ROUTES

There are three main routes to access the ranch:

• Chinook Road Access (Standard Route)

  • Take I-70 to Exit 238 to Fall River Road/St. Marys/Alice

  • Turn on Fall River Road

  • Take the first right on York Gulch Road

  • Take the first right on Chinook Road

  • Continue on Chinook for about a half mile (stay right at the T), and you’ll see the wooden sign for Raspberry Hot Springs on the right (899 Chinook)

• Red Tail Ridge Access (Alternative Snow Route) - This route is only recommended during snowy/icy conditions and adds about 1.5 miles of dirt road to your trip.

• Dakota Ridge Road Access (Spring/Summer/Fall 4X4 ONLY) - More information on this access below.

Regardless of which route you take, 4WD or AWD with 7+ inches of ground clearance is REQUIRED to access Raspberry Hot Springs. The final mile of each route is composed of steep, unpaved dirt roads.

This requirement applies to guests year-round and is for the safety and protection of our guests, as well as the residents of our mountain community who would be blocked by stuck vehicles.

If your car is not capable of off-road driving, do not take Dakota Ridge Road Access. It is a shortcut if you are coming from Central City, Black Hawk, Boulder, Nederland, or Rollinsville, HOWEVER, it is an extremely difficult road that presents a number of dangers to people unaccustomed to or unprepared for 4x4 trail driving. If you have any doubt about your vehicle’s ability to take this route, PLEASE USE Chinook Road Access (above).

Dakota Ridge Road is not accessible during the winter months.

DELAYS

Blasting for the Floyd Hill Project on I-70 West continues to cause 20-45 minute delays, 9 AM to 3 PM, Monday through Thursday, and 9 AM to noon on Fridays.

Holds may extend delays to 4 PM Monday through Thursday, and to 1 PM on Fridays. Westbound I-70 traffic will be held east of the Hidden Valley interchange (Exit 243). CDOT advises drivers to stay on I-70, that there is no recommended detour route. You can text floydhill (one word, lowercase) to 21000 for updates.

Paving on Fall River Road - 20 minute delays starting July 9th.

Please plan on these delays so that you don’t miss your reservation. There’s plenty to do in Idaho Springs if you arrive early, or you can come up to the ranch and do a short hike to stretch your legs before soaking. If you would like to hike during the winter, please bring good winter boots or snow shoes.

WEATHER

Summer has arrived in the Colorado Mountains! The days have been hovering between 65 and 80 degrees up here lately, and afternoon showers are frequent. The wildflowers are popping like crazy and the sun is lingering late into the evening. Temperatures here are still at least 15 degrees cooler than in Denver, so remember to bring layers. Please check weather reports and road conditions prior to driving up here, and keep an eye on your phone and email for notices and relevant instructions.

Feel free to text us for current mountain road conditions:
(303) 718-7971 (please note, this is not an automated line, this is our business line!)

Our nearest weather station is Central City, Colorado. You can also check the weather for Idaho Springs.

And follow this link to view CDOT’s interactive Road Conditions Map, where you can find weather-related information about I-70 and see road cam footage: cotrip.org