2025's Most Underrated Towns In Colorado

Colorado is renowned worldwide as a travel destination for a variety of reasons. From its top-tier ski resorts to its incredible variety of state and national parks, it draws in millions of visitors every year, regardless of the season.

As things like remote work are growing in popularity, travellers are now able to extend their road trips and see more than they ever have before. A need to discover new things and places that haven't yet blown up on social media, is growing. While many cities, resorts, and famous landmarks have dominated online discussions in recent years, here we’re switching things up to highlight some lesser-known towns that might just spark your interest.

If you're planning a trip to the Centennial State in 2025, the time to visit is now, before these spots start seeing the same crowds as other popular Colorado destinations!

Creede

Creede, a former mining community tucked into the San Juan Mountains, is a quiet alternative to Colorado’s more popular destinations. Check it out this year, as the town’s historic charm can still be explored along South Main Street. A collection of 19th-century buildings now house many of its businesses and must-visit landmarks, including the renowned Creede Repertory Theatre. Further explore Creede's interesting history at the Underground Mining Museum, which provides a glimpse into the town’s silver boom era.

Surrounded by steep cliffs, Creede is also a highly picturesque town perfect for outdoor adventures, including hiking the scenic Bachelor Loop, which passes old mining sites and stunning vistas. The nearby Rio Grande also offers fishing, kayaking, and ways to see the area's diverse wildlife.

To add to it all, the town’s high elevation (sitting at a massive 8,800 feet) keeps summers cool and makes it a prime spot to soak in some real, clean mountain air for a weekend escape.

This highly underrated community is just one of many that can certainly use your hard-earned dollars in the slower parts of the year (including the upcoming early spring), helping to support the local businesses that make it as special as it is.

Paonia

Paonia, located in the wonderful North Fork Valley, is a destination that blends its agriculture roots, emerging arts scene, and plethora of outdoor recreation. As a farming community with epic mountain views and proximity to several great state and national parks, it offers a truly authentic Colorado experience—perfect if you’re not looking to travel to multiple locations on your next adventure in the region.

Surrounded by orchards, vineyards, and farms, Paonia has a reputation as a region for fresh produce and great local wines, the latter being a quickly growing industry in the region in 2025. If you'd like to further support this growth, be sure to explore the area's wineries, like Stone Cottage Cellars on the West Elk Wine Trail, or sample goods at the Paonia Farmers Market.

The very walkable dowtown core also features a number of spots offering other delightful beverages, such as Clear Fork Cider, which uses local apples and other fruits, or the Paonia United Brewing Co. for some freshly made brews.

If seeing the area's world-class outdoor scenery is what you're after, you can access nearby Gunnison Gorge Wilderness or Crawford State Park, where hiking, backcountry camping, mountain biking, and landscape photography are all popular activities.

Ridgway

Ridgway sits within the Uncompahgre Valley, and is a quiet gem often overshadowed by nearby Telluride, one of Colorado's most popular ski towns. Avoid the crowds this season and start your visit at the town's historic downtown, which features a comparable amount of shops, hotels, and cozy eateries, with the backdrop of the San Juan Mountains making it equally as beautiful as its more famous neighbor.

Ridgway’s natural hot springs, a relaxing spot to kick back after a long day, are another draw, while Ridgway State Park provides ways for you to go boating, fishing, and hiking. The nearby San Juan Skyway also offers one of the most scenic drives in the country, leading through alpine landscapes and other historic mountain towns that are very much worth checking out if you're keen on exploring the area.

Ridgway’s creative community is showcased at the monthly Ridgway First Fridays, highlighting local art, music, and food. The town is also known for its ties to classic Western films—portions of True Grit were filmed here, and visitors can explore the history through a self-guided tour.

Silverton

Silverton, another fantastic destination in the San Juan Mountains, offers an authentic mountain experience to all who come. The town’s well-preserved Victorian-era buildings create a sense of stepping back in time, while its abundance of nearby natural landmarks will make you want to explore its surrounding wildlands as well.

Silverton is the terminus of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a scenic heritage train that draws history enthusiasts and sightseers alike. Furthermore, the Mayflower Mill and Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour provide insights into the area’s early mining economy.

The town is also surrounded by opportunities for adventure in the great outdoors, from hiking and off-roading in the summer to skiing and ice climbing in the winter. The nearby Alpine Loop, a rugged backcountry byway, connects Silverton to other historic mining sites and delivers panoramic mountain views.The Ice Lakes Trail is another cool spot to check out, which requires a tough yet rewarding hike to a string of impossibly blue glacial lakes surrounded by alpine meadows.

Although Silverton has been known as a gem deep in the Rockies for some time, even in recent years its sheer remoteness has caused many to avoid it. 2025 might be the time to pay it a visit before the masses discover the trip definitely worth the hassle.

Lake City

Lake City is an excellent choice if you're seeking out a base for exploring Colorado's southern Rockies and nearby attractions like the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, which links the town to Silverton and Ouray through high mountain passes and historic ghost towns.

See the area from high above too, with access to five of Colorado’s fourteeners, including Uncompahgre Peak. Fishing and boating are other popular local activities at nearby Lake San Cristobal, Colorado’s second-largest natural lake. Perhaps 2025 can be the year you conquer your first fourteener or add a few more to your list!

Winter in Lake City means it's the season for ice climbing in Lake City Ice Park, snowshoeing in the surrounding hills, and backcountry skiing on any number of maintained trails in and around town. For downhill skiing, Lake City Ski Hill is located a short drive from downtown, and although small, its lack of crowds and amazing view of the mountains make it worth a trip.

Brush

Brush, located on Colorado’s eastern plains, offers a quaint alternative to the state’s mountain destinations. The town's farming culture is showcased through local events such as the annual Brush Rodeo, one of the oldest in Colorado, and the Morgan County Fair, a great time for the whole family.

Its location along Interstate 76 makes it an accessible stop for those traveling between Denver and Nebraska, offering a chance to experience Colorado’s longstanding agricultural heritage and natural beauty away from the busier tourist paths. The beauty of the Great Plains can also be explored in depth here at the nearby Pawnee National Grassland, known for its wide-open landscapes, birdwatching areas, and the striking Pawnee Buttes hiking trail. Moreover, Brush State Wildlife Area, which rests on the banks of the South Platte River, provides you a way to go fishing and/or hiking during your visit.

This off-the-beaten-path prairie town is not something people generally envision when travelling to Colorado, but it certainly allows you to explore a different kind of landscape that covers almost half the state.

Trinidad

Seated near the New Mexico border, Trinidad is a nice stop if you're travelling south from Colorado Springs. The town’s historic district is a major draw, and features several well-preserved landmarks dating back to the community's early days as a bustling coal mining hub. A notable spot is the Bloom Mansion, a wonderfully gothic and ornate home that is now a gathering point for community events. In 2025, the mansion is expected to host a monthly workshop on plants, showcasing how you can bring some of its garden's charms to your own property.

History fans should pay a visit to the Trinidad History Museum, which provides insights into the town’s past, including the influential Santa Fe Trail that passed through the area. On the other hand, art enthusiasts can explore the Corazón de Trinidad Creative District, home to galleries, studios, and public art installations.

The nearby Trinidad Lake State Park offers hiking, boating, and fishing, with the dramatic Spanish Peaks in the distance. Just outside town, the Scenic Highway of Legends provides a route through geological and historical landmarks, including volcanic dikes and ancient Native American sites.

Cedaredge

On the southern slope of the western Colorado's Grand Mesa is Cedaredge, a quiet town known for unique festivals like the Applefest. Held every October, this event celebrates this fertile apple-growing region and its history, with local food, crafts, and live music that can be enjoyed by participants. Hundreds of vendors and fun events are expected this year, including food trucks, beer gardens, and even a 5K race for those who are up to the challenge.

Cedaredge’s past can also be seen at its historic downtown, which includes the Pioneer Town Museum, a cool attraction that features particularly restored buildings and exhibits delving into this remote region's early settlers.

Like many places on this list, Cedaredge should also be on the radar of anyone who loves getting outside. The nearby Grand Mesa, for example, is the world’s largest flat-topped mountain and is surrounded by over 300 lakes, hiking trails, and scenic viewpoints. During winter, Powderhorn Mountain Resort provides skiing and snowboarding opportunities within a short drive.

The Cedaredge area is also part of Colorado’s Wine Country, with several vineyards and open orchards providing visitors with tastings and tours and a way to support this budding industry in Colorado in 2025. Stoney Mesa Winery, located just a short drive west of town, pairs its wines with incredible views of the countryside from its outdoor serving areas.

See Another Side of Colorado this Year

Colorado is chock full of adventure, from its historic downtowns to having some of the best parks in the United States. These underrated destinations are sure to spice up your next adventure in this state, whether you are looking to find adventure in the Rockies, go for a ski outing somewhere new, or simply want to see a town you've never been to before.

Refer to this list while you make your travel plans in 2025, and see how many of these highly rated communities you can add to the itinerary. You're destined to make some long-lasting memories with a stay at any of these spots!