Major city · United States
Black Hawk
Go as a day trip from Denver (35–45 min by car) or one night if you want a casino hotel; two nights is the ceiling.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (snow, ice on CO-119)
- Airport
- DEN
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Black Hawk is a former gold-milling town in Gilpin County, about 35–45 minutes west of Denver up Clear Creek Canyon, where casino gambling has been legal since 1991. The historic main street is small; the draw is the casino floor, a handful of restaurants and easy access to Central City next door. Most visitors come for an afternoon or a single night.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Black Hawk, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLow street crime; the real risks are drinking and driving, winter ice on CO-119 and altitude.
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 303-582-5500 Gilpin County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDEN Denver International Airport (About 90 min by car; no direct rail link to Black Hawk).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical option; CO-119 from I-70 exit 244 is the main approach.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- BeerBeer at a casino bar$6–10
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–30
- Budget bedTent or RV site at Golden Gate Canyon, a night, per personUS$30
- Mid-range bedCasino-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$160
- High-end bedCasino-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$320
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$150 · High US$300
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DEN Denver International Airport (About 90 min by car; no direct rail link to Black Hawk)
Weather and climate
Black Hawk: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C36°F
−9°C16°F
6 rd
Feb
3°C37°F
−9°C16°F
6 rd
Mar
7°C45°F
−6°C21°F
8 rd
Apr
11°C52°F
−3°C27°F
8 rd
May
16°C61°F
2°C36°F
10 rd
Jun
22°C72°F
6°C43°F
9 rd
Jul
25°C77°F
9°C48°F
11 rd
Aug
24°C75°F
8°C46°F
11 rd
Sep
20°C68°F
5°C41°F
8 rd
Oct
14°C57°F
0°C32°F
6 rd
Nov
7°C45°F
−5°C23°F
6 rd
Dec
2°C36°F
−9°C16°F
6 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical option; CO-119 from I-70 exit 244 is the main approach. Casino shuttles run from Denver and Aurora. Once parked, the casino strip and Central City are walkable.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Central City
goDoor to door: 15–25 min
Walk uphill about 1 mile, or take the shuttle between the towns
Opera house, historic main street and more casinos.
Denver
goDoor to door: 35–45 min
Car via CO-119 and I-70, or a casino shuttle
Easy return leg; shuttles run all day.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Car via CO-119 and US-36
Too far for a comfortable same-day return with casino time.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Casino hotels on Main Street
Ameristar, Horseshoe, Lodge and Monarch cluster within a few minutes' walk; best for one night.
Golden Gate Canyon / CO-46
Campground, cabins and glamping domes about 15–20 min from the casino strip; need a car.
Central City
One mile uphill; quieter, walkable between the two towns.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–200 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Casino-hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$160 | US$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150 | US$300 |
| Casino shuttle from Denver, round trip2 × US$23 · check | US$46 |
| Parking, one day1 × US$0 · Casino lots are generally free; check | US$0 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$54 |
| Trip total≈ US$295 per person per day, bed included | US$590 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Casino buffet or diner meal | $15–35 |
| Beer at a casino bar | $6–10 |
| Casino shuttle from Denver, round tripcheck | from $23 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Drinking and driving is strictly enforced; use a shuttle or a designated driver.
- CO-119 can ice up in winter; check conditions before driving.
- Casino floors are 21+; bring ID.
- Altitude is about 2,600 m — pace yourself on arrival.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Gilpin County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- 303-582-5500
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Black HawkBlack Hawk
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Gilpin County Sheriff (non-emergency)303-582-5500
Embassy
Most embassies and consulates are in Denver or Washington, DC; check your country's list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Casino shuttle Denver → Black Hawk, round trip: from $23, 30–40 min (check)
- Drive DEN → Black Hawk: about 90 min via I-70 and CO-119
- Drive Denver → Black Hawk: 35–45 min via I-70 exit 244 and CO-119
Say or show
- Where is the casino floor? — Where is the casino floor?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is there a shuttle to Central City? — Is there a shuttle to Central City?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- How much is parking? — How much is parking?
- I need a taxi — I need a taxi
Casino floors are 21+; bring photo ID.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Black Hawk. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (snow, ice on CO-119) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DEN: shuttle and drive times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters: casino strip on Main Street, Central City, Golden Gate Canyon.
- Place pages with verified hours for the casinos, Crooks Palace and White Buffalo Grill.
- Winter driving fixtures for CO-119 so gates A–D can go green.