8 Nicest Small Towns In Colorado
The nicest towns in Colorado earn the title through their people rather than their peaks. Friendliness here looks like a farmers market where vendors chat as long as they sell. Minturn turns its main street into a Saturday block party of produce stands and food trucks. Vendors at the Crested Butte Farmers Market hand out wildflower bouquets beside fresh pastries. The eight towns below stack hot springs and steam trains on top of that welcoming foundation.
Telluride
Telluride sits at the end of a box canyon and is famous for its ski slopes and abundant sunshine. In the summer, visitors can join the Telluride Historical Museum and Walking History Tour to explore the town's mining past. The tour passes several historical buildings, and the mountains are an incredible backdrop throughout. The museum features more than 9,000 artifacts, painting a picture of what Telluride used to look like. Those who want to hike can take the four-mile round trip to see Bridal Veil Falls at the end of town. At 365 feet in height, Bridal Veil Falls is the tallest free-falling waterfall in the state. Visitors can also enjoy the water thanks to the San Miguel River, which runs through Telluride. The river is great for paddle boarding and kayaking. When winter arrives, the town turns to skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and dog sledding.
Durango
Summer in Durango brings the opportunity to ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The train follows the Animas River, offering lovely mountain views as it travels through the San Juan Mountains. The round trip to Silverton takes the better part of a day, including a two-hour layover in the old mining town. Durango itself is a quintessential nice Colorado town where river rafters flock to the Animas between late May and June to experience the heaviest water flow. Two miles away, Lake Nighthorse offers a swimming beach and the chance to fish for salmon and trout. Those who want to experience the hot springs that Durango is known for can head to the Durango Hot Springs Resort and Spa, where 32 hot spring mineral pools and cold plunge pools await. Afterward, visitors can join the hugely popular Ghost Walk, which consists of a 1.5-hour walk through downtown Durango and lots of ghost stories.
Crested Butte
Crested Butte is one of the nicest towns for seeing wildflowers and exploring the Colorado Rockies. Here, the Farmers Market is packed with the most colorful wildflowers and excellent pastries. Artists sell their art, and vendors sell handmade goods. It is one of the best ways to get to know this popular town and its friendly people. In the downtown area, visitors can admire the restored Victorian buildings before sitting down for a pizza lunch at The Secret Stash and enjoying a great cocktail.
During the summer and fall, hikers are everywhere on the trails, including the easy East River Trail and Lower Loop Trail. The loop, in particular, is good for beginners since it is mostly level and offers panoramic views of the mountains. Families can take the Wood Walk Trail for shade, while experienced hikers can try the West Maroon Pass, one of the most challenging hikes in the region. There is paddleboarding to do at the beautiful Emerald Lake while looking out at the wildflowers on the shore. During winter, Crested Butte becomes a skiers' paradise with advanced runs and steep terrain.
Creede
Creede is full of nice and relaxing things to do on a weekend (or longer) break. Getting to the town is part of the fun, with the section of the Silver Thread Scenic Byway near Creede featuring unforgettable mountain landscapes and wildflowers. People can kick off their visit to Creede with a stop at the Visitor Center, where they will find information on museums and hiking trails.
One of the best historical activities is the Last Chance Mine Tour near town, which offers a fascinating look at what the silver boom entailed in the area. Afterward, there are several hiking trails to try, including the Big Meadows Reservoir Trail. Big Meadows goes around the reservoir, and the area also includes the Big Meadows Campground for those who want to stay overnight. Creede is located in a caldera and is surrounded by the Rio Grande National Forest. During the summer, climbers can attempt the San Luis Peak or head to the Rio Grande to fish for rainbow trout. Those who want to further explore the forest can make their way to the Wheeler Geologic Area, a 60-acre site filled with unusual geologic formations.
Pagosa Springs
Between October and November, there are still some warm days in Pagosa Springs. The crowds thin out, and there is an inviting fall atmosphere that includes golden aspen groves and stargazing. A must-do activity is the hike to Opal Lake to see the fall foliage. The trail is a two-mile round trip and offers a chance to see the milky lake. Pagosa Springs is also home to the Fish Lake Trail, which takes hikers 12 miles from the trailhead to a section of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
During the spring, the temperatures are mild enough to enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride while staying at The Springs Resort and Spa. The resort also offers more than 50 hot spring pools for relaxation, as well as several modern spa treatments. When the moon is new, visitors can head to the Chimney Rock National Monument, about 30 minutes away. This archaeological site is ideal for stargazing and seeing the Milky Way.
Minturn
Minturn is a sleepy mountain town between Vail and Beaver Creek that comes to life during the summer (and winter) when visitors descend on it. The town's historic main street doubles as Highway 24 and offers mountain views along its length. After taking a drive down this street, visitors can stop by Eagle River Whisky for a tasting of single malt whisky. Next up is the Saturday Minturn Market, where people can browse for handmade goods and local produce. The farmers market also boasts several local food trucks, so there is no need to stay hungry for long. Minturn sits in Vail Valley and offers access to the Holy Cross Wilderness and the White River National Forest.
The surrounding forest holds 225 miles of trails to explore in summer, plus plenty of skiing and snowshoeing terrain in winter. Those who want to hike can take the Grouse Creek trail a mile from town along the main street. Visitors love snowshoeing here, while some wait for summer to see the wildflowers. Advanced hikers can attempt the Mount of the Holy Cross 14er, a challenging climb of about 12 miles round trip. There is also plenty to do in the town itself, including visiting Little Beach Park, which features a climbing wall, picnic tables, and an amphitheater.
Snowmass
Snowmass is a small resort town in the Colorado Rockies that is at its best in winter. But those who want to extend a fall trip into a winter one can also catch the Snowmass Balloon Festival. The festival happens every September and caps its evenings with a balloon glow. As Christmas approaches, the town celebrates Ullr Nights in honor of Ullr, the Norse god of snow. The festivities include riding the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster, snow biking, and sledding. December also brings the traditional Snowmass Luminescence, featuring holiday lights and art. Those planning a summer visit can bank on the Lost Forest providing hours of entertainment with hiking trails, a mountain fishing pond, paintballing, and disc golf.
Grand Lake
Grand Lake delivers adventure in every season. When it snows, the groomed trails are ideal for snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and skiing. There are Nordic ski trails to explore, and visitors can also join snowshoe hikes led by local rangers. When the temperatures drop sharply, the town's namesake lake freezes over, allowing for ice fishing.
Those who want summer adventures can go hiking in the nearby Rocky Mountain National Park, which has 355 miles of trails. Some of these trails feature waterfalls and lakes, so there is always something to see. When Grand Lake is not frozen over, it is great for pontooning, paddle-boating, and kayaking. People also love fishing at the lake or watching the sailboats from the shore, especially in the fall as the aspens change color. In the town itself, people can check out the Wild West architecture of the boardwalk along Grand Avenue while window shopping at the more than 60 shops and galleries.
Find Your Colorado Escape
Each of these towns has a season where it outshines the rest. Crested Butte peaks in July when the wildflower meadows fill in, while Grand Lake and Pagosa Springs hold their best light through the golden weeks of fall. Telluride, Durango, and Snowmass earn their reputations once the snow arrives. Whichever month is open on the calendar, one of these eight will be at its peak.
