Colorado Mountain Towns: The Best Places to Stay and Explore the Rockies
Explore our favorite mountain towns below: Each guide includes things to do, places to stay, dining and restaurants, and local stories and histories to give you a complete picture of these special places. If you are looking for a specific Mountain Town, search for its name below to get started now.
Frisco,
Colorado
Frisco is an underrated mountain town 70-minutes from Denver. Often overlooked due to its lack of ski resorts, that’s a mistake: it is only a 15 minute-drive from Breckenridge and Copper Mountain. Learn more below.
Breckenridge,
Colorado
Breckenridge is home to one of Colorado’s three primary ski areas, and is a moderately developed area. While it is not as large or busy as Aspen or Vail, it is considerably more commercial than small towns like Frisco, Nederland, or Crested Butte.
Estes Park,
Colorado
Estes Park is best known as the east gateway community for those visiting Rocky Mountain National Park. There is a lot to do and see in town besides the park, including great dining, shopping, hiking, and fishing opportunities.
Aspen,
Colorado
Aspen, considered the birthplace of the Colorado ski industry, is one of the most popular ski areas in the state. While the town is very busy and commercialized, it retains charm and rustic opportunities if you know where to look.
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Steamboat Springs is in northern Colorado, just west of Rabbit Ears Pass. Home to a ski area and great outdoor recreation opportunities, it retains much of its small-town charm – although that is changing as the town keeps growing.
Telluride,
Colorado
The gem of the San Juans: Telluride is a 5-6 hour-drive from Denver, but the time is well worth it. This stunning valley includes jaw-dropping peaks, especially from the town’s free Gondola public transportation service.
