6 Whimsical Towns to Visit in the Colorado Plateau
The Colorado Plateau is well-known for its stunning landscapes and unique geological formations but perhaps less known as home to several quirky gateway towns that captivate visitors with their unique charm and playful spirit. From vibrant arts scenes to outdoor adventures, these towns offer delightful experiences that stand out against the backdrop of majestic canyons and mesas. Whether exploring the breathtaking arches of Moab or wandering through the historic streets of Cloudcroft, each destination overflows with character and whimsy.
Moab, Utah
What’s more magical than over 2,000 delicate sandstone arches—the highest concentration of arches anywhere in the world—than a visit to Arches National Park, one of five National Parks in Utah? The best way to see Moab’s gateway park is by booking a 4-hour Sunset Discovery Tour, where a guide will take visitors to see views of the famous Balanced Rock, Courthouse Towers, Petrified Dunes, and Panorama Point. For visitors who like to get out and explore on their own, there are plenty of incredible hiking trails in the otherworldly landscape of the park, like the popular Double Arch, featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
Back in quirky, artsy downtown Moab, add a whimsical touch to the trip by visiting the interactive Moab Giants Dinosaur Park & Tracks Museum, where kids can be kids and adults get to be kids again. Shop in locally owned stores like Moab Made, a modern art shop with items made by locals; Back of Beyond Books, which specializes in history and books about the Colorado Plateau; and the T-Shirt Shop, which sells T-shirts printed with 100% local artwork. Wind down after a full day of adventure with dinner at the Moab Diner and pints at the Moab Brewery.
Ouray, Colorado
Depending on who visitors talk to in the small, friendly mountain town of Ouray, Colorado, the town is referred to by two distinct nicknames: the ”Outdoor Recreation Capital of Colorado” and the "Switzerland of America." Either way, it is a hub for outdoor lovers searching for adventure in a stunning alpine setting at 7,800 feet. From downtown, Ouray’s iconic Box Cañon Falls is within easy walking distance to the spectacular 285-foot waterfall. The park has three interpretative trails, including the family-friendly, easy 500-foot walk into the canyon called The Falls Trails. The High Bridge Trail is more moderate but takes hikers up 200 feet in a half-mile round-trip loop. For real adrenaline junkies, Canyoning Colorado offers canyoneering tours in and around Ouray.
Depending on the time of year, the Ouray Ice Park is a free public park in the Uncompahgre Gorge with over 150 ice and mixed climbs. After a day of adventure, visitors will find many opportunities to soak in one of Ouray’s hot springs, such as the sulfur-free Ouray Hot Springs Pool, Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs, or Twin Peaks Lodge & Hot Springs.
Cloudcroft, New Mexico
Cloudcroft is a small town sitting so high in the Sacramento Mountains that its name comes from an English description of a clearing in the clouds. With a population of about 750 residents, Cloudcroft aptly blends the mystical with the whimsical thanks to its beautiful mountain setting at 9,000 feet above sea level that provides plenty of opportunities for great hiking, biking, and horseback riding with unique local attractions like the Old West ambiance of the Burro Street Exchange in the heart of downtown Cloudcroft. The Burro Street Trading Post is a Cloudcroft staple on Burro Avenue, where shoppers can also discover the Old Barrel Tea Company, RedWall Jewelry, and the Cloudcroft Brewing Company.
A must-see on any visit to Cloudcroft is The Lodge—the landmark historic country inn, originally established in 1899 and rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of famous guests like Pancho Villa and Judy Garland. Today, the resort includes one of North America's highest-altitude golf courses, a swimming pool, hot tubs, and Rebecca’s Restaurant.
Page, Arizona
Located near Lake Powell, Page is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise with its very own rainbow—Rainbow Bridge. Only accessible via boat on Lake Powell or land over an arduous 14+ mile hike across Navajo Nation lands (for which a permit is required), the remote Rainbow Bridge National Monument is the sixth-longest natural bridge in the world with a 290-foot arch. Another surreal site in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is Horsebend Bend, one of the most iconic landmarks in the southwest of the US and Arizona. Shaped like a giant horseshoe, the stunning rock formation offers breathtaking views of the Colorado River from an overlook accessible by a 1.5-mile round-trip hike.
After an epic day exploring the unreal areas around Page, head into town to explore its eclectic small-town charm with visits to the Prickly Pear Kitchen for a Prickly Pear margarita and a taste of the southwest, Blue Buddha Sushi Lounge, Big John’s Texas BBQ, or shop for libations at the local Grand Canyon Brewery. Almost as well known as its desert landscape is the town’s annual balloon regatta, which features about 50 vivid hot air balloons floating over Page on the first weekend of November 2024.
Kanab, Utah
Like other small towns in the magnificent Colorado Plateau, Kanab, Utah, serves as a gateway community to nearby national parks, including Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon. With its stunning ethereal landscape that includes dramatic red cliff formations, table-top mesas, and slot canyons, it’s no wonder that the area is often likened to the classic Old West and Wild West films. In a town called “Little Hollywood,” what can be more magical than a sprinkling of movie dust? The Little Hollywood Movie Museum is a must-see for any movie buff where visitors can relive old Westerns like the iconic “Stagecoach,” Clint Eastwood’s “The Outlaw of Josey Wales,” or explore areas used in the “Planet of the Apes.”
Kanab is also a town near and dear to the hearts of animal lovers. It is home to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the United States. Visitors can book a 90-minute Grand Sanctuary Tour or spend time in a specific area like Dogtown, Cat World, Horse Haven, or Marshall’s Piggy Paradise. Take a dog on a canyon hike, host a cat on a sleepover at a nearby pet-friendly motel, or adopt a lifelong friend.
Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff, Arizona, is renowned as a prominent stop on the historic Route 66, and the town embraces its vintage charm with original diners, vintage motor lodges, and murals that respect the original road. Check out Miz Zips, whose pies are legendary, the famous Western Hills Motel Neon Sign next door to the Agave Mexican Restaurant, or the Toasted Owl Café.
Visit the Arboretum at Flagstaff to learn about the flora and fauna surrounding the Colorado Plateau. At 7,150 feet in elevation, with spectacular views of San Francisco Mountain, one of the ten tallest peaks in Arizona, the 200-acre property has display gardens, greenhouses, and woodland trails to explore. Take advantage of Flaggstaff’s designation as an International Dark Sky City with a stop at the historic Lowell Observatory, founded in 1894 by forward-thinking Percival Lowell, who wanted to study Mars and the possibility of intelligent life there. See the telescope Clyde Tombaugh used to discover Pluto in a setting that feels like stepping into outer space.
Take a break from the same old, same old with a visit to one of these six whimsical destinations and create lasting memories to share with family and friends. Discover quirky attractions and local culture, pretend to be on the set of a Hollywood movie in Kanab, yodel in the mountains in Ouray, America’s Little Switzerland, or imagine being on the surface of Mars in Flagstaff. Get playful, have fun, and discover the joy in everyday life in any one of these magical towns.
