Experience the Historic Phantom Canyon Road

Audio Driving Tours

Join us for a beautiful trip on the historic Phantom Canyon Road! This 30-mile gravel route is one of the most scenic and historic drives in Colorado, winding through a narrow canyon that seems untouched by time. The road follows the original grade of the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad, built in 1894 to connect the Arkansas Valley to the booming goldfields of Cripple Creek and Victor.

Along the way, you'll pass through hand-carved tunnels, cross historic bridges, and see the remains of railroad stations that once bustled with activity. The canyon walls tower hundreds of feet above, and you may spot bighorn sheep, golden eagles, and other wildlife that call this remote area home.

Narrated by Brad Behan, these audio tours bring the canyon to life with stories about the prospectors who dreamed of striking it rich, the railroad workers who carved this impossible route through solid rock, and the communities that thrived and faded along the way. Each tour is timed to match your drive, with stories that correspond to the landmarks you'll see.

Important: Due to limited cell service in the mountains, we recommend downloading the MP3 files before your trip. You can also stream them directly from our website if you have service, but downloading ensures uninterrupted playback throughout your journey.

Florence & Cañon City to Cripple Creek

Begin your journey in the Arkansas Valley and ascend through Phantom Canyon on one of Colorado's most scenic historic routes. This gravel road follows the original Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad grade, built in 1894 to haul supplies uphill to the booming goldfields and return loaded with precious ore.

Narrated by Brad Behan, this audio tour guides you through narrow canyon walls and past abandoned railroad stations as you climb nearly 4,000 feet in elevation. Discover the engineering marvels, tragic accidents, and colorful characters who made this treacherous route the lifeline of America's greatest gold camp.

$2.00 USD 7 audio files included

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Cripple Creek to Florence & Cañon City

Depart from the historic Cripple Creek Mining District and descend through Phantom Canyon, retracing the path that millions of dollars in gold ore traveled to reach the smelters of Florence. This gravel road follows the 1894 Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad route that connected the richest gold strike in Colorado history to the outside world.

Narrated by Brad Behan, this audio tour reveals the stories behind each tunnel, trestle, and abandoned station as you wind down through spectacular canyon scenery. Learn how ore-laden trains navigated these dangerous grades and why this remote canyon became the most important transportation corridor of the Cripple Creek Gold Rush.

$2.00 USD 8 audio files included

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What You Get

Instant Access - Receive your unique PIN via email immediately after purchase
90-Day Access - Stream or re-download the audio files for 90 days
Keep Forever - Download the files and they're yours to use on future trips
Mobile Friendly - Works on phones, tablets, and computers
Download or Stream - Choose to download MP3 files or stream online
Historic Commentary - Learn about the rich history of the Gold Belt Byway

Need Help?

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact us at info@goldbeltbyway.com

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The Shelf Road Toll

When Shelf Road opened in 1892, travelers paid tolls ranging from 30 cents for a horse and rider to $1.75 for a six-horse stagecoach. The dramatic five-mile stretch called "The Shelf" was carved into a canyon wall 200 feet above the stream bed. A trip along Shelf Road took six hours to travel upgrade and four hours to descend.

Mollie Kathleen's Lucky Strike

In 1891, Mollie Kathleen Gortner became one of the few women to stake a mining claim in the Cripple Creek District. Her mine proved remarkably lucrative and operated profitably well into the 1950s, producing millions of dollars in gold over its lifetime.