These 10 Towns Are Colorado's Best-Kept Secret
Colorado’s mountain towns get plenty of attention, but not every spot has crowds and ski resorts. Away from the busy slopes and big-name destinations are small towns with historic main streets, hiking trails, and a natural opportunity for exploration that gives you an authentic taste of the colorful Colorado state. These ten towns are big on character and full of reasons to stop, stay, and explore, making them some of Colorado’s best-kept secrets.
Salida
Salida is an excellent example of a mountain town that doesn’t feel like you’re stuck with only skiing. Set on the banks of the Arkansas River, Salida has an artistic edge to the mountain views. Downtown Salida is a wealth of old west history meets modern amenity, and is lined with brick buildings, art galleries, coffee shops, and boutiques that make for a perfect afternoon of wandering. The Arkansas Riverwalk runs through town, where you can watch kayakers in summer or enjoy the peaceful water. Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center lets you soak in natural mineral water and pamper yourself like a local. This spot is perfect after a day outside, enjoying the Colorado sunshine. Monarch Pass is just up the road and offers expansive views and hiking trails if you want to explore higher ground.
Crested Butte
Crested Butte is well known as the wildflower capital of Colorado. This is one of the most beautiful mountain towns, and many people outside Colorado agree. Elk Avenue is the main street, full of colorful Victorian storefronts, cozy restaurants, and mountain-town adventures. In the wintertime, a favorite time of year in Colorado, Crested Butte Mountain Resort is the place to ski and snowboard, while in summer the slopes open up to hiking and mountain biking. The meadows surrounding town are at their best in July during the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, when the area bursts with blooms. For a short but scenic hike, Woods Walk Trail offers incredible views just steps outside of town.
Georgetown
Georgetown feels like stepping into another era. With old mines leading your way into town, the Georgetown Loop Railroad takes you on a restored narrow-gauge train ride through the mountains, complete with trestle bridges and old mining sites. Downtown is filled with antique shops, cafés, and Victorian-era buildings that have been carefully preserved. The Hotel de Paris Museum is another reminder of Georgetown’s mining past, offering a look into 19th-century life. When you’re ready for fresh air, Guanella Pass is just outside of town and makes for a beautiful drive, especially during the fall color season. Whether for camping or the convenient location close to skiing and Denver, Georgetown is a must on any Colorado trip.
Ouray
Tucked into a box canyon, Ouray is often called the "Switzerland of America". Perfect weather, even better outdoor activity, and a fun and relaxed social scene make Ouray a favorite for vacationers and locals. The Ouray Hot Springs Pool sits right in the middle of town, offering geothermal soaking with views of the mountains. Box Canyon Falls Park is a must-see, where a roaring waterfall crashes through a narrow canyon. For hikers, the Perimeter Trail circles the entire town and gives panoramic views at every turn. Main Street itself is worth exploring too, with its mix of historic storefronts, breweries, and outfitters that keep the town living in the present, even with its old-world Colorado feel.
Silverton
Silverton still feels like the "Wild West" with its remote location and rugged terrain. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is one of the town’s main draws, bringing visitors through the San Juan Mountains on a historic train ride. Walking downtown, you’ll find wooden boardwalks, saloons, and storefronts that look straight out of the 1880s. The San Juan County Historical Society Museum is packed with mining relics and stories from Silverton’s past. If you want to stretch your legs, the Ice Lake Basin Trail is a challenging hike that leads to bright blue alpine lakes. Silverton is Colorado's best-kept wild west secret.
Leadville
At over 10,000 feet, Leadville is the highest incorporated city in the United States and is full of mining history. As a part of Colorado’s rich conservation history, Leadville has played a pivotal role in the state's mining activity. The National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum tells the story of Colorado’s mining heritage in detail. When looking for something inside to explore, the Tabor Opera House, built in 1879, still hosts performances and brings history to life. Pristine waters and picturesque views wait for you at Turquoise Lake. This hot spot is the coolest place in town and sits just outside of town. Turquoise Lake is a favorite spot for fishing, boating, and camping. For something easygoing, the Leadville Scenic Railroad winds through the mountains and offers stunning views of the valley.
Manitou Springs
Just outside Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs is known for its quirky local charm and natural attractions. Downtown Manitou is historic and full of shops, cafés, and art galleries, all within walking distance. Around town, you’ll find several natural mineral springs where you can sample the water from historic fountains. If you’re up for a challenge, the Manitou Incline is a steep hike that climbs nearly 2,000 feet in less than a mile and is world-renowned for its incline as much as for those who complete the challenge. Cave of the Winds Mountain Park is another draw, with underground tours and above-ground adventure activities unique to the typical hiking and forested walks you'll find in other areas. You are also exceptionally close to Garden of the Gods, the premier park in this area of Colorado. There you can hike, walk, and explore the natural landscape of Colorado.
Estes Park
Estes Park is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, but the town has plenty to enjoy, making it a hot spot for tourists. The Riverwalk runs right through downtown, offering a relaxing stroll past shops, cafés, and the Big Thompson River so you can sip, shop, and stay all in one spot. The Stanley Hotel, another location known worldwide, looms just above town and draws visitors for its historic and haunted reputation. This is, of course, thanks partly to its feature in The Shining. Rocky Mountain National Park is the biggest attraction, with trails, wildlife, and alpine scenery only minutes away. When you’re ready to see even more, the Estes Park Aerial Tramway carries you up Prospect Mountain and offers sweeping bird's-eye views of the entire area.
Buena Vista
Sitting along the Arkansas River, Buena Vista mixes small-town swagger with big outdoor opportunities. Main Street has coffee shops, restaurants, and gear stores, making it an excellent base for exploring and prepping for camp. Cottonwood Hot Springs offers rustic soaking pools surrounded by forest, so you can soak and enjoy the scenery. Buena Vista is known locally and nationally as one of the best out-of-the-way spots to take in the sights without too much elevation sickness. On the river, rafting and kayaking are the top summer activities. With outfitters ready to take you out, Buena Vista is also one of the top recreation spots in the state and has a high concentration of outdoor enthusiasts. For a scenic drive, the Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway passes by a row of 14,000-foot mountains that dominate the skyline.
Creede
Creede is a tucked-away Canyon town known for its mining past and current creative arts community. The downtown area is filled with old frontier buildings, housing, shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Creede Repertory Theatre has built a national reputation for live performances in a unique mountain setting, making it great for a night out outside of Downtown Denver's hustle. The Bachelor Loop is a driving tour that takes you through ghost towns and historic mining sites just above town. This is a must whether you're into the paranormal or the historical. For a dose of natural beauty, North Clear Creek Falls is a dramatic waterfall a short drive away. No matter what brings you here, you can find something fun and worthwhile.
Colorado’s small towns may not always get the spotlight, but that’s part of their appeal to locals and visitors alike. Each one blends history, nature, and a little local character that makes it worth the trip. Whether you’re soaking in hot springs, wandering a historic main street, or hiking to alpine lakes, these towns prove that some of the best Colorado adventures come in small packages and don't always have to include skiing.
