6 Whimsical Towns to Visit in Colorado
Hidden throughout the state, Colorado's small towns truly feel like the 'place to be.' Some off-the-beaten-path and others a hop from the city, any distance traveled is the key to unlocking the whimsy of the undiscovered. For legendary mountain views, Ridgway, Pagosa Springs, and Colorado City cannot be beaten.
Then, Paonia is an unlikely fruit-scented oasis in the state, but if you crave a mining-era downtown, then head to Nederland which sits at over 8,000 feet and features a Carousel of Happiness. Colorado City, the hub of the valley, is a cultural anchor between Interstate 25, a route dubbed the Frontier Pathways Scenic Byway, while Cortez is a gateway into the fascinating Mesa Verde National Park. Find whimsical small towns to visit on your next trip to Colorado.
Colorado City
At an impressive nearly 6,000 feet, this small town with a commanding name is the hub of the Greenhorn Valley. Nonetheless, a whimsical escape from the city in the south of the state, Colorado City unites recreation and adventure in the fresh mountain air beneath the peaks to the west. The majestic Greenhorn Mountain tops out at 12,000 feet, which is the highest point in the Wet Mountains. Home to under 2,500, the local outdoor lovers enjoy golf, hiking, fishing, camping, horseback riding, and bird-watching opportunities. The little hub drums to its own mountain beat, attracting curious and returning tourists year-round, with easy access from the real city, Colorado Springs, and nearby small towns like Pueblo and Trinidad.
Anchoring the southern leg of the Frontier Pathway scenic byway, enjoy the views on a foliage drive along Interstate 25 with surrounding peaks hovering between 7,000 and 14,000 feet high, including Pikes Peak to the north and the opposing Spanish Peaks. The 104-mile-long stretch along the splendid Sangre de Cristo Mountains and through the San Isabel National Forest offers incredible opportunities to get out and truly appreciate some of Mother Nature's whimsy along the way. Take a hike around the 40-acre Lake Isabel, perfect for fishing, hiking, and picnics. Three Sister's Tavern & Grill serves delightful American fare in vibrant digs just close enough to the heart of downtown to stroll back.
Cortez
This southwestern-styled town is full of America's Indigenous heritage at the midpoint of the 116-mile Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway. Discovering Cortez can be an adventurous drive along the highway from the Four Corners Monument to the Hovenweep National Monument, an hour-and-a-half drive in total. Stop by the intriguing Cortez Colorado Welcome Center-Mesa Verde Country Tourism Office on the way to the cozy public library at the corner of Centennial Park. Parque de Vida, home to the popular Cortez Recreation Center, hosts annual celebrations, including colorful hot air balloons. From Conquistador Golf Course, it is just a stroll to Totten Lake. As a getaway to one of the state's most stunning national parks, Cortez, 45 miles west of Durango, is a striking town to visit this fall.
Just south, Mesa Verde National Park is home to countless landmarks and overlooks like the Sun Point View and Cliff Palace, an ancient dwelling built by Ancestral Puebloans from 1190 to 1260. Visitors in early spring enjoy the best combination of low crowds to absorb the views of the innovative cliff dwellings at their own pace without the scorching summertime midday heat. Starting each blessed morning at Ute Coffee Shop, enjoy tours and camping in the summer and the contrast between the pastel structures and the snow-powdered evergreen foliage in the winter. For lunch, La Casita de Cortez serves delightful Mexican food and margaritas in a down-to-earth cantina with outdoor tables. Next door, the City Market has everything for a light or hearty picnic in nature at one of the parks.
Nederland
With a whimsical name and under 2,000 locals, this town truly inspires an alpine neverland at 8,232 feet in the air. A pebble next to Boulder, Colorado's 12th-largest city that can be found 16 miles east, Nederland offers unobscured views during fun and arduous recreational activities like climbing and bouldering. Nudging into the sizable Barker Meadow Reservoir in the east, the surrounding expansive region touches other magical places like the dense Indian Peaks Wilderness, a nature preserve, and the world-famous Rocky Mountain National Park. One can charge off toward Roosevelt National Forest and James Peak Wilderness just as easily. From Salto Coffee, enjoy easy access to one of the waterfront parks on the Barker Reservoir.
Nederland flaunts irresistible charms like Busey Brews Smokehouse & Brewery and the Nederland Mining Museum on mining through the early 1900s, with tools, photos, and maps. Magnolia Road Camp Site is just off the foliage-ridden West Magnolia TH, while the restored 1910 Carousel of Happiness flaunts a curious variety of hand-carved animal mounts. The decades-old Frozen Dead Guy Days is a truly one-of-a-kind festival honoring an actual frozen dead guy, Bredo Morstøl. Residents would once gather over a few days of memorial rites under a veil of cheer, but the festival followed Bredo, still stored in dry ice, to Estes Park in 2023.
Pagosa Springs
Surrounded by mountain peaks, Pagosa Springs is an adventurer's paradise with lodges, cabins, and B&B. Mountain Landing Suites & RV Park is a popular choice to set camp with easy access to the town's hotspots, like Higher Grounds Coffee, a jet-set with java drinks, pastries, and light fare. Now, nothing will stop you from exploring the millions of acres of national forests surrounding this Archuleta County community. Peppered with lakes and waterways, the small town offers scenery from the doorstep, like the family-friendly Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park with the region's iconic wildlife. From Village Lake to Pagosa Springs Golf Club, you will eventually be craving a huge slice from Rosie's Pizzeria, and beer, wine, and cocktails.
Nearby, Nathan's Hippy Dip Hot Spring offers a relaxing spot adjacent to Kip's Grill, with easy access across the San Juan River to Reservoir Hill Park, a family favorite complete with a playground. Home to the deepest hot spring in the United States, this southwestern Colorado town has got it all, or at least that is what it feels like in the soothing mineral waters against the snowy peaks of the San Juan Mountains. Come in the winter for the hot springs and then again in the spring for a hike, or enjoy a bird's-eye view of the area from a hot air balloon year-round. Two Chicks & A Hippie is an unmissable spot packed with fresh, flavorful ingredients from the area for a breakfast biscuit or a lunch sandwich, as well as coffee drinks, pastries, and a full breakfast in a memorable atmosphere.
Paonia
Paonia, a fruit-scented paradise, feels like a breath of fresh air at the moderate altitude of 5,676 feet in west-central Colorado under an extended "Goldilocks climate." Originally settled by farmers, ranchers, and miners, Paonia is home to under 1,500 people, including artists and nature lovers. In the summer, explore the nearby Needle Rock Natural Area and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, including the South Rim, North Rim, and East Portal. While the vines are still lush, enjoy strolls anticipating the golden season with several wineries, or take a tasting tour of the creations fermenting during the off-season. Paonia, as pretty as a flower, was named after the peony roots that have grown in the area since Samuel Wade brought them when he settled here in the 1880s.
Paonia is one of the best oases in the Colorado mountains with the astounding Rockies at the horizon. Its vibrantly decorative buildings leave no one underwhelmed through the Historic District/Grand Avenue, a satisfying stroll in the morning, browsing hotspots by day, and staying lively into the evening. The fruits kick off in late spring and are available to pick up and purchase from the many local organic farms. Its agricultural bounty, including peaches, nectarines, cherries, blackberries, raspberries, grapes, apples, plums, and apricots, culminates during Paonia Cherry Days. This fruitful fair in July is one of the longest-running community festivals in the state. In the fall, enjoy pumpkin patches and stop by the cozy Paonia Bread Works and Paonia Purple.
Ridgway
Some 15 miles from Ouray, Ridgway also titles itself the "Switzerland of America." Ridgway is proud to be the “Gateway to the San Juan Mountains” a region famous for its lack of distracting crowds. This little town has plenty of whimsy at the foot of stunning hills, like Ridgway State Park, a year-round haven for outdoor recreation. The town reveals itself after you begin to notice the remarkable size and beauty of the San Juans at the junction of U.S. 550, toward Ouray and Colorado 62, heading to Telluride. Extending into the Uncompahgre River Valley for nearly five miles, enjoy easy access to hikes and picnics, as well as boating, fishing, and swimming in the summer.
From playground areas to extensive trails and an enticing array of wildlife, Ridgway attracts families, adventurers, and daytrippers for a breath of fresh mountain air year-round, positioned perfectly between Durango and Grand Junction on US-550 N. This area is home to popular campgrounds and a picture-perfect reservoir, so spread a picnic and stay awake for an exceptional stargazing experience. Ridgway’s dedication to minimizing light pollution ensures its skies remain remarkably clear, making it the officially distinguished Certified International Dark Sky Community. This rare honor falls on only a few globe-wide locations, attracting astronomers, enthusiasts, and couples seeking whimsical nights.
Home to the Rockies, the Centennial State is the 16th most popular state to visit in the nation. These towns offer every type of dreamy on a memorable escape in Colorado. Escape into nature for adventures, recreation, and silver mining history every season, from some of the most popular ski resorts in the US to lakeside recreation, foliage drives, and hikes through the ancient forests.
Cortez is at the midpoint of the 116-mile Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway. Mesa Verde National Park is best visited in the uncrowded spring season to allow for a one-on-one experience with the ancient cliff dwellings that date back nearly a millennium. The hearty spirit of a mountaineer and the liberal Western state of mind culminate in nature and culture through vibrant attractions like festivals and breweries.
