Overview

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Mostly unpaved, this road travels between Cripple Creek and Canon City and promises outstanding views.

4.5

146 reviews

Excellent77%
Very good17%
Average4%
Poor0%
Terrible2%

Travellers talk about

“wheel drive” (12 reviews)

“canon city” (41 reviews)

“blind corners” (4 reviews)

LOCATION

Cripple Creek, CO

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41 - 50 of 146 reviews

Janelle A

Kansas

131

Reviewed 25 July 2016

not for the faint of heart - BEAUTIFUL scenery

We were headed to Cripple Creek from Canon City, took the route my map was telling us to take. We had no idea what we were in for!!! If we had known what to anticipate I would have been more comfortable and enjoyed the scenery,...More

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Sandra R

Lake Conroe, TX

5217

Reviewed 23 July 2016 via mobile

No need for 4x4

Gorgeous scenery on this well-maintained gravel road. This is a must while in Cripple Creek. We traveled down to Canon City & then came back on Phantom Road. Yes, it's narrow but there are areas where you can pass or let cars pass you. There...More

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

twistedgn

West Chester, Ohio

7529

Reviewed 15 July 2016 via mobile

Cool route back from Cripple Creek

This is a long and awesome gravel road with twists and turns and very little room once you get to the actual Shelf section. If you like excitement this is the route from Canon City to Cripple Creek!!

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Matthew Y

Wilmington, Delaware

3112

Reviewed 30 June 2016

Don't miss this

Awesome, awesome, awesome! First of all, the road is not marked well coming out of Cripple Creek. It is a few hundred feet after you pass District Supply. The street sign does not say Shelf road. You will see a sign on the road showing...More

Ask Matthew Y about Shelf Road

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Elisabeth P

4619

Reviewed 24 June 2016 via mobile

Views!

This road has great views! It is a little scary in parts especially when there is on coming traffic. It really is a pretty place to visit. The trip does take over an hour if you go slow like we did.

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skline2

Cincinnati, Ohio

257118

Reviewed 24 June 2016

Fantastic drive on cliff side dirt road

Quite the experience driving Shelf Road - a one lane, two-way dirt road on the side of a cliff with blind corners. I took my time, but the locals were going significantly faster. Some really unbelievable scenery. My wife enjoyed it more than Phantom Canyon...More

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Taylor B

Chicago, Illinois

36552641

Reviewed 24 June 2016

My wife wouldn't go with me

The Shelf Road was the first wagon and stagecoach route to link the Cripple Creek and Victor golf fields with the Arkansas River Valley and cities of the Front Range. It also is the first road that my wife wouldn't drive with me. Yes, it...More

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Freia B

Canon City, Colorado

7926

Reviewed 15 June 2016

not for the faint hearted

this is a must.At least once. lots of old historic road to eventually get to Cripple Creek or from there to Canon City or Florence.I recommend that you take this road from Cripple Creek Area to florence-canon city as you will be on the inside...More

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Earl1012

Louisville, Kentucky

11

Reviewed 11 June 2016

not as bad as advertised

first myth, you do not need a four-wheel drive. Drove it the end of may, pay attention for on coming cars where you can pull off to let them pass. was surprised how bad others said it would be. take it easy and enjoy the...More

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Richard L

469

Reviewed 7 June 2016

A wonderful (free) experience that's not for the faint of heart.

I love Shelf Road, my wife doesn't. To me it's exciting and intriguing to drive where stage coaches road decades ago. For my wife it's a white knuckle hell.

Ask Richard L about Shelf Road

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

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Nearby

Nearby HotelsSee all 10 hotels in Cripple Creek

The Victor Hotel

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Westward Ho Motel

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Home Cafe

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Nearby Attractions

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Victor Trading Company

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Outlaw and Lawmen Jail Museum

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Questions & Answers

Shawn W

I live in Colorado Springs and I'm trying to take State Road through the mountains to Cripple Creek but last time I got lost and never made it there I was wondering is it because the roads I'm supposed to take are blocked off for the season or did I just make a wrong turn?

13 April 2018|

AnswerShow all 3 answers

They do close the road from time to time when weather is really bad or floods

Cassidy W

How does one get to this highway? We are staying just outside Cripple Creek in Divide. Is a suburban too big for road? Cassidy Williams

2 February 2018|

Answer

If you google shelf road, you should be able to find it. Or try your google maps too. You definitely need a 4x4 vehicle during this time of year due to the snow and ice. If the suburban is not 4x4, you’ll have to go super... More

Renee C

My family and I will be visiting Colorado sometime in early to mid-August this year. We would like to take the back way from Canyon City to Colorado Springs. Shelf Road and Phantom Canyon Road have come up as options, but I'm not sure how to choose between them. We have done plenty of 4x4 driving in the National Forests of Oregon so tight corners, drop-offs and bumps aren't an issue for us but could be for the vehicle since we will likely be renting a car rather than a 4x4. The question is more along the lines of which has the better sights or are the sights the same and I should flip a coin? Thanks, Renee

22 March 2017|

AnswerShow all 5 answers

Renee, another thing: If you plan to take Shelf Road, you'll want to ask exactly how to access it from Canon City. It's not hard, it's just that there aren't any signs directing you to it for some reason! And no matter which... More

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Shelf Road, Cripple Creek: Address, Shelf Road Reviews: 4.5/5

Shelf Road