Planning Your Visit

Are there restroom facilities along the byway?

Restroom facilities are primarily available in the five communities along the Gold Belt Byway and at major attractions such as Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, and Red Canyon Park. These locations provide maintained restroom facilities during their operating hours. Between communities and major attractions, restroom facilities are extremely limited or nonexistent, particularly along remote sections of Phantom Canyon Road and Shelf Road.

We recommend using restroom facilities before departing from any byway community and planning your route to include stops at locations with known facilities. Picnic areas at Red Canyon Park along the lower Shelf Road and at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument offer convenient stopping points with restroom access. For visitors planning extended drives through remote sections of the byway, being prepared with this limitation in mind will enhance your comfort and enjoyment of the spectacular scenery and historic sites along the route.

More Answers About Planning Your Visit

Planning Your Visit
Are the roads paved or unpaved?
The Gold Belt Byway features a mix of paved and unpaved roads, each offering distinct driving experiences and scenery. Teller County Road 1 between Florissant and Cripple Creek is primarily paved and follows the historic Hundley Stage Route through rolling mountain parklands. High Park Road also includes paved sections and... Read The Rest
Planning Your Visit
Do I need a four-wheel-drive vehicle?
Four-wheel drive is not required to enjoy the Gold Belt Byway under normal weather conditions, as all routes are accessible to standard passenger vehicles with adequate ground clearance. However, four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicles provide additional confidence and safety when navigating unpaved sections, especially during wet conditions or early... Read The Rest
Planning Your Visit
Is the byway open year-round?
While the Gold Belt Byway is technically accessible year-round, winter conditions may close or make certain roads impassable due to snow and ice accumulation at higher elevations. The roads surrounding Cripple Creek, Victor, and Florissant are particularly susceptible to winter weather due to their elevation, which reaches over 9,600 feet... Read The Rest