Nederland - North Central Colorado
Experience Nederland and Eldora, Colorado
Nederland, where life is happier, is nestled in a valley created by a glacier thousands of years ago in north-central Colorado, perched above Boulder at the intersection of the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway (Hwy 72) and Boulder Canyon Drive (Hwy 119). The original inhabitants included the Ute and Arapahoe tribes, who spent the summer months hunting and foraging as migrating herds traveled to higher terrain.
Mountain men (hunters and trappers) looking for beaver pelts found their way here in the early 1800s and established the first trading post. By the mid-19th century, white homesteaders named the area Dayton, then Brownsville. 1871 was a year of firsts: the new post office renamed the town Middle Boulder; Abel Breed bought the silver-rich Caribou Mine; and Boulder Canyon Road was completed. In 1910, the first automobile, a Stanley Steamer, made the 17-mile trip from Boulder. And in 1874, the people chose the name Nederland when the town was incorporated because miners referred to the town as "the Netherlands," meaning "low lands."
However, by 1890, Nederland had become a mountain ghost town, with a few families living here year-round. Luck would change in 1916, when Nederland's population grew to nearly 3,000; the current population is about 1,500. During this time, it was possible to travel to Nederland by train, Stanley Steamer, and car. In 1920, the town's cabins became summer retreats for rich folks from the Front Range, creating a tourist destination with picnicking at the new Barker Meadow Reservoir.
FUN FACT: Mayor Fred is not the only cat to win a mayoral election in the United States of America; however, she is the first, thanks to the frustrated citizens of Nederland, Colorado. Fred, a popular stray cat, won an election by write-in during the late 1970s. She was a well-loved stray cat who roamed freely for years. She was fondly fed and cared for by the locals as she wandered to her favorite shops. She was sworn in with a meow of approval. Fred is buried in front of Town Hall, his resting place denoted by a plaque that reads, “Fred the Cat, Legend of First Street, 1972-1989.”
Don't be fooled by its tiny size; Nederland packs lots of fun into its small package. You'll find great outdoor recreation opportunities in and around the town known as the "Gateway to the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area." That's especially true if you're a skier or snowboarder; Eldora Mountain Ski Area is five minutes west, offering 680 acres of terrain. The Barker Meadow Reservoir shoreline path is open year-round; it's especially scenic in the spring and summer, when flowers are blooming, fish are biting, and birds are nesting.
Caribou Ranch Open Space: Each year, the park closes from April 1 to June 30 to protect spring migratory birds and elk calving. DeLonde Homestead Trail-head has car and horse-trailer parking, picnic tables, and restrooms. The Recreation Area is two miles north of Nederland, along County Road 126. This is a fun family-friendly outing; bring a picnic basket, but leave your dog at home. Kids will love exploring the restored 19th-century building exteriors (no entry) and historic grounds. Bring binoculars and your iPhone; you are sure to spot wildlife! There are informative signs along the way.
The Nederland Mining Museum is worth a visit, with mining equipment, newspapers, and photographs from the area's days as a silver, gold, and tungsten mining hub in the late 1800s. The Gillespie House Museum gives visitors an idea of what a typical 1907 Nederland residence would have looked like. Kids of all ages will love a ride (or two and maybe three!) on the town's Carousel of Happiness, an antique carousel restored that features 58 different animals, from giraffes to fish, and is handicapped accessible.
The Peak-to-Peak Highway stretches along the Front Range from Central City to Estes Park, which places Nederland in the perfect location to plan a day of touring in each direction. Chipeta Park, named to honor the wife of Chief Ouray of the Tabeguache (Uncompahgre) Ute tribe, is a great place for families to frolic with a playground, kids fishing pond, picnic tables, and a stream to relax by.
Railroad buffs will want to explore Rollins Pass and the Switzerland Trail; they each take you to the small towns where Colorado's first gold strikes were made. Rollin's Pass Road (an old railroad bed) is now a hard-packed dirt route to the historic town of Tolland, ending a short hike to the summit and offering panoramic views of both sides of the Continental Divide. The Switzerland Trail (once a narrow-gauge route) is a stunning trip through the woodlands to the Gold Hill Historic Site; it's open for hiking, mountain biking, off-roading vehicles, ATVs, and bikers.
LOCATION: Nederland, Colorado, is near Barker Meadow Reservoir in the foothills of southwest Boulder County; it is halfway between Central City and Boulder along Highway 119 and halfway between Estes Park and Idaho Springs along Colorado Highways 72 and 119.
DRIVE TIMES TO NEDERLAND, COLORADO: Boulder, CO, 30 minutes. Allenspark, CO, 40 minutes. Idaho Springs, CO, 50 minutes. Denver, CO, 60 minutes. Fort Collins, CO, 1.5 hours Colorado Springs, CO, and Cheyenne, Wyoming, 2 hours. Pueblo, CO, and Laramie, WY, 2.5 hours. Grand Junction, CO, 4 hours and 15 minutes. Durango, CO, 6.5 hours. Albuquerque, NM, and Amarillo, TX, 7.5 hours. Manhattan, KS, 8 hours. Omaha, NE, and Salt Lake City, UT, 8.5 hours.
Nederland is near: Allenspark, Boulder & Denver Mountain Area
Featured Nederland Businesses
DON'T DELAY JOY in Nederland! The Carousel inspires happiness, laughter and magic for all that visit. Scott Harrison spent 26 years hand-carving 56 one-of-a-kind animals. We have a wheelchair ramp!
Nederland Activities & Maps
Scenic Byways:
Peak to Peak Scenic Byway
Ski Areas & Resorts:
Eldora Mountain Resort
Local Area Maps:
Denver Mountain Area Map
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Pets Welcome
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Colorado Maps
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