Bachelor Loop Interpretive Site

The Bachelor Historic Loop takes high into the hills above town, past Creede’s former mining district. Scattered around the stunning mountainsides are numerous old mines and ghost towns. Imagine what life was like in Creede must have been like a hundred years ago. The Visitor Center has guide brochures that correspond to numbers on the Loop. There are sixteen official sites on the auto tour.

The loop begins at the north end of Main Street in Creede and returns to Main Street just south of downtown.

A high clearance vehicle is recommended. The east side of the loop has steep rocky uphill sections. The road is narrow in places and uphill traffic has the right of way. Another option for vehicles that cannot climb steeper grades is to travel the loop in reverse and brake carefully down the steeper parts, making sure to yield to uphill traffic.

There are 14 interpretive pullouts along the scenic route, including the Commodore mine site and Bachelor Townsite. The Creede Visitor Center sells an interpretive guide with information about each stop. There is additional information available online at Bachelor Historic Tour.

The Creede Visitor Center can provide current information on the Bachelor Loop conditions.

Plan Your Visit

Getting Here From downtown Creede, travel north on Main Street until it turns into Forest Road 503. Follow 503 about 8 miles up to the Equity Mine. From Equity Mine, return to the junction of Forest Road 503 and 504, and take Forest Road 504 back to the town of Creede.

Travel Considerations Two-wheel drive vehicle may have trouble going uphill on some of the steeper sections. Consider driving the loop in reverse, beginning on the west side of the loop and going downhill on the steeper sections.

Seasons of Use The self-guided driving loop is open seasonally during the summer, until the snow flies.

During the winter, the east side of the loop (Forest Road 503) is closed to wheeled traffic. Forest Road 504 is plowed but may be impassable depending on current conditions.

Operational Hours Open 7 days a week from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Restrictions High clearance vehicles recommended. The road is steep and narrow traveling uphill on the east side of the loop.

Contact Information Divide Ranger District Contact Phone: 719-657-3321 Office Address: 13308 West US Hwy 160 Del Norte, CO 81132 Phone: (719) 657-3321 Hours: Monday through Friday / 9:00 to 3:30 (Closed on federal holidays)