8 Cozy Towns to Visit in The Rockies
The Rocky Mountains are one of North America's unique natural spectacles, stretching from British Columbia and Alberta in the north to Colorado and New Mexico in the south. Between these natural wonders are often under-appreciated small towns filled with charm and character. Whether searching for impressive mountain peaks like Ha Ling Peak in Canmore, Alberta, or the unique cultural identity evident in the museums and art galleries of Taos, New Mexico, there is something for every traveler in these eight cozy towns to visit in the Rockies.
Telluride, Colorado
Many visitors to Telluride, Colorado, are attracted by the extensive trail network of the world-class Telluride Ski Resort and its accompanying dining, lodging, and outdoor activities. However, summertime travelers can also find an idyllic refuge here owing to the town's majestic natural scenery and rustic downtown.
Have lunch at Brown Dog Pizza restaurant, cross the San Miguel River, enjoy Town Park's scenic, open fields for picnicking and leisurely nature walks, and stroll through the quaint downtown streets to dine at the Smuggler Union Restaurant. Ambitious outdoor explorers should hike the Bear Creek Trail towards Bear Creek Falls, or take the Bridal Veil Trail towards Bridal Veil Falls.
Waterton Park, Alberta
Waterton Park, Alberta, is a secluded getaway town on Southern Alberta's Waterton Lakes. Most often, the town is recognized for the symbol of the dramatic Prince of Wales Hotel, a pinnacle image of resort life in the Waterton Lakes National Park. It's also popular to stay here at the Northland Lodge, or to camp on the picturesque Townsite Campground.
Check out the Waterton Lakes National Park Visitor Center to learn about nearby walking trails and hikes: the Bear's Hump Trailhead and the Bertha Trailhead towards Bertha Falls are staple outdoor activities. To enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding dramatic mountain ranges, grab lunch from Wieners of Waterton and relax at the Waterton Lake Red Chair — Marina Point.
Taos, New Mexico
Taos, New Mexico, is a demonstration of unique culture and history at the southern edge of the Rockies. Travelers here are charmed by the historic suites of the Downtown Taos Historic District, where iconic historical landmarks like the Taos Historic Museums, the Kit Carson Home & Museum, and the Couse-Sharp Historic Site are preserved as monuments to the region's art and culture.
The same downtown area houses the impressive Taos Art Museum at Fechin House and the modern trappings of the Harwood Museum of Art. Equally significant are the valleys and volcanic cones of the nearby Río Grande del Norte National Monument, often enjoyed from the Río Grande Gorge Bridge.
Delta, Colorado
Delta, Colorado, lies in the heart of Colorado's Rocky Mountain range. Likewise, the town is surrounded by expansive views of impressive peaks and wide-open valleys. One popular attraction is Confluence Park, a green refuge separated from the town's activity by the Gunnison River and Uncompahgre River.
However, the region's most striking natural features are on display in the barren lands of the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, where the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park attracts visitors to its dramatic cliffs and the colorful Painted Wall Overlook. Those searching for natural refuge here should stay in East Portal Campground; to enjoy the coziness of the town, stay at the Riverwood Resort on the Gunnison.
Ketchum, Idaho
Ketchum, Idaho, and neighboring Sun Valley encapsulate the beauty of Idaho's rugged terrain. The Sun Valley ski resort is a popular wintertime destination for skiers and snowboarders looking to enjoy the trails of the Rocky Mountains. In summer, however, this part of Idaho shines to life in bright colors amidst a dramatic valley.
Many visitors enjoy the panoramic views atop Adam's Gulch Trailhead or from the open fields and stables of Sun Valley Resort. Many travelers also enjoy a prominent cultural identity by dining at the homely Warm Springs Day Lodge, exploring the rock gardens and natural flora and fauna of the Sawtooth Botanical Garden, and enjoying the Sun Valley Museum of Art exhibits.
Ouray, Colorado
Ouray is a one-of-a-kind spectacle of central Colorado. The central attraction is Ouray Ice Park, a wintertime refuge for ice climbers and other winter sport extremists. The area's other significant natural attractions include Cascade Falls Park's sprawling waterfalls set against red stone cliffs and the incredible canyons and valleys of Box Cañon Falls Park, complete with an 85-foot water cascade.
These natural wonders are usually explored via Baby Bathtubs Trail, Bear Creek Trailhead, and the Alpine Loop Start. Otherwise, it's popular to learn the region's history through the Ouray County Museum and the Bachelor Syracuse Mine Tour, to drive off-road through the Imogene Pass, or to enjoy a scenic hike through Yankee Boy Basin.
Crested Butte, Colorado
Crested Butte, Colorado, combines the dramatic beauty of the Rockies with a quaint downtown center. Following central Elk Avenue reveals the charismatic Crested Butte Museum, the colorful Center for the Arts Crested Butte, and charming dining options like The Secret Stash Restaurant and the Camp 4 Coffee Cafe.
These same downtown streets come alive each July with the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival. Many travelers ski, snowboard, or hike at the Crested Butte Mountain Resort to enjoy the surrounding mountain ranges. In winter, the Crested Butte Nordic is a neat accommodation option with open paths for cross-country exploration.
Canmore, Alberta
Canmore, Alberta, is a center of culture and comfort within the confines of the dramatic Canadian Rocky Mountain Range. Walk over the Engine Bridge and enjoy immense panoramic mountain ranges. Take the popular Grassi Lakes Trailhead towards Grassi Falls and enjoy clear blue lake water; and follow Ha Ling Trailhead to trek the spectacle of Ha Ling Peak. Travelers should also enjoy the coziness of the downtown area surrounding Millennium Park, including the exhibits of the Canmore Museum, the intimate dining experience at the Harvest Cafe sandwich shop, and the popular Rocky Mountain Bagel Company bakery. In the winter season, the Canmore Nordic Centre offers a world-class outdoor sporting experience.
The variety and dramatic natural scenery of the Rockies will exceed the expectations of even the most experienced travelers. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy extensive natural preserves and unique trailheads like the cascades of the Box Cañon State Park in Ouray, Colorado, or enjoy the tranquility of open fields and rivers at the Sun Valley Resort in Ketchum, Idaho. Curious visitors can learn regional history in living monuments like the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton, Alberta, and the colors of the Wildflower Festival in Crested Butte, Colorado. There is something for every explorer in these eight cozy towns in the Rockies.
