town didn’t reach its heyday until 1890. It had 1500 residents and was the largest town in the canyon. There is a furnished schoolhouse and miner’s cabin, open on select weekends in summer.
Head out to these ghost towns between Buena Vista and Leadville. Whether camping or lodging nearby, a drive up Clear Creek Canyon will be a memorable and enjoyable experience.
The Best Hot Springs by Gunnison and Crested Butte