9 Off-The-Grid Colorado Towns To Visit In 2025
The Centennial State of Colorado may have some of the United States’ most famous ski resorts, yet there’s far more to this state beyond those storied slopes. While Colorado has plenty of quaint towns high in the Rocky Mountains, it’s also home to perhaps the American West’s most surprising wine country region, a desert with seemingly endless sand dunes, striking red rock formations, and a multitude of opportunities to find yourself in a new paradise while getting “lost” in the mountains.
With all this in mind, check out nine off-the-grid Colorado towns to visit in 2025, and let’s see if you find some new, exciting places to plan your next trip.
Grand Lake
Typically, travelers make Estes Park their base camp for exploring Rocky Mountain National Park, but there’s another side of these mountains awaiting your discovery at Grand Lake. Since this town sits at the shores of Colorado’s largest and deepest natural lake, Grand Lake is a boater’s paradise and a prime spot for kayaking and paddleboarding as well. It’s also a great place for fishing, with fish like trout, kokanee salmon, and bass regularly caught here. And with additional bodies of water like Shadow Mountain Reservoir, Lake Granby, and the headwaters of the Colorado River nearby, Grand Lake provides even more opportunities for fun on the open water.
But if you’d rather explore on dry land, you can also make it happen at Grand Lake. Since this town sits right by the national park, you have easy access to trails like the Green Mountain, Onahu, and Long Meadows Trail to hike into the mountain wilderness. And with the Arapaho National Recreation Area also nearby, you have even more exciting mountain trails within reach. After a long day hitting the trails or navigating the lake, make your way back to town and enjoy your stay at Spirit Lake Lodge, a wonderful inn with suites sporting amenities like hot tubs and fireplaces that will help you feel right at home.
Silverthorne
Though it’s often seen as a bedroom community for nearby ski resorts like Keystone and Breckenridge, the town of Silverthorne is anything but sleepy. In fact, the Blue River (a tributary of the Colorado River) is a prime spot for angling, and the nearby Blue River Trail is a convenient hike and bike path that connects to a larger regional trail network that reaches neighboring towns like Frisco and Breckenridge. If you’re up for a more challenging hike, try some of Silverthorne’s other trails, such as the Acorn Creek and Surprise Lake Trails, that sport incredible views of the Gore Mountains and vibrant native wildflowers.
For even more good times in Silverthorne, book a tee time at The Raven at Three Peaks, one of the area's finest golf courses. Or, if you’re more in the mood to get a little wet and wild, head over to Dillon Reservoir, which has two marinas, a yacht club, and nearly 27 miles of shoreline for boating, paddling, and fishing. Fortunately, since Silverthorne is close to so many ski resorts, it offers plenty of inviting motel and hotel options, including the snazzy Hotel Indigo that offers the luxe trappings of a sophisticated big city hotel and the intimate vibes of a boutique mountain lodge.
Morrison
The village of Morrison may only be about 18 miles southwest of Denver, yet this tiny town looks and feels a world away with its otherworldly landscapes. If you’re a big-time music nerd, you might already know about Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Colorado’s top concert venue to see the biggest names in pop, rock, country, Latin, and many more genres perform live. But even if you’re not here to catch a concert, Red Rocks is still worth the stop to hit the scenic hike and bike trails by the park’s eponymous red rocks, explore the park’s collection of public art, and see what’s on sale at the historic Trading Post.
Beyond Red Rocks, there’s even more to see and do around town. If you seek prehistoric thrills, head over to the Morrison Natural History Museum for a wide range of dinosaur fossils and hands-on paleontological exhibits, and go to Dinosaur Ridge for a unique outdoor museum to follow in dinosaurs’ footsteps with over 250 fossil tracks on site. When you’re more in the mood for something chill, pop over to Bear Creek Lake Park and take advantage of one of the Front Range’s best spots for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and lake swimming. Once it’s time to settle down, wind down and relax at the quirky yet cozy Cliff House Lodge.
Manitou Springs
Less than seven miles west of Colorado Springs, the town of Manitou Springs places you right at the foot of “America’s Mountain.” Yes, really, Manitou Springs places you very close to Pikes Peak, the iconic 14,115-foot-tall mountain, where you can do the scenic drive to the summit or ride up the historic Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Of course, you can also hike to the summit via the Barr Trail or the Crags Trail, and it’s even possible to ride a bike all the way up to the peak. No matter how you get to the peak, it’s worth perusing the Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center to learn more about the end of the Rocky Mountains and reward yourself with a fresh, hot donut. And for something more refreshing, the North Slope Recreation Area is picture-perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing at the lake.
While there’s so much to do at Pikes Peak alone, Manitou Springs offers even more to explore around town. Go to Cave of the Winds Mountain Park to cool off in this park’s two caves and test your skills at the challenge course. Check out the Manitou Cliff Dwellings for a fully immersive experience at a lovingly preserved and reconstructed collection of Ancestral Puebloan historic homes. Finally, check into The Cliff House at Pikes Peak for a classic Victorian manor with elegantly appointed rooms and suites.
Cañon City
Located around 37 miles west of Pueblo, Cañon City opens up to a gorgeous world full of wondrous possibilities. For an easy ride with plenty of jaw-dropping scenery, book a ride on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad and kick back while catching views of the Royal Gorge that goes over 1,000 feet deep, the roaring Arkansas River, and local wildlife like eagles and bighorn sheep. If you’d rather get out on your own, go to Royal Gorge Park to hike and bike the trails, and make your way to Royal Gorge Bridge to stand some 955 feet above the river and try some more thrilling activities like via ferrata and the skycoaster.
When you’re down to experience a different side of Cañon City, head to greener pastures and hit the links at Four Mile Ranch Golf Club. Then, head up to the Hotel St. Cloud for a uniquely upscale boutique hotel downtown with lively bars and dining options, along with bright, airy, and posh rooms and suites.
Alamosa
Situated by the Rio Grande River in Southern Colorado’s San Luis Valley, Alamosa places you near some of the state’s most phenomenal landscapes. Right by town is Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge, a 12,026-acre expanse of critical riparian habitat for over 200 bird species and additional animals like mule deer and coyotes. A little farther east, you will reach the region’s crown jewel, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. At the national park, discover North America’s tallest sand dunes and try some sledding or sandboarding down to the desert floor, then take the Medano Lake Trail to ascend into the lush mountain forest and continue to the 13,297-foot summit of Mount Herard.
If you can use a more soothing journey after exploring the national park, head up to Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa to soak up the healing waters of the sulfur-free mineral hot springs and take in the majestic views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Otherwise, head over to the Rustic Rook Resort, where you can take your pick of rustic campgrounds with open tent sites, fully equipped camper cabins, and deluxe glamping tents with lanterns and USB chargers, complete beds, and even full private bathrooms in select tents.
Leadville
Nestled high in the Sawatch Range and right in between two of Colorado’s most famous ski towns (Breckenridge and Aspen), Leadville leads the way in epic mountain adventures. At 14,433 feet above sea level, the nearby Mount Elbert is Colorado’s tallest mountain, and the North Mount Elbert Trail is a nearly ten-mile out-and-back hiking trail that provides access to the summit. And for even more incredible hiking excursions, Leadville is close to both the Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide Trail, which let you experience even more Rocky Mountain wilderness.
Since Leadville first formed as a mining town upon discovery of gold in the area in 1859, there’s plenty of history to experience in the region, a drive along the Route of the Silver Kings is the best way to “time travel” into the past and discover former mines, campsites, and ghost towns. There’s even more history to experience in Leadville’s historic downtown, and The Timberline is a fun and funky boutique hotel right in the heart of downtown that also makes a nice spot to rest and recharge after a busy day traversing the mountains.
Palisade
Sporting one of Colorado’s mildest climates and a prime location in the Grand Valley (about five miles east of Grand Junction), Palisade always seems to be growing something good. Not only is Palisade a long-time farming town, but it’s become famous for its fruit, and you can stop at family farms like Mt. Lincoln Peach Company to pick your own peaches and tour the fields. In addition to delectably fresh fruit, Palisade has also grown a solid reputation for its fine wines, and local wineries like Peachfork and Cliff Dweller Wine Co. are perfect spots to try the amazing variety of varietals crafted here.
Though Palisade has made a name for itself as Colorado’s wine country, that doesn’t mean you can’t find more to delight your taste buds. More specifically, Palisade Brewing Company has an extensive menu of year-round and seasonal craft beers worth trying, and they have their own barbeque and sandwich shop to satisfy your other cravings. Just a few blocks away from the brewery, Spoke and Vine Motel not only has cozy and convenient accommodations but also has its own motel bar featuring craft cocktails and festive food truck fare.
Ouray
Surrounded by the towering San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado, it only takes one look at this dazzling alpine village to understand why Ouray is celebrated as the “Outdoor Recreation Capital of Colorado” and the “Switzerland of America.” No trip to Ouray feels complete without a trek through Box Cañon Falls, where an easy walk from town leads to a striking waterfall through a narrow quartzite gorge. For more waterfalls, take the Lower Cascade Falls Trail on the east end of town. And if you seek a much more challenging hike, try the day-long journey to the 14,150-foot summit of Mount Sneffels, long regarded as one of Colorado’s most beautiful 14ers.
Since Ouray has such steep and rugged terrain, this has become a top destination for mountain climbing, and Basecamp Ouray offers guided adventures along the Ouray Via Ferrata, as well as longer Via Ferrata experiences extending to Gold Mountain and Telluride. But whenever you feel the urge to wind down and recover, head back to town and check into The Wiesbaden, a charming boutique hotel that also features its own soothing hot spring-fed pools and a number of relaxing massage treatments at its spa.
Get Off the Grid and Go On to Reach New Heights Across Colorado
Colorado might have world-famous resort towns like Aspen and Vail, but there’s much more to the Centennial State beyond the fancy ski slopes and celebrity hotspots. Head to Grand Lake to experience another side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Ascend to great adventures at Manitou Springs and Pikes Peak. Discover a uniquely gorgeous natural wonder at Cañon City. And for a seriously refreshing break from the ordinary, try an escape to Colorado’s own wine country haven of Palisade. With so many options for incredible experiences, these off-the-grid Colorado towns prove that the paths less traveled have a whole lot more to offer.
