11 of the Most Welcoming Towns in the Colorado Plateau
The Colorado Plateau is a vast geological region of the United States. The area encompasses portions of all states touching the infamous "Four Corners" (recognizable, perhaps, as this location is from the aptly named Breaking Bad episode titled "Four Corners.") These states include Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico.
What exactly is the Colorado Plateau? Simply put, it is a sparsely populated, primarily desert-covered region of the American Southwest. The area boasts many National Park Service units due to its gorgeous, vast open spaces and incredible scenery. Surrounding these parks are several small yet welcoming towns, adding a sense of camaraderie to visitors here. The following eleven towns are some of the most welcoming to visit in the area, making trips as beautiful as they are warm and inviting.
Silverton
Silverton is a small town in the San Juan Mountains in Southwestern Colorado. This means that it is located in the far Northeast reaches of the Colorado Plateau. This former mining town is now an ideal winter destination for skiers and snowboarders and hikers and campers in the summer.
If mining history is something of interest, tours are available at the nearby Old Hundred Gold Mine. For those who may be a bit claustrophobic but still love history, have no fear; Silverton is jam-packed with well-preserved buildings dating back to the nineteenth century. These include a selection of trading posts, banks, churches, and more open to exploration.
For outdoor adventurers, travelers cannot go wrong with many hikes on the local mountainous trails. The impossibly blue Ice Lake has to be seen to be believed, among other notable natural sights in the area.
Kanab
Kanab is a town of 4638 residents on the far Southern border of Utah. It is located in a strikingly beautiful desert area composed of eye-catching red rock (it is red due to its high iron content). As with many towns on this list, it has a low crime rate and many local attractions, making it a fun spot to visit and even sleep in during a road trip.
For animal lovers, the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is located nearby. Here, visitors can see the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the entirety of the United States! Outdoor adventures are also in luck in Kanab. It is located near a wide variety of parks and monuments. Coral Pink Sand Dunes Park is a gorgeous park containing a variety of pink-colored sand dunes that can't be seen anywhere else. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a haven for hikers looking to explore its rugged slot canyons.
Farmington
Farmington is one of the few towns within the New Mexico border on this list as the area is just so sparsely populated. Ironically, it is also one of the largest towns on the list by population, with 46,624 residents. That being said, it is a good place to stop and, at the very least, refuel for folks traveling in the area.
Farmington does offer its fair share of nearby tourist destinations, however. Nearby are some worthwhile historical and natural spots to check out. Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is a short drive South is a fantastic wilderness area for hikers who truly want to go off the beaten path. Aztec Ruins National Monument is a historic site that preserves ancient ruins built by the Pueblo tribe. Salmon Ruins and Heritage Park is another park containing more Pueblo ruins that showcase this ancient tribe's unique culture.
Moab
Moab, Utah, is world-famous for being the center of several high state and national parks. These include Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point National Park.
Arches National Park is a must-visit for geography nuts, with its huge selection of naturally forming rock arches within its borders. Canyonlands National Park takes travelers above the surrounding canyons and gives you a view of the confluence of the mighty Green River and Colorado River. Dead Horse Point offers more views of the surrounding river canyons, and it does not require a national park pass to enter, making it a budget-friendly option.
The town of Moab itself is small and cozy, being surrounded by narrow red rock canyon walls. Moab makes for a perfect adventure in Southern Utah with its huge selection of restaurants, hotels, and outfitters.
Tuba City
Tuba City is a tiny yet inviting settlement located within the Navajo Nation border in Arizona. On top of being a great place to stop off on your trip to the Grand Canyon, it has other nearby, lesser-known attractions worth seeing.
Within the city limits is the Navajo Code Talkers Museum, a place to learn about the critical "Wind Talkers," a regiment of World War II Navajo soldiers tasked with relaying important information in their language. Of course, as mentioned before, the Grand Canyon is just a short drive west of town and offers views into the largest above-water canyon in the world. Something else worth seeing is the Dinosaur Tracks, an outdoor museum showcasing multi-million-year-old dinosaur prints imprinted into the rocks.
Tuba City features many visitor amenities that can be expected from a tourist town on the Colorado plateau.
Cortez
Cortez is a town of 8766 in Colorado that lies at the southern foothills of the San Juan mountain range. This town has both a rich historical and natural beauty, with several national monuments and parks nearby.
Mesa Verde National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site well known for its well-preserved cliff dwellings and archeological sites belonging to the region's native tribes. Canyons of the Ancients National Monuments is another park that contains well-preserved ancient Pueblo buildings and artifacts. Hovenweep has examples of ancient Puebloan structures known as "Kivas," which were like ancient apartment buildings/storage units.
Cortez is a popular stop for tourists and has a very welcoming atmosphere that can serve your needs during a road trip to this remote area.
Escalante
Escalante is a tiny town of only 797 residents located in Southern Utah. It offers a range of notable outdoor activities, on top of being a place that truly brings that small-town charm when you are out and about in the countryside.
Be sure to check out the Devil's Garden at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and see its variety of desert plant life, natural arches, and other rock formations. Calf Creek Falls is a park that can offer respite from the summer heat that Utah is known for. Do not forget to visit the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, and catch a glimpse at petrified wood dating millions of years.
For folks who want to spend a few days here, there is a surprising number of hotels to host!
Durango
Near the heart of the Animas River Valley, Durango, Colorado, boasts a population of approximately 20,000 residents. Known for its scenic beauty and vibrant community, Durango offers a blend of outdoor adventure and cultural attractions.
The historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad are spots that history lovers and train enthusiasts alike should see. They wind through breathtaking landscapes and are a major draw. Both residents and visitors appreciate the nearby San Juan National Forest. It offers hiking, skiing, and mountain biking opportunities.
With a welcoming atmosphere and a strong sense of community, Durango is often considered a safe haven. The town's commitment to sustainability, cultural diversity, and its array of local shops and restaurants contribute to its reputation as an inclusive and inviting destination in the Colorado Plateau.
Blanding
Blanding, Utah, is yet another Southern Utah town with a welcoming feel. With a population of roughly 3,375 in the 2010 census, Blanding has proven to be big enough to offer comforts like hotels, restaurants, and abundant shopping opportunities while small enough to foster a true small-town feel.
Blanding offers many cool museums about the local history. The Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum provides a detailed look into the local natural and human history. The Dinosaur Museum is a world-class destination to see some of the many dinosaur fossils that have been unearthed in the local area.
Along with several nearby hiking trails and campsites, Blanding contains a good assortment of amenities for wear travelers who are visiting the local national and state parks.
Chinle
Chinle is a settlement within the Southern end of the Navajo Nation in the Colorado Plateau in Arizona. It is located in the middle of a breathtaking red-rock desert and is in close proximity to the very popular Canyon de Chelly National Monument. For a destination this remote in the middle of what seems like an endless desert, Chinle brings a welcoming vibe that can offer several high-quality amenities to tourists and residents alike.
Most people visit to see Canyon de Chelly National Monument. This park boasts several well-preserved archeological sites and ample hiking and camping opportunities. The town of Chinle itself has several hotels, restaurants, and shops that offer local goods.
Gallup
To end our list, here is another New Mexico town you will surely fall in love with. Gallup is a rich center of culture and adventure in the West-central portion of the state. It offers several destinations for museums and parks to explore.
The Gallup Cultural Center in the heart of downtown provides visitors with detailed exhibitions showcasing the area's diverse culture, particularly for the native populations. Red Rock State Park, a short drive outside town, offers ample hiking trails and campsites within its colorful natural rock formations. El Morro National Monument, just west of town, has a fantastic promontory that gives visitors a view of the surrounding landscape. Within it, you can also find petroglyphs etched into the sandstone rocks by previous travelers from centuries past.
The Colorado Plateau is a breathtaking region of the American Southwest. It is not only filled with some of the best natural sights the world has to offer, but it is also packed with unique culture in all corners. Whether keen on national parks, museums, or cultural centers, these towns and their welcoming atmosphere make for a soft place to land after adventuring!
