Authors:
Casey and Michaele – @kindatrippytravel and Kindatrippy.com.
If there’s one thing Colorado has an abundance of it’s beautiful mountain towns. With a state-wide average elevation of 6,800ft., it’s no wonder that Colorado has become synonymous with skiing, hiking and general mountain activities.
As locals, we’ve spent our life exploring every part of this state. We’ve experienced the good and the bad and we’ve seen nearly all of the scenic and not-so-scenic areas of Colorado. This list ranks our absolute favourite towns and surrounding areas using the following criteria:
- must be a mountain town/community (there are other non-mountain communities in Colorado)
- must be a local’s favourite (not a big tourist destination)
- must give you a diverse look at the state
1. Boulder
First up, Boulder, Colorado. Boulder is a fantastic city located about 30 minutes north-west of Denver. We say “city” because, within this list, it is one of the largest (most populated) destinations you’ll experience. In reality, however, Boulder feels much more like a small town surrounded by multiple outdoor activities.
Boulder sits in a valley (Boulder Valley) where the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains meet. It has a unique community feel and an active, yet laid-back, vibe.
Pros:
Activities lots on offer year round.
Great shopping and food and a wonderful downtown area.
A wide range of outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, trail running and jeep tours.
Cons:
Very strong “outdoor” vibe as some may not like this.
Parking can be challenging, especially downtown, and you will need to pay.
Expensive in places
Don’t Miss:
- Boulder Farmers’ Market (April-November).
- Pearl St. Mall (outside walking mall in the heart of downtown) for great shops and food, as well as street performers and people watching.
- Flatirons Trail – located at Chataqua Park located on 9th and Baseline Rd.
For us, Boulder is one of those unique Colorado towns that balances great food, wonderful people and the Colorado outdoors with just enough of a big-city feel to keep you entertained at night. If you’re looking for a place that checks those boxes, we highly recommend visiting.
2. Estes Park
If you’re looking for a tucked-away town in the heart of the Colorado mountains, very few towns compare to Estes Park. This is probably because Estes sits at the base of Rocky Mountain National Park. So, once you’ve experienced the town, you can make the mountain drive up “Trail Ridge Road” to get a birds-eye view of the state. While there, keep your eye out for elk, deer, mountain sheep, moose and maybe even the occasional bear. We’ve yet to drive that road without seeing at least one of them!
Pros:
Rocky Mountain National Park.
Downtown riverwalk
Aerial Tramway
YMCA of the Rockies: cabins for lodging and a variety of activities – horseback riding, fishing, rock climbing and more.
Cons:
Out of the way unless you’re planning to go to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Shopping and parking (especially during tourist season) can be limited.
Don’t Miss:
Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park.
Estes Park is very much the gateway to some of Colorado’s most beautiful Mountains. It’s certainly worth the visit. If you’re seeking a Colorado mountain experience with a few activities to do along the way, we highly recommend it.
3. Steamboat Springs
Have you alway dreamed of visiting a Colorado ski town, but wanted the vibe of a local community rather than a tourist trap? if so, Steamboat is your place. We adore this town, so much so that we lived there for several years. Steamboat is the perfect balance of local Colorado lifestyle coupled with active-lifestyle fun. From great food to great activities, this place has it all.
Pros:
Skiing they actually have two mountains and some of the best slopes in Colorado.
A very local feel for a Colorado ski town.
Incredible restaurants with great happy hours
Hiking trails – dozens of them
Tubing down the Yampa river
Cons:
Busy – depending on the season, Steamboat can be very busy, especially in ski season.
Expensive shopping and food can be expensive.
Don’t Miss:
- Balloon lighting festivals
- Steamboat Winter Festival
- Holidays such as 4th of July.
- Happy hours when dining in Steamboat we highly recommend taking advantage of happy hours, you will save a LOT of money. Our favourites are Mahogany Ridge Brewery & Girl, Salt & Lime, O’Neil’s Tavern, Laundry and Harwigs.
Steamboat is great any time of year, there are amazing things to do all the time. So, if you’re looking for a Colorado ski town that has the vibe of a local community, Steamboat is definitely the place for you. Find out more about restaurants here and hiking trials here.
4. Durango
Durango is one of the hidden gems in Colorado. It’s a perfect town to hang out in, but there are also several things to see and do in the area. It’s the largest city in the south western area of the state and provides easy access to incredible sights such as Mesa Verde National Park, white water rafting, jeep tours, the Durango/Silverton Railway and much, much more.
Pros:
Doesn’t feel like a tourist destination as Durango is a large enough city in its own right.
A variety of activities for everyone’s taste. If you like hiking, there are dozens of trails; if you like to sit and relax and still see the sites, you can ride the scenic railway; and if you prefer to soak up the history of the area, there are lots of options too.
Cons:
Out of the way – despite being the most south-western, major city in Colorado, Durango can feel like a destination that’s somewhat out of the way.
So much to do that it may take up a lot of your allotted holiday time.
Don’t Miss:
Durango/Silverton Railway a historic functioning narrow-gauge railway that takes you from Durango to Silverton. You’ll experience some of the most incredible views and scenery – all from the comfort and convenience of a train car.
Silverton is another great town to check out between train rides. Be warned however, the train has a top speed of 18 mph. So, it takes 3 1/2 hours to travel the 45 miles from Durango to Silverton. Unless you have a car picking you up in Silverton, you will also have to ride the train back to Durango which will take another 3 1/2 hours.
Mesa Verde National Park allows you to explore the archeological sites of the Native American people who once lived in this region.
Pagosa Springs this beautiful town is only 30 minutes from Durango and has access to national forest, hiking trails and a wonderful hot-springs pool (larger than Ouray’s).
If you’re interested in the history of Colorado and want to learn more about the original Native American tribes that once lived here (and many still do), as well as what life was like for miners and ranchers in the 1800’s, this town would be a great stop on your journey.
5. Ouray and Telluride
Ouray and Telluride are two of the most picturesque towns in Colorado.
Deemed the “Switzerland of Colorado”, Ouray is in our opinion one of the (if not the) most beautiful towns in the State. It’s about an hour away from Telluride, so if you’re in that area it would be a shame not to see both towns.
Telluride, another ski town (we have a lot of them!), is a village at the base of some of the most gorgeous mountains we have (essentially the back side of Ouray’s mountains). While skiing Telluride is great, we actually recommend you visit it in the summer when the slopes are shut down (less people and the same beautiful scenery).
Pros:
Non touristy – Ouray doesn’t feel like a tourist destination unless you arrive in the winter time when they have their ice-climbing festival (which if you’re there, you should totally checkout).
The downtown area is pretty with a select few great restaurants and coffee shops.
Hot springs – the primary attraction is a Natural hot-springs pool in the centre of town. Well worth the visit.
The free gondola that takes you to Mountain Village area where you can look down on the town and enjoy some great food and shopping.
Cons:
Very remote Ouray is one of the most rural (out of the way) towns in Colorado
Expensive (very) Telluride is one of the most (if not the most) expensive towns in Colorado.
Don’t Miss:
The Ouray Hot Springs
The Telluride gondola are both must-see attractions.
Ridgeway Colorado which is on the way from Ouray to Telluride.
We love Ouray and Telluride as summertime destinations. They’re both lovely in the winter too, but prices tend to be more reasonable in the warmer months. If you are seeking beautiful, incredibly breathtaking surroundings, these two towns are a must-see.
Casey and Michaele:
We are Colorado natives with a love for travel who like to share our adventures, build a community, connect with like-minded people and maybe one day even achieve our dream of travelling full-time!
Find out more on at @kindatrippytravel and kindatrippy.com.
