The Most Charming River Towns In Colorado
"The Centennial State" is one of the most attractive places to move to and live in the United States. Colorado is filled with endless natural beauty and lively cities that draw tourists for skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and every kind of outdoor adventure you can imagine. Beyond the famous slopes and mountain peaks, the state’s many scenic rivers, such as the Animas, Gunnison, Rio Grande, and Cache la Poudre, bring even more life and beauty to its towns and cities. There are seven elegant towns with rivers flowing through or around them, surrounded by mountains and beautiful architecture, creating incredible scenery that deserves special attention.
Durango
Durango is a city in southwestern Colorado with a population of 19,000, and the Animas River flows through it. Known for its numerous outdoor activities, rich history, and scenic beauty, Durango offers a variety of experiences. One trail to explore is the Overend Mountain Park Trail, where hikers can enjoy stunning views of the city and the surrounding landscape. Visitors can bike, hike, and take their dogs on the trails.
A great spot to grab a drink and a bite to eat is the Animas Brewing Company, conveniently located by the Animas River. The brewery provides a fantastic setting to appreciate the calm waters of the Animas River. Across the river, you’ll find the Hillcrest Golf Club, an 18-hole course that overlooks the city, the La Plata Mountains, and the Animas River Valley.
Aspen
Aspen is a famous resort city nestled in the Rocky Mountains, with a population of 7,000 full-time residents and the Roaring Fork River running through it. One of the vast trails to explore in Aspen is the Smuggler Mountain Trail, a three-mile route that can be a bit challenging but offers hikers stunning views of the city and the surrounding landscape. A lovely place for the artsy crowd to visit in the city is the Red Brick Center for the Arts. The center provides art classes and showcases local art in exhibits, perfect for an immersive experience. After roaming around, one can grab a bite at the White House Tavern, where patrons savor locally crafted meals in a cozy, modern-style environment in this charming small city. End the day with a stroll along the Roaring Fork for a lovely trip in Colorado.
Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs is a home rule municipality in Northern Colorado with a population of 13,000, and the Yampa River flows right through town. Located on Howelsen Parkway is the Howelsen Hill Ski Area, the oldest ski area in the country, and it has been in operation since 1915. At Howelsen Hill, skiers train for the Olympics, attracting many for an adrenaline-rush skiing experience, making it a true Colorado icon for all to enjoy. Along the Yampa River is the Boathouse wedding venue in the heart of downtown. It provides couples with stunning views of Howelsen Hill Ski Area, the Yampa River, and the surrounding hillside for their dream Colorado wedding.
A fun place to enjoy a nice meal on Lincoln Avenue is Salt & Lime, a Mexican restaurant offering wonderful locally crafted meals. It’s not too far from the Yampa River and provides patrons with amazing views of the scenery from its rooftop deck, which is especially enjoyable during summertime. Steamboat Springs is an excellent town with a rich skiing history, and the Yampa River is a wonderful waterway to explore as well.
Gunnison
Gunnison is a home rule municipality in western Colorado, with a population of around 6,500, and the Gunnison River flowing through the area. A great place to see the Gunnison River in town is West Tomichi River Park. This quaint park hosts live music and events, is perfect for fishing, and provides a calming spot to visit after a long day. Another excellent outdoor area to explore outside of town is the Van Tuyl Trail, which is ideal for hiking while you enjoy the views of Gunnison and the surrounding landscape.
When visitors to Gunnison explore the town itself, they will find the High Alpine Brewing Company. Located in the heart of downtown, High Alpine offers patrons local beer and meals and features an outdoor deck where they can enjoy a cold drink on a hot summer day while gazing at the landscape.
Delta
Around 90 miles northwest of Gunnison is Delta, a city with a population of 9,000 that has the Gunnison River flowing through the community. Right on the Gunnison River is Confluence Park, which also has Confluence Lake. It is a wonderful community park with the Bill Heddles Recreation Center, an 18-hole disc golf course, and plenty of places for fishing, mountain biking, and exploring the landscape. Just across the river is the Devil's Thumb Golf Course, which offers golfers immaculate views of the landscape in a fun, yet challenging course.
One amazing local hotel to visit in Delta is the Riverwood Resort on the Gunnison. It offers boat, kayak, and float rentals for whitewater rafting, a gazebo overlooking scenic views of the mountains and landscape, and an RV Park for those exploring the country. In the heart of downtown is the Creations on Main restaurant, where locals and visitors can enjoy a nice local meal in a charming and relaxing setting.
Fort Collins
Up in the northern part of the state is the home municipality of Fort Collins, which has the Cache la Poudre River flowing through town, has a population of around 170,000, and is the home of Colorado State University. There is the Poudre River Whitewater Park, where locals and visitors can bring their kayaks and water tubes to explore the river, and a trail outside of the river for nice relaxing walks on a nice sunny day. Just further down from the river is downtown, which has charming restaurants and shops to explore on Linden Street.
One place to enjoy a local beer and an excellent bite to eat in the downtown walkway is CooperSmith's Pub and Brewing. It has a lovely patio, hosts live music every Wednesday, and, depending on what someone books, hosts all kinds of events. Just near the river is the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, which has all kinds of fascinating exhibits, a theater that showcases live music and documentary films, and a research area for those looking to learn something new or to just hit the books.
Alamosa
In the southern part of the state, right on the Rio Grande, lies the city of Alamosa, nicknamed "Gateway to the Great Sand Dunes," with a population of around 9,800 residents. Close to the Rio Grande is the Cattails Golf Club, a golf course bordered by cottonwood trees and wetlands, offering charming views of the mountains to the west of the course. Located on Main Street in downtown is Woody's Q Shack, a local barbecue restaurant famous for its incredible brisket, ribs, pulled pork, wings, and much more.
Another relaxing and enjoyable natural site to explore in town is Blanca Vista Park. This park is ideal for a peaceful stroll and provides visitors and locals with stunning views of the mountains and the 25-acre pond dotted with small islands. Although Alamosa isn't as large as cities like Denver, Boulder, Pueblo, or Fort Collins, it boasts a unique and cozy charm.
Final Thoughts
Overall, each of these seven wonderful towns in Colorado boasts its unique quirks and natural beauty, thanks to the impressive Rocky Mountains and the rivers that flow through them. These communities are imbued with their own exciting local charm. Each of these towns is worth exploring, whether for a weekend or a few days away from the major cities; these experiences will be worth remembering for a lifetime.
