8 Bizarrely Named Towns In Colorado
Many love the Centennial State for its adventurous spirit. It is home to rustic towns within the Rocky Mountain Ranges. In Colorado, the most popular towns are often the most bizarrely named ones. No wonder, since many offer access to the state's iconic landscapes. And this is outside of the popular towns of Vail or Aspen. Nature sets the tone with bubbly springs and sparkling waterfalls, but also snowy peaks and winters.
Estes Park is the gateway to the Rocky Mountain National Park, while the tallest waterfall in Colorado is next to Telluride. So don't go by the name, but choose a vibe and take the moniker with a grain of salt, discovering how flawlessly it blends into the majesty of the Rockies. Ranging from adventurous and upbeat to cultural, calming, and natural, you may not even realize that your favorite mountain escape has a bizarre handle.
Breckenridge
Nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains' Tenmile Range, this charming town of under 5,000 boasts stunning alpine views. Named after a prospector, it has a rich gold rush history and is a renowned skiing destination with abundant recreational opportunities year-round. Whether it's skiing in winter or mountain biking in summer, Breckenridge offers a perfect getaway. The walkable Victorian-era downtown, set in a National Historic District, is dotted with unique boutiques and galleries, all set against colorful architecture from as early as the 1880s.
Attractions include the Edwin Carter Museum and Park and the Illinois Creek Trail. Visitors can enjoy shopping, art viewing, and dining, often within historic buildings. Spend a sunny day exploring the picturesque trails at Cucumber Gulch Wildlife Preserve with water views. The popular Baldy Trailhead, B&B Mine, and Sallie Barber Mine Trailhead are minutes east, while Lily Pad Lake is just north. Don't miss the Country Boy Mine for an exhilarating tunnel tour. During the snowy winters, the Breckenridge Ski Area offers challenging runs on the iconic Matterhorn.
Creede
Just above the junction of East Willow Creek and West Willow Creek, the area with small communities was collectively known as Willow Creek. It was renamed after Nicholas C. Creede discovered a mine, exclaiming, "Holy Moses!" The Holy Moses mine was the first major discovery in the area, and not before long, the entirety from East Willow to Amethyst was called Creede. Creede was born out of the silver boom, incorporated in 1892, and was the last silver boom town in 19th-century Colorado. The Rio Grande River was critical to farming and ranching throughout the San Luis Valley. Hidden near the headwaters, in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, the sheer cliffs prevent its outward growth.
The imposing boulders are like natural guards from outside influences. Decorated with Willow Creek through the heart, there "Is No Night in Creede," once rowdy with prospectors who slept little and gambled a lot. Today, you will want to spend every waking minute exploring, including the popular repertory theater with plays all summer long. Discover local heritage at the Creede Historical Society Museum in the old Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Depot. The Creede Underground Mining Museum is up Willow Creek Canyon. The Bachelor Loop reveals history against breathtaking views on a hike, while the Last Chance Mine offers underground tours around underground geological formations.
Crested Butte
One of the most peculiar towns, Crested Butte, was incorporated seven years after Ferdinand V. Hayden scoped the area from atop Teocalli Mountain, naming it after what looked like crested buttes. Despite the tragic explosion of the Jokerville Mine, surrounding coal mines were the most successful in the state. Since then, Crested Butte has long been a favorite alternative to overcommercialized ski villages like Vail and Aspen. Stepping outside, you may recognize the surrounding Mt. Baldy, Flat Top, and Capitol Peak. Overlooking the impressive 3,818-meter Whetstone Mountain, formed by forced-up magma through layers of rock, there is something for everyone, like the Outdoor Center for the Arts.
Offering incomparable access to Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, the mountains and hills come alive in springtime with wildflowers, the summer with super blooms, and the fall with foliage. Home to a modest population of 1,660, the "last great ski town in Colorado" is awake with winter sports. The popular Crested Butte Mountain Resort offers all-season activities and is renowned for its challenging skiing slopes and plush accommodations. The Western-style downtown hosts a great après scene along the historic Elk Avenue. For the "hind view," stop by the Crested Butte Museum and the inventive pies at the local favorite, The Secret Stash.
Estes Park
Named after Joel Estes, this cattle rancher, gold seeker, and explorer raised 13 children, explored the Oregon Trail in 1855, and settled his family in Denver when gold was discovered four years later. But the huge crowds made them move north along the Platte River to Ft. St. Vrain. Exploring with his son Milton along the North St. Vrain, they came over a hill overlooking a beautiful blue valley. Having begun with his family's original two cabins, Estes Park is now one of the most charming small towns in the state, at the confluence of Big Thompson and Fall Rivers. Known as the "Gateway to the Rocky Mountain National Park," its snowy mountain peaks and alpine lakes favor every adventurer.
The 3.7-mile Lake Estes trail loops along Lake Estes and Estes Valley. Take up fishing or gliding along the magnificent Meadow Lake in a kayak, or explore the river with a boat rental from the Lake Estes Marina. The airy downtown area houses the Aerial Tramway, open from Memorial to Labor Day, a cable car amusement ride to the top of Prospect Mountain. A historic home once owned by a local family is the Stanley Home Museum and Education Center, with authentic dining room furnishings and other memorabilia. Many enjoy the 55-mile Peak to Peak Scenic Byway from Estes Park to Central City on a relaxed drive with seasonal views of the peaks, parks, and blossoming wildflowers.
Pagosa Springs
Named after the Ute word Pagosah, for "healing" or "boiling" waters, Pagosa Springs has long been an acclaimed rejuvenation destination. Surrounded by the stunning San Juan Mountains and dense forests in southwest Colorado, the town has a calm yet bubbly personality, like its springs. Rainbow Hot Springs blends relaxation into sightseeing within a nature preserve. The San Juan River Walk features chipmunks and a shoreline to relax in watery vistas, which teem with trout. Enjoy Piedra Falls after a hot hike to dip your feet and relax along the swimmer-friendly upstreams, plus a greenway trail. Dine after New American fare at Alley House Grille on renovated 19th-century bungalow decks.
Whether you are in for the mineral-rich natural hot spring that has helped many with aches or nearby adventures, the year-round resorts make every nature-centric escape special. The Overlook Hot Springs Spa offers majestic mountain and river views, while the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts presents live entertainment by a professional theater company. Choke Cherry Tree is unmissable for their caramel chocolate truffles. Browse the Made in Colorado Shoppe for home decor to deck out your cave, and stop by Riff Raff on the Rio brewing company for local craft beer in a Victorian-era building. Nearby, the Wolf Creek Ski Area offers downhill and cross-country trails.
Paonia
Named after peony roots that Samuel Wade brought to Colorado in 1881, the post office wouldn't allow for the extra vowel in “Paeonia,” the Latin name for the flower. Still boasting a pretty original name, Paonia is not surprisingly one of Colorado's certified Creative Districts, designed to attract entrepreneurs and artists. The charming town inspires a sensual escape in the adventurous state with village greens and places like Sweetgrass Paonia, a cafe. The North Fork Gunnison River adds a lace of charm to the north, plus a calendar full of special events. Highly regarded as an agricultural haven, stop for food, goods, and wine during the annual Mountain Harvest Festival.
Soak up the vibes at Paonia River Park any day and explore the Orchard Valley Farms, where you can pick a basket of cherries, peaches, or raspberries in the summer. Paonia State Park offers over 1,500 acres spliced with trails overlooking the majestic mountains and spring wildflowers, plus campsites and a boat ramp. Despite little shade along the trail, Jumbo Mountain is a fun hike northeast of town, so take it in the morning for unmatched views of Paonia and the mountains. Appreciate the arts, from Paradise Theater to Blue Sage, a community-owned performing arts center on the cultural side, and celebrate local talent during the Pickin' in the Park, a free summer concert series.
Steamboat Springs
Allegedly, in the early 1800s, French trappers heard the chugging sounds of a steamboat’s steam engine, which was revealed to be a natural mineral spring in the Yampa Valley. Eventually named the Steamboat Spring, the region's mineral waters captivated James Crawford in 1874, who built a cabin and a log shelter over the nearby hot springs and persuaded businessmen from Boulder for a joint venture of the Steamboat Springs Townsite Company in 1884. Some four hours from Denver, this mountain town with a cartoonish name is surrounded by the rustic Rockies. Experience the majestic wilderness via horseback, golf, and chasing waterfalls. The northwestern gem is also the "Ski Town USA."
The nearby ski resort offers 2,965 acres of ski and snowboard terrain. Ascend via the scenic Steamboat Gondola to the top of Mount Werner for an eyeful, including the Sleeping Giant Mountain. With the Yampa River through the heart, there are 7.5 miles of riverside beauty along the paved Yampa River Core Trail, plus fishing, tubing, paddling, kayaking, and rafting. The six-acre Yampa River Botanical Park features stunning gardens with colorful flora, ponds, and sculptures. Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest offers a short hike to relax by the magnificent 280-foot Fish Creek Falls. The Steamboat Brew Trail is a sip-and-walk adventure along the river with iconic local breweries.
Telluride
Founded 20 years after the discovery of gold in the valley and named after a gold-bearing ore, tellurium, the 19th-century mining town retains its rustic appeal with Victorian-style architecture. You won't find another Telluride in the US, and few other mountain towns can compete with its stunning surroundings of high peaks in the San Juan range. Many old buildings house shops and famous eateries. There is a hike for every level, like the 0.6-mile Count Creek Falls Trail or the 7.6-mile San Miguel River Trail. Stop for a hearty breakfast at the Butcher & Baker before scaling the 13,815-foot Dallas Peak with friendly guides in the area. Via Ferrata is a famous climbing route along the cliffs.
It's a quick drive east to the 1.8-mile trail to the state's tallest, 365-foot free-falling Bridal Veil Falls. Bear Creek Falls is south across the San Miguel River. Make the most of your summertime visit in June during the famed Telluride Bluegrass Festival with live entertainment, food, and crafts. In the winter, Telluride glows with warmth amid the peaks, welcoming visitors to the area’s best snowboarding, skiing, and amenities. Telluride Ski Resort offers plush accommodations and easy access to the runs south of town. The Telluride Historical Museum reveals the backstory, while the Telluride Arts District hosts a remarkable arts and cultural scene.
Oftentimes, Colorado's bizarrely named towns are the most popular to visit. There isn't just one thing that defines each town, weaving its personality into the blend of outdoor activities and natural features that is so captivating. Unlike those that are long extinct or abandoned, many mining gems reveal the wonders of Colorado's landscape.
There is something deeply satisfying about the bizarre names. Learning about the quirky beginnings, you will face the state's famous mountain views, mining-era landmarks, and legacy at the historic heart. From Creede to Pagosa Springs, get an authentic feel of the Centennial State on a reinvigorating new adventure.
