8 Darling Small Towns In The Colorado Plateau
Spanning an area of around 130,000 sq. miles, and pivoted on the Southwest US’ Four Corners region, the Colorado Plateau is a geophysical region of the Intermontane Plateaus bordered by the massive Basin and Range Province, the north-trending Rio Grande Rift, the Mogollon Rim, and prominent mountain ranges such as the Rocky Mountains, Wasatch Range, and the Uinta Mountains. Lauded for the stunning brightly colored rocks, sunken deserts, disseminated forestry lands, untamed rapids of the Colorado River, wondrous national parks, national monuments, and archaic ethnic communities, the Colorado Plateau boasts innumerable darling tiny settlements that are waiting to captivate everyone sojourning this stretch of the Western United States.
Gallup, New Mexico
Originally founded in 1881, Gallup, baptized after David L. Gallup is the seat of McKinley County situated along U.S. Highway 66 equidistant from Flagstaff, Arizona, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Thanks to its location at the core of many Native American reservations, this ‘Indian Capital of the World,’ superbly blends Native American art & culture with energizing open-air activities. Gallup houses the largest wholesale Native American art business sector in the country with heterogeneous tribes responsible for more than 70% of the global production of jewelry, pottery, sculptures, paintings, rugs, basket weaving, and textiles. Coupled with uncountable stately buildings, art galleries like Crashing Thunder Gallery, museums like the Navajo Code Talkers Museum in Gallup Cultural Center, and restaurants like Jerry’s Café, the downtown has a number of colorful murals greatly influenced by the traditions and history of the region. Participate in the town’s annual celebrations like the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, Red Rock Balloon Rally, and Wild Thing Championship Bull Riding event.
Moab, Utah
Moab, a picture-perfect town in eastern Utah's Grand County sits on the western side of the La Sal Mountains at a height of 4,025 ft on the Colorado Plateau, immediately south of the Colorado River. Renowned for its gorgeous sights and serving as an entry portal to the iconic Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park, Moab is an ideal jumping-off point for mountain bikers interested in recceing the town’s abundant hiking, biking, and off-roading trails. Holidayers should enjoy a refreshing swim in Ken’s Lake, canoe down the Colorado River rapids, drive along the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway U-128, and be present at yearly celebrations like the Moab Music Festival, Moab Folk Festival, Skinny Tire Festival, and LGBT Pride Festival.
Telluride, Colorado
An artsy mountain town, this San Miguel County seat occupies a remote spot at an elevation of 8,750 ft on the San Juan Mountains’ western flanks. A former silver mining camp along the San Miguel River, Telluride offers mountain biking, golfing, trout fishing, rock climbing, ATVing, hiking, cross-country skiing, rafting, and camping in warm and cool seasons. The Telluride Historic District, which covers a substantial portion of the town's developed area, comprises many carefully maintained Victorian-era residences with late boom-town architecture lining Colorado Street - the town’s main commercial street. Downtown Telluride is replete with dozens of boutiques, museums like the Telluride Historical Museum, art galleries like Telluride Arts HQ West, and high-class restaurants like Allred's Restaurant. Set aside some time from your crazy timetables to partake in the town’s different fun-filled events like the Hot Air Balloon Festival, Telluride Horror Show, Telluride Yoga Festival, Telluride Jazz Festival, and Telluride Blues & Brews Festival.
Williams, Arizona
Called after ‘Old Bill Williams,’ this enchanting Old West town in Coconino County, has been bynamed ‘Gateway to the Grand Canyon’ for its location just 60 miles from the Grand Canyon’s southern rim. Primarily a lumber, railroad, and ranching epicenter, Williams presently has a prospering business district featuring countless late 19th and early 20th-century landmark properties. Hop aboard the historic Grand Canyon Railway which winds its way through the awe-inspiring landscapes of Arizona’s High Country, aside from perusing hordes of specialty shops, the vintage memorabilia-filled Pete’s Gas Station Museum, and eating establishments like Red Raven Restaurant catering to tourers looking for a bona fide Route 66 feel. For limitless outdoor recreation, stop by the Bearizona Wildlife Park, Bill Williams Mountain Area, Grand Canyon Deer Farm, and the proximate Kaibab National Forest.
Taos, New Mexico
Taos, the administrative center of Taos County, is situated in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in north-central New Mexico, approx. 55 miles north-northeast of the state capital Santa Fe. Thousands of excursionists from all over the globe head to this primary town of the Taos Micropolitan Statistical Area to witness its pristine wilderness, the sinuous Rio Grande River, mind-blowing sceneries, and the perfect blend of diverse cultures. Travelers must not miss touring the Taos Pueblo, Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Millicent Rogers Museum, San Francisco de Asis Church, Taos Center for the Arts, Governor Bent House, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. Furthermore, the premier Taos Ski Valley alpine resort located to the northeast of the town provides copious vertical runs down the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. All through the year, merrymakers can participate in any of the community’s myriad celebrations like the Taos Winter Wine Festival, Yuletide in Taos, Taos Mountain Balloon Rally, Taos Solar Music Festival, Taos Fall Arts Festival, and Fiestas de Taos.
Sedona, Arizona
Christened in honor of Sedona Schnebly, the better half of the first postmaster of the community, this teeny town is spread across the boundary line between Coconino and Yavapai counties within the Coconino National Forest in the Verde Valley region of Northern Arizona. Sedona’s most distinctive attraction is the series of mind-boggling red sandstone formations that create a surreal landscape against the blue sky. Limited by acres of lush woodlands, Sedona invites adrenaline junkies who wish to survey its infinite hiking, off-roading, and biking trails. Yearly, wine enthusiasts visit local vineyards to sample some exceptional wines, while revelers get to attend many festivities like the St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival, Sedona International Film Festival & Workshop, Sedona Food Truck Festival, 1st Friday In The Galleries, and Sedona Hummingbird Festival.
Mancos, Colorado
Dubbed “Gateway to Mesa Verde,” this serene alpine hamlet in Montezuma County sits in the Mancos River Valley of southwestern Colorado betwixt Durango and Cortez on U.S. Route 160 Highway. Circumscribed by mountains and rangelands, this commercial mecca of East Montezuma County is well-known for its proximity to several major attractions including the Mesa Verde National Park, Chicken Creek Cross-country Ski Area, Four Corners Monument, Jackson Gulch Reservoir, and Mancos State Park. Mancos has now metamorphosed into an art colony, with the Mancos Creative District straddling multiple blocks of the downtown. The downtown business district is chock-a-full of landmark properties, bakeries, gift shops, coffee houses, art galleries like Raven House Gallery, first-class restaurants like Mancos Pizza Co., and the Columbine Bar & Grill - one of the oldest continuously operating bars in the state. Annually, various special events like Mancos Bloom, Burrofest, Mancos Valley Summer Brewfest, and Mancos Farmers Market are held here.
Jemez Springs, New Mexico
A laid-back village in Sandoval County, Jemez Springs is located in the attractive red-rock San Diego Canyon along the Jemez River shores, wholly fringed by the Santa Fe National Forest. For ages, vacationers have flocked to the town attracted by the restorative mineral waters of the natural hot springs such as the McCauley Hot Springs, Spence Hot Springs, and San Antonio Hot Springs, eventually leading to the setting up of numerous retreat centers. When in town, travelers should explore the adjoining Valles Caldera National Preserve via an amazing drive along the Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway, in addition to other noteworthy sites of interest such as the Pueblo of Jemez Welcome Center, Battleship Rock, Soda Dam, Jemez Fine Art Gallery, Jemez Historic Site, Jemez National Recreation Area, and Jemez Artisans Co-Op Gallery.
From the artistic settings of Sedona to Williams - the ‘Gateway to the Grand Canyon,’ the Colorado Plateau towns spellbind voyagers with their nonpareil beauty. These appealing settlements are where jaw-dropping sceneries, rich legacies, spirited cultures, engaging attractions, and outdoor amusements converge to create treasured reminiscences for every visitor. So, whether it is the staggering rock formations, the historic pueblos, the sublime hot springs, and the generous hospitality of the residents, the Colorado Plateau towns are worthy to be at the top of your travel plans.
