Oro City
![](https://b3247760.smushcdn.com/3247760/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/oro-city.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1)
Oro City, CO is a former mining town in California Gulch, named after the Spanish word for gold. It was the site of one of the largest placer gold strikes in Colorado’s history, worth almost $3 million. Gold was discovered in the area in 1859, and a year later, a significant amount of placer gold was found a few miles east of the Arkansas River, leading to a population boom of 10,000 residents. However, as the placer gold was depleted, the population dwindled to a few hundred. Then, in the mid-1870s, silver was discovered, which sparked a renewed rush to the area. Today, several original structures remain, but most are in ruins.
Nearby Hiking Trails
Boulders, Old Chub, and Wheelers Way
![]() Easy | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 4.5 miles | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Loop |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Hard | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 4.4 miles | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Out & Back |
Off-Road Trail
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Moderate | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 11.6 miles | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Loop |
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