These lovely Colorado towns may be small, but they’ve got a lot to offer. From spectacular mountain scenery to historic landmarks, each town has something special to offer.
All of these Colorado towns are accessible year-round and offer unique attractions in both summer and winter. From train rides to gold mining tours, the Centennial State’s top small towns are packed with some of the state’s biggest attractions. Below are our picks for the best small towns in Colorado.
Lake City
Downtown Lake City. Photo: www.lakecity.com
Take in the awe-inspiring scenery that surrounds the small town of Lake City. The only town in Hinsdale County, Colorado, Lake City is surrounded by vast amounts of public land.
In fact, Hinsdale County is 96% public land, which means it has the fewest roads per capita and the most land farthest from roads. This makes it the most remote county in the United States and a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Located at the intersection of two scenic byways, the Silver Thread Scenic Byway and the Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway, Lake City offers endless beauty. Surrounded by the San Juan Mountains and nearby Lake San Cristobal, the town is the perfect location for any outdoor adventure.
Summer brings hiking, biking and fishing, while winter brings visitors to Lake City Ski Hill, ice skate on Lake San Cristobal and Lake City Ice Park, or cross-country ski, snowshoe or fat bike on the trails.
But the fun doesn’t end there: stroll through the well-preserved historic downtown, a National Historic District, or visit the Hinsdale County Museum to learn more about Colorado’s only cannibal, Alphard Packer.
Creed
{Roschetzkylstockphoto}/{Creative Images} via Getty Images
Located an hour and 15 minutes northwest of Pagosa Springs in the heart of the Rio Grande National Forest, the historic mining town of Creede is surrounded by steep cliffs and steeply historic, this Mineral County town exudes classic Colorado small-town charm.
Like many Colorado mountain towns, Creede was once a thriving mining town in the late 1800s. Historic buildings along Main Street tell the story of what life was once like in this small community. Learn more about Creede’s past with a visit to the Underground Mining Museum and the Creede History Museum.
In addition to historic charm, downtown is packed with shops, art galleries and acclaimed theater companies, including Creed Repertory Theatre, which presents the best in classic and contemporary plays.
Outdoor recreation is plentiful, including biking, hiking, kayaking, wildlife watching and fishing. With the San Juan and Rio Grande rivers close by, rafting and fishing are popular outdoor activities, and in the winter people come to enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice skating.
Paonia
Winery in Paonia, Colorado. Photo: Jessica Hughes
Nestled in the North Fork Valley, the town of Paonia is a unique gathering place for artists, farmers, vintners and outdoor enthusiasts. Its ideal location has led to Paonia being named the “coolest” town in Colorado.
With warm air flowing up the valley at night and cooler air coming in from the mountains during the day, the weather conditions here are perfect for growing a variety of fruits, grapes, vegetables and sustainably raised meat.
This has made Paonia home to an award-winning wine industry and a notable farm-to-table culinary scene. As a Certified Colorado Creative District, Paonia also has a vibrant arts scene, home to many painters, sculptors, jewelers and musicians.
Crestone
The Ziggurat in Crestone, Colorado. Photo: Jessica Hughes
Living up to its name of “Colorado’s Most Spiritual Town,” Crestone is a place where prayer flags fly high, crystals flutter in the breeze, and street names like Carefree Way instantly bring a sense of peace. Perfectly located at the foot of the western slope of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Crestone sits at an elevation of 7,500 feet and offers expansive views of the San Luis Valley.
There are many impressive spiritual sites here, including ashrams, monasteries, temples and retreat centers. There’s even a ziggurat (a structure modeled after an ancient Babylonian temple) on a hill just outside the town center; it’s a short hike of just over a mile to reach this unique structure.
Crestone is named for the 14,000-foot mountains, Crestone Needle and Crestone Peak, that rise just east of town, and with easy access to the mountains, the area offers popular outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, climbing, camping (at nearby National Forest Service campgrounds), and of course, choose-your-own spiritual journeys.
fair play
Front Street, Fairplay, Colorado. Photo: Steven Martin
The capital of Parke County, the town of Fairplay is full of character, stunning scenery and a vibrant arts culture. The nearby Mosquito Mountains provide this small town with a backyard for endless outdoor adventures.
Summer and winter, opportunities for outdoor adventure abound. In the winter, world-class skiing and ice climbing are nearby, and visitors can explore the pristine backcountry wilderness by snowmobile or snowshoe. Nicknamed the “Fly Fishing Capital of Colorado,” Fairplay is an angler’s paradise.
Summer is also the best time to see wildflowers, wildlife, snow-capped mountains, and lush grasslands. Fairplay also hosts several fun events in the summer, including the legendary Burro Days Races, a free summer concert series, and the unique South Park Arts Celebration.
Trinidad
Trinidad Opera House, photo by Muhammad
At the southern tip of Colorado, just north of the New Mexico border, lies the oft-forgotten town of Trinidad, the starting point of the Scenic Highway of Legends and the historic and cultural heart of Colorado.
Once a stop along the Santa Fe Trail and a base for traders and ranchers in the 1800s, Trinidad is steeped in history. Visit several historic buildings, including the Baca House and Broome Mansion, in the Corazon de Trinidad National Historic Site.
Today, Trinidad is a certified Colorado Creative District, home to a growing number of art galleries, the Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre and the largest collection of stately Victorian homes west of the Mississippi.
In addition to its history, arts and culture, Trinidad offers a wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities, including Trinidad Lake Provincial Park and the Purgatoire River, which runs through the town and offers great fishing opportunities for anglers.
evergreen
Evergreen Lake. Photo: Aaron Patterson
Located at the foot of the Front Range, Evergreen is a 45-minute drive from the state capital, Denver. In addition to being convenient to both the big city and the mountains, this mountain community offers abundant outdoor recreation and a quaint, historic downtown filled with shops and restaurants.
The town’s centerpiece is Evergreen Lake, one of the area’s most popular attractions, with year-round activities including kayaking and fishing in the summer and ice skating and ice fishing in the winter. Beyond the lake, the natural surroundings of Evergreen are a great place for hiking and biking.
The compact, historic downtown is full of charm and character, with a variety of restaurants, bars, cafes, boutiques and art galleries to enjoy, and outdoor dining along Bear Creek, which runs through the heart of town, is a popular option.
Alamosa
Rio Grande Scenic Railroad. Photo: Larry Ramsah
With its historic ties to the Rio Grande Railroad and its outdoor connections between the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountain ranges, Alamosa is a confluence of nearly everything that means “Colorado.”
Located in the San Luis Valley, we are close to numerous attractions, including Alamosa Ranch & Open Space, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Alamosa Wildlife Refuge, Zapata Falls, and the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad.
Home to mushroom, hop and potato farms, Alamosa is a hub of local agriculture, as evidenced by its local breweries and authentic farm-to-table cuisine. Be sure to also explore the unique downtown, filled with shops, restaurants, cafes, breweries and more.
marble
Crystal Mill, Colorado. Photo: {HaizhanZheng}/{Creative Collections} via Getty Images
Experience old Colorado when you visit Marble. Located in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, in the Elk Range, you’ll find 14,000-foot peaks, rushing rivers, evergreen forests and a tranquil setting perfect for a mountain getaway.
It is home to the famous Crystal Mill, the picturesque Wooden Power Plant, the Yule Marble Quarry, and the Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness Area. Yule Marble Quarry is one of the world’s leading sources of white marble, whose marble was used in the construction of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC.
Marble’s location offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities, including camping, backpacking, hiking, biking, fly fishing, four-wheel driving, kayaking and horseback riding.
Georgetown
Downtown Georgetown, Colorado. Photo: Jasperdo
If you drive along I-70 from Denver to Summit County for a weekend getaway in the mountains, you’ll pass through a little-known mountain town called Georgetown. Founded in 1859, it’s an old mining town that continues to grow as more people flock to the Front Range.
Georgetown offers year-round fun, from hiking and off-road adventures to train tours and historic sites. It’s the gateway to Guanella Pass, providing access to Mount Bierstadt, one of Colorado’s most visited 14er peaks.
For four-wheel drive adventures, the Argentine Pass 4×4 Road is a great option, while Lake Georgetown is a major outdoor attraction, offering fishing in the summer and ice racing in the winter, where cars race across the frozen lake.
Explore historic downtown with its numerous museums and art galleries, or immerse yourself in history with a ride on the historic Georgetown Loop Railway.
Thanks for checking out our list of Colorado’s small town attractions. If you’re looking for more famous Rocky Mountain destinations, consider some of the state’s top mountain towns.
