Frequently Asked Questions

We have a Historic Mill & Tunnel Tours, Gold Panning, Cable Car Rides to Miners Point with Live Music, Food & Beverage Service, Access to Hiking and Biking trails in Virginia Canyon Mountain Park, and Scenic Views

No, pre-purchased tickets are not required for the Cable Car or Mill Tour, but are highly recommended! You will save 10-15% on pre-purchased Cable Car tickets; we recommend buying tickets at least 1 day before your visit. Mill Tours fill up fast on the day of with walk-ins, so buying in advance will ensure you have a spot on the Tour

Yes, we have private lots that are paid parking. You may book parking in advance for weekdays (M-TH), first come, first served (Fri-Sun). Parking is $10.15 for 4 hours. Other options for parking will be in town, which is paid parking via parkidahosprings.com

No, there is not a combo ticket deal at this time. We are looking to offer that in the future.

Yes, in all facilities except the Mill Tour.

Our latest ticket prices are on our Plan Your Visit page. Note, children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Yes, you can exchange your tickets for a new time or fully refund them right up to your reservation's arrival time, at which point they are no longer refundable or changeable. All refund requests after the reservation time must be made in person or emailed to [email protected] within 30 days of the reservation. We will not honor any refunds after the 30 day window. To change or refund your tickets, please just use the buttons at the bottom of your confirmation receipt sent via email/text. If you still need help with your refund, please email us at [email protected] at least 24 hours before your scheduled entry and we'll do our best to accommodate.

No. You will receive a confirmation email or text message with everything you need to redeem your tickets. We can also look up your reservation by name, phone number, or order number.

Yes, just click the link in your email or text receipt and follow the instructions at the bottom of the page to edit your reservation. There is no cost to do so.

Please just do a new order for additional tickets for the same time slot (or if sold out, the next time slot... when you show up we'll still let you enter together).

No, you need a separate ticket for the Argo Mill tour or gold panning. You can go to argomilltour.com to purchase tickets.

Yes. Our Annual Pass for foot passengers is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase ($124.95 adult, $99.95 senior 65+, $74.95 kids 6-17). Season Passes for bikers are valid from April 1st through December 31st. Full details are on our Season Pass page.

No, if you have foot passengers and mountain bikers in the same group you will need to book 2 separate reservations for each experience.

Pre-purchased tickets are not required, but they are highly recommended. You will save 10-15% on pre-purchased Cable Car tickets, and we recommend buying at least one day before your visit. Mill Tours fill up fast with same-day walk-ins, so booking ahead is the only way to guarantee a spot on the tour.

Not at this time. A combo ticket is something we are looking to offer in the future.

Monday to Thursday we open at 10:00 AM and close at 7:00 PM. The last cable car for pedestrians is at 6:00 PM and the last bike cab up is at 6:30 PM.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday we open at 9:00 AM and close at 9:00 PM. The last cable car up for pedestrians is 8:00 PM and the last bike cab up is at 8:30 PM.

We are typically open on most holidays including Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Columbus Day. We are closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Check our calendar for holiday-specific hours.

We have parking available here at 2350 Riverside Drive. Yes — parking is paid, even with a Mill Tour or Cable Car booking. We have private lots on site at $10.15 for 4 hours. Parking may be booked in advance for weekdays (Mon-Thu); Friday through Sunday it is first come, first served. There is also paid parking in town via parkidahosprings.com.

We have amazing food and drinks, including beer, wine and spirits, available at the Outpost and Sun & The Moon bar. Outside food and beverages are not permitted.

With a cable car ride, Argo Mill tours and gold panning, mountain biking, shopping and food and drinks, you can spend as little or as long of a time as you want. We find most people spend 1-2 hours on site depending on your interests. The cable car ride each way is approximately 8-10 minutes, Make sure to give yourself enough time at the top to enjoy the views, explore the trails, grab a snack, and ride back down. You're welcome to stay as long as you like during operating hours.

Yes — dogs are welcome in all of our facilities except the Mill Tour.

Absolutely! We offer a wide selection of private events including corporate events, weddings, and birthday parties. Contact us at [email protected] for more information and availability.

Plenty. We have Historic Mill & Tunnel Tours, Gold Panning, Cable Car rides to Miners Point with live music, food & beverage service, access to the hiking and biking trails in Virginia Canyon Mountain Park, and scenic views across the Continental Divide.

Timed entry spreads arrivals through the day so there are no long lines or wait times. Even if you book a timed slot, you are welcome to enter at any time.

We operate in rain and snow. In high winds or lightning we assess what is safest for our guests. Lift operators monitor severe weather continuously and will suspend operations as necessary to keep everyone safe.

The ride is about 10 minutes in either direction, travelling 1.3 miles and 1,300 vertical feet up Virginia Canyon to Miners Point.

At Miners Point you will find two bars, a restaurant, an amphitheater, a scenic overlook, and direct access to the hiking and biking trails in Virginia Canyon Mountain Park.

Food service closes one hour before closing time. Grab & Go and the bar close 30 minutes before closing.

Strollers are welcome on the Cable Car. They are not permitted on the Mill Tour, but you may leave one in the Mercantile while you take the tour.

Typically 5-15 degrees cooler than the base, depending on conditions. Dress in layers — mountain weather changes quickly.

Idaho Springs locals with valid proof of residency — a driver's license, lease, or other documentation showing your name and physical address.

The Idaho Springs community was the only community directly impacted by the construction and traffic of the Cable Car project.

Ten people in a standard cabin, eight in a glass-bottom cabin, and eight bikes per bike cabin.

No. Annual and Season Passes are a direct-to-lift product — just come on up, no reservation needed.

A lightning hold starts whenever lightning is detected within an 8-mile radius of the Cable Car. We evacuate the lift and start a 30-minute timer. If another strike happens inside that window, the timer restarts. At reassessment we look at which direction the weather is moving and reopen only when conditions are safe.

The tour runs 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, including gold panning. Adult tickets are $30; kids 6-17 are $20. Military and Seniors 65+ are eligible for 10% off.

Due to the extreme vertical terrain and the architecture of the mill, the guided tour is not accessible to everyone. We do provide interesting activities and experiences for all ages and abilities — please call for additional information.

The tour is not stroller-friendly. We recommend that strollers be left in your vehicle. The Argo is not responsible for lost or stolen items left unattended

We strongly recommend sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Dress as though you are going on a hike — multiple layers for multiple kinds of weather.

The Mill Tour runs 7 days a week from 10 am to 4 pm, with tours departing at the top of each hour. Please arrive at least 15 minutes ahead of your tour time. Our schedule is subject to change, so book online or call ahead to confirm availability. We offer group tours for 25+ people, and further info can be provided by contacting [email protected] or by calling 303-567-2421

We understand the complexities of mountain travel. If it is clear you cannot make your scheduled tour for reasons beyond your control — severe weather, an I-70 shutdown, or unforeseen traffic delays — we offer refunds provided you call ahead of your tour time. Please plan for these events, as they are common when travelling to Idaho Springs. No-call no-shows will not receive a refund.

Gold and Gem panning are available based on guide availability and weather conditions. These cannot be booked in advance.

The biking add-on is $14.95 for a 4-hour session and $22.95 for a full day, on top of the foot-passenger price. That works out to $64.90 for a 4-hour adult ticket and $72.90 for a full day. Idaho Springs locals ride for $14.95.

We have 5 of the first North American Doppelmayr bike cabins. They hold up to 8 bikes, with the riders following in the next passenger cabins.

We currently allow guests to use our bike cabins to transport Class 1 e-bikes only. Class 2 and 3 bikes are not allowed on the bike cabins or in Virginia Canyon Mountain Park.

We recommend a full-suspension bike, a helmet, knee and elbow pads, and a chest protector. Virginia Canyon Mountain Park trails are intermediate and above dificulty that are steep and technical directional downhill terrain.

Rosa Gulch is the primary out-and-back hiking trail that spans from the top to the bottom. Rosa Gulch is 4.2 miles and 1,300 vertical feet; hikers typically spend 2-3 hours to complete the trail. There are additional hiking trails from the midpoint of the park known as the Hub. Those trails are: Morning Star, Prospector Push, and 10 Day Jacks. More trail information can be found at COMBA.org

No. Virginia Canyon Mountain Park is a public open space park owned and operated by the town of Idaho Springs — the Argo is a scenic attraction providing access to it, not a bike park, and is not responsible for what happens in the park. There is no bike patrol; Clear Creek EMS and Fire have jurisdiction, and 911 is the right call for any major emergency. The park is not beginner-friendly and has no green downhill trails.

Primarily directional downhill bike trails, plus hiking trails — with more trails for both hikers and bikers on the way.

There are no green beginner downhill trails at Virginia Canyon Mountain Park. The terrain is too steep for green trails to be built at this time.

The Argo is not a bike park, so we do not rent bikes or protective gear. There are two shops in town that do: Chainlynx and Freeride Bike Shop.

There are 14 miles of biking trails today, with another 14 miles on the way.

There are 7 miles of hiking trails. Some are shared with uphill bikers and some are hiking-only. COMBA.org has more detail.

Yes. Virginia Canyon Mountain Park is a public open space park and will always be free to access under your own power. You only pay if you want to ride the Cable Car up.

Yes. The Cable Car is accessible for all types of limited mobility — just ask Guest Services and we will assist you. The Mill Tour is the exception: its vertical terrain and historic architecture make it inaccessible to some guests.

Yes, accessible restrooms are available at both the top and bottom terminal.

Absolutely! The ride itself is largely visual — you'll enjoy stunning views of 14,000 foot peaks, the town of Idaho Springs and mountain bikers and hikers enjoying the trailes. Our staff are happy to assist with any questions.

Yes, service animals are welcome. Please ensure your service animal is clearly identified and under control at all times.

Yes! The our entire site is accessible. Our cable cars allow wheelchairs and can accommodate most mobility devices. Miners Point at the top is mostly paved and largely flat. Please see our Accessibility page for full details.

Yes — we'd love to help you celebrate! We offer both wedding receptions and celebrations. Email [email protected] for details.

We offer private rentals for team events, incentive trips, and corporate celebrations. We can also arrange custom catering. Email [email protected] for details.