10 Must-Visit Small Towns in Colorado
Head Out of Denver on a Road Trip to the Towns of Colorado
Colorado is blessed with quaint, picturesque small towns surrounded by an unmatched landscape. From historic Wild West towns with dramatic cliff backdrops to scenic ski resorts, there are plenty striking gems for travelers to discover in the Centennial State.
Colorado is beautiful every season, so you can experience the striking beauty any time of the year. Springtime breeds vibrant wildflowers in Leadville, while Crested Butte is renowned for its yellow aspens bursting with color in the fall. Revel in winter snow powder in hotspots like Sternwheeler Springs and Telluride and witness the jaw-dropping San Juan mountain peaks in Durango during the summer. Check out our guide on ideas for your next road trip to the best small towns in Colorado.
10 must-visit small towns in Colorado
- Crested Butte
- Ouray
- Creede
- Silverton
- Estes Park
- Durango
- Telluride
- Manitou Springs
- Steamboat Springs
- Leadville
1. Crested Butte
Colorado’s four seasons on full display
Good for: History, Photo, Adventure
Often referred to as the “wildflower capital of Colorado,” Crested Butte’s stunning mountain scenery is always bursting with color, no matter the season. However, the vibrant fall leaves of red, orange, and yellow are why Denverites have no qualms making the four-hour drive to this town every September.
Its National Historic District is filled with colorful Victorian buildings, so strolling downtown Crested Butte is great for photographers and history fans. If adventure tickles your fancy, the surrounding landscape is a natural playground for skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and climbing. Make sure to leave town via the western West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway for an unforgettable drive.
Crested Butte
2. Ouray
Breathtaking mountain scenery and year-round fun
Good for: Photo, Adventure
Ouray, nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, is a magnet for those looking for awe-inspiring mountain vistas. Surrounded by jagged snow-capped peaks and steep valley walls, this tiny town truly embodies its nickname, “the Switzerland of America.”
Summer months offer an opportunity to enjoy natural hot springs, soaking up both the scenery and sun. However, Ouray is a different place in the winter, where the Ouray Ice Park, a stunning canyon lined with walls of ice, draws thousands of ice-climbing enthusiasts looking to test their metal. Either fly into neighboring Telluride or make the six-hour drive from Denver to reach this remote town.
Ouray
3. Creede
A historic mining town surrounded by red-stone cliffs
Good for: History, Photo, Adventure
Creede is a southern Colorado town that provides a unique blend of historic charm and breathtaking landscape, 2.5 hours northeast of Durango. Built in a former volcanic caldera and flanked by towering red stone cliffs, the once-booming silver-mining town now has a mere population of less than 300 residents.
Creede’s historic character is on full display with long-forgotten buildings now turned into boutiques, restaurants and even a theater. Take advantage of the outdoor activities on offer to explore the landscape, such as hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing. Before leaving, spend an afternoon and explore the Bachelor Loop, a scenic drive through several ghost towns. Pair with a visit to Lake City on the way back to Durango.
Creede
4. Silverton
A beautiful high-country town with rustic charms
Good for: Families, History, Photo
Historic Silverton sits at a whopping 9,000 ft (2,750 meters) above sea level, transporting you back to the Wild-West days of stagecoaches, miners, and train robbers. Located at the end of Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, this train ride passes the breathtaking San Juan Mountain scenery and the area’s mining past.
Silverton is known for its substantial snowfall, making it a mecca for winter activities such as snowmobiling, ice climbing, and expert skiing. For the backpacking aficionados, visit in the summertime and explore the backcountry of the massive Weminuche Wilderness southeast of the town. Don’t leave without driving along the Million Dollar Highway north to Ouray, one of the most scenic drives in the world.
Silverton
5. Estes Park
Picturesque gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park
Good for: History, Photo
Estes Park is framed by towering snow-capped peaks, a national park on three sides, and built on the banks of a glistening lake. Since its founding in the mid-1800s, the town has developed into a popular resort destination 70 miles (113 km) north of downtown Denver.
Take a walk down the charming Victorian-style main street making sure to stop at The Stanley hotel, the inspiration for the movie The Shining (1980). Continue through the beautiful Riverwalk park, keeping an eye out for grazing elk, a common sight here. For stunning views of the area, ride the Aerial Tramway up to Prospect Mountain. Enter the Rocky Mountain National Park and take Trail Ridge Road all the way to Grand Lake.
Estes Park
6. Durango
Where you’ll find the true Wild West
Good for: History, Photo, Adventure
Durango is a Colorado gem with a pretty historic downtown surrounded by acres of forests and wilderness. Its main thoroughfare, Main Avenue is lined with old-timey hotels and saloons straight out of an American frontier movie. Quintessential Colorado is on full display when the narrow-gauge railroad chugs into town with the craggy San Juan Mountains as its backdrop.
Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Durango every summer for the many activities on offer. Challenge yourself by hiking 14,000-ft-tall (4,300-meter-tall) mountains or with a white-water rafting adventure on the Animas River. Take one of the daily flights from Denver to Durango or rent an RV and revel in a six-hour road trip to this southwest corner of the state.
Durango
7. Telluride
One of America’s most beautiful ski towns
Good for: Photo, Adventure
Telluride is an adventure sports mecca located in a dramatic canyon surrounded by impressive mountain tundra. The quaint small-town vibe with a backdrop of the snow-capped San Juan mountain peaks is something straight out of a Hallmark movie.
The downtown strip has colorful Victorian homes, art galleries, and modern bar-restaurants. You can take a gondola ride up to Mountain Village for sweeping views of the valley. It’s best enjoyed when the aspen trees turn yellow in the fall. Winter is when the town really comes alive, as ski lovers flock to Telluride’s epic slopes. You can fly directly into the town. If you’re on a budget, hop in your car and enjoy the scenic 5.5-hour drive from Denver or Albuquerque.
Telluride
8. Manitou Springs
A mineral springs oasis in the shadow of Pikes Peak
Good for: History, Photo
Manitou Springs has been a popular destination for years, with visitors reveling in the town’s unique history, mineral springs, and hiking trails. For art lovers, the downtown Historic District is well worth a stroll, with beautifully restored Victorian houses, galleries, and sculpture displays abounding.
However, the real highlight of Manitou Springs is Miramont Castle, a unique museum featuring nine different architectural styles meshed together. Neighboring Pikes Peak is the dominating landmark overlooking the town. Drive to the summit for an adrenaline-filled adventure. Only a mere 15-minute drive from Colorado Springs, you can stop by the Garden of the Gods while you’re in Manitou Springs, admire the sandstone formations, and stretch your legs on its scenic hiking trails.
Manitou Springs
9. Steamboat Springs
A world-famous ski town with stunning vistas
Good for: Photo, Adventure
Steamboat Springs is a picturesque town nestled in Colorado’s remote northwest region. Coming over Rabbit Ear Pass into the lush green Yampa Valley is an unforgettable site reinforcing the popularity of this mountain town.
Every outdoor activity you can think of is on offer, such as fishing, hiking beautiful waterfalls, and boating down the Yampa River. Steamboat Springs is most renowned as a prime spot for shredding powder, inspiring its nickname “Ski Town USA.” With over 3,000 skiable acres (1,200 hectares) and more affordable prices than Vail or Aspen, it’s a dream for winter sports enthusiasts. After a long day on the slopes, head over to the hot springs and soak in geothermal pools nestled in a forested canyon.
Steamboat Springs
10. Leadville
Down-to-earth and high-altitude living
Good for: Photo, Adventure
Leadville is an often-overlooked mountain town that’s great for escaping the crowds. Home to two of the state’s tallest peaks, Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive, and a stone’s throw from glistening Turquoise Lake, the scenery here is quite unmatched. You can see ponderosa pines and majestic red-barked pines blanketing the landscape during the warmer months.
Promoting a down-to-earth lifestyle, Leadville is an ideal spot for a laidback long weekend filled with fishing, craft beer tasting, and museum tours. It’s called Colorado’s “two-mile-high” town because of its staggering elevation of 10,152 ft (3,100 meters). Consider spending a few days acclimating in Denver before making the two-hour drive here.
Leadville
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