Mighty Argo Cable Car In Idaho Springs Is Colorado’s New Must-See Ride

Colorado locals and visitors alike know: I-70 is the gateway to some of the state’s best views and most exhilarating thrills, thanks to offering direct access to outdoorsy towns like Breckenridge and Vail. Winding its way through the Rocky Mountains, the heavily trafficked interstate is considered one of the most scenic drives in the United States, with plenty of picturesque places worth turning off for before continuing on to Summit County. A must-see stop along the way? The brand-new Mighty Argo Cable Car in Idaho Springs. 

While Idaho Springs has long been known for its mining history, the Mighty Argo Cable Car—a unique golden gondola ride that ascends to some of the most remarkable Colorado mountain views—attracts a whole new set of visitors, from extreme mountain bikers and leisure hikers to folks who simply want to sip and savor at new heights, with the Continental Divide towering in the background. Take it from someone who has traversed I-70 more than a dozen times, and who hadn’t stopped off at the small town before receiving an invite to check out the latest Idaho Springs attraction: The Mighty Argo Cable Car is in a class of its own.

What The Mighty Argo Cable Car Is And Why It's Such A Big Deal

Clear Creek County is known for its year-round outdoor recreation and Gold Rush history, and the new Mighty Argo Cable Car connects the two. The glistening gold gondola experience, which opened to the public in early May, followed by a Grand Opening Celebration over Memorial Day Weekend, sits next to the Argo Mill and Tunnel, a historic gold mill-turned-mining museum, and travels up the mountainside, hovering above Virginia Canyon Mountain Park, to Miners Point and The Outpost. There, epic views, live music, tasty food, refreshing libations, and a day full of outdoor adventure await. 

As spectacular as the top-to-bottom experience of the Mighty Argo Cable Car is–from the gondolas themselves, to the sweeping Rocky Mountain views, to the variety of food and drink at The Outpost, to the 28 miles of hiking and biking trails woven across more than 500 acres of rugged land—what makes it perhaps even more awe-inspiring is the concepts and development that went into the project.

Entrepreneur Mary Jane Loevlie, an Idaho Springs native, dreamt of creating a 1.2-mile gondola up the mountain across the valley from her own home. Having already created more than a dozen businesses in town to protect its historic roots, Mary Jane knew she had what it took to bring this dream to life, too—even when a title company robbed her and her 35 investor friends of their $4.5 million construction loan deposit in August 2020. While it took longer than initially imagined, The Mighty Argo finally came to fruition this spring, with the multi-year construction closing out at above $71 million. The result? A resort-style daytime destination that’s bound to make you want to come back again and again (especially if season tickets ever become a thing). 

What It's Like Riding The Mighty Argo Cable Car

Since moving here, I’ve enjoyed Colorado gondola experiences in Breckenridge, Snowmass, and now Idaho Springs. I’ve experienced the Mighty Argo Cable Car twice now—first, as a Colorado Tourism Office summer soiree preview before the Memorial Day Weekend Grand Opening Celebration, and again in early June. What sets The Mighty Argo gondola cabins apart, in my opinion, is just how luxurious they are. The spacious, vented cabins, which accommodate up to 10 people, feature unobstructed 360-degree views and light wood benches that perfectly complement the golden frame. It’s a smooth ride up and down, and can be especially thrilling if you opt for a glass-paneled bottom rather than the standard shiny silver metal. 

As comfortable as the regular cabins are, the Mighty Argo Cable stands apart with its bike-only gondola cars, as well. These open-air cabins are outfitted to effortlessly transport mountain bikes from the bottom to the top of the mountain, allowing adventure seekers to experience the thrills of Virginia Canyon Mountain Park without having to trek uphill. 

Beyond the gondola itself, my experiences at The Mighty Argo were nothing short of simple and streamlined. Both times, I checked in at the base gift shop, received my golden ticket (literally), walked over to the gondola, climbed the stairs, handed over said ticket, and hopped aboard the next available gondola. The second time I went, my fiancé and I even brought our two dogs (who admittedly didn’t love the gondola, but were elated with our hiking descent through the Mountain Park). This is a dog-friendly gondola, with no extra fees for the pups. Just make sure they're on a leash no longer than 4 feet at all times, including while boarding, riding, and at both stations.

Meanwhile, up top, Miners Point and The Outpost offer ample opportunities to fuel up and feel one with the landscape. While there wasn’t any live music the two times I went, the excitement was clear in everyone around me, all of whom were marveling at the views, not to mention the local wine and beer selection. That said, I can only imagine how incredible it’d be to catch a show at the amphitheater, so I’ll definitely be returning at some point in the near future.

The Mountain Views Are Worth The Ride Alone

Of all the highlights of The Mighty Argo, it’s the views that do it for me. Once you reach the top, you’re met with panoramic views of the Continental Divide, offering a unique juxtaposition of summery alpine sights against snow-capped mountains in the distance. The beauty of this is that, oftentimes, witnessing such views requires being a big skier, snowboarder, hiker, or avid mountaineer, but with The Mighty Argo, remarkable Colorado mountain views become accessible to all. 

How The Experience Brings Colorado's Mining History To Life

The Mighty Argo is a tourist attraction separate from the Argo Mill and Tunnel (the most historic Idaho Springs landmark, which you can tour inside and out), but their proximity makes for an effortless day trip that combines history and recreation. Just keep in mind that both Idaho Springs attractions require their own tickets, and unfortunately, unlike The Mighty Argo, the Mill is not dog-friendly. 

Logistics aside, the area's Gold Rush history is pretty neat. Idaho Springs is thought to be the birthplace of the Colorado Gold Rush and is said to still contain gold deposits, despite large-scale mining no longer occurring there. So, if you’ve ever enjoyed watching Gold Rush or reading about the Wild West, Idaho Springs is sure to intrigue you. 

Hiking And Mountain Biking At Virginia Canyon Mountain Park

The Mighty Argo has something for every type of outdoor enthusiast.

Ticketholders can take the gondola up and down the mountain as many times as they’d like, so it’s totally up to visitors how to make the most of their access. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you might hike or bike up; if you’re still acclimating to the altitude or want to limit your time on uncovered, sun-drenched trails, you can choose to ride the gondola up and hike or bike down. 

If you choose to go mountain biking while at The Mighty Argo—a fabulous albeit daring choice, as it’s one of the most impressive mountain biking areas in the Front Range—trails are marked by experience level, just like with skiing. Beware that while some blue trails exist, most are black or double black, complete with hair-raising drops, gaps, and wood-paneled jumps. 

Meanwhile, if you’re merely trying to take a fantastic family photo amongst the Colorado Rockies, The Mighty Argo nails that, too. Simply walk out onto The Trestle and ask a passerby to snap a pic. For the best photos, plan to arrive around golden hour, as midday can become hazy or bright. 

What To Know Before You Visit

The Mighty Argo makes it easy for visitors with ample on-site parking, accessibility features, and plenty of restrooms throughout. Before you load up the car, keep these quick tips in mind:

• Tickets: Can be purchased on-site at the gift shop or pre-purchased online.
• Hours: Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• What to Wear: Sturdy hiking boots or trail sneakers, a wide-brim hat (or a helmet if you’re biking), and plenty of sunscreen. The descent is roughly 5 miles on foot, with very little canopy shade.
• Food & Drink: Outside food and drink are prohibited, but bringing your own water bottle is highly recommended.

Turn It Into A Full Idaho Springs Day Trip

Depending on how you plan to utilize your access to The Mighty Argo, you may have extra time to spare while in Idaho Springs. If that’s the case, consider tacking on an Argo Mill Tour or popping over to Bridal Veil Falls, another of the area’s top attractions. Meanwhile, if you have a little extra time to venture along I-70, I can’t recommend Cabin Creek Brewing in the charming historic town of Georgetown enough. We went to the nearby lakeside brewery and restaurant (17 minutes from Idaho Springs) after our latest trip to The Mighty Argo and fell in love with the menu, the dog-friendly atmosphere, and the access to the alpine lake. You can even rent paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes directly onsite. 

Let this be proof that, while I-70 might be best known for its direct route to some of the best skiing in the world, it’s also home to many worthwhile detour destinations along the way. I, for one, know I’ll no longer overlook the tiny roadside towns en route to Breck. You never know what they may hold!