8 Nicest Small Towns In The Rockies
Stretching from Alberta to New Mexico, a handful of areas share the Rocky Mountains, with precious gems like Golden, British Columbia, and Red Lodge in Montana. Beyond famous resort towns, the Rockies offer attractions that appeal well beyond their borders. From Breckenridge to Glenwood and Steamboat Springs, the nicest towns have something unlike any other in the nation. Find what you love or something new to love, stretch those muscles cramped at work, relax in the pools, and you're reborn. Park City's cinematic fame spans far beyond Utah, while Taos, New Mexico, dates back to the first inhabitants of the range.
Breckenridge, Colorado
Breckenridge is one of the state's most popular ski towns, born from the wealth of gold prospectors. Breckenridge Ski Resort competes with Vail in many ways, offering excellent rates and terrain for all skill levels, including beginners at Peak 9. The town's astounding mountainous backdrop follows your adventures downtown, providing kids' play and picnic areas, dining galore, and regular community events.
Kids of all ages enjoy Breckenridge's history at the High Line Railroad Park. The town keeps on giving with scenic places to escape the commotion, take a breather, and relax, like the peaceful Breckenridge Alpine Garden. In addition to nearby trails, like the popular Snowflake Trailhead, follow the Blue River directly through the heart to meadows in bloom.
Estes Park, Colorado
Founded by a family man who escaped the city chaos, he and his sons came upon a forested valley at the base of what became an iconic national park. Just over a scenic hour from Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park's "central command" lures visitors to escape the organized havoc into outdoor adventures, a charming shopping scene, and historic landmarks. Estes Park is the ultimate year-round retreat beneath the towering Prospect Mountain.
From skiing to lush hikes in the Rockies' embrace, travelers can unwind at The Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King’s Overlook Hotel from The Shining. Enjoy the hospitality on a historic tour of this Edwardian icon from 1909. In addition to the strenuous yet rewarding Kruger Rock Trail, the nearby Moraine Park is an illustrious meadow with camping and fly-fishing creeks, plus curious wildlife that likes to be seen or even photographed along the trails against the changing leaves.
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Famed for the hot spring pools, Glenwood Springs doesn't disappoint in scenic outdoors. In addition to gondola rides at the local adventure park, Glenwood Caverns, the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers consistently supports a high-density population of large trout. This historic Garfield County seat has just enough liveliness to provide the good vibes and R&R escape you desire in western Colorado.
The nearby Hanging Lake is encased in cliffs, with boardwalk views to access behind the shimmering falls. Whether planning a skiing trip to the spectacular Sunlight Mountain Resort or one of Colorado's natural wonders, the vistas inspire upscale luxury without straining your wallet, with fantastic lodgings for $100 and under, like Starlight Lodge. Meanwhile, the town's Iron Mountain Hot Springs offer mineral waters in outdoor pools to relax and restore sore muscles.
Golden, British Columbia
Originally known as “The Cache,” the area captivated Major Albert Bowman Rogers and his crew, who camped while laying the Canadian Pacific Railway. After a camp to the east named itself “Silver City,” “Golden City” seemed like an appropriate handle, before “City” was removed four years later. Having quickly evolved from the tents and impromptu buildings in the early 1900s, the hired Swiss guides were a strategic move to fill up their shiny new passenger cars and hotel rooms with tourists.
Flanked by the Purcell and Rocky Mountain ranges, this picturesque town in the Canadian Rockies packs a punch in the Rocky Mountain Trench, a significant geological valley. The original Swiss-inspired chalets overlook Golden from its Edelweiss Village, while the Columbia Wetlands are known for striking wildlife. The lure is authentic amidst six national parks total, from Canada's highest suspension bridge (the Golden Skybridge) to world-class skiing and mountain biking at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
Park City, Utah
Most renowned for the Sundance Film Festival, this ski resort town in Deer Valley is a popular escape from the capital into a more intimate yet infectious atmosphere. The nearby Utah Olympic Park lures winter sport lovers with facility tours, zip lining, bobsledding, and more to discover at this 2002 Winter Olympics legacy. In addition, this vivacious little town also offers a wellness scene and foodie adventures.
Between the art galleries and distilleries, you’ll meet friendly locals and worldwide travelers even at night on a stroll or over a late dinner and drinks along Main Street. Whether you’re planning for the annual Wine Festival or a family ski trip at Park City Mountain, Park City is ripe to explore around, and the views are captivating, with over 400 miles of paved and natural trails for the leaf peepers and those avid to scale the peaks.
Red Lodge, Montana
Red Lodge is the doorstep to Custer Gallatin National Forest, located by the breathtaking Beartooth Mountains. Kids love meeting wildlife at the town's Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary. A stroll downtown eventually leads to the Beartooth Gallery Fine Art, across from the engaging Red Lodge Clay Center. Meanwhile, the Beartooth Scenic Byway connects to Yellowstone National Park.
The town lends a sense of familiarity amidst fascinating architecture and coal mining history, plus skiing at the local Red Lodge Mountain resort. A walk along Broadway Avenue often ends over a frosted mug and an "Oh So Gouda" steak sandwich at Foster & Logan's Pub and Grill. Driving south along the national forest, scan the woods for wildlife and meandering trails, alongside creek views peeking through the lush foliage.
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
There's plenty to see and do in Steamboat Springs on and beyond the slopes to make the most of a quick escape from Denver, some 156 miles southeast. Steamboat Ski Resort boasts consistent "Champagne Powder" and incredible ski runs, with no better place to try or perfect tree skiing, a local art form. Explore snowshoeing on Rabbit Ears Pass at your pace, or take your family tubing at Howelsen Hill. The town has murals, galleries, shops, and places to warm up.
After the first snow melts, the world-class skiing terrain turns to a wildflower carpet, with lush views along Colorado's best backpacking and mountain biking trails. Starting easy nearby, hundreds of miles span beyond, including cross-country and expert terrain. Between restaurants and breweries downtown, one of the two geothermal hot springs is in the heart of the Old Town Hot Springs. Hit up the rodeo or the First Friday Artwalk, which is a perfect chance to land a landscape piece for your cave.
Taos, New Mexico
Starting in Santa Fe, the High Road to Taos Scenic Byway meanders 56 miles through the Sangre de Cristo mountains, housing true remnants of Old Spain. Located in the southern Rockies, Taos is the abode of small-town charm. The ancient culture is alive and thriving in the Taos Pueblo, continuously inhabited for almost 1,000 years, about one mile north of the present-day city. Its adobe buildings, probably dating from between 1000 and 1450 AD, appear a lot like they did when the first Spanish arrived in 1540.
In addition to tours, browse for handmade clothes, crafts, mica-flecked pottery, silver jewelry, and fine art. Meanwhile, the high desert climate and proximity to the mountains create a unique landscape of outdoor adventure opportunities, including the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Be sure to cross the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge at sunset, 650 feet over the river.
The Rockies are a popular destination where you can explore your passion, find a new one, and engage in soul-searching in the breathtaking views of the North American range. Getting to know these giants through their small towns is a lifelong reward, filling you with life, compassion, and inspiration. These mountains breed culture and creativity; they challenge you and restore your strengths, two of their many addictive powers, accompanied by hypnotizing views. So reignite that spark in your city-starved eyes by picking one or two from the list, for the best therapy is often free or at small-town prices.
