8 Unforgettable Small Towns to Visit in the Colorado Plateau
The Colorado Plateau encompasses some of the most unique natural scenery in North America, offering everything from towering views over the Grand Canyon to lakeside picnics in Colorado's green valleys surrounded by snow-capped peaks to imposing hiking trails leading to expansive views of red rock and sedimented buttes in Arizona and Utah. The charm of the small towns nestled within the multitude of surrounding national parks, however, should not go underappreciated. Exploring the small towns should be first on any visitor's next trip to the Colorado Plateau, as they are truly unforgettable.
Page, Arizona
Page is within the dramatic mountains and canyons covering the Arizona-Utah border. The land surrounding the town is covered in red rock and accented by the Colorado River that runs through it. Most visitors enjoy hiking The Chains, which follows through to the Glen Canyon Dam and the rocky gorge surrounding Lake Powell. Further along the river is the sweeping view of Wahweap Overlook above Wahweap Bay. Following the river in the opposite direction leads to the most iconic attraction: the Horse Shoe Bend, a tall heap of red canyons surrounded by almost a complete 360-degree bend of water where hiking and boating are popular. Otherwise, travelers take guided tours like the Antelope Canyon Tours or Ken's Tours of Lower Antelope Canyon.
Grand Lake, Colorado
Grand Lake is the last town before the world-renowned Rocky Mountain National Park. This is everything that epitomizes the natural landscapes of the Colorado Plateau which are some of the best in the world: surrounding the 415 square miles of rock and forest terrain are dramatic mountain peaks like Mount Ida, Mount Julian, Longs Peak, and the Twin Sisters Peak East. But keep in mind that while these peaks are beautiful, they are also difficult: there are easier hikes around the Grand Lake, like Adams Falls or the East Inlet Trailhead, that are friendlier for all ages.
For those trying to stay off their feet, the Rocky Mountain National Park Scenic Byway of Trail Ridge Road passes through town. Arguably better than these mountain-top views is the view from the small town below, specifically from Point Park, which overlooks the small townhouses and the clear water of Grand Lake to the rocky gorges ahead.
Escalante, Utah
The beauty of the lush greenery on the forested hills in Grand Lake is contrasted by Utah's equally beautiful sand and rock, especially in the small town of Escalante. Here, there are high mountain peaks of red rock and sand that are less vertical and are more attuned to the needs of diverse hikers. Prime examples include the sweeping cliffs of the Cedar Wash Arch, the expansive view from the Head of the Rocks Overlook, and the other-worldly dunes of the Zebra Slot.
All of these are the main features of the town's base for tourism, which is the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Daytime activities in the town square center around the Escalante Heritage Center and quiet nighttimes with unforgettable starry nights are available at the Wide Hollow Campground in the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park.
Gunnison, Colorado
Gunnison is a mountain town in central Colorado with small parks and lakes like the West Tomchi River Park that follows the Gunnison River and also exciting daytime activities in the Mountaineer Bowl, the home of Western Colorado University, or live music at the I Bar Ranch. However, the real attraction for thousands of national and international visitors is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, where able-bodied visitors climb rigorous vertical heights to the top of lookouts like Cedar Point, Pulpit Rock Overlook, and Sunset View. A less popular and less crowded destination with arguably equal beauty is the Gunnison National Forest, where mountain ranges create beautifully lush valleys of greenery accented by clear rivers and lakes.
Taos, New Mexico
Taos, New Mexico, combines Spanish colonial history with the dramatic natural landscapes that define the Colorado Plateau. The town area is filled with daytime attractions surrounding the traditional Pueblo architecture of the Downtown Taos Historic District, like the Taos Art Museum at Fechin House, the Couse-Sharpe Historic Site, the Harwood Art Museum, and the unique Hanuman Temple. One of the most popular and unique is the Millicent Rogers Museum, where Native American poetry, art, and fashion are beautifully staged. Family-friendly outdoor activities are also near the town square at Kit Carson Park. The more majestic natural destination, however, is the beautiful Pueblo Peak that overlooks the small town with beautiful colors at sunset.
Kanab, Utah
Kanab rests southwest of Escalante and is also near the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to the northeast of town. However, this small town is also surrounded by Zion National Park to the northwest and the famous Grand Canyon National Park to the southeast. Maybe lesser known than the world-renowned Grand Canyon, Zion National Park holds impressive rock structures carved by red and emerald-blue rivers beneath, creating unique canyon walkways and crevices that make visitors marvel. There are also noticeable attractions within Kanab's modest and quaint town center, like the Kanab Visitors Center and the Little Hollywood Land Museum, which holds Hollywood memorabilia and historic movie sets.
Sedona, Arizona
Sedona is a unique natural wonder in that its small population of under 10,000 is towered on all sides by characteristic red mountain peaks but the land below is covered by the low-lying greenery of the Coconino National Forest. Aside from the multitude of popular trails around the town, like the Munds Wagon Trail and the Soldiers Pass Trail, many visitors check out the Chapel of the Holy Cross, built in a modern design in the 1950s and now forming an imposing and impressive architectural wonder on the side of the Munds Mountain Wilderness. Those weary of long travels on foot usually opt for a popular Pink Jeep Tour across the unique red buttes or along a wide path trail. Outside of the surrounding outdoor activities, a popular escape from the daytime heat of the summer months is a stop at the Sedona Heritage Museum for lessons on regional history.
Park City, Utah
Outside of Salt Lake City in northern Utah is Park City, a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly skiers and hikers. Many resorts surround the town, including the Park City Mountain Resort, the Solitude Mountain Resort, and the Deer Valley Resort. Hikers and leisure walkers enjoy the winding trails in the nearby rolling mountains instead, commonly strolling through the Armstrong Trail or the PC Hill Trailhead. The natural scenery can also be appreciated inside the town from municipal parks like Prospector Park or City Park. The best view, however, is atop the Park City Alpine Slide, which offers 3,000-foot luge-style slides in the summer season. Otherwise, the interactive exhibits of the Park City Museum and the Kimball Art Center are worthwhile visits.
Something special exists in the Colorado Plateau region, where some of North America's most recognizable national parks attract big attention. At the same time, the settlements scattered within each beautiful valley support small-town charm that fosters a magical connection between people and natural wonder. The Colorado Plateau is often recognized for its imposing natural world but remembered for the towns that bring it to live in the spaces between.
