9 Most Beautiful Small Towns in the Rockies You Should Visit
The spectacular North American range of the Rocky Mountains, home to some of the continent's highest peaks, stretches for over 3,000 miles (4,800 kilometers) in length and up to 300 miles (480 kilometers) in width. Once posing great challenges for the explorers and settlers, the Rockies are an adventurer's dreamscape today and a playground for all the naturalists to immerse themselves in scenic pursuits.
The blessed states that call parts of the Rockies home include Montana, Idaho, Washington, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico, as well as an extensive portion of the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and the Yukon and Northwest Territories. Visit one of these most beautiful Rocky Mountain towns in both countries and many in Colorado, home to Mount Elbert, the highest peak at 14,433 feet (4,399 meters).
Breckenridge, Colorado
The most popular town for skiing in the state, Breckenridge, even steals the spotlight from Vail. Not just for the wintertime favorite pastime either; once you hit up Breckenridge's Ski Resort, one of the most visited in the Western Hemisphere, you will be hankering to return in your next imminent time off work. Breckenridge, a real pro at greeting tourists, astounds with attractions for all needs against a spectacular backdrop.
Come in the summer for hiking on perfect trails for all levels, including the wildflower meadows along the Blue River, one of its most scenically demanding sights. The mountain town stuns with an unreplicable, sky-high atmosphere throughout its glorious downtown. From its origins in mining to modern-day fun and relaxation amid the seductive remnants of log- and clapboard-fronted buildings, you can stroll back in time to the late 19th century, the era of its prospector-born wealth.
Creede, Colorado
Originating from the silver boom of the late 1880s, this remarkable town in the Rockies at the eastern end of the San Juan Mountains stands out as a historic volcanic caldera. Nestled dramatically between sheer cliffs, it's an unforgettable experience to explore the sights and activities along the compact downtown, which offers a diverse range for all visitors. Discover authentic 19th-century buildings that provide shopping, dining options, and hotels suited to every budget.
A wealth of recreational opportunities await beyond, with everything from hiking, climbing, and biking to rafting, kayaking, and four-wheeling through the surrounding breathtaking scenery. For a dose of history, tour the great Underground Mining Museum and the Creede Historical Museum. Once home to only 600 and booming to over 10,000 in two years with gold diggers, Creede’s population has since deflated to under 300, yet it remains a favorite among filmmakers. Enjoy the real small-town atmosphere at high elevation in the mountains—the scenery from the 1976 John Wayne film The Shootist and The Lone Ranger, filmed here in 2013.
Crested Butte, Colorado
This historic mining town in Colorado evolved from a coal and silver hub to a popular outdoor adventure destination catering to all interests. Explore its rich history through the sights along its streets, and venture into the wild East River Valley beneath the Rockies. As a true year-round playground, there's no bad time to visit—just four hours from Denver—offering stunning scenery in any weather.
Come this fall for some of the Rockies' best foliage, decorating the Victorian galore in its National Historic District and the surrounding nature bursting with color, while the summer gives the town its scenically telling moniker, the "wildflower capital of Colorado." Crested Butte’s highly strollable downtown with its majestic backdrop is a dream for photographers and history fans. Tackle the surrounding landscape with hiking, skiing, mountain biking, and climbing, and try to keep your eyes on the road while driving along the western West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway.
Estes Park, Colorado
Estes Park, the "central command" for Rocky Mountain National Park, is the ultimate outdoor retreat for every taste, year round. From wintertime skiing to summertime hikes, you can enjoy historic sights and nature anytime through the changing foliage. Take a tour of the notable Stanley Hotel, the Edwardian icon from 1909 that inspired Stephen King’s Overlook Hotel from The Shining.
Just an hour and a half of scenic driving from Denver into the lush embrace of the Rocky Mountains, the famous mountain town greets you with lakes, nearby rivers, and a forested valley stretching below. While summer remains the most popular time for tourists due to work and school vacations, visit now for the most spectacular gift you can give yourself amid the vibrantly colored foliage and the most haunted hotel, all in time for Halloween.
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
The historic town of Glenwood Springs at the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers is like a dialed-down Vail resort town that gets overrun just enough to stay lively while still offering that respite you desire. This, Garfield County's seat and its most populous town, is a hot springs destination in West Colorado. Visit the small town anytime to soak in the good vibes and benefits of the mineral waters with restorative powers, or plan a wintertime skiing trip with snow fun for everyone at the spectacular Sunlight Mountain Resort.
Glenwood Springs comes alive in the warmer months with a lively boardwalk scene perfect for hiking and sunset walks along the scenic Hanging Lake. Begin your day here with a coffee to unwind, just steps from exciting outdoor activities like paragliding, white-water rafting, and fishing. You can also indulge in the famous hot springs, try your hand at gold medal fishing, or enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river trails. Recognized as the "Most Vibrant Small Town Arts Environment in the United States" in 2015, Glenwood Springs' revitalized downtown offers a variety of cultural attractions, delicious food, and beverages!
Jasper, Alberta
This charming town, known from Game of Thrones, is nestled at the edge of the stunning Canadian Rockies, presenting scenery of rugged wilderness unlike any other. To visit, travel north from Banff or take approximately four and a half hours from Calgary, or about four hours by regular buses from Edmonton—an affordable choice—allowing you to enjoy untouched natural beauty. You might encounter deer strolling along the roads or see the northern lights glowing vividly in the night sky. Surrounded by deep blue mountain lakes, the region immerses you in a completely different world. With few tourists and a small, vibrant local community, you can fully savor this pristine environment and embark on unforgettable adventures into their Wild Side.
Equipped with everything you need to stay comfortable, you can explore for days and still have boundless natural ways to uncover. From climbing the icy, frozen canyons to traversing magnificent glaciers, you can also simply relax while letting the atmosphere soak into your every pore. Hop on the Jasper Skytram for easy, breath-taking views. Breathe like you've never breathed before over mountaintop yoga or take a raft ride beneath refreshing waterfalls.
Ouray, Colorado
Ouray, nestled in the San Juan Mountains, stands out as the 'Switzerland of America,' sharing the stunning alpine scenery typical of the Rockies. This small town attracts sightseers, nature enthusiasts, and culture seekers eager to experience its exceptional views. Visitors can indulge in hot or cold activities throughout the year, such as the famous ice climbing at Ouray Ice Park, which draws visitors from around the world. Don’t miss a hike through Box Canyon Falls Park, where breathtaking scenery is year-round, especially in fall with vibrant foliage and cascading waterfalls.
This tiny town is a mecca for awe-inspiring mountain vistas and a worldwide destination for its head-spinning Ice Park, an icy canyon that tests your mettle. Come for the lush greenery in the summer months—a perfect time to soak in the town's natural hot springs while soaking up the scenery and sun. Enjoy easy access to this remote locale, surrounded by jagged, snow-capped peaks and steep valley walls, from Telluride, another town worth visiting on your Rockies road trip, or drive 6 hours from Denver.
Telluride, Colorado
When we said that Telluride is really worth a visit when in the Rockies, that was an understatement. This small town boasts mecca popularity as a real-deal Main Street town of the range, with a whole 80 acres in the Downtown strewn with history from its former silver mining camp days. Now a cultural hub for the region, you can feast on eye-candy sights, delicious food, and fine boutiques for all you shopaholics. Feel the embrace of the warm ambiance here, awash with historic buildings from the 19th-century mining boom in the area.
Come in the wintertime for an unforgettable vibe and scenery with the best cheer and shopping through the holidays in downtown with easy access to some of the best skiing in the state—just a gondola ride away to the Telluride Ski Resort. Despite being six hours southwest of Denver, Telluride is popular year-round with scenic drives, hiking trails, and your favorite recreational pursuits once you reach the famed Bridal Veil Falls, like picnics and photoshoots. Soak up the unreal scenery via an aerial tram through the canyon for panoramic landscape vistas and old mining settlements dotting the hills.
Waterton, Alberta
The historic town of Waterton in Alberta, straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie, is a place of natural wonder in its own right where tourists travel from near and far to connect profoundly with the people's culture and nature of the region, which are deeply intertwined. Immerse yourself in the slower pace and go with the flow while exploring in and around the Rocky Mountain wildlife, with sights guiding you through activities. With no malls here, you get some top-notch restaurants for fine dining, including amazing seafood, excellent local shopping, and cozy stays.
Escape the hustle of city life in Waterton, a town that takes you back to simpler times. Here, you can mingle with globetrotters, friendly locals, and enjoy the stunning natural surroundings. Despite attracting over 400,000 visitors each year, the small-town charm remains undisturbed, providing a peaceful retreat. Reconnect with nature and find your own secret spot among the many hidden corners of Waterton Park, a true Canadian gem filled with natural beauty waiting to be explored.
Occupied by people for over 12,000 years and explored by Europeans, the Rockies today warmly welcome families, friends on a road trip, and romantic escapees. The Rocky Mountains are home to former mining and timber industry towns, now exposing their deeply historic hearts, strewn with modern-day attractions and forested surroundings.
Breathe the fresh alpine air mixed with pine scent and relax or work off the energy along some of the trails with birding and wildlife sightings like golden eagles and grizzly bears. Housing spectacular scenery are the National parks of the region, like Yellowstone, Jasper, Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay, while the range offers a destination for winter sports with plentiful skiing resorts.
