7 Best Small Towns To Visit In The Colorado Plateau
Situated in the American southwest, the Colorado Plateau is a 240,000 square mile region of land centering around the 'four corners region, this being where Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico all meet at one point. The plateau is comprised of numerous tablelands, also known as mesas, most within the Colorado Basin. The natural borders of the Colorado Plateau include the Rocky Mountains in the north and east, the Great Basin in the west, and the Sonoran Desert in the south. This region has a colonial history directly connected to the Colorado Gold Rush, with many towns having found their origins as mining tent towns. While lots of these mining towns have been abandoned, some becoming ghost towns and others fading back into the earth, many have survived. These surviving mining towns offer delightfully charming historic districts, lively downtown main streets, and unique opportunities that bring the gold rush era to life. So if you are visiting this region, make sure to visit one of these towns. You are sure to have a memorable day!
Moab, Utah
When it comes to Moab, Utah, unique is an understatement. Moab was not only founded once, but twice, in the same location and with the same name. While most towns found on the Colorado Plateau are creations of the gold rush era, Moab, on the other hand, has no significant gold rush past. Instead, it has a modern mining history as Uranian was discovered in 1955, Moab gaining the moniker "The Uranium Capital of the World." Today, Moab attracts tourists for its proximity to extraordinary national parks, including Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park, all located less than a half-hour drive from Moab.
In town, there are plenty of accommodations for all budgets. However, if you are looking to spoil yourself, a stay at A Creekside Retreat is just the ticket. Make sure to spend some time wandering around downtown, especially along Main Street, an area designated as a historic district. The historic downtown of Moab proudly sports not one chain store or restaurant. A must-see in Moab, especially for families traveling with children, is the Moab Giants, an outdoor museum filled with replicas of all sorts of dinosaurs, a fun day for adults and children alike.
Snowflake, Arizona
Founded in 1878, Snowflake, Arizona, is ironically located in one of the hottest states in America. This town is situated on the most southern reach of the Colorado Plateau, in the Mogollon Rim region of Arizona. The Mogollon Rim is the southern region of the Colorado Plateau found in Arizona and characterized by an abundance of pine trees. In town, Snowflake has over a hundred preserved historical buildings to explore and a lively downtown with shops and restaurants such as Streets on Main and La Cocina De Eva. Every Thursday evening at 7:00 PM, during June and July, there is a free, open-air concert in Pioneer Park, open to locals and tourists alike. For those visiting Snowflake at the end of July, look out for the Pioneer Days Celebration. Visiting during this annual festival is a great way to explore the culture of Snowflake, with the bonus of evening fireworks, a rodeo, and many other community events you can participate in.
Fairplay, Colorado
Founded in 1859, Fairplay has the distinction of being one of the few towns in the region not to have roots in the Colorado Gold Rush. Fairplay, rather, is a product of the surrounding grasslands, which attracted many ranchers to what would later become Colorado's South Park Grasslands region. Today, Fairplay remains a farming town, but, due to its proximity to some fantastic parks, including Spinney Mountain State Park and Eleven Mile State Park, the tourism industry has been evolving in Fairplay over the past few decades. One fantastic activity in town is the South Park City Museum, a replica mid-to-late nineteenth-century mining town. This is a great place to bring kids, but not to worry; adults will love exploring South Park City as well.
Williams, Arizona
Known as the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon," Williams, Arizona, located in Coconino County, sits at an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet above sea level. With a population of over 3,000 people, this charming town is the perfect place to stay when visiting the Grand Canyon region. With over ten state and national parks, including Slide Rock State Park, Monument Park, and, of course, Grand Canyon National Park, you will never run out of things to do when staying in Williams. For those traveling with children, make sure to stop off at Bearizona. In this great, education-oriented, drive-through wildlife park, the whole family will get to see local animals in their natural habitats.
Bayfield, Colorado
Have you ever considered glamping? Well, if so, then a visit to Bayfield, Colorado, might just be the perfect opportunity to explore this new trend of luxury camping. Located just outside of Bayfield, Outdoorsy Bayfield, a riverside campground, is the perfect place to park your RV or stay at one of its exceptional glamping sites. With wifi access, an onsite cafe, and plenty of green space, a stay at Outdoorsy Bayfield is a great place to spend a relaxing night after a day in town exploring everything Bayfield has to offer. For those looking for hiking opportunities, Bayfield is located beside San Juan National Forest, or you can get out of town and visit Pagosa Springs, a network of hot rings located beside the San Juan River.
Holbrook, Arizona
Located in Navajo County, Arizona, the town of Holbrook is located along historic Route 66, which runs through town. Holbrook is the perfect place to spend the night before exploring Petrified Forest National Park, particularly at one of their fantastic campgrounds situated just outside of town. Campgrounds include Desert Skies Campground, Crystal Forest Campground, and Painted Desert Ranger Cabin, the latter of which also offers rentable cabins. Each site is no more than thirty minutes from the center of Holbrook. In Holbrook itself, the historic downtown is a must-see, especially the Navajo County Historic Courthouse as well as the Navajo County Historical Museum. For those looking to do some adventuring, the hike out to the Old Route 66 Vista Point is a great hike.
Mancos, Colorado
Surrounded by mountains and sitting at an elevation of 7,028 feet, the town of Mancos, Colorado, is known as the "Gateway to Mesa Verde" due to the town's proximity to the legendary Mesa Verde National Park. Just ten miles east of the park entrance, Mancos is the perfect place to stay for those looking to explore this iconic park. Wake up to a homestyle breakfast at one of the rustic Bed and Breakfasts located on the outskirts of town, such as Willowtail Springs B and B Cabins, before heading into the park for an extraordinary day. Beyond its proximity to Mesa Verde National Park, Mancos offers a variety of other entertainments, including the opportunity to go white water rafting along the Mancos River, which runs directly through town. If you are looking for a more leisurely day, make sure to explore Manco'ss creative district. Here you will find one-of-a-kind artistic pieces that make the perfect souvenir to remind you of your Manco vacation.
The Take Away
While many of these towns have a Colorado Gold Rush origin story, there are many towns situated on the Colorado Plateau which have their roots in ranching, farming, and the Uranium boom of the twentieth century. As such, every town you visit is unique and most certainly deserving of a visit. No matter which Colorado Plateau town you visit, nor if your visit is a day trip or a longer visit, by the time your visit ends, you will be awed by each town's charming and unique aesthetic.
