9 Most Peaceful Small Towns In The Rockies

The serenity of snow-laddened ridgelines, still alpine lakes, and introspective forest trails is readily available in the Rocky Mountains. But given the magnetism and recreational opportunities of this continent-spanning range, not every town within its troughs can be accurately described as peaceful. Vibrant? Yes. Beautiful? Without question. But in terms of quiet, communal, and intentionally less action-packed destinations, these nine Rocky Mountain towns are worth turning to.

Kananaskis Village, Alberta

Most Alberta-bound travelers make a beeline for Banff. It's one of the most visited national parks in North America (rightfully so), and the namesake town at its epicenter has everything you could want or need for a mountain retreat. And while there are overlooked nooks in which to find solitude, for the most part, if your aim is to peacefully appreciate this province's rugged portion of the Rockies, then you will need to explore elsewhere. Just up the road, the hamlet of Lake Louise is even more packed, and a few clicks in the other direction, Canmore has recently evolved into a mecca of its own. So instead, we need to steer slightly south, to Kananaskis Country.

Kananaskis Village made headlines as the site of the recent G7 Summit, but for years, this beacon within the wilderness has drawn Albertans to its lesser known trail systems and ski slopes, but also its celebrated spa. The Kananaskis Mountain Lodge hosts the Kananaskis Nordic Spa, where you can breathe in the crisp mountain air from a hot tub or fireside cottage chair, or sink into the sauna or massage table. Conversely, the nearby HI Kananaskis Wilderness Hostel allows travelers to uncover the adjacent waterfall trails from a more budget-conscious base camp.

Radium, British Columbia

Crossing the nearby provincial border, we reach British Columbia's "warm side of the Rockies." Here, a new world of hot springs and lake towns opens up. Having driven south on Highway 93 through Kootenay National Park (which, in my opinion, is one of the most scenic stretches in the entire country), you will reach Radium Hot Springs. From here, it is common to continue south to the lake at Invermere, or ski resort at Panorama, or to climb north en route to Revelstoke, but personally, I have always gotten a kick out of this little junction village. For starters, as long as you don't go during peak weekend hours, the titular geothermal attractions are always a great way to ease the muscles after a long drive, hike, or day on the ski hill. Then, along the south side of the last chunk of the Kootenay Highway, a string of charming motels (often with those flower baskets overlaying balconies like you see in Switzerland) allows for an extended stay, rather than just a rushed stopover.

Once the travelers in transit depart for the evening, walk up the road to The Old Salzburg Restaurant, where a stein and some schnitzel will warm your soul. The next day, get your caffeine fix at Big Horn Cafe, where you can watch the sun steal away the mountain shadows, or cozy up inside, where you can chat with fellow wanderers, or maybe even a couple of coveted locals.

Crawford Bay, British Columbia

Heading deeper into British Columbia's gorgeous interior, we reach the little camping/ferry community of Crawford Bay. I should qualify that this part of BC is built around the Purcell Mountains, which are a subrange of the Columbia Mountains, which themselves are classified as part of the Rockies by American authorities, but not Canadian ones. Regardless, in our quest for peace, let us not descend into pedantry.

There isn't a ton going on here in terms of infrastructure - just a handful of RV parks and lodges complimented by the odd locally-operated shop - but that's precisely the appeal of Crawford Bay. Meditation comes easy on the shore of Kootenay Lake, especially when the sun sets over the forested ridgeline. In the morning, you can watch the ferry cross back and forth as part of the minor Highway 3A, which just so happens to be a segment of the epic Selkirk International Loop. If you do head to the other shore, be sure to visit Kaslo next - another peaceful destination with some additional amenities.

Wallace, Idaho

Now let's drop south of the border into Idaho's Panhandle, in order to bask in the misty, evergreen skyline brought forth by the Bitterroot subrange. The lakeside cities of Sandpoint and Coeur d'Alene are a bit too social for today's mission, so instead, take I-90 east into Shoshone County, where you'll find the quirky mining town of Wallace. Once notorious for its saloon/bordello days, Wallace is now cheekily-known as the "Center of the Universe," its recognized as the setting of the 1997 Pierce Brosnan film, Dante's Peak, and its sought by avid cyclists because of the Trail of Coeur d'Alenes and Route of the Hiawatha.

With all that said, one of Wallace's overlooked traits that I found to be particularly palpable is how peaceful of a place it is. I remember sipping coffee at 6th and Cedar or Todd's Bookstore, staring out the window during those drizzly September mornings. The wet brick buildings on all sides and raised forests in the periphery felt calming, and the town was never in a rush to get going. After checking out the local trails and museums, I'd go shoot a little pool at Wallace Brewing Company and watch the steady trickle of tourists walk across the street to take a picture at the "Center of the Universe" manhole cover. It was a welcomed retreat from an otherwise steady road trip.

Bigfork, Montana

The neighboring state of Montana has a slew of spritely mountain towns, often serving as a base for national parks and ski resorts. But sandwiched between the north shore of Flathead Lake and the Swan and Flathead subranges, the community of Bigfork preserves a peaceful air. This isn't to suggest that Bigfork is lacking in amenities or appeal (in fact, it has some of the most unique festivals in Montana), but rather that Bigfork's small footprint and distance from Montana's multi-million-visitor attractions keeps it grounded. Visitors can rent a paddleboard and explore one of the largest and cleanest natural lakes in the west at their leisure, or camp and swim off the shoreline at Wayfarers State Park. Alternatively, taking a walk along the Swan River Nature Trail is a great way to clear one's head. Then you can bring it back to the water for a patio pint at Flathead Lake Brewing Co.

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

For the purposes of peacefulness, we've thus-far steered clear of ski resorts. But it's important to note that many such Rocky Mountain destinations contain multitudes. Case in point, Colorado's Steamboat Springs, aka "Ski Town, USA," has its Steamboat Ski Resort and Howelsen Hill to satisfy winter bums and bunnies, and at the same time, presents artsy and spa-based sides of its personality year-round.

Those seeking to put the springs in Steamboat Springs can sink into Old Town Hot Springs on the east edge of downtown. But if the corresponding water park doesn't quite suit your vibe, then you can scoot over to any of the one-off natural springs along (or near) the Yampa River, or wade deeper into the Park Range, where you'll discover the oasis that is Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs. Another way to dodge any peak-season rowdiness is to retreat to the Steamboat Art Museum, or one of the many private galleries dotted around the same square-block of this Western-style downtown. Across town, Steamboat Creates Historic Depot Art Center platforms local creatives, as does the annual Art in the Park festival (don't worry, attendance is capped at 500 people), which takes place across the river, in West Lincoln Park, every July.

Ouray, Colorado

Down in the San Juan subrange of southern Colorado, little old Ouray, aka "Switzerland of America" specializes in serenity. This sub-1,000-person community resides in a natural bowl, surrounded by stunning peaks whose interwoven wilderness unfurls Ouray's three W's: wildlife, wildflowers, and waterfalls. The first W knows no bounds, but the mosaic of wildflowers come each spring and summer, with Yankee Boy Basin and Governor's Basin being particularly popular viewing areas. As for the waterfalls, you've got Cascade Falls Park on the north side of town, Box Cañon Falls Park to the west, and Bear Creek Falls just a few minutes south along the Million Dollar Highway (to name a few). Ouray also knows a thing or two about soothing mineral pools. Consider booking a stay at the Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa & Lodgings, located right downtown, or visit the Radium-like manicured pools at Ouray Hot Springs off the north end of Main Street.

Midway, Utah

When it comes to the Wasatch Mountains subrange, aka "Utah's Alps," the party tends to flock to Park City. But less than 20 miles south, the small Swiss-heritage city of Midway, Utah takes a more relaxed approach. Still well within reach of the area's massive ski resorts, Midway opens up a range of additional, introspective options. On the north side of town, Wasatch Mountain State Park harbors two golf courses, and a hot spring hiding at the bottom of a beehive cave (i.e. Homestead Crater). To the south, on the shore of Deer Creek Reservoir, you'll have the opportunity to visit the Historic Tate Barn and take an easy hike along the Deer Creek North Trail. And dipping a toe into neighboring Heber City, the old fashioned Heber Valley Railroad offers 90-minute scenic rides through its namesake valley, including the Wasatch Back Mountains and a fresh look at the aforementioned reservoir.

Waterton Park, Alberta

Let's end back in my (second) home province of Alberta, in the peaceful and breathtaking hamlet of Waterton Park. Setting up shop in this command center for Waterton Lakes National Park provides easy access, by car, boat, or foot, to the Glacier-esque wilderness (in fact, Waterton constitutes the northern part of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park). Start by staking out a site at the waterfront Townsite Campground. From there, you can take a short hike to Cameron and/or Bertha Falls, or stroll through the modest tourist town to the photogenic red chairs at Marina Point. Next, your gaze will invariably be drawn to the circa-1927 passenger boat, M.V. International (docked to your left), which will gladly take you on an hour+ tour of Waterton Lake. You're also likely to notice the stately and historic Prince of Wales Hotel on the opposite side of Emerald Bay (where you can have some lunch or a takeaway coffee and drink in the hilltop views). Lastly, on your way back to base, you can indulge your appetite at one of the cutesy gastropubs along Waterton Avenue.

Go In Peace

From Canada down to Colorado, stunning and personable towns have sprouted all along the primary spine and subranges of the Rocky Mountains. Some of these specialize in thrilling retreats, filled with black-diamond runs and late nights out, while others, such as these nine small towns, prioritize tranquility in the form of a soothing soak, solo hike, or patio views (no reservation required).