Colorado Ghost Town Expedition
Private Guided Tour from Denver · Mountain Ghost Towns
Two Days Through Colorado's Forgotten Silver & Gold Towns
This is the tour for the history-obsessed, the photographers, and anyone who wants to see Colorado the way it looked when fortunes were made and lost in a single afternoon. Cross the Continental Divide through South Park — the real one — and visit four ghost towns frozen in time since the 1880s. Walk the poplar-lined streets of Vicksburg, explore the log-cabin museum at Winfield, and wander the wooden storefronts of St. Elmo, the best-preserved ghost town in Colorado. End your first day at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort, soaking in natural geothermal springs at the base of a 14,000-foot peak. Day two brings a leisurely return through the Arkansas Valley with time to explore Buena Vista before heading home.
Day 1: Denver → Ghost Towns → Mt. Princeton
| Time | Stop | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Depart Downtown Denver, champagne toast & charcuterie | — |
| 9:15 AM | Kenosha Pass — panoramic overlook of South Park basin (fall aspens are legendary here) | 15 min |
| 10:00 AM | South Park City Museum, Fairplay, reconstructed ghost town with 40+ historic buildings | 60 min |
| 11:30 AM | Scenic drive through the Arkansas Valley to Buena Vista | — |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch in Buena Vista (see dining options below) | 60 min |
| 1:15 PM | Vicksburg ghost town, poplar-lined streets, outdoor audio guide, original prospector cabins | 45 min |
| 2:15 PM | Winfield ghost town, log schoolhouse, Ball Cabin museum, historic mine sites | 45 min |
| 3:30 PM | St. Elmo ghost town, Colorado's best-preserved ghost town, general store, Chalk Creek | 75 min |
| 5:00 PM | Check in at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort | |
| Evening | Natural hot springs soak, dinner at the resort or in Buena Vista | — |
| Day 2: Mt. Princeton → Denver | ||
| Morning | Leisurely breakfast & morning hot springs soak | |
| 10:00 AM | Depart Mt. Princeton — scenic drive through Arkansas Valley | — |
| 10:30 AM | Buena Vista, downtown shops, coffee, Collegiate Peaks views | 30 min |
| 11:30 AM | Scenic return via Trout Creek Pass & South Park | |
| 1:00 PM | Return to Downtown Denver | — |
Full Arion Signature Amenity Package (both days) + South Park City Museum admission ($12/person) + all fuel, tolls, parking, and driver overnight accommodation. Guest lodging at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort is not included — we help coordinate your reservation.
Natural geothermal hot springs at the base of Mt. Princeton (14,197 ft). Creekside pools, infinity pool, spa services. Rooms from approximately $300–575/night. Guest books and pays for their own room. We coordinate timing and can arrange preferred room types.
The Lariat (Buena Vista), A step up mountain cuisine, est. $35–55/person
House Rock Kitchen (Buena Vista) — Creative American, est. $25–40/person
Mt. Princeton Resort Dining: On-site restaurant, est. $30–55/person
Best months: June through early October. Ghost towns are most accessible and photogenic in summer/early fall.
Fall color: Kenosha Pass aspen viewing typically peaks late September. An one you will talk about backdrop for this tour.
Road conditions: Vicksburg and Winfield require graded dirt roads (passable by SUV). St. Elmo is accessible by paved/graded road. We monitor conditions and adjust the route as needed.
Per Person, All-Inclusive
| Guests | Per Person | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | $999 | $2,997 |
| 4 | $799 | $3,196 |
| 5 | $699 | $3,495 |
| 6 | $625 | $3,750 |
| Guests | Per Person | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | $699 | $4,194 |
| 8 | $549 | $4,392 |
| 10 | $475 | $4,750 |
| 12 | $425 | $5,100 |
20% gratuity suggested, not included. Pricing includes all amenities, fuel, tolls, and parking. Guest lodging at Mt. Princeton is additional (approx. $300–575/night).
Ready to Book?
Tell us your dates and group size. We'll come back with a personalized plan and quote — usually within a few hours.
Request This TourLast reviewed: August 15, 2026 by Arion dispatch. Rates, policies and Colorado Department of Transportation rules are subject to change; call (970) 703-4995 for current details.