9 Most Breathtaking Towns In Colorado
One of Colorado's stunning small towns lies within an easy drive west of the capital and kicks off an exceptional drive up to a pristine stretch of mountain wilderness over 14,000 feet above sea level. Another sits by one of the nation's most famous national parks. Then there's the spiritually minded town at the southern end of the state that's home to North America's highest sand dunes. On the Western Slope, visitors will find a world-famous ski town adorned with a pair of picture-perfect red-tinted mountain peaks. And farther west, there's even a town by the Colorado River that grows an abundance of reputable wineries. These nine are just some of the places considered the most breathtaking towns in Colorado.
Steamboat Springs
Originally named for the local hot springs that trappers mistook for the sound of a 19th-century steamboat, the Colorado town of Steamboat Springs certainly knows how to make a lasting impression. In particular, the nearby Buffalo Pass at the Continental Divide is a beautiful spot for hiking, biking, or horseback riding, especially when the forest foliage turns in fall. For an easier ride up, Steamboat Ski Resort offers scenic gondola rides up Mount Werner, along with a full bike park, multiple dining options, and live music on weekends. And in case anyone wants an authentic hot springs experience, Strawberry Park Hot Springs has an extensive network of spring-fed thermal pools and a full menu of spa treatments.
After a long day exploring the mountains (or soaking in the hot springs), folks can return to town and check into Trappeur's Crossing Resort for an amazing selection of condo-style luxury vacation rentals at the complex that also includes four swimming pools, ten hot tubs, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and even a fully equipped on-site business center.
Estes Park
Set at the foot of one of the United States' most beloved national parks, all it might take is one look at Estes Park to fall in love with this mountain resort town that's about 38 miles northwest of Boulder. After all, Rocky Mountain National Park is right next door, and this park spans across the Continental Divide and includes 77 named peaks with summits above 12,000 feet above sea level. (And early in autumn, Trail Ridge Road makes a phenomenal drive for leaf peeping, right up until it closes for the season in mid-October.) Even beyond the park boundaries, visitors can catch more Rocky Mountain views while hiking the Kruger Rock Trail, or while teeing off at the par-71 Estes Park 18-Hole Golf Course.
Whether one's looking for an extra special place to experience Halloween, or simply a nice place to take in all the amazing Estes Park scenery, The Stanley Hotel certainly fits the bill. Founded in 1909 and made world-famous by Stephen King's 1977 horror novel (and subsequent film and TV miniseries) The Shining, The Stanley has no shortage of fun things to do on the property, yet it's also a quiet place to simply relax and enjoy the views.
Idaho Springs
Just 33 miles west of Denver, Idaho Springs makes an inviting gateway to the Rockies, and to a rather illustrious nugget of Colorado history. In 1859, prospectors' discovery of gold in the region turbo-charged the Pikes Peak Gold Rush, and the Argo Mill & Tunnel takes visitors back in time to the region's heyday of gold mining operations at the turn of the 20th century. For another remarkable historical throwback, folks can drive out to the Phoenix Gold Mine for a full tour of this underground mine and an interactive gold panning experience.
For those wanting to discover different kinds of natural treasures, the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway is the highest paved road in North America. Here, you can catch views of alpine lakes, imposing granite walls, ancient bristlecone pines, and maybe even native animals like marmots and mountain goats on the climb to 14,130 feet on Mount Blue Sky, formerly known as Mount Evans. Timed-entry reservations are required to drive the byway during its summer season. In 1882, the Club Hotel began its journey as a private two-story house. After some 140 years of wild twists and turns, the property has reopened as a boutique inn, and guests can expect elegantly updated rooms with en-suite bathrooms, Roku-ready smart TVs, and fast wifi internet.
Manitou Springs
Only seven miles west of Downtown Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs opens up to some of Colorado's most iconic landmarks and dramatic landscapes. To the northeast of town, Garden of the Gods Park (or Ho3o'uu Niitko'usi'i in the Arapaho language) is an awe-inspiring assortment of colorful sandstone, limestone, and conglomerate rock formations formed over 300 million years that mark the transition from the Rocky Mountains to the Great Plains. Speaking of the mountains, visitors can also do the drive, hike, bike ride, or even cog railway ride up to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak and behold the incredible views at the top. Even in town, folks can take the Red Mountain Trail and enjoy some pleasant mountain and forest scenery while hiking or running.
To make a Manitou Springs getaway even better, travelers can check into The Cliff House at Pikes Peak and discover a stately four-star boutique hotel featuring guest quarters with gas fireplaces, premium bedding, spa-style bathrooms, and terry-lined bathrobes. In addition, guests have access to multiple tasty dining options on site, including the cozy vibes at Red Mountain Bar and Grill.
Crestone
Perched at the western edge of the Sangre de Cristo Range, around 189 miles north of Santa Fe, Crestone embodies an ethereal high desert setting and an otherworldly, serene spirit. This becomes quite apparent when travelers make their way to the nearby Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, a unique nature preserve that holds North America's tallest sand dunes as well as the towering 13,604-foot summit of Tijeras Peak. For those aiming to reach even greater heights, they can try the advanced-level hike through San Isabel National Forest to the 14,194-foot summit at Crestone Needle.
Then, for anyone seeking some inner peace, there is the Crestone Mountain Zen Center, a residential Zen community that opens its grounds for monthly meditation weekends and longer personal retreats rather than drop-in visits. Staying in town, visitors can enjoy plenty more local hospitality at The Bliss Inn, a boutique property featuring uniquely decorated guest quarters and "heartfelt food" at their on-site cafe.
Pagosa Springs
Named for the local network of natural sulphur springs that includes the world's deepest geothermal hot spring, Pagosa Springs (Pagwöösa in Ute, and Sido Háálį́ in Navajo) makes for a rather soothing and refreshing retreat destination. From here, it's a lovely drive northeast to the Continental Divide at Wolf Creek Pass and some exceptional views of the surrounding San Juan Mountains and seasonal fall foliage. Meanwhile, for those wanting to soak up some healing vibes, they can stay in town and check into Overlook Hot Springs Spa and Healing Waters Resort & Spa to dip into their natural spring-fed pools.
Set right by the region's Mother Spring, The Springs Resort has its own extensive complex of thermal pools, along with a full menu of spa treatments available, and on-site accommodations that unlock exclusive guest privileges like 24-hour geothermal pool access and personalized wellness experiences.
Aspen
No shortlist of beautiful Colorado towns feels complete without the most famous ski town in the entire Rockies. To understand why Aspen attracts so much fanfare year-round, take the road up to the Maroon Bells to behold the heavenly landscape of two crimson-tinted peaks towering over 14,000 feet above sea level, right by the tranquil glacier-fed Maroon Lake and the aspen groves that showcase bright golden hues during the autumn months. For some more fantastic fall foliage, Ashcroft Ghost Town makes another good fall drive, and it's a cool place to explore the remains of this late 19th-century silver mining camp. And for those who make it to town before the summer season wraps up in early October, they can take the Silver Queen Gondola up Aspen Mountain and enjoy everything from mountaintop concerts to al fresco yoga sessions and sundeck dining over 11,000 feet above sea level.
Located mere steps away from the Aspen Mountain gondola, The Little Nell is Aspen's premier five-star luxury resort offering sleek and stylish guest quarters, an award-winning full-service spa, delectable dining at Element 47 and Ajax Tavern, and several exciting excursions and experiences that can be booked with the hotel's Adventure Center.
Montrose
Colorado may have no shortage of beautiful places to go, but there's only one town that sits by a massive "Black Canyon" formed by nearly two-billion-year-old Precambrian rock. This town is Montrose, and the canyon is in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, where visitors can hike, ride horses, fish, and birdwatch near the canyon's edge, which drops as much as 2,722 feet to the Gunnison River floor at Warner Point. For more outdoor adventures, the nearby Gunnison Gorge Wilderness is prime territory for scenic hiking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, and spotting native wildlife like mule deer, elk, mountain lions, and river otters. And for an equally thrilling journey through time, the Museum of the Mountain West spans across six acres and includes 28 historic buildings that provide a comprehensive view of life in the region during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
In case anyone wants to experience some more local history, they can head over to The Rathbone Hotel & Parlor Bar and check into this 1909 landmark that's been lovingly restored and reimagined into a boutique hotel with guest rooms that sport sweet amenities like fast fiber optic internet, smart TVs, portable Marshall speakers, and oversized bathrooms.
Palisade
In the Grand Valley of Colorado's Western Slope sits Palisade, a town at the heart of the state's fruit and wine country. At the east end of town, BookCliff Vineyards serves gorgeous high desert and vineyard views alongside award-winning Grand Valley wines. A short drive west leads to the farm-fresh flavors of Talbott Farms, a family-run establishment that continues to offer fresh local produce, specialty food items, and house-made hard ciders. And a little farther west, Restoration Vineyards is an idyllic collection of grape vineyards, peach orchards, and cherry orchards near the Colorado River. They specialize in crafting small-lot wines that properly respect the blessed terroir they came from.
Located right by U.S. Highway 6 and within easy reach of many phenomenal Palisade wineries (and the larger city of Grand Junction), Spoke and Vine Motel rolls out the red carpet for red wine and white wine lovers alike. This recently renovated roadside motel now has a cool bar that serves locally made drinks and tasty food truck fare, along with comfortable accommodations featuring air conditioning, high-end bedding, wifi internet, and even a complimentary breakfast delivered to the door every morning.
These Colorado Towns Will Take Your Breath Away
Across Colorado, travelers will encounter towns so beautiful that these places may very well take their breath away. This certainly seems to ring true in Aspen, where the Maroon Bells tower above a gorgeous expanse of Rocky Mountain wilderness, and in the majestic mountains of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Crestone combines serene spiritual vibes with an otherworldly beautiful backdrop at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, and the wine country town of Palisade is always growing something good. These might all be breathtakingly beautiful towns, but rest assured, they also leave ample breathing room for folks to refresh, relax, and renew.
