7 Most Eccentric Towns on the Colorado Plateau
Roughly pivoted on the American Southwest’s Four Corners region and extending over 130,000 sq. mi., the Colorado Plateau is a geomorphological and desert region of the Intermontane Plateaus. Hosting some of America’s most emblematic geological landmarks (national monuments), national parks, and wilderness areas, the Colorado Plateau province incorporates Colorado’s western and southwestern portions, Utah’s eastern and southern portions, Arizona’s northern half, and a sizable part of northwestern New Mexico. Defined by dramatic red rock landscapes, primeval volcanic mountains, scattered forest areas, slot canyons, and sunken deserts, the Colorado Plateau Province boasts innumerable eccentric towns that tourists will surely fall in love with.
Mancos, Colorado
The commercial locus of East Montezuma County, this peaceful alpine hamlet is set between Cortez and Durango in the Mancos River Valley by the US Route 160 Highway. Circled by sierras and farmlands, Mancos is lauded for its nearness to a motley of outdoor sites, including the Mancos State Park, Chicken Creek Cross-Country Ski Area, Mesa Verde National Park, Jackson Gulch Reservoir, and Four Corners Monument.
Over time, this statutory town has metamorphosed into an art colony, with several blocks of the downtown being included within the Mancos Creative District. Savor flavorful dishes such as the Mesa Verde Burger and autumn apple salad served by the Columbine Bar & Grill and show up at fun-filled events like the Mancos Valley Summer Brewfest, Mancos Bloom, Mancos Days, and Mancos Farmers Market.
Kanab, Utah
Kanab, the county seat of Kane County, sits at the bottom of Vermilion Cliffs by the side of Kanab Creek, precisely north of the state boundary with Arizona. Limited by the elevated Navajo sandstone cliffs and huge expanses of rough wilderness, this teeny town is perfectly placed in the ‘Grand Circle’ area, axially among the Bryce Canyon National Park, the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Zion National Park, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Lake Powell, Pipe Spring National Monument, and North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
Kanab is an exemplary home base for surveying these favorite tourist magnets as well as other sites of interest like Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Little Hollywood Land Museum, Kanab Heritage House Museum, and Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. Satiate your hunger with gastronomic delicacies served by diners like Peekaboo Canyon Wood Fired Kitchen or Rocking V Café, after a crazy tour of the abandoned filming locations in Utah’s Little Hollywood.
Gallup, New Mexico
This McKinley County seat of government, named in honor of David L. Gallup, the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad’s paymaster, sits along US Highway 66 between Flagstaff, Arizona, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Dubbed the Indian Capital of the World, owing to its setting at the kernel of a large number of Native American reservations, Gallup admirably fuses thrilling outdoor activities with Indigenous art and cultures. The town has the nation’s biggest large-scale Native American art business sector, with multipartite tribes in charge of the production of over 70% of Native American pottery, jewelry, basket weaving, textiles, rugs, sculptures, and paintings in the world.
Together with untold iconic buildings fitly mirroring Gallup’s rich past, museums like the Navajo Code Talkers Museum, art galleries like ART123 Gallery, home-like accommodations like El Rancho Hotel, and restaurants like Angela’s Café, there are also a handful of colorful murals in the downtown which have been deeply influenced by the heritage and traditions of the region. Periodic events such as the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, Red Rock Balloon Rally, and Wild Thing Championship Bull Riding Event draw thousands of revelers.
Williams, Arizona
Williams, nicknamed Gateway to the Grand Canyon, is an enthralling Old West town in Coconino County of north-central Arizona, around 60 miles from Grand Canyon’s southern rim. Named after William Sherley, an illustrious mountain man, this 3,202-inhabitant town, which was a lumber, ranching, and railroad hub at the outset, currently features uncountable landmark properties in its prospering business district.
When in town, embark on a ride aboard the antiquated Grand Canyon Railway in addition to checking out the assorted gift shops like Williams Depot Gift Shop, the archaic memorabilia and cars in Pete's Route 66 Gas Station Museum, and diners like Red Raven Restaurant and Cruiser’s Route 66 Café offering tourists a genuine Route 66 feel. For unlimited leisure-time pursuits, outdoor enthusiasts must head straight to the nearby Kaibab National Forest, Bearizona Wildlife Park, Grand Canyon Deer Farm, and Bill Williams Mountain Area.
Telluride, Colorado
San Miguel County’s administrative center and its most populous town, Telluride, is situated in a secluded spot in southwestern Colorado, at an altitude of 8,750ft on the San Juan Mountains’ western flank. An erstwhile silver mining camp next to the San Miguel River, this mountain community provides adventurists ample mountain biking, camping, golfing, rafting, rock climbing, cross-country skiing, trout fishing, hiking, and ATVing opportunities in both hot and cool seasons. Encompassing a substantial portion of Telluride’s developed area, the 80-acre National Register-listed Telluride Historic District comprises plenty of painstakingly maintained structures that line the town’s principal commercial avenue, Colorado Street.
Browse Downtown’s plethoric art galleries, such as Slate Gray Gallery, women’s clothing stores like Down To Earth, museums like Telluride Historical Museum, and top-notch eateries like Smuggler Union Restaurant and Brewery. Set aside time to participate in seasonal events like the Hot Air Balloon Festival, Telluride Film Festival, and Telluride Yoga Festival.
Moab, Utah
An immaculate town and seat of east-central Utah’s Grand County, Moab is set at the nucleus of the Colorado Plateau, on the western face of La Sal Mountains immediately south of the Colorado River. Esteemed for its stupefying panoramas besides functioning as a passageway to the famed Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, Moab is a widely recognized kickoff point for the settlement’s extensive cross-country, hiking, and biking trails, including the Slickrock Bike Trail, and the 142-mile-long multi-use Kokopelli Trail.
In addition, take a scenic drive along the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway U-128, a calming plunge in Ken’s Lake, kayak down the Colorado River rapids, and partake in yearly events such as the Moab Folk Festival, Moab Music Festival, and Skinny Tire Festival.
Sedona, Arizona
Sedona, named after Sedona Schnebly, occupies the northern part of the Verde Valley region within the Coconino National Forest, bestriding the county line betwixt Yavapai and Coconino counties. The town’s star attraction is its series of staggering red sandstone formations crafting an otherworldly landscape against the backdrop of blue skies. Bounded by acres of flourishing forests, Sedona allures thrill-seekers to come and traverse its infinite hiking, off-roading, and biking trails. Annually, sample outstanding wines at local vineyards aside from attending fiestas like St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival, 1st Friday In The Galleries, Sedona International Film Festival & Workshop, Sedona Food Truck Festival, and Sedona Hummingbird Festival.
From Mancos, the Gateway to Mesa Verde, to the inspirational aura of Sedona, there is no shortage of quirky towns in the Colorado Plateau province. Each of these charming towns, flaunting incredible sceneries, vibrant cultures, seductive attractions, and prolific recreations, offers everlasting reminiscences for all visitors. So, if you are on a search for such lesser-known settlements to spend time with your loved ones on your short holidays or extended respites, look no further than these offbeat Colorado Plateau towns.
