8 often-overlooked mountain towns you must visit in Colorado
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Spencer McKee
Director of Content and Operations
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While many tourists headed to Colorado turn their sights toward places like Denver, Vail, and Aspen, some of the best outdoor recreation can be found in lesser-known small towns around the state – often at half the price. Here's a list of towns that often get overlooked as overnight stays even though a trip to one of these spots can be perfect for an outdoorsy weekend getaway.
Lake Dillon in the Winter
Editor's Note: While planning a trip to any of these mountain towns, know that some COVID-19 restrictions may be in place and may vary from destination to destination. Check with an official local source prior to planning your trip.
Photo Credit: danicachang (iStock).
Rangely Rock Crawling town of Rangely
8. Rangely, Colorado
If you're into off-roading, Rangely is the spot for you. It's even home to a dedicated rock crawling park that attracts enthusiasts from around the state.
Photo Credit: Town of Rangely
Rangely Dinosaur National Monument John Fielder
8. Rangely, Colorado (cont.)
Rangely is also a great hub for those planning an adventure to the nearby Dinosaur National Monument. This national monument spans 210,000 acres of canyon country on the boarder of Colorado and Utah.
Photo Credit: John Fielder
Grand Lake Colorado Photo Credit: inkknife_2000 (11 million views); (Flickr)
7. Grand Lake, Colorado
Grand Lake, Colorado is best known as the less-crowded western portal to Rocky Mountain National Park. The town provides easy access to the park, but also a number of nearby trails.
Editor's Note: Recent wildfire activity has impacted this area. Check with official sources prior to planning a trip as closures and restrictions may be in place.
Photo Credit: inkknife_2000 (11 million views); (Flickr)
Grand Lake Colorado Stephen Martin
7. Grand Lake, Colorado (cont.)
The lake is also a popular draw to the location, which happens to be Colorado's largest natural body of water.
Photo Credit: Stephen Martin
Grand Lake Colorado Stephen Martin
7. Grand Lake, Colorado (cont.)
Home to a number of picturesque mountain town hotels. Grand Lake is a great place to visit regardless of the season. In the winter, this spot turns into snowmobiler heaven.
Whenever you visit, just make sure you don't miss a lakeside sunset.
Photo Credit: Stephen Martin
Royal Gorge Suspension Bridge
6. Cañon City, Colorado
Most people know Cañon City for the Royal Gorge Bridge, which is a great attraction, but hardly all that's there.
Photo Credit: CL_Reflections.
Spencer McKee at Oil Well Flats Credit Jeff Gratzmiller
6. Cañon City (cont.)
Cañon City is also a popular spot for a number of outdoor recreation activities, including hiking, biking, climbing, and whitewater rafting.
This featured photo was taken along a classic Cañon City route called "Island in the Sky." Cañon City has also added a number of new trails in recent years.
Photo Credit: Jeff Gratzmiller
Skyline Drive Simon Morris
6. Cañon City, Colorado (cont.)
To get a great view of Cañon City, head to the very narrow, one-way Skyline Drive.
Photo Credit: Simon Morris (Flickr)
Spencer McKee at Shelf Road Credit Caitlyn Conklin
6. Cañon City, Colorado (cont.)
Another popular spot in the Cañon City area is Shelf Road. Attracting climbers from across the country, Shelf Road is home to more than 1,000 bolted sport climbing routes.
Photo Credit: Caitlyn Conklin
Woodland Park Colorado Ken Lund
5. Woodland Park, Colorado
Nestled just outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Woodland Park is easy to get to and provides an escape from the nearby city life.
Photo Credit: Ken Lund (Flickr)
View from Woodland Park, Colorado. Photo Credit: Kathryn Wanders.
5. Woodland Park, Colorado (cont.)
Woodland Park is surrounded by a number of hills and mountains that make this part of the state perfect for many types of outdoor recreation.
Photo Credit: Kathryn Wanders.
Rampart Reservoir. Photo Credit: Mike Sinko Photography
5. Woodland Park, Colorado (cont.)
One popular attraction that's close to Woodland Park is Rampart Reservoir. It's a great place for hiking and kayaking.
Photo Credit: Mike Sinko Photography
Spencer McKee off-roading in the Woodland Park area. Photo Credit: Nick Kohli
5. Woodland Park, Colorado (cont.)
Woodland Park is also a popular spot for off-roading thanks to an extensive trail network found in the area.
Photo Credit: Nick Kohli
Frisco Colorado ChrisYunker (Flickr)
4. Frisco, Colorado
While most headed to Summit County seem to turn their eyes toward Breckenridge hotels, the town of Frisco is another spot that shouldn't be overlooked.
Photo Credit: ChrisYunker (Flickr)
Frisco Marina, Frisco, Colorado. Photo Credit: Mad Squid Productions
4. Frisco, Colorado (cont.)
Conveniently located off of I-70, Frisco is perhaps best to visit during the summer months. It's location on Lake Dillon makes this the perfect place to stay if you're looking to boat or go kayaking.
Photo Credit: Mad Squid Productions.
Lake Dillon in the fall. Photo Credit: milehightraveler (iStock)
4. Frisco, Colorado (cont.)
Frisco is also a great place to visit during the fall. Some of the nearby trails provide stunning views of Colorado's changing colors with stunning backdrop.
Photo Credit: milehightraveler (iStock)
True Grit Cafe in Ridgway, Colorado. Photo Credit: Christian Murdock
3. Ridgway, Colorado
Ridgway is smack dab in the middle of several epic spots like Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, and Montrose. While there's also plenty to explore locally, this town also makes a great adventure hub to reach several other awesome spots within an hour minutes of driving.
Photo Credit: Christian Murdock
Ridgway State Park Ken Lund Flickr
3. Ridgway, Colorado (cont.)
Ridgway State Park is another major attraction in the area. It's a popular spot for camping, fishing, and hiking.
Photo Credit: Ken Lund (Flickr)
Del Norte Colorado Spencer McKee
2. Del Norte, Colorado
Perhaps the smallest town on this list, Del Norte is located in the San Luis Valley.
Photo Credit: Spencer McKee
Del Norte Colorado Stephen Martin
2. Del Norte, Colorado (cont.)
Del Norte is a popular spot for mountain biking and hiking, thanks to many trails spread throughout the area. Trail development has been a major goal in recent years, making many of the trails in this area relatively new and well-maintained.
Photo Credit: Stephen Martin
Del Norte honey Photo Credit: Stephen Martin
2. Del Norte, Colorado (cont.)
Del Norte, Colorado is also home to a number of small, local businesses, including Haefeli's Honey Farm.
Photo Credit: Stephen Martin
Salida Jeffrey Beall Flickr
1. Salida, Colorado
Salida steals the top spot on this list for a number of reasons, including amenities available and the wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities found locally.
Photo Credit: Jeffrey Beall (Flickr).
Salida Colorado Ken Lund Flickr
1. Salida, Colorado (cont.)
Salida is home to a vibrant small town scene, located among numerous mountains, and within driving range of other spots like Cañon City, Buena Vista, and Gunnison.
Photo Credit: Ken Lund (Flickr)
Salida Colorado Ken Lund (Flickr)
1. Salida, Colorado (cont.)
If you stop by Salida, check out one of the nearby fourteeners, hire a rafting guide, or simply enjoy the local cuisine – I recommend the pizza.
Photo Credit: Ken Lund (Flickr).
Bluebird Backcountry Photo Credit: Justin Wilhelm
BONUS: Kremmling
A small town that's off-the-radar for most, Kremmling is found amid plenty of outdoor recreation. It's close to hot springs, countless multi-use trails, and soon-to-be Colorado's first human-powered ski area, Bluebird Backcountry.
Photo Credit: Justin Wilhelm
Ouray Colorado in Autumn on the Million Dollar Highway
BONUS: Ouray, Colorado
Though well-known thanks to the International Ice Climbing Festival that's held there each year, Ouray is missed by many due to its remote location. If you happen to make it to this small town, don't miss the Box Canyon Falls.
Photo Credit: Craig Zebre (iStock)
Ouray Photo Credit: Markus Van Meter.
BONUS: Ouray, Colorado (cont.)
Ouray's frozen slot canyon attracts ice climbers from around the world.
Photo Credit: Markus Van Meter.
Silverton Spencer McKee
BONUS: Silverton, Colorado
If Ouray is being added as a bonus town, Silverton should be added, as well. It's right down the road from Ouray along Red Mountain Pass. This historic mining town is a must visit.
Photo Credit: Spencer McKee
ATV friendly Silverton Courtesy Spencer McKee
BONUS: Silverton, Colorado (cont.)
ATVs are all the rage in Silverton, Colorado. Use one to explore high-altitude trails around mining country.
Photo Courtesy: Spencer McKee
Silverton Colorado in Fall
BONUS: Silverton, Colorado (cont.)
Silverton is especially beautiful to visit during the fall.
Photo Credit: equigini (iStock)
Westcliffe Christian Murdock
BONUS: Westcliffe, Colorado
The remote town of Westcliffe is known for its panoramic view. It's so far removed from city lights that it's a designated "International Dark Sky Community."
Photo Credit: Christian Murdock, The Gazette.
Westcliffe Christian Murdock
BONUS: Westcliffe, Colorado (cont.)
Westcliffe is nestled between the Sangre de Cristo mountains and the Wet Mountains, offering plenty of opportunity for outdoor recreation.
Photo Credit: Christian Murdock, The Gazette
Spencer McKee
Director of Content and Operations
Spencer McKee manages the OutThere Colorado digital publication as the Director of Content and Operations. In his spare time, Spencer loves to rock climb, trail run, and mountain bike. Follow along with his adventures on Instagram at @spence.outside
(14) comments
You've GOT to include Lake City in this list, at least as a bonus. After all, who else in the state can claim our most famous cannibal??
The Hotchkiss, Paonia area is beautiful.
Rangely is fine if you like greasewood, Sagebrush, alkali, and rusting oil field machinery.
You finally got to the West Slope at the end with a couple of "Honorable Mentions" in Silverton and Ouray. Both great towns. If out of state visitors read this site, please understand that the REAL Colorado is all west of the Continental Divide. Lake City, Creede, Telluride and Crested Butte to mention a few. Drive quickly through the front range smog and traffic and get to the part of Colorado that makes it famous.
Ridgway at #3 is on the Western Slope.
Westcliffe and Salida are both great selections. How about showing La Veta/Cuchara some love? Beautiful part of the state and not crazy crowded.
Woodland Park? Nice town but the weekend traffic is ALREADY brutal. I wouldn't consider it small either.....merely a convenience for supplies for us mountain folk. I tend to avoid it as much as possible.
Ridgway, Colorado does have excellent places to eat. However, the restaurant that is pictured, The Outlaw Restaurant is located in Ouray, not Ridgway.
The pictured restaurant is True Grit (known by locals as the Grit) which is located in Ridgway.
Great list - we invite you to visit the most remote county/town in the lower 48 - Hinsdale County and Lake City, Colorado! Definitely an overlooked and must visit place!
You forgot DURANGO
Ssshhhh! We're already overcrouded with tourists!
YES to Sonny08. The last thing we need is MORE tourists, especially TX ones from hotspots spreading their germs. You know, the ones who won't wear masks? The ones who won't shut off their loud, stinky diesel trucks while they play with their phones? Ya those ones.
It Would be WONDERFUL if you just FORGOT Durango. We were SO HAPPY before the Mainstream REMEMBERED and SWAMPED OUR RIVERS, MOUNTAINS, AND PEACEFUL RESPECT FOR NATURE. But Being COLORADO and Its FRIENDLY, APPRECIATIVE KIND, AND ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPECTFUL, We just Adapted to the GROWTH AND SKYROCKETING LAND PRICES , And only Ask that you MAINTAIN THESE INCREDIBLE MOUNTAINS, and Take your Noisy Machines and Trash Back Home.
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