9 Close-Knit Towns to Visit in The Rockies
The Rocky Mountains are a vast 3,000-mile stretch of wilderness, snow-capped peaks, glacier-melted waters, and unforgettable vistas, unmatched by many places on Earth. Throughout this expansive landscape, there are places where many people call home. Taking advantage of world-class beauty is what these close-knit towns in the Rockies do best.
When it comes to a natural wonder like the Rocky Mountains, some experiences can't be replicated by big-city life, so these smaller towns utilize their natural resources for fishing, whitewater rafting, hiking, and mountain climbing. From the artistic spirit of Taos to the neighborly charm and riverside beauty of Buena Vista, these tight-knit communities thrive on connection, culture, and a shared love of the outdoors.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
First on the list is the community of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This area in western Wyoming has grown rapidly in popularity over the past couple of decades. The secret may be out on this close-knit town that enjoys being the gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park. The former spans 310,000 acres with plenty of landmarks and wildlife, such as cougars, river otters, and American black bears.
Skiing is one of the popular pastimes of the area, with plenty of resorts to choose from. But the community offers more than hitting the slopes. Take advantage of the never-ending wild with mountain biking at Grand Targhee or a scenic gondola ride to the summit of Snow King. Interested in shopping? Walk through the famous town square and see the antler arches decorating the area. You might even see wild elk strolling nearby to mix modern amenities with wild nature.
Buena Vista, Colorado
The next stop will take you to central Colorado, where you'll find Buena Vista, Colorado. This town of around 2,900 residents sits at an elevation of 7,960 feet. Community spirit abounds, and events like the Buena Vista Summer Farmers Market at Columbine Park are full of friendly locals and plenty of activities, food, and music. Like most towns on this list, this close-knit town does a great job of pushing you to explore the spectacular scenery that surrounds it.
Take advantage of the Sawatch Mountain Range by hiking and perhaps summiting one of the many 14ers in the area, more than any other Colorado mountain range. You can try whitewater rafting at Buena Vista's whitewater park, or maybe a slower-paced fishing expedition in the Arkansas River is more your speed. After a day of nonstop activity, you can take advantage of the hot springs at Chalk and Cottonwood Creek or Poncha Springs.
Crested Butte, Colorado
This former coal mining town in the Slate River Valley is located in west-central Colorado, and has built a reputation for skiing, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities. It is said that you could spend a lifetime exploring the natural beauty that Crested Butte offers. From Crested Butte to Mt. Emmons and Whetstone Mountain to Mt. Axtell, there are unforgettable scenic views to find, no matter your outdoor recreational hobby. Adventurers will love climbing the Red Lady trail, which has a 1,000-foot elevation gain in under a few miles up Mount Emmons.
While the wilderness around the area is one reason to visit, don't forget about the downtown area. Walk through the brightly painted historical buildings and enjoy the restaurants and shops that help make this mountain community so tight-knit. Paradise Cafe is a popular name with a close-knit vibe and casual dining. One can also explore their artistic side at the Crested Butte Mountain Theater.
Taos, New Mexico
While most of the towns on this list capture the beauty of the Rocky Mountains with outdoor activities, one town pushes art to the forefront to appreciate the natural canvas it's surrounded by. Taos, New Mexico, is a quiet town of 6,500 residents located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the north-central part of the state. Known as a longtime artist colony, Taos has many museums and galleries, like the Taos Art Museum or Harwood Museum of Art, that showcase the area's regional artwork.
Art doesn't just confine itself to the museums in Taos. No, you can find it shows up in the architecture all around you. From the adobe dwellings of Taos Pueblo, or the historic Taos Plaza lined with old mercantile stores, galleries, and restaurants. Taos Pueblo, in particular, stands out as a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. As the day winds down, take a sunrise drive just outside of town to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge that hangs 600 feet above the Rio Grande River.
Whitefish, Montana
When a strong history of environmentalism and jaw-dropping scenery flow together, you come up with the next small, close-knit town on the list, Whitefish, Montana. The town of Whitefish, located in northwest Montana, is the gateway to one of the most memorable locations on earth, the glacier-carved valleys of Glacier National Park. Spanning over one million acres, the park abounds with diversity, from 1,000 different plant species to 130 named lakes.
There are plenty of accolades for this small town everywhere you look, including being named one of the “Top 25 Ski Towns in the World” by National Geographic. Feel free to take advantage of the prime skiing at the Whitefish Mountain Resort. The area offers truly unique experiences like alpine slides at Whitefish Mountain Resort, or aerial tours with the 2FlyUs hot air balloons, or a Backcountry flying experience on a seaplane.
Telluride, Colorado
Telluride is an old mining town in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, located in the southwest part of the state. Billing itself as "The Most Colorado Place on Earth", this town of around 3,000 people nestled in the San Juan Mountains is home to the favorite activities for Rocky Mountain life. Go biking or hiking the San Juan Mountain terrain, and try to summit one of the 14,000-foot peaks (14ers).
If you want to understand the area better, take a tour of the Telluride Historical Museum or visit downtown, which is designated as a National Historic Landmark District. Have a passion for the arts? You can take a class at the Ah Haa School for the Arts. With everything from painting and drawing to their HAHA art installation event, the town exudes both warmth and creativity.
Bigfork, Montana
While there are other locales on this list with plenty of notoriety, few can boast about the publication accolades that Bigfork can. "The 50 Great Towns in the West", "100 Best Small Art Towns", "The Great Towns of America", and National Geographic's "Guide to Small Town Escapes" all mention this small Northwest Montana town of just over 5,000 residents. Bigfork is revered for its incredible outdoor scenery, but it's the world of art that separates this small town apart.
You can check out the outdoor sculptures around town or visit the Bigfork Summer Playhouse for shows six days a week during the summer. There is also the Bigfork Festival of Arts in August, which showcases the local art talent. If outdoor sports are your preferred leisure time, you can fish or go boating on Flathead Lake or hike the area and take in the Rocky Mountain scenery.
McCall, Idaho
Located on the western side of Idaho, this small resort town of around 3,700, according to the 2020 U.S. Census, is a Rocky Mountain town situated on the southern tip of Payette Lake. There is plenty to do year-round, as you'll find yourself creating handcrafted snow sculptures at the McCall Winter Carnival or enjoying hiking and biking through the Payette National Forest. Covering over 2.3 million acres, the forest is an outdoor lover’s dream, with notable landmarks like the Seven Devils Mountains.
Visit the Polly Bemis Ranch, a 26-acre National Monument and historical site in McCall that is only accessible by jet boat or raft. Visitors can learn about the Chinese American pioneer who called this place home. Back in McCall, enjoy the town's art walk, which will take you to 15 custom pieces around town.
Granby, Colorado
Granby is a northern Colorado town northwest of Denver, with a population of slightly over 2,000 residents according to the 2020 census. If there's one thing this small Rocky Mountain town is known for, it's fishing. The portion of the Colorado River near Granby is rated as "Gold Medal Waters". Feel free to get a guided rafting trip with a local outfitter or play 18 holes at the world-renowned Grand Elk Golf Course.
When winter calls, there is no shortage of outdoor activities, including dog sledding trips or snowmobiling adventures at Snow Mountain Ranch. After all the outdoor exploration, one can relax and chat with the locals at Brickhouse 40, a rustic bar and restaurant.
Finishing Thoughts
As you can see, close-knit Rocky Mountain towns take full advantage of the gift that this landscape affords their towns. While most of these towns have world-class mountain biking, skiing, or hiking that people from all over the globe trek to, they have more to offer than meets the eye. The adobe architecture and art-inspired town of Taos, live music or theater in Crested Butte, or snow sculptures in McCall, showcase eclectic entertainment that will keep you coming back west to redefine what it means to be living the mountain life.
