With 300 days of sunshine illuminating majestic snow-capped mountains, sweeping dunes and mighty mesas, it's no surprise the Centennial State is one of America’s favourite playgrounds. The charming small towns hidden amid this spectacular terrain are just as varied – from lofty alpine ski resorts to vibrant canyon communities.
Whether you’re after perfectly powdery snow, healing hot springs or parties at some of America's wackiest festivals, read on to discover Colorado's most charming and intriguing small towns...
Boasting America’s steepest cut trail, Colorado’s snowiest mountain town is a powder hound’s dream. However, it's even more arresting in summer, when technicolour blooms take over and the town’s annual wildflower festival is in full swing. With 750 miles (1,200km) of petal-strewn mountain trails, 'Crusty Butt' is also one of Colorado’s top cycling destinations. Its galleries, boutiques and restaurants have gained a loyal international fan base, but it remains a small town overflowing with small-town charm.
With just one paved street to its name, this historic mining town delivers alpine adventures and a taste of the Wild West. Seasoned hikers can traverse the beautiful Ice Lakes Trail, which concludes at a dazzling electric-blue lake rimmed with verdant mountainsides. Those seeking an easier ride can board the coal-powered Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad or brave the infamously vertiginous Million Dollar Highway to the equally charming small town of Ouray.
Sitting pretty at 7,800 feet (2,400m), tightly sandwiched between sheer cliffs, tiny Ouray’s spectacular vistas have earned it the nickname 'the Switzerland of America'. Despite its modest size, this former gold-rush town on the Million Dollar Highway serves up some impressive bucket-list experiences: venture into the depths of the Bachelor Syracuse Mine, climb a frozen waterfall or take a soak in the town's steaming hot springs. History buffs can also get a taste of ranch life at the Ouray County Ranch History Museum.
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Unlike glitzy Aspen and glamorous Vail, Colorado’s liveliest ski town caters to every ability and budget. Steeped in gold rush history, 'Breck' boasts more than 300 shops and eateries, with everything from fancy fine dining to sticky-floored dive bars. You could also catch a gig in the town's art district or embark on a tasty tour at the self-proclaimed 'world's highest distillery'. Don't forget to say hello to Isak, the town's 15-foot-tall (5m) wooden troll.
Once home to a hunter-gatherer group known as the Ute people and later a silver mining boomtown, Creede oozes Old West vibes. Dramatically wedged into a volcanic caldera, it makes a visually stunning base for delving into the area's mining history. The 17-mile (27km) Bachelor Loop historic driving route yields eerie ghost towns and abandoned mines, while the Silver Thread Byway takes in the North Clear Creek Falls, typically frozen solid in winter. Want more? Take a tour to venture deep into Creede's Last Chance Mine.
Forget Coloradan cowboys, this spiritual haven hiding in the shadows of the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains is a magnet for artists, new-agers and off-gridders. Its location makes it perfect for outdoor activities, but it also has an eye-wateringly large collection of temples, retreat centres and ashrams – heck, there's even a nearby UFO watchtower. Climb Crestone Ziggurat – by day it affords stupendous views across the town, and by night it offers excellent stargazing.
Bypass the razzmatazz of neighbouring Aspen and come to Snowmass to see one of the world's most significant Ice Age discoveries. Cocooned by a peak-packed skyline, this winter wonderland makes a great base for exploring the Elk Mountains. In town, the streets are one big treasure hunt, with an educational trail paying tribute to the Ziegler Reservoir Ice Age fossil finds, which included an enormous now-extinct sloth. Visit in September for the postcard-worthy views afforded by the town's annual hot air balloon festival.
Perched at over 10,000 feet (3,000m), Colorado's 'two-mile-high city' is an attractive hub for alpine adventures – from hiking the lofty Mineral Belt Trail and off-roading along the Weston Pass to exploring ghost towns along the Route of the Silver Kings. The town's shootouts and good-time girls are long since gone but the wild spirit remains – see it in action at the annual skijoring in March, during which horses gallop through town pulling daredevil skiers around obstacles and over hair-raising jumps.
Buena Vista is a tiny town that ties together the Mosquito, Sawatch and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges, and as a result it has the highest concentration of 'fourteeners' (mountains over 14,000 feet) in Colorado. Each summer, thrill-seekers fill its campsites and log cabins, ready to hike its trails, conquer its summits and ride the mighty Arkansas River which flows through town. After a tough day in the mountains, hit Mount Princeton Hot Springs (or 'the hot pots', as they're known locally).
This peach-growing paradise is one of Colorado’s most underrated small towns. Palisade's flower-fringed streets house a scattering of aromatic bakeries and locavore restaurants, but the best place to sample the famous Palisade peach is at the farmer's market – arguably Colorado's finest. While experienced mountain bikers can take on the Palisade Plunge, foodies can nibble their way around the area's orchards, farms and vineyards on the Fruit and Wine Byway.
Surrounded by healing hot springs and natural vapour caves, this former Ute settlement at the confluence of the Roaring Fork and Colorado rivers is as popular with health tourists as it is adrenaline junkies. Tucked away at the end of a dramatic canyon, water is the main draw here – from the soothing springs that rise up through the earth to the waterfalls at nearby Hanging Lake that tumble into its gold-medal fishing waters.
Boasting the largest ski area in Colorado, glamorous Vail is famous for its legendary Back Bowls and first-class apres-ski scene. With prices as high as its peaks, a stroll through pedestrianised Vail Village feels a little like stumbling into a Disney film – shuttered windows, flower-filled balconies and sweet Bavarian-style buildings. And let’s be honest, in this town running into a real-life princess (or other A-lister) really is a possibility. Don't miss the epic alpine roller coaster!
Hidden in a San Juan box canyon, this lively old gold town, which was the site of Butch Cassidy's first bank robbery, is packed with independent shops, restaurants and bars. In winter, Mountain Village's fancy hotels and snowy runs are just a scenic gondola ride away. In summer, you'll find locals partying at one of the town's many festivals or floating down the San Miguel River. No wonder some of the biggest names in Hollywood have snapped up land in this National Historic Landmark District.
For a tiny canyon community, Morrison has seen more than its fair share of A-listers. After all, it has one of the world’s most spectacular outdoor concert venues in its backyard, and everyone from The Beatles to Jimi Hendrix has played the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. As well as boasting independent shops and restaurants, the tiny town also has prehistoric appeal – giant footprints can be found around Dinosaur Ridge, while Morrison Natural History Museum is home to an impressive bone collection.
With more than 350 miles (560km) of trails on its doorstep, this charming Colorado mountain town, known as the gateway to the Rockies, attracts a steady stream of alpine adventurers. Estes Park is also home to Trail Ridge Road – one of the highest paved roads in the USA. Snaking its way west through Rocky Mountain National Park, it soars to a height of 12,183 feet (3,713m), taking in sweeping vistas and raging waterfalls before reaching the peaceful town of Grand Lake.
This remote adventure town, not far from the New Mexico border, is home to the world's deepest geothermal hot spring. At more than 1,000 feet (300m) deep, the Mother Spring aquifer may be too dangerous to enter, but its soothing waters are ingeniously diverted into various soaking pools around town. Surrounded by more than three million acres of wilderness, this hidden gem is perfect for thrill-seekers, offering everything from snowmobiling and sleigh rides to waterfall hikes.
Follow the trout-packed Taylor River downstream until it collides with the East River and you’ll stumble upon the tiny under-the-radar town of Almont. This watery wonderland, where the two rivers collide to form the Gunnison River, is a fisherman’s paradise. Within easy reach of the watersports facilities at Taylor Park Reservoir, the trails of Gunnison National Forest and the wildflowers of Crested Butte, Almont is the perfect place to connect with nature and enjoy some downtime.
This fun-loving ski town is known for two things: steaming hot springs and America’s fluffiest snow, known locally as 'Champagne powder'. While alpine escapades often prove the main draw, the town itself has lots to offer non-skiers – soak in the hot springs, dine along the gushing Yampa River or check out downtown’s craft cocktails and Stetson shops. The town’s impressive festival calendar features everything from adrenaline-fuelled skijoring to skiing cowboys. Yeehaw!
Overlooking a glistening lake and backed by dense forest, this charming small town, found at the western entrance of the Rocky Mountain National Park, is the perfect springboard for a road trip. While most visitors hotfoot it to the Rockies, there's also plenty of fun to be had hiking forest trails, hitting the lake or kicking back on the golden sandy beach. The town bids summer farewell every August by holding the fun-filled 'Buffalo Days', with cowboy-themed games and pie-eating contests.
Surrounded by colourful canyons and soaring monoliths, this Mesa County marvel, not far from Colorado National Monument, is a magnet for budding palaeontologists. Fascinating excavation sites can be found around Dinosaur Hill, while the town's Dinosaur Journey Museum is chock-full of cast skeletons, fossils and robotic dinos. If fossils aren't your thing, embark on a craft beer crawl or head to the rodeo (pictured).
This former railroad town on the banks of the Colorado River attracts an eclectic crowd, from nature lovers and fitness fanatics to intrepid spelunkers. Rock climbers flock to Rifle Mountain Park, while hikers head to nearby Rifle Falls State Park for its jaw-dropping triple waterfalls and mysterious limestone caves. Looming above it all, hunters roam Roan Plateau – a land of dramatic canyons, magical aspen forests and fast-flowing mountain streams.
With seven world-class ski resorts nearby, Dillon naturally attracts powder hounds but has plenty else to offer away from the slopes. In summer, the 26 miles (42km) of golden sand which fringe Dillon Reservoir take on a beachy vibe – there's even a waterfront tiki bar! Home to North America’s highest deep-water marina, visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to watersports, with everything from sailing and kayaking to themed boat trips.
Famous for its sandstone quarries, this funky town in the foothills of the Rockies makes exploring the world-famous Rocky Mountain National Park a doddle. But if you like your fun wet and wild, head down to St Vrain Creek, which flows through the heart of town and offers everything from fishing to tubing. For landlubbers, a wander around town yields a fiercely independent community of restaurants, bars, cafes and shops, as well as the history-focused Lyons Redstone Museum, occupying a 19th-century schoolhouse.
One of America’s foremost adventure towns, Carbondale is a heady mix of outdoor pursuits, arty finds and Wild West heritage. It's one of Colorado's officially designated Creative Districts, so when you’re not fly-fishing along the Roaring Fork River or cross-country skiing at nearby Spring Gulch you can seek out grassroots galleries and performing arts spaces. A trip to Crystal Mill (pictured), a beloved 131-year-old wooden building perched precariously above the raging Crystal River, tops many visitors' wish lists.
Surveying Georgetown’s handsome Victorian buildings feels a little like stepping back in time. Home to the historic Georgetown Loop Railroad, visitors to 'the Silver Queen of the Rockies' can explore the rugged mountain terrain aboard a nostalgic steam locomotive. For the full experience, you can hop off at the Lebanon Gold Mine and delve 1,000 feet (300m) into Leavenworth Mountain to experience life inside a real silver mine tunnel. You can even pan for gold!
Though the bawdy saloons are long gone, Old West spirit lives on in historic Ridgway. Nicknamed the gateway to the San Juans, this lofty mountain town now boasts a vibrant creative district with an eclectic mix of galleries and museums. When you're not exploring the San Juans, follow in the footsteps of John Wayne on a True Grit movie walking tour, check out an original Galloping Goose railcar at the Ridgway Railroad Museum or succumb to the rejuvenating waters of Orvis Hot Springs.
This National Historic District, found along the Continental Divide, gives you a lot of bang for your buck with great-value lodgings, affordable restaurants and a plethora of free adventures – from climbing at its free ice park to stargazing beneath some of Colorado’s clearest skies. Plus, there’s always something to celebrate, with a long list of festivals covering a wide array of interests. There’s even the so-called Ducky Derby, in which hundreds of rubber ducks race down Henson Creek.
This lesser-known farming town in Colorado's wine country is the place to go for a taste of the good life. Surrounded by endless orchards and some of North America's highest vineyards, many of its handsome turn-of-the-century buildings house delicious farm-to-fork restaurants. The Paonia Creative District is brimming with artists' studios and galleries, while outside town visitors fish and hike in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and embark on indulgent tours of vineyards, farms and calorific creameries.
With six world-class ski resorts nearby and Dillon Reservoir’s glistening waters on its doorstep, this laidback mountain town is an excellent base for exploring the state's natural wonders. When you’re not kayaking around the picturesque marina, flying down the tubing hill or bumping around in a mule-drawn wagon, hit up handsome Main Street, where independent shops, restaurants and bakeries await.
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