11 Of The Most Adorable Small Towns In The Rockies

The Rocky Mountain states are big on scenic beauty. Those in search of hiking hotspots and outdoor adventure know this region well for its towering peaks and endless promises of adventure with a view. But most don’t ever consider that, in a place of such scenic splendor, the manmade scenery could be as much of a highlight.

Blessed with one of the world’s most stunning backdrops, the best Rocky Mountain towns have a lot going for them from the jump. Fortunately for hiking-weary travelers, they also offer plenty to do and boatloads of charm. These 11 adorable towns are the best of the Rockies — on both the American and the Canadian sides — for a friendly small-town retreat.

Banff

This Canadian Rockies town of just over 8,000 is hardly unknown. As the gateway to world-famous Banff National Park, it’s one of Canada’s most beloved destinations — but many visitors seeking outdoor adventure entirely overlook the town itself. And that’s a shame.

You certainly can’t stop by Banff without hitting the trails to see what the hype is all about — try the easily-accessible Sundance Canyon or Spray River Loop trails. But there’s still much more to enjoy. Satisfy the itch for learning at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, which chronicles the region’s natural and cultural history.

Be sure to check out the opulent Fairmont Banff Springs resort, a historic property offering tours, afternoon tea, and the chance to get a taste of luxury in the rugged Canadian Rockies. And if you absolutely must get that perfect sunset shot, take the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain for dinner and a view.

Basalt

You’re going to notice a distinct abundance of Colorado towns on this list. It’s not surprising, considering the state’s reputation for world-class ski resorts, that adorable mountain towns are one of its calling cards. And that also means that you don’t have to pay Aspen prices to get a picturesque Rocky Mountain escape. Case in point: Basalt.

If the nearby resorts of Aspen and Glenwood Springs are a little bit out of your price range, Basalt offers much of the same for much less. It’s the hub of the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork Rivers, both renowned for trout fishing. Kayaking the Ruedi Reservoir is another option for a day out on the water. Or take to the great indoors: sampling spirits at the Woody Creek Distillery is one of Basalt’s highlights. No matter your tastes, Basalt’s compact, charming downtown and stellar mountain views make it a welcome change of pace from the glitz of the nearby resorts — in both vibe and price.

Crested Butte

How many towns can you ski across? Add this agreeable Colorado outpost to your list. And while many visitors come to town for the Crested Butte Ski Resort, that isn’t your only choice: cross-country ski trails criscross the town for those who aren’t into high-altitude thrills. (Summer visitors who missed out on the slopes can ride the Silver Queen gondola for summit views.)

And it’s not just skiing to entice visitors here. With dark sky legislation in place, Crested Butte is a prime stargazing spot. Downtown, Elk Avenue is the charming main street you’d hope for in a mountain retreat. And try to make it a winter visit if you can: Crested Butte is a four-season destination, but you really won’t grasp the magic of the place until you see it blanketed in snow.

Fernie

Looking for a Canadian Rockies destination without the Banff crowds? Try the British Columbia town of Fernie. With outdoor sports opportunities aplenty and a compact downtown that’s a pleasure to wander on foot, Fernie checks all the mountain-escape boxes.

First, get your obligatory snapshot on 2nd Avenue — the historic brick storefronts of its local businesses perfectly frame the towering peaks in the distance. Then, your outdoor options abound. The Fernie Golf Club has some of the best views you’re likely to find. Winter brings powder to the Fernie Alpine Resort. And if you’re fond of mountain biking, you’re in for a treat: Fernie’s miles of trails are right there waiting.

Field

The town of Field, also in British Columbia, gets most of its visitors for one reason: it’s located within the boundaries of Yoho National Park. Next to world-famous Banff and Jasper parks in Alberta, Yoho is easily overlooked, but locals know its scenery is worth the drive — and many make it. And a good thing, too, because Field is absurdly spoiled with natural beauty.

One insider tip? The Lake O’Hara Alpine Area, accessible only via a seven-mile hike or a shuttle that’s nearly always sold out — but spectacularly rewarding if you can find your way there. Other hikes lead to Takkakaw Falls, the second-highest in Canada and one of the park’s most popular stops. One could spend weeks in Field without running out of hiking trails to try, returning each evening to a cozy town where the mountains are practically a part of the architecture.

And in spite of that focus on the great outdoors, Foodies need not worry: though Truffle Pigs is one of the only restaurants in town, it’s truly top-notch.

Jackson

Here’s another National Park gateway town worth exploring, albeit a much less crowd-free one: the well-regarded winter resort town of Jackson falls is just outside the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. That the park is only one of the area’s many draws is about all you need to know.

Jackson is well-known as a winter sports resort, with three ski resorts in town. But it’s just as spectacular when it comes to wildlife-watching: Grand Teton offers the easiest sightings, but the nearby National Elk Refuge is another excellent choice. Need a break from shredding powder or traversing the Jackson Hole valley in search of critters? The quirky National Museum of Wildlife Art celebrates the town’s natural abundance with its zoologically-oriented collection of art.

Leadville

It’s the highest-altitude permanent settlement in the United States. It’s also a former silver-mining boomtown, and much of its Victorian-era charm is still evident today in its downtown. This is Leadville, altitude 10,154’, and it’s full of surprises.

The Tabor Opera House, once the most expensive building ever erected in Colorado, is a designated National Treasure with a full docket of annual events. The town’s signature sport? Skijoring, a delightfully bizarre Nordic creation in which skiers are tethered to race horses and must navigate an obstacle course through the center of town at Kentucky Derby speeds. (You can see it live every first week of March.) Mosquito Pass is the highest pass in North America that is regularly crossable by vehicle, and it’s perfect for a bumpy but thrilling ATV ride.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a town more packed with offbeat good vibes than Leadville anywhere. If you’re making your way through the Rockies, it’s an unquestionable must-stop.

Ouray

The Rocky Mountains are known for their heavy snowfall, so it can be easy to assume these towns are either ski destinations or summer-only hotspots. Neither is true of Ouray, a true year-round destination with something worth seeing in every season. And because summer and winter get top billing in so many Rocky Mountain towns, it’s noteworthy that Ouray is frequently flagged as one of the nation’s top fall destinations.

The golden leaves of rustling aspen trees are enough to pull in the leaf-peepers - even the drive into town is replete with autumnal views. The famous Million Dollar Highway is also not to be missed. But some of the town’s other year-round attractions merit mention, too. Rock climbing is always a draw in Ouray, and those seeking a more educational experience can take a mine cart tour of the defunct Bachelor Syracuse Mine to learn about the town’s mining history.

Park City

You know a town’s winter sports game is top-notch when it helped to host a Winter Olympics. Such is the case in Park City, a well-appointed but friendly winter resort in northern Utah. You could hardly find a better place to situate yourself for a weekend of snow sports than Park City Mountain, and the nearby Utah Olympic Park is about the only place you’ll ever get the chance to try your hand at bobsledding. (And if you miss ski season, don’t worry: in the summertime, you can ride the Alpine Coaster slide down a snow-free ski slope.)

With some of the most extensive ski runs in the nation, Park City is an excellent choice for the true ski enthusiast. And when you’re done for the day, heading into Park City’s walkable downtown for a bite to eat and an unbeatable view of the Rocky Mountain sunset is a post-slopes refresher second to none.

Telluride

This is as ritzy as a high-end ski town can get. Equally famous for its sweeping scenery and its top-notch ski runs, Telluride is one of Colorado’s great ski resorts — and one of the cutest Rocky Mountain towns you ever did see. Like many of Colorado’s most attractive mountain towns, it started as a mining outpost, and although its posh reputation precedes it these days, its streets have retained much of that 19th-century charm. A quick gondola ride will take you from the historic center of Telluride to the posh ski digs of the Mountain Village resort.

And even out of season, the place is replete with outdoor attractions. The hike to Bridal Veil Falls is one of the area’s most spectacular, and Telluride is the starting point of the San Juan Skyway, a scenic drive that has to be seen to be believed. (Bonus road trip factoid: it passes through Ouray, if you’re making your way up there.)

Whitefish

Not too sold on the glitter and crowds of the top Colorado ski resorts? Try going north to Whitefish. This gateway to the Montana wilderness offers about every mountain amenity you could hope for, from skiing and kayaking to local businesses along a picture-perfect main street. Skiers can check out the Whitefish Mountain Resort, well-serviced by shuttle and equipped with both winter and summer amusements. Oh, yeah — and Glacier National Park is right across the road.

Whether you’re most inclined to ski, hike, cycle, or catch a show (yup, there’s an orchestra all the way up here - that would be the Glacier Symphony and Chorale), there’s no doubt a route and a vendor in town, at Whitefish Mountain Resort, or in the National Park that’ll help you to make that hankering a reality. Backcountry skiing? You’ve got it. Fishing, cycling, or sliding down a snow-free mountainside in a chute? Got that, too. It’s an all-service outlet, and the setting couldn’t be better.

The Heart of the Rockies

It’s easy to imagine that Rocky Mountain small towns are all of one kind. They’ve all got the same mountainous backdrop, after all. But diving a little bit more into the history, quirks and unique offerings of each of these towns will yield reason enough to make a return trip to the region. If nothing else, it’s one place where choosing between adventure and charm will never be necessary.