9 Liveliest Colorado Towns For Active Seniors
Colorado is a naturally vibrant destination and one of the go-to destinations for adventure lovers. For seniors still steaming with youthful vigor, the state is an ideal place to fulfill outdoor desires and live an active lifestyle. Here, you’ll find several small towns full of thrilling attractions like the Rocky Mountains and the Arkansas River, which also offer easy access to healthcare, affordable housing, and a sizable community of seniors. There comes a time when most people have to decide where to go for a fulfilling retirement full of adventures. When that time comes, just remember that these towns in Colorado are some of the liveliest destinations you can find in America.
Palmer Lake
Palmer Lake is a small lake town surrounded by mountains. It is ideal for active seniors seeking adventures bordering nature, history, and the arts. For nature-loving seniors, Palmer Lake Recreation Area is an excellent spot for kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, and picnicking. Also, the 16-mile New Santa Fe Regional Trail is adjacent to the lake, allowing seniors to hike and bike to Colorado Springs or as far as they can go.
Elsewhere, history buffs would be delighted to explore the Lucretia Vaile Museum, as it offers a trip back to the town's roots through exhibits, walking tours, and historic programs. Moreover, those who love the arts can always kick back at the Tri-Lake Center for the Arts to see rotating art exhibits and partake in seasonal concerts and festivals.
Evergreen
The mountain town of Evergreen is an excellent alternative for active seniors seeking adventures away from Denver without being too far from the city. This beautiful, high-altitude town offers various ways to stay active, especially with attractions like Evergreen Lake, a popular spot for boating, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. Also, a 1.3-mile trail is around the lake for hiking and spotting wildlife like bald eagles, elks, and waterfowl. For seniors interested in learning more, the Evergreen Audubon & Nature Center is just by the lake and contains exhibits reflecting the ecosystem of the area. Furthermore, Bergen and Fillius Parks are located in Evergreen, offering opportunities for picnicking and hiking with views of historic stone structures.
Glendale
Glendale is a cool town with a high safety rating and several attractions to keep seniors in shape. Once here, elders can hike or bike the 47-mile Cherry Creek Trail and Bike Path that stretches from Douglas County to Confluence Park in downtown Denver. As for history buffs, the nearby Four Mile Historical Park is a great place to visit as it has a rustic farm packed with pioneer exhibits and the Four Mile House, one of Colorado’s oldest houses. Nearby, Creekside Park is a great spot in town where one can picnic or hike on its pathways. Alternatively, seniors can head to Infinity Park to enjoy the park's green spaces and regular events such as rugby matches.
Golden
Golden is a pretty town along Clear Creek and at the base of the Rocky Mountains, perfect for retirees who love history and thrilling adventures. This town is home to the Colorado Railroad Museum, a worthy first stop to see model trains, railroad cars, and exhibits reflecting the area’s railroad history. The town also hosts the Golden History Museum & Park, where old log cabins, a barn, a chicken coop, and other exhibits offer a detailed look at the area's homesteading life in the early 1870s. It lies along the Clear Creek Trail, so seniors can always come and go while walking along the waters.
Beyond Golden’s historic draws, seniors can always visit the Clear Creek White Water Park to enjoy kayaking and canoeing. For those looking for a tough challenge, Lookout Mountain Park is a great spot to climb the town’s tallest mountain and enjoy panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and Denver. A road also leads to the top of the mountain for those seeking a less heart-pumping ascent on a bike or car.
Estes Park
Estes Park is a paradise for energetic seniors, with a low crime rate, quality healthcare, and access to natural beauties like the Rocky Mountains and Big Thompson River. Older folks here can always go to the nearby Rocky Mountains National Park to hike over 350 miles of trails, fish, boat, raft, kayak, and paddleboard on the park's many lakes, streams, and rivers. Also, the Estes Park Recreational & Park District offers various adventures, including swimming, camping, boating, and golfing, right in town. Additionally, there’s a riverwalk right in downtown Estes Park, along the confluence of the Big Thompson and Fall Rivers, for leisure strolls with scenic river views. For those seeking some entertainment, the Historic Park Theatre is always a delightful stop.
Fruita
Fruita is a town where active seniors can live out their wildest outdoor ambitions, with the Colorado River nearby and the Book Cliffs and Colorado National Monument overlooking the town. On the Colorado River, laid-back retirees can kayak, canoe, boat, and raft with sights of towering canyons. Farther outdoors, the nearby Colorado National Monument is an area of dramatic natural beauty to explore on scenic drives or hikes while gazing at sandstone formations, towering monoliths, and steep canyons. For active golfers, the Fruita Riverfront Park is a must-visit spot to play disc golf or enjoy leisure walks, picnics, and views of the cliffs surrounding the town.
Moreover, Fruita hosts several iconic festivals year-round to keep seniors active. A good mention is the weirdly exciting Mike the Headless Chicken Festival, held every May/June in honor of Mike, a chicken who lived for 18 months without its head and even added some weight.
Salida
Salida is a charming river town where seniors can spend time outdoors savoring nature's beauty while enjoying laid-back adventures. For starters, the Arkansas River runs through this town, serving as a recreational hotspot for boating, rafting, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. A riverwalk is also beside the waterbody in the downtown area, perfect for leisure strolls. Alternatively, seniors can head to Riverside Park to hike, picnic, and camp with views of the river and the distant Rocky Mountains. Furthermore, the town's Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center hosts one of America’s largest indoor hot springs pools, which is excellent for aquatic fitness, and a smaller pool, perfect for relaxation. For history enthusiasts, the Salida Museum is worth visiting to see artifacts that offer insights into the town’s Native American, mining, railroad, and pioneer history.
Montrose
Montrose is one of the best towns for active senior living due to its affordability and proximity to many outdoor attractions. Here, elders will be about 14 miles from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, which is a must-visit to see some of North America's steepest cliffs, oldest rocks, and rugged spires. Take in the views of this dramatic canyon from the park's North and South Rim drives, beholding the flowing beauty of the Gunnison River that sculpted the canyon below. Also, seniors can head to the Montrose Water Sports Park to kayak, tube, boat, and raft on its 1,000-foot river channel. Moving on from nature, the Montrose County Historical Museum is a great stop to glimpse into the county’s history via Native American, railroad, pioneer, and mining exhibits. Elsewhere in town, the Montrose City Center for Arts invites art enthusiasts to take art classes and check out various visual arts created by regional artists.
Canon City
Canon City is a riveting mountain town brimming with outdoor adventures year-round, especially as it is located on the Arkansas River that flows into the magnificent Royal Gorge. This water body is an excellent spot for white water rafting, ensuring seniors a thrilling experience. Meanwhile, the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park remains the town’s most famous attraction, home to the highest suspension bridge in the United States, straddling a gorge and crossing over the Arkansas River. Brave seniors can take aerial gondola rides or zipline across the gorge to enjoy unobstructed views of the entire area or walk the bridge to the visitor center to shop and eat while gazing at the breathtaking scenery.
For more thrilling experiences, proceed to drive on the dangerously narrow 2.6-mile Skyline Drive that stretches through the top of a high razorback ridge, offering panoramic views of Canon City. In the meantime, art lovers have the Artists Gallery to explore a wide variety of artworks from local artists, while the Museum of Colorado Prisons awaits to offer insight into the history of Colorado prisons.
Final Thoughts
Colorado is a naturally vibrant destination and one of the go-to states for adventure lovers. For seniors still steaming with youthful vigor, it offers the perfect place to stay active while enjoying a fulfilling retirement. Across the state, small towns brim with thrilling attractions, from the Rocky Mountains to the Arkansas River, while also offering affordable housing, accessible healthcare, and thriving senior communities. When the time comes to choose a place for a retirement full of adventure, remember that these Colorado towns are some of the liveliest and most rewarding destinations in America.
