Villa Grove brings together craftsmanship and the history of Hayden Pass. One nearby recreational option leads to the historic Shirley mining camp; you can also explore Colorado’s mining history. This offers several possible focuses for your stay: ceramics and studios, historic routes, or the traces of former mining towns. If you’re looking for a vacation rental, it helps to first consider which of these themes you want to shape your stay.
Ceramics and Craftsmanship
The story of Always Azul Pottery dates back to 1996, when the business moved to Highway 285 in Villa Grove. For a closer look at ceramics, visit Azul's adobe art house, where visitors can view hundreds of handmade pieces. The local history of a business and the chance to see finished works offer two distinct ways to engage with ceramics.
Some local artists have also opened their homes and studios to visitors. Some art houses offer private lessons. This expands the possible focus beyond viewing ceramics: you can visit an open studio or consider personal instruction at an art house. Not every home and art house is the same; visiting and taking lessons are different offerings.
Hayden Pass: History and Driving Plans
Hayden Pass lies just east of Villa Grove. In the 1870s, it was the main route to Villa Grove from the east. For current driving plans, also consider the vehicle recommendation: a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle with low range is recommended for the pass. Road conditions can change seasonally, so check current conditions before driving. The pass’s historical significance and today’s vehicle recommendation answer two different questions: the route’s former role and what to consider when driving it.
Route to the South Parcel of the State Trust Lands
From Villa Grove, reach the south parcel of the Villa Grove State Trust Lands by traveling more than 3 miles on Hayden Pass Road (CR LL57), then 0.3 miles on northbound CR 60 MM. This sequence of two road sections provides specific directions for the trip; check road conditions before setting out. Everyone aged 16 or older needs a valid hunting or fishing license to access the Villa Grove State Trust Lands. Take this access requirement into account before including the area in your plans.
Shirley and Colorado’s Mining History
One nearby recreational option is the Shirley Site trailhead, which leads to the historic Shirley mining camp. The trailhead is associated with biking and off-highway vehicle activities during the warmer months; check conditions before heading out. Apart from a railroad embankment, little remains at the historic camp. It is therefore a historic site with few surviving traces, not a largely preserved settlement.
Another point of interest is the old townsite of Orient. Visitors can see foundations, an ore-loading trestle, a railroad bed, and mining facilities there. Colorado’s mining history also includes the Orient Mine: from the 1880s until 1932, it was Colorado’s largest iron mine. The visible traces at the old townsite and the mine’s historical significance offer two different perspectives on mining: the surviving features of a place and the historical context of an important operation.
Discover more destinations: Saguache
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