Tincup

Tincup is a small remote mountain community in Colorado that was once a bustling mining town and is now known as a ghost town. The streets are simple and many of the original wooden buildings still stand, with some maintained by residents or serving as small businesses during summer months.

Tincup was founded in 1879 after discovering valuable minerals and later named after a valley called Tin Cup Gulch, named for a prospector who carried gold in a cup in 1859. The town experienced two destructive fires in 1906 and 1913 that destroyed business areas and led to its decline.

Tincup got its name from a prospector named Jim Taylor who carried gold in a tin cup from Willow Creek in 1859. Today visitors can browse the small store for souvenirs or stop at Frenchy's Cafe during summer months to eat sandwiches and homemade pie, where the community gathers.

The town is very remote and can only be reached by a rugged mountain road that becomes difficult in poor weather or when snow-covered. Visitors should bring supplies and understand there are no hotels or services on site, while nearby towns like Gunnison or Crested Butte offer better accommodations.

The town was originally called Virginia City but had to change its name because two other places already used that name. A special feature is that the town is only reachable by snowmobile in winter and hosts an annual off-road rally across Tincup Pass.

Location: Colorado

Address: Tincup, CO 81210, USA

GPS coordinates: 38.75523,-106.47985

Latest update: December 18, 2025 19:00