Driving to Cripple Creek, Colorado means climbing to 9,494 feet on winding mountain roads, and the weather at the top can look very different from where you started. The drive is paved, well-traveled, and open year-round, so there is no reason to be nervous. There is every reason to be prepared. A little planning turns the trip up to Double Eagle Hotel & Casino, at 442 E Bennett Ave in historic downtown Cripple Creek, into the easy, scenic part of your getaway.
What this post covers
- How the drive up to Cripple Creek actually works
- Why mountain conditions change as you climb
- What to keep in your car, any time of year
- What to add in the colder months
- How to check conditions before you go
How Do You Get to Cripple Creek from Colorado Springs?
The most common route to Cripple Creek is US-24 West from Colorado Springs through Woodland Park to Divide, then south on Colorado Highway 67 for the final stretch into town. The full drive is about 45 miles and takes roughly one hour. The road is fully paved and open year-round, climbing steadily through the Pikes Peak region up to 9,494 feet. For the exact route and directions, see our directions page.
It is a beautiful drive, and for most of the year it is a completely straightforward one. The key is simply knowing that a mountain drive asks a little more of you and your car than a flat highway does, and packing accordingly.
Why Do Conditions Change as You Drive Up the Mountain?
Weather in the mountains changes with elevation, so the conditions at the top of the drive can differ from the bottom. You might leave Colorado Springs under clear skies and find fog, wind, or a passing snow flurry as you climb toward 9,494 feet. This is normal mountain behavior, not a reason to worry. It is simply the reason to check the forecast before you go and to keep a few basics in the car.
Temperatures drop as you gain elevation, and a sunny morning in the Springs can be a cold, breezy afternoon up top. In the colder months, roads that are clear and dry down low can hold patches of ice or snow in shaded curves higher up. None of this is dramatic. It just rewards the driver who came ready over the one who did not.
What Should You Keep in Your Car Year-Round?
A few simple items will cover you on almost any mountain drive, in any season. None of this is about expecting trouble. It is about making sure a surprise stays a small one.
- Water — a few bottles per person. Elevation dehydrates you faster than you expect.
- Snacks — granola bars, trail mix, anything shelf-stable.
- Layers — a warm jacket even in summer, since evenings and higher elevations run cold.
- Phone charger — a car charger or a charged power bank.
- A full tank of gas — top off in Woodland Park or Divide rather than running low on the climb.
- Basic first-aid kit — bandages, pain reliever, any personal medications.
- Sunglasses — high-altitude sun is bright, even in winter.
Keep these in the car and you have handled the vast majority of what a mountain day trip might ask of you.
What Should You Add in Fall and Winter?
In the colder months, add a few cold-weather items to your year-round kit. From roughly late fall through early spring, and any time snow is in the forecast, it is worth tossing in a little extra.
- Warm blanket — one per traveler if you have room.
- Gloves, hat, and warm socks — easy to stash, nice to have.
- Ice scraper and snow brush — for clearing the windshield.
- Windshield washer fluid rated for freezing — top it off before the season.
- Good tires — proper tread and pressure matter most on winding, cold roads.
- A small flashlight — days are shorter in winter, and the drive down can be dark.
Think of it as swapping your car kit over for the season, the same way you swap out your closet. It takes five minutes and it means the mountain never catches you off guard.
How Do You Check Conditions Before You Drive Up?
Before any mountain drive, check the forecast and road conditions for your route. Colorado's official traveler information site, COtrip.org, shows live road conditions, closures, and cameras statewide, and is the best single source before you head up Highway 67. A quick look at the Cripple Creek weather forecast will tell you what to expect at 9,494 feet, which is often a few degrees cooler and a bit breezier than the Springs.
If snow is in the forecast, give yourself extra time, slow down through the curves, and keep more distance than usual. The drive is very manageable in winter for a prepared driver taking it at a reasonable pace. And once you arrive, the hard part is over. You get to park, walk in, and warm up.
Arrive, Relax, and Warm Up at Double Eagle
The best part of a well-prepared mountain drive is the arrival. Once you reach Cripple Creek, Lombard's Restaurant inside Double Eagle is a warm place to settle in with a hot meal, and the gaming floor is a cozy, lively spot to spend an afternoon or evening out of the cold. If you would rather not make the drive back down the same day, our 158 recently upgraded rooms put a comfortable bed one elevator ride from the floor. Ready to plan your trip up? Call us at 719-689-5000 or book your stay online. Prepare for the drive, and we will handle the welcome!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the drive to Cripple Creek difficult?
No. The drive to Cripple Creek is a paved, well-traveled mountain road that is open year-round. From Colorado Springs, it is about 45 miles and one hour via US-24 West to Divide, then Highway 67 south. It climbs to 9,494 feet with winding sections, so drive at a comfortable pace, but it is manageable for any prepared driver in normal conditions.
Can it snow on the drive to Cripple Creek?
Yes, especially from late fall through early spring. Because the road climbs to 9,494 feet, conditions at the top can differ from Colorado Springs, and shaded curves can hold snow or ice even when lower roads are clear. Check COtrip.org and the forecast before you go, pack a cold-weather car kit, and give yourself extra time when snow is possible.
What should I pack for a mountain drive to Cripple Creek?
Year-round, keep water, snacks, warm layers, a phone charger, a full tank of gas, sunglasses, and a basic first-aid kit in the car. In fall and winter, add a blanket, gloves and a hat, an ice scraper, freeze-rated washer fluid, and a flashlight. Good tires with proper tread and pressure matter most on cold, winding roads.
How much colder is Cripple Creek than Colorado Springs?
Cripple Creek sits at 9,494 feet, well above Colorado Springs, so it is often several degrees cooler and breezier, with colder nights. A sunny afternoon in the Springs can be a chilly one up top. Pack a warm layer even in summer, and check the Cripple Creek forecast specifically rather than relying on the Colorado Springs weather.
Where can I check road conditions to Cripple Creek?
Colorado's official traveler information site, COtrip.org, is the best source for live road conditions, closures, and cameras on Highway 67 and US-24. Check it alongside the Cripple Creek weather forecast before you drive up, particularly in winter or any time snow is possible. Give yourself extra time and slow down through the curves when conditions call for it.
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