8 Of The Most Eccentric Towns In Colorado
Colorado may be world-famous for its mighty mountains and posh ski resorts, but there is another side to the Centennial State, a side easily called eccentric. Even the most refined resort towns preserve reminders of their rough-and-tumble mining heritage. Head out to the desert to get away from it all, and you might find the most uniquely eclectic New Age spiritual hub. Try an outing to “America’s Mountain,” and land at one of the American West’s most storied gambling towns.
Whether you fancy a day sandboarding down North America’s tallest sand dunes, tasting incredible local wines, retracing the steps of prehistoric dinosaurs, or simply enjoying the view at the state’s most photographed mountains, Colorado offers many options to not just get weird but have a wildly wonderful time while doing so. From Cripple Creek to Nederland, discover eight of the most eccentric towns in Colorado.
Nederland
Located about 44 miles northwest of Denver and 17 miles west of Boulder, Nederland might seem like “just another mountain town” at first glance. But poke around some more, and you will discover there is much more to see beneath the surface. If you are up for a long, fruitful hike, take the trail to reach the Blue Bird Mine, a former silver mine that was very lucrative until the Panic of 1893. While here, you can also access Caribou Ranch, an incredible park that protects a network of mountains, forest, and wetlands, along with a variety of local wildlife. What also makes Caribou Ranch special is that the area used to house a recording studio that drew a long list of acclaimed music artists up to the mountains in the 1970s and 80s, including Billy Joel, Carole King, Elton John, Michael Jackson, and Stevie Nicks.
If you would like to hike some more, head up to the Indian Peaks Wilderness for an extensive network of backcountry mountain trails, and stick around if you want to try rustic camping at Diamond Lake or Jasper Lake. During the winter season, Eldora Mountain Resort opens its 680 acres of prime alpine terrain for skiing and snowboarding. Whenever you visit, do a stay at the Boulder Creek Lodge for cozy and comfy accommodations in the heart of town.
Morrison
Only about 18 miles southwest of Downtown Denver, Morrison is a funky little town that combines tiny treasures with a giant prehistoric legacy and big-name great performances. During the summer season, Tiny Town opens its park to visitors to explore its miniature village and ride the train around it. This is a favorite among families with children, and another local fave is Dinosaur Ridge, home to over 250 fossil tracks and the site of the first named set of stegosaurus fossils. For even more dinosaur pre-history, head over to the Morrison Natural History Museum to discover more dinosaur fossils, along with Ice Age era fossils and artifacts.
For another view of Morrison, pop over to Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, an amazing place to hike and bike amidst Morrison’s striking sandstone rock formations. In addition, Red Rocks is Denver’s biggest and brightest venue for live music performances, so check the calendar and see if any of your favorite acts will be hitting the stage here soon. Then, check into the Cliff House Lodge to rest in your own cottage and chill in your own hot tub.
Cripple Creek
While most travelers heading to Pikes Peak return east to Colorado Springs when they are ready to head down the mountain, there is another side of the Rocky Mountain wilderness and fascinating Old West history awaiting you in Cripple Creek. For the ultimate throwback, do a short road trip to Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument and wander amongst prehistoric relics dating as far back as 34 million years ago, including its signature petrified redwood tree stumps. Continue navigating through Colorado history by taking the Gold Belt Scenic Byway to retrace the emergence of the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush that drew prospectors up into the mountains from 1858 to 1861, and another gold rush that occurred in the 1890s.
Once you return to town, stop at the Outlaws and Lawmen Jail Museum to tour the original Teller County Jail and look inside the cells as they existed in 1901. Cripple Creek has long had a reputation for being a fast and loose gambling town, but now casino gaming is legal here, and you can play to your heart’s content at Century Casino without having to worry about spending a night in jail. Instead, spend the night in comfort and elegance at the historic Hotel St. Nicholas, which has been welcoming guests to town since 1898.
Crestone
Situated at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Range, about 150 miles west of Pueblo, Crestone abounds in ethereal natural beauty and fiercely independent spirit. The town is named for two of the nearby “14ers” (or 14,000+-foot mountains), Crestone Needle and Crestone Peak. If you are up for a challenging hike, both can be accessed via the Crestone Needle Trail at the San Isabel National Forest.
For an easier walk, stroll around town to enjoy the mountain vistas from afar, and make your way to the Crestone Historical Museum to learn about the town’s roots in mining and ranching. As you walk around, you will likely also notice the town’s contemporary hippie-dippie vibes, and Crestone Artisans Gallery is a wonderful place to immerse yourself in Crestone’s creative side with an amazing array of pottery, jewelry, weavings, sculptures, and other goods made by local artists.
Just south of town, discover the many natural wonders of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. Here, try sandboarding down some of North America’s tallest and most pristine desert sand dunes, and linger a little longer to explore this park’s diverse array of ecosystems, including grasslands, wetlands, mountain forests, and even alpine lakes. Once you are done, head back to town to “find your bliss” at Crestone Bliss, a lovely boutique inn offering friendly and comfy accommodations.
Trinidad
Located near the southernmost reaches of Colorado, about 195 miles north of Santa Fe (New Mexico), Trinidad has an incredible past, yet it also continues to shine with its present-day natural beauty and crafty creativity. Head to the Trinidad History Museum to tour two 19th-century manors (the Bloom Mansion and the Baca House), and to explore the complex and complicated history of this region that has stood at the crossroads of various cultures and communities since the 17th century. It’s also where you can learn about the Penitentes, who took their dedication to their Catholic Christian faith to the ultimate level, and about the 1913-14 Colorado Coalfield Strike that shook this town to its core.
To further explore the region’s history, make sure to stop at the Trinidad Railroad Museum for plenty of vintage train artifacts, and check out the A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art for a broad collection of Native American, Hispanic Folk, and Anglo-American art centered on Trinidad and the American Southwest.
While Trinidad has a whole lot of interesting history and vintage art, it is also a town that continues to create and inspire today. More specifically, explore around the Corazón de Trinidad Creative District that is now full of art galleries and locally run boutiques where you might just find the perfect gifts for loved ones (and keepsakes for yourself). Even better, you can spend more quality time in the Creative District by staying at The Well Hotel & Taproom, a family-run establishment with uniquely furnished guestrooms, an on-site bar that regularly hosts live music nights, and even a taproom where you can pour your own pint of tasty local craft beer.
Creede
Nestled in a former volcanic caldera, Creede is an explosively gorgeous village that lets you experience a more rugged and wild side of the San Juan Mountains. Drive the Bachelor Loop Historic Tour to get up close and personal with some of Creede’s most imposing volcanic rock formations and discover ghost towns that overflowed with prospectors when silver was mined here in the 1890s. For a deeper dive into Creede’s mining history, go to the Creede Underground Mining Museum to tour this completely underground institution built by miners and full of vintage mining equipment.
If you like interesting road trips, you may love the many amazing possibilities that Creede provides. In particular, you can drive out to the Wheeler Geologic Area to see more of the region’s colorful volcanic landscapes that have formed over 30 million years, and consider doing the Silver Thread Byway to see more mountains, forest, meadows, desert, and the state’s largest natural lake at Lake San Cristobal. Then, head back to town and enjoy a fun and funky stay at The Aspen Inn, a charming boutique hotel that makes for a very cozy home away from home.
Paonia
Perched in the North Fork Valley of Colorado’s Western Slope, Paonia may have the United States’ most surprisingly fruitful wine country region. Though Colorado has begun to grow a reputation for fine wines, Paonia still looks, feels, and tastes like the “Wild West of Wine,” and you can taste for yourself at local wineries like Painted Vineyard, Stone Cottage Cellars, and Black Bridge Winery. And while you are at Black Bridge, also check out Orchard Valley Farms & Market for the freshest local and sustainable produce, along with artisan-crafted gifts.
Often, fine wines are paired with good cheeses. So, Paonia also has Western Culture Farmstead and Creamery, a family-owned farm that produces delectable goat cheeses like chevre, feta, and even cheddar and manchego-like specialty cheeses. If you can use a little workout after indulging in so much delicious food and wine, Paonia State Park is a great place for hiking through the aspen groves and wildflower fields, as well as aquatic activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, jetskiing, and fishing at the lake. Once you are back in town, kick back and relax at the lovely Bross Hotel, a bed-and-breakfast housed in a historic (1906) building.
Aspen
Don't miss out on a certain town in the Roaring Fork Valley that is home to a number of eye-catching landmarks, including Colorado’s most photographed mountains, a curious ghost town by the Continental Divide, and some of the world’s most famous ski slopes. Yes, Aspen really has all that and more! Start by driving out to Independence Ghost Town, the region’s first mine, where gold was discovered in 1879, which is now a vivid reminder of this tiny resort town’s rough-and-tumble beginnings. Continue east to reach Independence Pass, a particularly beautiful leg of the Continental Divide that is wonderful to drive, but may be even better to hike (especially if you do The Grottos Trail).
Head west from Aspen, and you will reach the Maroon Bells, Colorado’s most photographed mountains. Not only can you snap your own photos of these iconic 14ers, but also hike the wilderness trails and reach the equally beautiful Maroon Lake. Back in town, catch another glimpse of Aspen’s past at Wheeler Opera House, a vintage 1889 theater that was one of the region’s first electrified buildings. From there, make your way to Hotel Jerome, another 1889 original that has hosted a long list of celebrities (from Gary Cooper to Hunter S. Thompson), and this Auberge hotel continues to blaze new trails with its chic lineup of bars and restaurants, its soothing full-service spa, and its luxurious guest rooms and suites.
Excellently Eccentric Colorado Towns
The Centennial State of Colorado abounds in amazing options for eccentric, offbeat, and uniquely fun trips and getaways. Go to Nederland for a special ski town that is full of surprises. Head to Morrison to see where the dinosaurs roamed, and stay to see your favorite musicians live in concert. Visit Paonia for a ruggedly verdant wine country area like no other. And for the ultimate in Rocky Mountain scenery, Old West history, and New World luxury, Aspen is always where it’s at. However you prefer to venture off the beaten path, these Colorado towns make it possible for you to forge your own trail and get as weird as you please.
