6 Quietest Small Towns Near Colorado Springs

Living in a big city in the heart of the Rockies gives you the best of both worlds, where you can enjoy urban amenities like fine dining and cultural abundance but still find small, peaceful towns just a short drive away. On your commute to work or a lunch break stroll, it is hard to disregard the iconic Pikes Peak towering over Colorado Springs, tempting you for a weekend getaway into the mountains. Conveniently located within a few hours' drive, these towns provide portals through which you can disappear for a day, a romantic weekend escape, or even a camping trip with the whole family.

Cripple Creek

The tiny town is a historic mining, gambling, and cultural destination, making it easy to forget your woes just an hour west of Colorado Springs via a scenic drive flanking Pikes Peak. Surrounded by majestic mountains, breathtaking vistas follow you on a hunt for relics downtown, from the historic buildings and several museums to the Butte Theater itself. While some come to test their fortunes between Cripple Creek's nine casinos, you can opt for a classic melodrama in this lovingly restored venue.

Families enjoy the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad, a seasonal joyride from the town's 1894 vintage depot, and in the fall, the snaking Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway is unmissable for its showy colors and history of the region. In addition to epic donkey races in the summer, Cripple Creek hosts the annual Ice Festival featuring dazzling Ice Castles in February. No matter when you visit, score a stay at the historic Hotel St. Nicholas, an elegant lodging in a former miners' hospital, circa 1898.

Central City

This small town with a big name is about an hour and a half from Colorado Springs. Having once ballooned to 10,000 locals in just two months upon the discovery of gold in 1859, many of the original buildings and architecture still stand in the historic downtown. Plan a summer escape during the Opera Festival to immerse yourself in a world of magic in the original, 1878 jewel box opera house.

The Gilpin History Museum is located in a former schoolhouse and showcases several artifacts, photographs, and exhibits, including the 1898 "Mountain Submarine," Nautilus, that sank and was later recovered from Missouri Lake decades later. Set yourself up at the Century Casino & Hotel Central City near all the thrift and gift stores and the Gilpin County Arts Association, displaying the work of local and regional artists since 1947. For a bit of outdoor recreation, Maryland Mountain is a moderate, 4-mile hike with 1,000 feet of elevation gain just a stone's throw from town.

Manitou Springs

Just minutes west of Colorado Springs, visitors from around the world come to the foothills of Pikes Peak to experience Manitou Springs’ unique charm. Famous attractions skirt the city, including the striking sandstone formations of the Garden of the Gods. Beyond the area’s ancient cliff dwellings, Cave of the Winds offers a mix of history and adventure.

Long before the town was founded in the late 1800s around its natural mineral springs, the Ute people considered these waters sacred and traveled here to drink from them. The town grew around the sacred springs with spas, resorts, and other ways to enjoy the bubbly benefit, including several free, naturally carbonated fountains, each with a unique taste for a fun, self-guided tour idea. Of course, several local businesses have capitalized on the springs. SunWater Spa offers massages, public cedar pools ranging from 85 to 104 degrees, and other services perfect for after climbing the steps of the Manitou Incline, a calf-burning workout with 2,000 vertical feet of elevation gain in under a mile. To cap off a great day in Manitou Springs, take in the laid-back vibe and clean mountain air on a budget from the Fountain Creek Inn.

Salida

Founded in the 1800s as a stagecoach stop, then a stopover on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad downtown, Salida unites art and history in a walkable atmosphere with breathtaking views, surrounded by more 14ers in Chaffee County's Sawatch Range than anywhere in the state. Countless miles of trails thread the slopes for endless thrills and recreation. Beyond land-based activities, you can try river surfing at a unique spot along the Arkansas River in town. When you've had your fill of outdoor adventure, relax and soothe those sore muscles at the family-friendly Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center, which boasts two pools fed by natural mineral springs.

Two hours southwest of the city, it is more than worth a longer drive to find yourself in the state's largest historic district. Salida knows how to keep visitors on their toes with history etched into every corner amid significant and beautiful buildings, like the 1932 Art Deco Chaffee County Courthouse, plus coffee shops, galleries, and rustic but charming lodgings like the top-rated Simple Lodge & Hostel.

Victor

Victor feels unexploited by the 21st century, with late-19th-century architecture at nearly 10,000 feet above sea level. Here, you can browse museums, see an antique trolley car, and scout old gold mine remnants among other period artifacts and historic maps at the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum. In addition to hiking and biking the four Historic Mining Trails, Victor is a convenient jumping-off point for a couple of scenic drives, particularly the stunning Phantom Canyon Road leading into town. Grab a snack or sweet treat from Gold Camp Bakery Cafe & Deli and get exploring.

Just a short drive from Cripple Creek and an hour from Colorado Springs along the Gold Belt National Scenic Byway, the 250-foot Arequa Gulch Bridge spans Arequa Gulch on Hwy 67 between the two towns. The highest bridge in the state highway system is part of the Gold Belt National Scenic Byway, offering pristine views of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains and a pullout to stop and soak it in. When it's time to call it a night, Victor Hotel offers a comfortable and convenient stay in a heritage brick building downtown, and the historic Gold Camp Road is an ideal denouement for your journey back to the city, past old mining structures.

Rye

Just 30 minutes from Pueblo and an hour from Colorado Springs, Rye sits near popular fishing and swimming spots along the Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway. The route climbs from 4,600 to 9,400 feet over 103 miles, passing the 40-acre Lake Isabel in San Isabel National Forest. There, lush evergreens frame views of the soaring Sangre de Cristo peaks. Visitors can hike, fish, picnic, or camp nearby, with scenic overlooks of the area’s clear, shimmering waters.

After trailing the meadows and mountains in the footsteps of rugged explorers, Rye Cafe serves up hearty fare with a modern twist and a side of live music, while the Craftsman Lodge is an idyllic spot to unwind in a peaceful setting south of town. Just north, Bishop Castle is a marvel. Built by a local and now open to the public by donation, the unique landmark features a stone facade, towers, and stained-glass windows.

Known for its sunny weather and plentiful snowfall in winter, Colorado is a dream with clean mountain air, pronounced seasons, and a thriving economy. From the magic of Manitou's healing waters and rejuvenating air to Rye's Bishop Castle and historic lodgings throughout, these small towns offer a local and authentic experience and deserve a spot on your next trip through this dynamic state.