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Colorado is well known for the glitz of Aspen, the picturesque views of Telluride and the champagne powder snow of Steamboat, but popular resort destinations in the Centennial State can bring big crowds and big price tags.
Luckily, Colorado is packed with lesser-known destinations that still boast a charming mountain lifestyle and plenty of activities for visitors, from the Front Range corridor to the Western Slope. Read on for our guide to escaping Colorado’s crowded resort towns.
Durango
Best for trail access
The rugged San Juan Mountains in Southwest Colorado are some of the most breathtaking in the state, but visitors don’t have to settle for Telluride prices. Durango is the perfect home base to explore the southwest corner of the state. The popular and scenic San Juan Skyway runs right through town, and communities like Ouray and Silverton are a short but stunning drive to the north. Durango offers hundreds of miles of mountain biking and hiking trails in close proximity to downtown, where you can find restaurants, shops and hotels, plus the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad depot.
Mancos
Best small town
Another Southwest outpost is Mancos, just a short drive west of Mesa Verde National Park. Mancos is an agriculture community that packs an artsy punch. The small downtown is home to several galleries, and the regional favorite Fenceline Cider is right there to quench your thirst. Keeping with its rural roots, the annual BurroFest offers activities, vendors and, of course, burros (who participate in a parade and wander through the festival all day).
Salida
Best of Central Colorado
About three hours from Denver, Salida is the gateway to Colorado’s central mountains region. In the winter, Monarch Mountain features a laid-back local ski hill vibe, while Salida’s high desert climate and sun exposure means that hiking and biking trails can often be accessed year-round. If the outdoors isn’t for you, downtown Salida has plenty of restaurants, breweries, shops and galleries.
Leadville
Best high-altitude town
Leadville is nicknamed Cloud City for good reason—it’s the highest incorporated city in the United States at 10,152 feet above sea level. When a storm rolls through, it feels like you’re literally inside of a cloud. The high-elevation town has a rich mining history visible in the East Side Mining District directly east of town, or you can dive deep into the past at the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum. Ski Cooper is just a short drive away and offers an affordable alternative to Colorado’s mega resorts.
Montrose
Best of the desert
On the Western Slope, Montrose is situated between the mountains and the desert. The San Juans jut out to the south, and the town features great access to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to the west. Flex Park is just one access point to the Uncompahgre River to enjoy fishing and boating. The remote West End features mining history, outdoors access and dark-sky communities.
Paonia
Best wine region
Another agricultural town, Paonia is situated on the North Fork of the Gunnison River and is known for its laid-back community feel. Paonia is the place to be for fishing and rafting—but it’s also a wine lover’s paradise, as the town is part of the West Elks American Viticultural Area. Black Ridge Winery and Stone Cottage Cellars are two of the most popular stops for wine tasting, while Big B’s features 30 acres of orchards and regularly hosts live music.
The Grand Mesa
Best of the Western Slope
Although there’s easy access from Interstate 70, the Grand Mesa feels like it’s a world away from the hustle and bustle of Denver and Summit County. The large, flat-top mesa is an alpine oasis above the Western Colorado desert and features scenic drives, cabins, lakes, campgrounds and trails. Those trails turn into an extensive Nordic skiing network in the winter, in addition to downhill skiing at Powderhorn Mountain Resort. The south side of the mesa features Cedaredge, home to an apple festival each fall, while Palisade sits to the north with peaches and wineries.
Idaho Springs
Best access from Denver
Idaho Springs is often passed over by visitors driving from Denver to Summit County, but the new Mighty Argo Cable Car is making the town a popular stop. The scenic gondola ride delivers riders to the top of the mountain, where a restaurant offers even more views. Downhill mountain bike trails allow thrill-seekers to plunge back down to the valley floor, and visitors can also see the old Argo Mill and pan for gold.
Colorado Springs
Best “big” city
Despite being home to nearly 500,000 people, Colorado Springs may be one of Colorado’s best-kept secrets. The city features excellent access to the outdoors at parks such as North Cheyenne Cañon Park and Red Rock Canyon, both in the shadow of Pikes Peak. The popular U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum brings visitors inside the lives of the nation’s best athletes, and you can catch a show at the recently-built Ford Amphitheater.
Trinidad
Best of Southern Colorado
Continue south on Interstate 25, and Trinidad is a destination hiding in plain sight halfway between Denver and Santa Fe. Fishers Peak State Park offers new trail access, while Trinidad Lake State Park offers boating and camping. Downtown Trinidad features live music, art galleries and architecture that harkens back to the days when coal mining drove the region.