The Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway is one of Colorado's best-kept driving secrets. The 130-mile loop connects Florence, Cañon City, Cripple Creek, and Florissant through terrain that tells the story of Colorado's Gold Rush era — abandoned mines, ghost towns, dramatic canyon roads, and fossil beds that predate the Rockies themselves.
The Route
Starting from Florence, the Gold Belt Tour follows three distinct historic roads:
Phantom Canyon Road (southernmost route) — A winding gravel road that climbs from Florence into the mountains, passing through Phantom Canyon where a narrow-gauge railroad once ran during the mining era. The canyon walls close in dramatically, and the old railroad grades are still visible.
Shelf Road (central route) — A shelf road carved into the canyon walls above Cañon City. This is the most dramatic section of the byway — a single-lane road with thousand-foot drops that requires confident driving and a willingness to back up for oncoming traffic at wider pull-outs.
Fourmile Creek Road (northernmost route) — A gentler approach from Cripple Creek that passes through historic ranching country before dropping back toward Cañon City.
What to See
Practical Notes
Phantom Canyon Road is passable for standard passenger cars in dry conditions but gets slippery when wet — call ahead after heavy rain. Shelf Road is similarly accessible but narrow; larger vehicles should use Phantom Canyon instead.
Allow a full day for the complete loop. Florence is the natural starting and ending point — you can leave your lodging in the morning, complete the circuit, and return in time for dinner.