8 Most Relaxing Colorado Towns
By early February, the winter slump can start to feel relentless — but there’s a cure: Colorado offers the perfect mix of quiet escapes and natural wonder, from steamy hot springs and mineral vapor caves to riverside inns, orchard-lined valleys, and ski towns where the pace finally slows. Imagine mornings beside a gently flowing river, afternoons soaking in a thermal pool, and evenings watching the sunset behind jagged peaks. These eight towns are prime spots to recharge, reset, and savor a pace that makes you forget what day it is. Your next Colorado getaway is waiting.
Glenwood Springs
Few activities are as relaxing as soaking in hot springs, and Glenwood Springs is just the place to do it. Iron Mountain Hot Springs is a must-visit while you are in town, a resort with geothermal pools, pools with waterfalls, a cold plunge, and more. For another rejuvenating experience, travelers can spend an afternoon at Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves, which offers access to natural hot mineral steam caves, private mineral baths, and massages, among other spa treatments. You can also revitalize yourself along Glenwood Springs’ hiking trails. Hanging Lake Trail is one such example: a 1.2-mile rocky hike and National Natural Landmark that leads to gorgeous cascades.
Paonia
In Paonia, travelers can connect with Colorado’s laid-back farm life, with fruit orchards, wineries, and farms surrounding the town. Orchard Valley Farms & Black Bridge Winery is just the place to start your itinerary, a joint orchard and vineyard that hosts U-pick produce events, a farm market, and wine tastings on the beautiful property. Zenzen Gardens is another wonderful farm to check out, featuring farm-to-table dinners, wine tastings, camping, glamping, and cottages.
If you want to learn more about Paonia’s dairy industry, you will also love visiting Western Culture Farmstead & Creamery, where you can taste some artisan cheeses in its farm store. Or make the drive out to Paonia State Park, where you can immerse yourself in the stunning Ragged Mountains.
Ouray
With a name like the “Outdoor Recreation Capitol of Colorado,” you know that a weekend in Ouray is going to be filled with nature. Thundering waterfalls await at Box Cañon Falls Park, where a short 500-foot trail leads to the cascades formed by Canyon Creek. In the winter, you will also find gems like the Ouray Ice Park, a human-made ice climbing park that features 150 named climbs.
For a warmer experience, head to the Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa & Lodgings, where you can soak in a 108-degree hot springs vapor cave, swim in the outdoor heated pool, or enjoy a therapeutic massage before checking into one of the cozy guest rooms on the premises.
Redstone
Redstone sits in the lush Crystal River Valley near the White River National Forest, making it an absolute haven for the outdoors. There are countless opportunities for hiking near town, starting with the Filoha Meadows Wildlife Preserve. Consisting of thermal wetlands, this preserve supports a variety of rare plants, fireflies, elk, and bighorn sheep. It also hosts landmarks like a historic barn and an old railroad grade.
If you are a serious hiker, you may also consider one of Redstone’s more challenging trails, like East Creek Trail, which features a strenuous, eight-mile climb, ending at an altitude of about 12,000 feet with views of the Elk Mountain, Gift Creek, and the Avalanche Creek Drainage from above. After your outdoor adventure, unwind for the evening at the Redstone Inn, which dates back to 1902, sitting along the beautiful banks of Crystal River.
Nederland
There is still time to plan a winter escape, with Nederland standing out for its mountain resort. Just half an hour west of Boulder, this community is home to Eldora Mountain, a ski resort offering 40 miles of ski and snowshoe trails, along with rentals and lessons. Travelers wanting to learn more about the ecosystem that surrounds Nederland can also visit the Wild Bear Nature Center, which features interactive exhibits and access to 3,000 acres of public open space, educating guests about the region’s mountain ecology. In town, you will also find attractions like the Nederland Mining Museum, where you can learn about the county’s mining days during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Silverton
Similar to Nederland, Silverton is also a four-season vacation destination with plenty to do, thanks to its location in the San Juan Mountains. In the winter, you can head out to the Kendall Mountain Ski Area, which offers a variety of downhill activities like skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and sledding. With warmer weather, you can enjoy a hike on the Highland Mary Lake Trail, which winds around a series of high-altitude lakes. It is a bit of a drive, but well worth it. The countryside around Silverton is worth seeing up close, and one of the best ways to do so is aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which offers seasonal round-trip scenic rides through the Rockies and San Juan National Forest.
Estes Park
Estes Park is one of the best gateways to the Rocky Mountain National Park, with the park entrance lying just minutes away. Inside the park boundaries, hikers will be met by over 100 peaks, 300 miles of hiking trails, and wildlife like wild elk. Back in town, several restaurants offer unbeatable views of the mountains, such as Twin Owls Steakhouse, which serves steaks, wild game, and seafood overlooking the Rockies. There is also an excellent selection of lodges where visitors can spend the night. The Inn on Fall River is a great option, located halfway between the village and the park entrance, with private cabins and lodge rooms available.
Salida
Salida is located in another one of Colorado’s hot springs regions, making it another lovely alternative for a weekend of relaxing waters. Open year-round, visitors can spend a day at the Salida Hot Springs Pool, which has natural mineral water ranging in temperature between 84 and 86 degrees. Lying on the Arkansas River, travelers can also look into an excursion with Salida River Adventures, an outfitter that offers both whitewater rafting and guided fishing trips. To fully immerse yourself in nature, consider making the drive out to a nearby campground, such as O’Haver Lake, which sits at roughly 9,200 feet and offers 31 lakeside campsites.
Rest And Relaxation Awaits
It is never too early to schedule your next getaway. Whether you are already thinking about your summer plans or are hoping to sneak in a little winter trip before the snow melts, you have plenty of options across the Centennial State. Year-round, a trip to a small town winery or mountain lodge is never a bad idea, either. A true sense of rest and relaxation has never been more accessible.
