You can get to know Black Hawk from different perspectives: the trail network of Maryland Mountain Quartz Valley Open Space Park runs through and alongside a landscape shaped by mining history, while the HARD District brings together shopping, dining, art and entertainment. To plan your visit, you can start by deciding whether you want to focus on trails and historic sites or on what the town has to offer.
Trails and Historic Sites Outdoors
North of downtown, Hidden Treasure Trailhead is located at 8060 Black Hawk Blvd. It has ample parking as well as a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over Highway 119. The bridge provides a safe connection to the Historic Gilpin Tramway Trail and the entire trail network. The trailhead is therefore a clear starting point if you’d like to explore the trails in Black Hawk.
The trail network of Maryland Mountain Quartz Valley Open Space Park runs through or alongside Maryland Mountain, Chase Gulch and Quartz Valley. It also includes the historic narrow-gauge Gilpin Tramway. The park is also home to Bonanza Mill, a historic site. Trails and mining history are therefore part of a shared theme here, even though the individual sites and landscape features differ.
Two route connections are useful for finding your way by bicycle: State Highway 119 and County Road 279 in Black Hawk are part of the Great Parks Bicycle Route. The Peak to Peak Scenic and Historic Byway, by contrast, runs from Estes Park in the north to Black Hawk in the south. It was established in 1918. This makes it possible to distinguish the designated bicycle route from the historic highway connection and its two endpoints.
The HARD District and the Town’s History
The HARD District was created as a pedestrian-friendly destination with shopping, dining, art, entertainment and outdoor recreation. Shops are housed in historic buildings. Events are also part of the district; it’s worth checking the dates for your travel days to find out what’s on. The different offerings give you a variety of ways to shape your visit around your interests.
Black Hawk’s mining history is also reflected in its former name: in 1868, the town was called “City of Mills” because ore was processed in water-powered stamp mills. Another chapter in the town’s history followed in 1872, when the Colorado Central Railway was extended to Black Hawk. This created an important connection to the national rail network. The dates mark two distinct aspects of the town’s development: ore processing and the arrival of the railroad.
Casinos and Practical Information
Many casinos in Black Hawk are housed in historic buildings that are often at least a century old. The casino offerings include thousands of slot machines as well as blackjack and poker. Black Hawk has 17 casinos and more than 200,000 square feet of gaming space; figures and offerings may change. Free parking is available near all casinos. Since parking arrangements may change, it’s best to check your options before your visit.
If you’re looking for a hotel in Black Hawk, you can decide in advance what you want to focus on during your stay: would you rather explore the trails and historic mining sites, or are you more interested in the HARD District and casino offerings? This distinction can help you choose a destination that suits your interests, without forcing the town’s different attractions into a set itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Central City
View the broader travel overview: Gilpin County.
