9 Unforgettable Small Towns to Visit in Colorado
Colorado is a picturesque western state featuring stunning river canyons, mountain ranges, and expansive deserts. Located to the east of the State of Utah, the naturally diverse state is full of history and culture and a wide range of stunning landscapes protected as National Parks. Colorado is home to such memorable landmarks as the Mesa Verde National Park, featuring Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings where visitors can learn about the homes built from stone within busy communities of the Pueblo People, but that is only the beginning! If natural beauty and breathtaking scenery are something you seek, these nine unforgettable small towns to visit in Colorado are a great place to start.
Mancos
Located in the southwest portion of the state, Mancos is a pretty small town situated 7,000 feet above sea level, with Mesa Verde National Park to the west and the La Plata Mountains to the east of town. Mancos offers fishing at the Jackson Gulch Reservoir and mountain biking at the Mancos State Park.
The Mesa Verde National Park is about 8 miles from the town of Mancos and is a favored attraction for tourists. Considered a sacred site, guests can explore the caves of Mesa Verde, where they will get a glimpse of times past. The Mesa Verde Caves were home to 26 Pueblos and Tribes, and visitors can explore the regions on foot or by car.
Marble
Marble, Colorado, is in the mid-western portion of the state, with a population of less than 200 as of 2020. Marble established itself as a mining town in the mid-1800s and endured many ups and downs. Famous for its marble deposits, which have been mined and utilized throughout much of the United States for the construction of famous monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Marble, Colorado, is one of the country’s premier suppliers of marble.
A unique attraction near Marble is Crystal Ghost Town, featuring an abandoned mining camp, perfect for those who enjoy historical settings. Its spooky atmosphere offers an unforgettable ghost town experience.
Parachute
Known as cattle-ranching country, Parachute, Colorado, sits in the western portion of the state. It is an ideal town to visit for those seeking a chance to experience the wild west. Surrounded by vast swaths of countryside, guest ranch accommodations are available throughout the region, and in town is home to the stunning Grand Vista Hotel Parachute. Golfing enthusiasts will enjoy a round of golf at Battlement Mesa’s 18-hole championship golf course, nestled within the backdrop of stunning mountain ranges.
Snowmass Village
Snowmass is a thriving resort community located among the Baldy Mountains. Snow sports enthusiasts will be blown away by this stunning location, originally designed in a similar style as ski resorts in Europe. Snowmass has grown in popularity since it was established in the late 1960s and has become a gem of a community, offering some of the most diverse skiing terrain in the country. Guests enjoy a variety of ski experiences on the Snowmass Parks and Pipes trails, where trails for every level of ability are offered for children, novice skiers, and experienced athletes alike.
Snowmass features a whopping seven on-mountain restaurants, such as the Elk Camp Restaurant, which offers a family-friendly environment serving local organic cuisine.
Silverton
Set within the heart of the San Juan mountains, Silverton was once an up-and-coming mining town but is now a designated National Historic Landmark District and is home to the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway. The Byway takes travelers through the San Juan mountains amid pristine mountain landscapes. If you plan to make the trek, however, you must come prepared with a 4x4 vehicle to traverse the rugged terrain, especially during the winter months.
Of historical significance, The Silverton Colorado Hillside Cemetery, under the care of The San Juan County Historical Society (SJCHS), represents the final resting place of thousands of Silverton’s Victorian-era residents who have been buried there. Their names have been recorded in hopes of preserving the history of the people of Silverton within its rugged terrain.
St. Elmo
Silver and gold were the going concern in the small mining town of St. Elmo, Colorado, which was founded in the late 1800s, with over 150 mines in operation at one time. With the successes and failures of the mines, the population of the town dwindled down until it became a genuine ghost town. The original buildings remain, offering a prime opportunity for the unforgettable experience of exploring an old mining town.
St. Elmo is Colorado’s "Most Original Ghost Town," and the St. Elmo’s General Store is one of many original buildings still standing. It is a charming place to browse for antiques, souvenirs, and snacks in an old-world setting as you meander through the ghostly town.
Frisco
Tucked in between the natural beauty of a mountain range and a lake, Frisco is a charming small town offering adventure within a bustling community that enjoys snow-capped mountains as their backdrop.
Designed to resemble the mining towns of the past, Frisco’s charming shops and cafes are an ideal place to enjoy the spirit of a resort town while maintaining its old-world aesthetic. Frisco also presents plenty of outdoor adventure as well. The Frisco Adventure Park offers tubing in the wintertime, and The Dillon Reservoir offers paddleboarding in the summer. There are also several world-class ski resorts in proximity to Frisco, including Copper’s Tucker Mountain snowcat access, a back-country skiing destination free to the public!
Estes Park
Located within a 90-minute drive from Denver, Colorado, Estes Park is a small town with big adventures awaiting. Known as an idyllic mountain town, Estes Park is home to the Rocky Mountains National Park, where visitors get the chance to see all the mountainous region has to offer, including pristine rivers for fishing, lush valleys full of wildflowers, and hiking and biking trails.
Your sweet tooth will be happy to visit the Carmel Corn Candy Shop, where you will be treated to old-fashioned caramel popcorn, made fresh daily, as well as other traditional candy treats such as caramel apples, hot pretzels, and saltwater taffy, to name a few! When you are done adventuring for the day, you can enjoy cozy accommodations at the Rocky Mountain Hotel.
Blue River
Named after the beautiful Blue River, this charming riverside community in Summit County is unique from other small towns in the State of Colorado because of its proximity to the Blue River. The Blue River provides numerous public access points along the way where visitors can enjoy fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
Anglers can throw on their hip waders and make a splash fishing in the shallow waters of the Blue River to catch brown and rainbow trout in this award-winning locale. Those who enjoy camping have their pick of nearby camping, like the remote Kite Lake Campground south of town, with only five campsites.
Colorado is brimming with natural beauty and historic charm. From breathtaking views of snow-capped mountain peaks to meandering waterways like the Blue River to former mining communities that have turned into intriguing ghost towns, Colorado has plenty of things to see and do, and it offers a wonderful opportunity to engage in adventures in the great outdoors. Make sure to come prepared for traversing rugged terrain when visiting Frisco and be sure to bring your skis if you plan to hit the slopes in regions like Snowmass Village!
