The Rockies's 7 Most Underrated Towns to Visit in 2024

The breathtaking Rockies, the most extensive mountain range in North America, stretch for over 3,000 miles from the northernmost region of western Canada straight south to New Mexico. Whether you're in for adventures or a relaxing escape to the mountains, there are many ways to experience the majesty of the Rocky Mountains. For skiing, Fernie nestles with some of the highest peaks, guarding its small-town charm and storied history.

Salida, home to the largest indoor hot springs facility in the US and historic downtown, is crowd-free for soaking and browsing studios, including home decor, photography, and pottery. These most underrated, uncrowded towns captivate visitors with history, cultural attractions, and outdoor adventures. For example, the first town has unique natural features lending an all-season outdoor vibe.

Cañon City, Colorado

This unglorified town in the crease of the Front Range and Wet Mountains is blessed with fine weather, where it is often 10 degrees warmer than just miles away, thanks to its unique geography. At 5,300 feet above sea level, under the protection of the peaks, those who know of this gem with sunny vibes flock to the city for a natural respite, with the hottest attractions on this side of the Rockies being the Skyline Drive and the Royal Rush Skycoaster. Don't miss the Royal Gorge Railroad, which has an infamous suspension bridge, as well as campgrounds at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park.

Just north of the stately San Isabel National Forest and the Arkansas River through the heart, Cañon City feels like an idyll to experience local fauna and flora up close. Boasting many bicycle trails, the hidden feel amplifies its prevailing calmness and untouched nature for wet and dry activities. World foods along the main, like Bunk House Burgers and El Caporal Family Mexican Restaurant, will keep you full in between wildlife trails and whitewater rafting your heart out. Make it a road trip with another town on this list, Salida, which will take you through the incredible sights at Arkansas Headwaters State Park, with multiple campgrounds to immerse in wonders in between the two towns.

Durango, Colorado

Home to just over 19,000 residents, this most populous town in La Plata County nestles deep within stunning mountain views. Don't miss the Serious Texas BBQ after a sunny day at Oxbow Park and Preserve just north with pretty water views. If you are traveling with kids, The Powerhouse is a really cool children's museum with interactive science exhibits and activities. For adventurers, there's no better place to stretch your legs than the nearby Mesa Verde National Park, offering fascinating remnants of the Pueblo people's ancestral homes for the history fans in your group. Doubling as a living museum, the historic Strater Hotel, one of the most iconic hotels in the Western US, offers a specific overnight experience.

As a former railroad hub connecting to Silverton, a mining hub, Durango's scenic railroad is a must-see attraction, voted top in the country as per USA Today. Still in the "chugging" industry, visitors enjoy the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad on a pretty journey straight from the Golden Age of trains! Departing from the Durango Depot, the Silverton Round Trip ascends the Rockies with incredible views of San Juan National Forest and the Animas River below. Following a similar route, the popular Cascade Canyon Express is a five-hour scenically relaxing journey with a highlight stop at Cascade Canyon, halfway between the two towns.

Fernie, British Columbia

Fernie, an upbeat town in the majestic embrace of the Canadian Rockies along the Elk Valley in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia, offers a distinct mountain culture rather than a packaged tourist experience. It's a funky main-street lifestyle where mountain bikes carouse the streets along ski rentals and guide shops, and the turn-of-the-century brick buildings are just as defined in the postcard-perfect frame of the rugged peaks. In the summer, the scenic 2.8-mile hike from Fernie Visitor Information to Fairy Creek Falls is easy enough for kids to relax by the cooling cascades on a hot day that freeze over in winter but remain accessible through the winter wonderland.

Welcoming adventure-seekers, mountain enthusiasts, and outdoor lovers, Fernie may be rough around the edges but casual and comfortable, abounding in year-round fresh-air activities. Fernie Alpine Resort is a skier’s dream, with steep slopes and over 140 runs that receive 32 feet of annual snow for thrills and casual family skiing. The Cottonwood Trail reveals natural history along its ancient black cottonwood trees, while wet pursuit fans enjoy the rushing Elk River in a kayak or raft along its clear, sparkling waters and a picnic on the wild riverbanks afterward. Don't miss the historic buildings from the early 1900s and regional hotspots like the old-fashioned art of Beanpod Chocolate, Coffee, and Gelato. 

Jackson, Wyoming

Nestled within the 400-square-mile Jackson Hole valley in northwest Wyoming, Jackson is a small town of 10,755 at the gateway to Grand Teton National Park. This authentic mountain community with rustic charm is home to world-class athletes, active retirees, and fifth-generation ranchers, so follow the local tips, and the spectacular scenery will find you around each corner. Abounding in wildlife trails for horseback riding, leisurely nature walks, and backcountry treks, don't miss the National Museum of Wildlife Art and Teton's soaring pinnacles overhead via Teton Park Road from the comfort of your passenger seat. The National Elk Refuge, a wintertime habitat for thousands of elk, offers sleigh rides among the beasts from mid-December through April. 

The valley attracts snow bunnies with a magical mountain atmosphere, where Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King, and Grand Targhee feature top-notch runs as well as memorable dog sledding adventures. Whether you're in for adventures or a relaxing escape to the mountains, there are many ways to experience the majesty of the Rocky Mountains at the base of the Gros Ventre and Teton mountain ranges. Visitors enjoy incredible dining, shopping, and lodging options with Old West vibes, including nearby ranches, many of which double as hospitable accommodations like Spring Creek Ranch or the A-OK Corral for horseback rides.

Salida, Colorado

Home to three public hot springs, Salida is a wildly underrated “Heart of the Rockies.” Whether you are on a relaxing escape, soaking in the mineral benefits, views, and fresh air, there's something for you, your grandma, and your babies in a pet-friendly atmosphere against a spectacular mountain backdrop. The Arkansas River offers prime fishing with about 5,000 trout per mile, with the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area for kayaking. Soak in the nature of the mountains and rivers on a mountain bike, world-class rafting, or an invigorating hike. Looking for daytime adventures and evening entertainment?

Its zipline and aerial adventure parks like Captain Zipline attract thrill seekers for one-of-a-kind flights above the desert and lush mountains, which turn colorful in the fall, including cliffs, rivers, and wildlife. While most visitors head to famous neighborhoods like Estes Park, the getaway to the national park, or Telluride for skiing, Salida's Hot Springs Pool, the largest indoor hot springs facility in the US, and its historic downtown remain crowd-free. Artisans display and sell their works, where visitors can browse through studios or hunt for a new piece to decorate their home, with all mediums of art like photography, sculpture, pottery, architecture, and fiber arts.

Taos, New Mexico

Taos, a bohemian mecca in the high desert valley in the crimson crease of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, is as unique as it gets in the whole US. If that doesn't excite you, how about 2,500 square kilometers of public wilderness for hiking, biking, and wintertime skiing at Taos Ski Valley? This off-beaten-path town is an underpopulated, exciting blend of three cultures, with influences around each scenic corner. Home to Hacienda de Los Martinez and the San Francisco de Asis mission, visitors enjoy vibrant Spanish encounters through restaurants and events, while its Anglo-Saxon heritage, evident in the love for the outdoors, lends a feel of home far away from home.

The outdoor activities are limitless; from fishing, rafting, and horseback riding, don't miss the Rio Grande Gorge on a hike. Visitors enjoy the different vibes at the town's cultural heart, the historic Taos Plaza, home to artists and craftsmen for over a century, where you can browse for your own creative inspiration and innovative souvenirs. The captivating mountain town in the northern part of the state offers 50 restaurants for a home-style family meal, Spanish cuisine, microbreweries, or five-star fusion dining. Nearby, the ancient Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ancient multistory adobe village. The Taos Native American tribe welcomes visitors to browse traditions, crafts, and architecture. 

Whitefish, Montana

Whitefish, the small town filled with adventure, is scenic, underrated, and one of the best in the Rocky Mountains of northwestern Montana. While many pass through thanks to its easy access to Glacier National Park, there's plenty to linger around in the down-home vibes, with low crowds and hospitable locals over vibrant experiences. Abounding in accommodations, Whitefish, home to the famous City Beach, welcomes you to soak up the alpine feel with spectacular mountain vistas at your leisure through its rustic downtown with shops, galleries, and restaurants like the top-rated Loula's Cafe at the heart.

The lakeside town, on the shores of Whitefish Lake, is a charming year-round base camp with a small mountain community feel, home to 8,915 people living in dramatic mountain scenery every day. Home to its expansive Whitefish Mountain Resort, it draws skiers to the fresh powder in the winter and summertime adventurers and sightseers to the trails around lakes under the soaring peaks, including mountain biking. Belton Chalet is a great place to kick up your feet before your last leg of the journey to the national park. With great backcountry treks, Glacier is one of the best in the nation for seeing the Northern Lights.

Discover the Rockies' Hidden Highlights

The Rockies were formed around 80 million years ago during the Laramide orogeny, with the first humans at the end of the last ice age. Taos, coming at you with stunning landscapes in the high desert against its own vibrant arts scene, has a rich cultural heritage dating back thousands of years.

Occupying the base of the Rockies, these towns under the towering peaks offer access to lakes, rushing rivers, and natural wonders, like Glacier National Park in Whitefish. Jackson, a small town, is spoiled with one of Wyoming’s most scenic landscapes, Grand Teton National Park.