Colorado Travel Guide

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Fodor's Colorado
For over 80 years, Fodor's Travel has been a trusted resource offering expert travel...

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A playground for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, Colorado has majestic landscapes, raging rivers, and winding trails perfect for activities from biking to rafting. The heart of the Rocky Mountains has scores of snow-capped summits towering higher than 14,000 feet and trails from easy to challenging for exploring them—as well as roads offering spectacular drives. Skiers flock to the slopes here for the champagne powder and thrilling downhill runs. Need a break from the outdoors? Urban adventures await in cool cities like Denver, Boulder, and Aspen.

Fodor's Colorado
For over 80 years, Fodor's Travel has been a trusted resource offering expert travel...

View Details

ROAD TRIPS

The Best of Colorado

Aimee Heckel

Find a Hotel

ROAD TRIPS

The Best of Colorado

Aimee Heckel

Find a Hotel

ROAD TRIPS

The Best of Colorado

Aimee Heckel

Top Destinations

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Southwest Colorado

The reddish rocks found in much of the state, particularly in the southwest, give Colorado its name. The region's terrain varies widely—from yawning black canyons...

Boulder and North Central Colorado

With spectacular scenery and an equally appealing climate, north central Colorado contains a string of sophisticated yet laid-back cities and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure...

South Central Colorado

Stretching from majestic mountains into rugged, high desert plains, south central Colorado has plenty of 14,000-foot peaks, astounding natural hot springs, striking red-rock outcroppings, rivers...

Denver

You can tell from its skyline alone that Denver is a major metropolis, with a Major League Baseball stadium at one end of downtown and...

Steamboat Springs and Northwest Colorado

Varied terrain attracts bold outdoors enthusiasts, and genteel towns are tucked among the craggy cliffs for those seeking quieter pursuits. Whatever your choice, the northwest...

Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley

The Roaring Fork Valley—and Aspen, its crown jewel—is the quintessential Colorado Rocky Mountain High. A row of the state's famed Fourteeners (peaks over 14,000 feet)...

Vail Valley

If Aspen is Colorado's Hollywood East, then her rival Vail is Wall Street West. So popular is this ski resort with the monied East Coast...

Summit County

Summit County, a mere hour's drive from the Denver Metro Area on a straight shot up I–70, is Denver's playground. The wide-open mountain park ringed...

Boulder

No place in Colorado better epitomizes the state’s outdoor mania than Boulder, where sunny weather keeps locals busy through all seasons. The bicycle count rivals...

Aspen

One of the world's fabled resorts, Aspen practically defines glitz, glamour, and glorious skiing. To the uninitiated, Aspen and Vail might be synonymous. Between the...

Side Trips from Denver

If you have ever wondered why folks living along the Front Range—as the area west of Denver and east of the Continental Divide is known—continually...

Colorado Springs

The contented residents of the Colorado Springs area believe they live in an ideal location, and it's hard to argue with them. To the west...

Durango

Wisecracking Will Rogers had this to say about Durango: "It's out of the way and glad of it." His statement is a bit unfair, considering...

Steamboat Springs

Steamboat got its name from French trappers who, after hearing the bubbling and churning hot springs, mistakenly thought a steamboat was chugging up the Yampa...

Rocky Mountain National Park

With its towering mountains, active and abundant wildlife, and crystal clear lakes and rivers, Rocky Mountain attracts nearly 5 million visitors per year, trailing only...

Crested Butte

Like Aspen, the town of Crested Butte was once a small mining village (albeit for coal, not silver). The Victorian gingerbread-trim houses remain, many of...

Telluride

Tucked away between the azure sky and the gunmetal mountains is Telluride, the colorful mining town–turned–ski resort famous for its celebrity visitors (Oprah Winfrey, Tom...

Fort Collins

The city sits on the cusp of the high plains of eastern Colorado, but is sheltered on the west by the lower foothills of the...

Mesa Verde National Park

Unlike the other national parks, Mesa Verde earned its status from its ancient cultural history rather than its geological treasures. President Theodore Roosevelt established it...

Breckenridge

Breckenridge was founded in 1859, when gold was discovered in the surrounding hills. For the next several decades the town's fortunes rose and fell as...

Grand Junction

Grand Junction is where the mountains and desert meet at the confluence of the mighty Colorado and Gunnison rivers—a grand junction indeed. No matter which...

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison River is one of Colorado's most awe-inspiring places—a vivid testament to the powers of erosion, the canyon is roughly...

Winter Park

Winter Park Resort is easily navigable from the small village at the base anchored by Zephyr Mountain Lodge and the Fraser Crossing and Founders Pointe...

Glenwood Springs

Once upon a time, Glenwood Springs, the famed spa town that forms the western apex of a triangle with Vail and Aspen, was every bit...

Grand Lake

The tiny town of Grand Lake, known to locals as Grand Lake Village, is doubly blessed by its surroundings. It’s the western gateway to Rocky...

Pueblo

In 1842 El Pueblo trading post, on the bank of the Arkansas River, was a gathering place for trappers and traders. Today the trading post...

Ouray

The town of Ouray (pronounced you-ray) is nestled in a narrow, steep-walled canyon in the shadow of the San Juan Mountains. It was named for...

Snowmass

One of four ski mountains owned by Aspen Skiing Company and one of the best intermediate hills in the country, Snowmass has more ski-in ski-out...

Salida

Imposing peaks, including 14,000-plus-foot Mount Shavano, dominate the town of Salida, which is on the Arkansas River. Salida draws some of the musicians who appear...

Buena Vista

Skyscraping mountains, the most impressive being the Collegiate Peaks, ring Buena Vista (pronounced byoo-na vis-ta by locals). The 14,000-foot, often snowcapped peaks were first summited...

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Created by winds that sweep the San Luis Valley floor, the enormous sand dunes that form the heart of Great Sand Dunes National Park and...

Leadville

Sitting in the mountains at 10,152 feet, Leadville is America's highest incorporated city. The 70 square blocks of Victorian architecture and adjacent mining district hint...

Keystone

One of the region's most laid-back destinations, Keystone is understandably popular with families and, as the state's largest night skiing operation (with lifts running until...

Gunnison

At the confluence of the Gunnison River and Tomichi Creek, Gunnison is an old mining and ranching community and college town. It’s been adopted by...

Cañon City and Royal Gorge

From the glut of adventure tours that line U.S. 50 west of the city, to the nearby Royal Gorge—a dramatic crack that plunges more than...

Silverton

Glorious peaks surround Silverton, an old mining community. The town reputedly got its name when a miner exclaimed, "We ain’t got much gold but we...

Colorado National Monument

Colorado's version of red rock is nowhere more spectacularly on display than at Colorado National Monument. Created between 65 and 225 million years ago, the...

Palisade

Palisade is Colorado's version of Napa Valley, with the highest concentration of wineries in the state. It's an easy day trip from Grand Junction; meander...

Nederland

A former mining and mill town at the top of Boulder Canyon and on the scenic Peak to Peak Highway, "Ned" embodies that small, mountain-town...

Alamosa

The San Luis Valley's major city is a casual, central base from which to explore the region and visit the Great Sand Dunes...

Trinidad

If you're traveling on I–25 and want to stop for a night in a historic town with character instead of a motel on the outskirts...

Cortez

The northern escarpment of Mesa Verde to the southeast and the volcanic blisters of La Plata Mountains to the east dominate the views around sprawling...

Georgetown

Georgetown rode the crest of the silver boom during the second half of the 19th century. Most of the impeccably maintained brick buildings that make...

Golden

Golden was once the territorial capital of Colorado. City residents have smarted ever since losing that distinction to Denver by "dubious" vote in 1867, but...

Copper Mountain

Once little more than a series of strip malls, Copper Mountain is now a thriving resort with a bustling base. The resort's heart is a...

Frisco

Keep going past the hodgepodge of strip malls near the interstate and you'll find that low-key Frisco has a downtown district trimmed with restored B&Bs...

Idaho Springs

Colorado prospectors struck their first major vein of gold here on January 7, 1859. That year local mines dispatched half of all the gold used...

Cuchara Valley

If you want a true mountain rural setting, head to the Cuchara Valley. From here or La Veta you can go camping or hiking in...

Pagosa Springs

Although not a large town, Pagosa Springs has become a major center for outdoor sports. Hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing opportunities abound here, and there’s...

Montrose

The self-described "Home of the Black Canyon" sits amid glorious surroundings, but it’s otherwise a typical Western town with a small historic center, where you'll...

Dillon

Dillon can't seem to sit still. Founded in 1883 as a stagecoach stop and trading post for men working in the mines, Dillon has had...

Carbondale

The artsy, outdoorsy town of Carbondale sits under looming Mount Sopris (12,965 feet), and its Main Street is lined with century-old brick buildings that house...

Outside Great Sand Dunes National Park

The vast expanse one sees from the dunes is the San Luis Valley. Covering 8,000 square miles (and with an average altitude of 7,500 feet)...

Meeker

Once an outpost of the U.S. Army, Meeker is still a place where anyone in camouflage is in fashion. Famous for its annual sheepdog championships—a...

Granby

The small, no-nonsense town of Granby (elevation 7,935 feet) serves the working ranches in Grand County, and you’ll see plenty of cowboys. What the town...

Lyons

Lyons is a peaceful, down-to-earth community of 2,000 residents that’s tucked inside the red-sandstone foothills at the confluence of the North St. Vrain and South...

Niwot

Niwot is the Arapaho Indian word for "left hand," and this is where Chief Niwot (born circa 1820) and his tribe lived along the banks...

Craig

Craig is home to some of the best fishing in the area. Guided trips to the hottest fishing spots are available, as are horseback pack...

Palmer Lake

Artsy, and very sleepy, Palmer Lake is a magnet for hikers who set out for the evergreen-clad peaks at several in-town trailheads. There are more...

Redstone and Marble

About an hour’s drive from Aspen, Redstone is ringed by the impressive sandstone cliffs from which the town draws its name. The entire town, now...

Creede

Creede, a flash-in-the-pan silver town, was known in its heyday as Colorado’s rowdiest mining camp. When silver was discovered here in 1889, hotels, saloons, banks...

Rangely

The center of one of the last areas in the state to be explored by European settlers, Rangely was dubbed an "isolated empire" by early...

Central City and Black Hawk

Changes to the gambling laws created a "gold rush" to Black Hawk and Central City, allowing the casinos to stay open 24/7 and offer craps...

Evergreen

Once a quiet mountain town, today Evergreen is a tony community filled with upscale, extravagantly designed homes. The downtown core remains rustic in feel, however...

Grand Mesa

Small, quiet towns along the 63-mile Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway (Highway 65) provide just enough support for the plethora of outdoor opportunities available...

Dolores

On the bank of the Dolores River, just downstream from the McPhee Reservoir, the tiny town of Dolores is midway between Durango and Telluride on...

Dinosaur National Monument

Overlapping the border between Colorado and Utah, Dinosaur National Monument offers river runners and dinosaur enthusiasts a remote and magnificent attraction that more than rewards...

Ridgway

The 19th-century railroad town of Ridgway has been the setting for some classic Westerns, including True Grit (the original John Wayne version) and How the...

Cripple Creek

One of Colorado's three legalized gambling towns, Cripple Creek once had the most lucrative mines in the state—and 10,000 boozing, brawling, bawdy citizens. Today the...

San Luis and Fort Garland Loop

To get a real feel for this area, take an easy driving loop from Alamosa that includes San Luis and Fort Garland. In summer, take...

Del Norte

...

Arapahoe Basin

Arapahoe Basin was the first ski area to be built in Summit County. It has changed—but not too much—since its construction in the 1940s, and...

Hot Sulphur Springs

...

Cedaredge

Cedaredge is called the gateway to the Grand Mesa, the world's largest flat-topped mountain. An elevation of 6,100 feet makes for a mild climate that...

La Junta

For an easy day trip from Pueblo into Colorado's past, head east to La Junta. The Koshare Indian Museum is in town, and Bent's Old...

Lake City

Lake City—with its collection of lacy gingerbread-trim houses and other Victorian buildings—has one of the largest National Historic Districts in Colorado (more than 200 structures)...

Basalt

...

Westcliffe

In a joint effort with neighboring Silver Cliff, this remote town at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains became the state's first International...

Florissant Fossil Beds

Florissant Fossil beds is an excellent place to explore the nicely preserved fossils from the area...

Outside Mesa Verde National Park

A onetime market center for cattle and crops, Cortez, 11 miles west of the park, is now the largest gateway town to Mesa Verde and...

Outside Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

...

Outside Rocky Mountain National Park

Location is just one reason why Estes Park is the most popular RMNP gateway (both the Beaver Meadow and Fall River entrances are 4 miles...

Southwest Colorado

The reddish rocks found in much of the state, particularly in the southwest, give Colorado its name. The region's terrain varies widely—from yawning black canyons...

Boulder and North Central Colorado

With spectacular scenery and an equally appealing climate, north central Colorado contains a string of sophisticated yet laid-back cities and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure...

South Central Colorado

Stretching from majestic mountains into rugged, high desert plains, south central Colorado has plenty of 14,000-foot peaks, astounding natural hot springs, striking red-rock outcroppings, rivers...

Denver

You can tell from its skyline alone that Denver is a major metropolis, with a Major League Baseball stadium at one end of downtown and...

Steamboat Springs and Northwest Colorado

Varied terrain attracts bold outdoors enthusiasts, and genteel towns are tucked among the craggy cliffs for those seeking quieter pursuits. Whatever your choice, the northwest...

Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley

The Roaring Fork Valley—and Aspen, its crown jewel—is the quintessential Colorado Rocky Mountain High. A row of the state's famed Fourteeners (peaks over 14,000 feet)...

Vail Valley

If Aspen is Colorado's Hollywood East, then her rival Vail is Wall Street West. So popular is this ski resort with the monied East Coast...

Summit County

Summit County, a mere hour's drive from the Denver Metro Area on a straight shot up I–70, is Denver's playground. The wide-open mountain park ringed...

Boulder

No place in Colorado better epitomizes the state’s outdoor mania than Boulder, where sunny weather keeps locals busy through all seasons. The bicycle count rivals...

Aspen

One of the world's fabled resorts, Aspen practically defines glitz, glamour, and glorious skiing. To the uninitiated, Aspen and Vail might be synonymous. Between the...

Side Trips from Denver

If you have ever wondered why folks living along the Front Range—as the area west of Denver and east of the Continental Divide is known—continually...

Colorado Springs

The contented residents of the Colorado Springs area believe they live in an ideal location, and it's hard to argue with them. To the west...

Durango

Wisecracking Will Rogers had this to say about Durango: "It's out of the way and glad of it." His statement is a bit unfair, considering...

Steamboat Springs

Steamboat got its name from French trappers who, after hearing the bubbling and churning hot springs, mistakenly thought a steamboat was chugging up the Yampa...

Rocky Mountain National Park

With its towering mountains, active and abundant wildlife, and crystal clear lakes and rivers, Rocky Mountain attracts nearly 5 million visitors per year, trailing only...

Crested Butte

Like Aspen, the town of Crested Butte was once a small mining village (albeit for coal, not silver). The Victorian gingerbread-trim houses remain, many of...

Telluride

Tucked away between the azure sky and the gunmetal mountains is Telluride, the colorful mining town–turned–ski resort famous for its celebrity visitors (Oprah Winfrey, Tom...

Fort Collins

The city sits on the cusp of the high plains of eastern Colorado, but is sheltered on the west by the lower foothills of the...

Mesa Verde National Park

Unlike the other national parks, Mesa Verde earned its status from its ancient cultural history rather than its geological treasures. President Theodore Roosevelt established it...

Breckenridge

Breckenridge was founded in 1859, when gold was discovered in the surrounding hills. For the next several decades the town's fortunes rose and fell as...

Grand Junction

Grand Junction is where the mountains and desert meet at the confluence of the mighty Colorado and Gunnison rivers—a grand junction indeed. No matter which...

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison River is one of Colorado's most awe-inspiring places—a vivid testament to the powers of erosion, the canyon is roughly...

Winter Park

Winter Park Resort is easily navigable from the small village at the base anchored by Zephyr Mountain Lodge and the Fraser Crossing and Founders Pointe...

Glenwood Springs

Once upon a time, Glenwood Springs, the famed spa town that forms the western apex of a triangle with Vail and Aspen, was every bit...

Grand Lake

The tiny town of Grand Lake, known to locals as Grand Lake Village, is doubly blessed by its surroundings. It’s the western gateway to Rocky...

Pueblo

In 1842 El Pueblo trading post, on the bank of the Arkansas River, was a gathering place for trappers and traders. Today the trading post...

Ouray

The town of Ouray (pronounced you-ray) is nestled in a narrow, steep-walled canyon in the shadow of the San Juan Mountains. It was named for...

Snowmass

One of four ski mountains owned by Aspen Skiing Company and one of the best intermediate hills in the country, Snowmass has more ski-in ski-out...

Salida

Imposing peaks, including 14,000-plus-foot Mount Shavano, dominate the town of Salida, which is on the Arkansas River. Salida draws some of the musicians who appear...

Buena Vista

Skyscraping mountains, the most impressive being the Collegiate Peaks, ring Buena Vista (pronounced byoo-na vis-ta by locals). The 14,000-foot, often snowcapped peaks were first summited...

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Created by winds that sweep the San Luis Valley floor, the enormous sand dunes that form the heart of Great Sand Dunes National Park and...

Leadville

Sitting in the mountains at 10,152 feet, Leadville is America's highest incorporated city. The 70 square blocks of Victorian architecture and adjacent mining district hint...

Keystone

One of the region's most laid-back destinations, Keystone is understandably popular with families and, as the state's largest night skiing operation (with lifts running until...

Gunnison

At the confluence of the Gunnison River and Tomichi Creek, Gunnison is an old mining and ranching community and college town. It’s been adopted by...

Cañon City and Royal Gorge

From the glut of adventure tours that line U.S. 50 west of the city, to the nearby Royal Gorge—a dramatic crack that plunges more than...

Silverton

Glorious peaks surround Silverton, an old mining community. The town reputedly got its name when a miner exclaimed, "We ain’t got much gold but we...

Colorado National Monument

Colorado's version of red rock is nowhere more spectacularly on display than at Colorado National Monument. Created between 65 and 225 million years ago, the...

Palisade

Palisade is Colorado's version of Napa Valley, with the highest concentration of wineries in the state. It's an easy day trip from Grand Junction; meander...

Nederland

A former mining and mill town at the top of Boulder Canyon and on the scenic Peak to Peak Highway, "Ned" embodies that small, mountain-town...

Alamosa

The San Luis Valley's major city is a casual, central base from which to explore the region and visit the Great Sand Dunes...

Trinidad

If you're traveling on I–25 and want to stop for a night in a historic town with character instead of a motel on the outskirts...

Cortez

The northern escarpment of Mesa Verde to the southeast and the volcanic blisters of La Plata Mountains to the east dominate the views around sprawling...

Georgetown

Georgetown rode the crest of the silver boom during the second half of the 19th century. Most of the impeccably maintained brick buildings that make...

Golden

Golden was once the territorial capital of Colorado. City residents have smarted ever since losing that distinction to Denver by "dubious" vote in 1867, but...

Copper Mountain

Once little more than a series of strip malls, Copper Mountain is now a thriving resort with a bustling base. The resort's heart is a...

Frisco

Keep going past the hodgepodge of strip malls near the interstate and you'll find that low-key Frisco has a downtown district trimmed with restored B&Bs...

Idaho Springs

Colorado prospectors struck their first major vein of gold here on January 7, 1859. That year local mines dispatched half of all the gold used...

Cuchara Valley

If you want a true mountain rural setting, head to the Cuchara Valley. From here or La Veta you can go camping or hiking in...

Pagosa Springs

Although not a large town, Pagosa Springs has become a major center for outdoor sports. Hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing opportunities abound here, and there’s...

Montrose

The self-described "Home of the Black Canyon" sits amid glorious surroundings, but it’s otherwise a typical Western town with a small historic center, where you'll...

Dillon

Dillon can't seem to sit still. Founded in 1883 as a stagecoach stop and trading post for men working in the mines, Dillon has had...

Carbondale

The artsy, outdoorsy town of Carbondale sits under looming Mount Sopris (12,965 feet), and its Main Street is lined with century-old brick buildings that house...

Outside Great Sand Dunes National Park

The vast expanse one sees from the dunes is the San Luis Valley. Covering 8,000 square miles (and with an average altitude of 7,500 feet)...

Meeker

Once an outpost of the U.S. Army, Meeker is still a place where anyone in camouflage is in fashion. Famous for its annual sheepdog championships—a...

Granby

The small, no-nonsense town of Granby (elevation 7,935 feet) serves the working ranches in Grand County, and you’ll see plenty of cowboys. What the town...

Lyons

Lyons is a peaceful, down-to-earth community of 2,000 residents that’s tucked inside the red-sandstone foothills at the confluence of the North St. Vrain and South...

Niwot

Niwot is the Arapaho Indian word for "left hand," and this is where Chief Niwot (born circa 1820) and his tribe lived along the banks...

Craig

Craig is home to some of the best fishing in the area. Guided trips to the hottest fishing spots are available, as are horseback pack...

Palmer Lake

Artsy, and very sleepy, Palmer Lake is a magnet for hikers who set out for the evergreen-clad peaks at several in-town trailheads. There are more...

Redstone and Marble

About an hour’s drive from Aspen, Redstone is ringed by the impressive sandstone cliffs from which the town draws its name. The entire town, now...

Creede

Creede, a flash-in-the-pan silver town, was known in its heyday as Colorado’s rowdiest mining camp. When silver was discovered here in 1889, hotels, saloons, banks...

Rangely

The center of one of the last areas in the state to be explored by European settlers, Rangely was dubbed an "isolated empire" by early...

Central City and Black Hawk

Changes to the gambling laws created a "gold rush" to Black Hawk and Central City, allowing the casinos to stay open 24/7 and offer craps...

Evergreen

Once a quiet mountain town, today Evergreen is a tony community filled with upscale, extravagantly designed homes. The downtown core remains rustic in feel, however...

Grand Mesa

Small, quiet towns along the 63-mile Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway (Highway 65) provide just enough support for the plethora of outdoor opportunities available...

Dolores

On the bank of the Dolores River, just downstream from the McPhee Reservoir, the tiny town of Dolores is midway between Durango and Telluride on...

Dinosaur National Monument

Overlapping the border between Colorado and Utah, Dinosaur National Monument offers river runners and dinosaur enthusiasts a remote and magnificent attraction that more than rewards...

Ridgway

The 19th-century railroad town of Ridgway has been the setting for some classic Westerns, including True Grit (the original John Wayne version) and How the...

Cripple Creek

One of Colorado's three legalized gambling towns, Cripple Creek once had the most lucrative mines in the state—and 10,000 boozing, brawling, bawdy citizens. Today the...

San Luis and Fort Garland Loop

To get a real feel for this area, take an easy driving loop from Alamosa that includes San Luis and Fort Garland. In summer, take...

Del Norte

...

Arapahoe Basin

Arapahoe Basin was the first ski area to be built in Summit County. It has changed—but not too much—since its construction in the 1940s, and...

Hot Sulphur Springs

...

Cedaredge

Cedaredge is called the gateway to the Grand Mesa, the world's largest flat-topped mountain. An elevation of 6,100 feet makes for a mild climate that...

La Junta

For an easy day trip from Pueblo into Colorado's past, head east to La Junta. The Koshare Indian Museum is in town, and Bent's Old...

Lake City

Lake City—with its collection of lacy gingerbread-trim houses and other Victorian buildings—has one of the largest National Historic Districts in Colorado (more than 200 structures)...

Basalt

...

Westcliffe

In a joint effort with neighboring Silver Cliff, this remote town at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains became the state's first International...

Florissant Fossil Beds

Florissant Fossil beds is an excellent place to explore the nicely preserved fossils from the area...

Outside Mesa Verde National Park

A onetime market center for cattle and crops, Cortez, 11 miles west of the park, is now the largest gateway town to Mesa Verde and...

Outside Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

...

Outside Rocky Mountain National Park

Location is just one reason why Estes Park is the most popular RMNP gateway (both the Beaver Meadow and Fall River entrances are 4 miles...

Denver

You can tell from its skyline alone that Denver is a major metropolis, with a Major League Baseball stadium at one end of downtown and...

Vail Valley

If Aspen is Colorado's Hollywood East, then her rival Vail is Wall Street West. So popular is this ski resort with the monied East Coast...

Boulder

No place in Colorado better epitomizes the state’s outdoor mania than Boulder, where sunny weather keeps locals busy through all seasons. The bicycle count rivals...

Aspen

One of the world's fabled resorts, Aspen practically defines glitz, glamour, and glorious skiing. To the uninitiated, Aspen and Vail might be synonymous. Between the...

Colorado Springs

The contented residents of the Colorado Springs area believe they live in an ideal location, and it's hard to argue with them. To the west...

Durango

Wisecracking Will Rogers had this to say about Durango: "It's out of the way and glad of it." His statement is a bit unfair, considering...

Steamboat Springs

Steamboat got its name from French trappers who, after hearing the bubbling and churning hot springs, mistakenly thought a steamboat was chugging up the Yampa...

Crested Butte

Like Aspen, the town of Crested Butte was once a small mining village (albeit for coal, not silver). The Victorian gingerbread-trim houses remain, many of...

Telluride

Tucked away between the azure sky and the gunmetal mountains is Telluride, the colorful mining town–turned–ski resort famous for its celebrity visitors (Oprah Winfrey, Tom...

Fort Collins

The city sits on the cusp of the high plains of eastern Colorado, but is sheltered on the west by the lower foothills of the...

Breckenridge

Breckenridge was founded in 1859, when gold was discovered in the surrounding hills. For the next several decades the town's fortunes rose and fell as...

Grand Junction

Grand Junction is where the mountains and desert meet at the confluence of the mighty Colorado and Gunnison rivers—a grand junction indeed. No matter which...

Winter Park

Winter Park Resort is easily navigable from the small village at the base anchored by Zephyr Mountain Lodge and the Fraser Crossing and Founders Pointe...

Grand Lake

The tiny town of Grand Lake, known to locals as Grand Lake Village, is doubly blessed by its surroundings. It’s the western gateway to Rocky...

Glenwood Springs

Once upon a time, Glenwood Springs, the famed spa town that forms the western apex of a triangle with Vail and Aspen, was every bit...

Pueblo

In 1842 El Pueblo trading post, on the bank of the Arkansas River, was a gathering place for trappers and traders. Today the trading post...

Ouray

The town of Ouray (pronounced you-ray) is nestled in a narrow, steep-walled canyon in the shadow of the San Juan Mountains. It was named for...

Salida

Imposing peaks, including 14,000-plus-foot Mount Shavano, dominate the town of Salida, which is on the Arkansas River. Salida draws some of the musicians who appear...

Snowmass

One of four ski mountains owned by Aspen Skiing Company and one of the best intermediate hills in the country, Snowmass has more ski-in ski-out...

Buena Vista

Skyscraping mountains, the most impressive being the Collegiate Peaks, ring Buena Vista (pronounced byoo-na vis-ta by locals). The 14,000-foot, often snowcapped peaks were first summited...

Leadville

Sitting in the mountains at 10,152 feet, Leadville is America's highest incorporated city. The 70 square blocks of Victorian architecture and adjacent mining district hint...

Keystone

One of the region's most laid-back destinations, Keystone is understandably popular with families and, as the state's largest night skiing operation (with lifts running until...

Cañon City and Royal Gorge

From the glut of adventure tours that line U.S. 50 west of the city, to the nearby Royal Gorge—a dramatic crack that plunges more than...

Gunnison

At the confluence of the Gunnison River and Tomichi Creek, Gunnison is an old mining and ranching community and college town. It’s been adopted by...

Silverton

Glorious peaks surround Silverton, an old mining community. The town reputedly got its name when a miner exclaimed, "We ain’t got much gold but we...

Nederland

A former mining and mill town at the top of Boulder Canyon and on the scenic Peak to Peak Highway, "Ned" embodies that small, mountain-town...

Alamosa

The San Luis Valley's major city is a casual, central base from which to explore the region and visit the Great Sand Dunes...

Palisade

Palisade is Colorado's version of Napa Valley, with the highest concentration of wineries in the state. It's an easy day trip from Grand Junction; meander...

Cortez

The northern escarpment of Mesa Verde to the southeast and the volcanic blisters of La Plata Mountains to the east dominate the views around sprawling...

Trinidad

If you're traveling on I–25 and want to stop for a night in a historic town with character instead of a motel on the outskirts...

Copper Mountain

Once little more than a series of strip malls, Copper Mountain is now a thriving resort with a bustling base. The resort's heart is a...

Golden

Golden was once the territorial capital of Colorado. City residents have smarted ever since losing that distinction to Denver by "dubious" vote in 1867, but...

Georgetown

Georgetown rode the crest of the silver boom during the second half of the 19th century. Most of the impeccably maintained brick buildings that make...

Pagosa Springs

Although not a large town, Pagosa Springs has become a major center for outdoor sports. Hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing opportunities abound here, and there’s...

Montrose

The self-described "Home of the Black Canyon" sits amid glorious surroundings, but it’s otherwise a typical Western town with a small historic center, where you'll...

Idaho Springs

Colorado prospectors struck their first major vein of gold here on January 7, 1859. That year local mines dispatched half of all the gold used...

Cuchara Valley

If you want a true mountain rural setting, head to the Cuchara Valley. From here or La Veta you can go camping or hiking in...

Dillon

Dillon can't seem to sit still. Founded in 1883 as a stagecoach stop and trading post for men working in the mines, Dillon has had...

Frisco

Keep going past the hodgepodge of strip malls near the interstate and you'll find that low-key Frisco has a downtown district trimmed with restored B&Bs...

Carbondale

The artsy, outdoorsy town of Carbondale sits under looming Mount Sopris (12,965 feet), and its Main Street is lined with century-old brick buildings that house...

Meeker

Once an outpost of the U.S. Army, Meeker is still a place where anyone in camouflage is in fashion. Famous for its annual sheepdog championships—a...

Granby

The small, no-nonsense town of Granby (elevation 7,935 feet) serves the working ranches in Grand County, and you’ll see plenty of cowboys. What the town...

Niwot

Niwot is the Arapaho Indian word for "left hand," and this is where Chief Niwot (born circa 1820) and his tribe lived along the banks...

Lyons

Lyons is a peaceful, down-to-earth community of 2,000 residents that’s tucked inside the red-sandstone foothills at the confluence of the North St. Vrain and South...

Creede

Creede, a flash-in-the-pan silver town, was known in its heyday as Colorado’s rowdiest mining camp. When silver was discovered here in 1889, hotels, saloons, banks...

Redstone and Marble

About an hour’s drive from Aspen, Redstone is ringed by the impressive sandstone cliffs from which the town draws its name. The entire town, now...

Palmer Lake

Artsy, and very sleepy, Palmer Lake is a magnet for hikers who set out for the evergreen-clad peaks at several in-town trailheads. There are more...

Craig

Craig is home to some of the best fishing in the area. Guided trips to the hottest fishing spots are available, as are horseback pack...

Grand Mesa

Small, quiet towns along the 63-mile Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway (Highway 65) provide just enough support for the plethora of outdoor opportunities available...

Rangely

The center of one of the last areas in the state to be explored by European settlers, Rangely was dubbed an "isolated empire" by early...

Evergreen

Once a quiet mountain town, today Evergreen is a tony community filled with upscale, extravagantly designed homes. The downtown core remains rustic in feel, however...

Ridgway

The 19th-century railroad town of Ridgway has been the setting for some classic Westerns, including True Grit (the original John Wayne version) and How the...

Cripple Creek

One of Colorado's three legalized gambling towns, Cripple Creek once had the most lucrative mines in the state—and 10,000 boozing, brawling, bawdy citizens. Today the...

Dolores

On the bank of the Dolores River, just downstream from the McPhee Reservoir, the tiny town of Dolores is midway between Durango and Telluride on...

Del Norte

...

La Junta

For an easy day trip from Pueblo into Colorado's past, head east to La Junta. The Koshare Indian Museum is in town, and Bent's Old...

Hot Sulphur Springs

...

Longmont

With more than 165 restaurants, some of Colorado’s best breweries, a distinct local arts scene, and more than 2,000 acres of open space and parks...

Arapahoe Basin

Arapahoe Basin was the first ski area to be built in Summit County. It has changed—but not too much—since its construction in the 1940s, and...

Cedaredge

Cedaredge is called the gateway to the Grand Mesa, the world's largest flat-topped mountain. An elevation of 6,100 feet makes for a mild climate that...

Lake City

Lake City—with its collection of lacy gingerbread-trim houses and other Victorian buildings—has one of the largest National Historic Districts in Colorado (more than 200 structures)...

Basalt

...

Paonia

...

Westcliffe

In a joint effort with neighboring Silver Cliff, this remote town at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains became the state's first International...

Denver

You can tell from its skyline alone that Denver is a major metropolis, with a Major League Baseball stadium at one end of downtown and...

Vail Valley

If Aspen is Colorado's Hollywood East, then her rival Vail is Wall Street West. So popular is this ski resort with the monied East Coast...

Boulder

No place in Colorado better epitomizes the state’s outdoor mania than Boulder, where sunny weather keeps locals busy through all seasons. The bicycle count rivals...

Aspen

One of the world's fabled resorts, Aspen practically defines glitz, glamour, and glorious skiing. To the uninitiated, Aspen and Vail might be synonymous. Between the...

Colorado Springs

The contented residents of the Colorado Springs area believe they live in an ideal location, and it's hard to argue with them. To the west...

Durango

Wisecracking Will Rogers had this to say about Durango: "It's out of the way and glad of it." His statement is a bit unfair, considering...

Steamboat Springs

Steamboat got its name from French trappers who, after hearing the bubbling and churning hot springs, mistakenly thought a steamboat was chugging up the Yampa...

Crested Butte

Like Aspen, the town of Crested Butte was once a small mining village (albeit for coal, not silver). The Victorian gingerbread-trim houses remain, many of...

Telluride

Tucked away between the azure sky and the gunmetal mountains is Telluride, the colorful mining town–turned–ski resort famous for its celebrity visitors (Oprah Winfrey, Tom...

Fort Collins

The city sits on the cusp of the high plains of eastern Colorado, but is sheltered on the west by the lower foothills of the...

Breckenridge

Breckenridge was founded in 1859, when gold was discovered in the surrounding hills. For the next several decades the town's fortunes rose and fell as...

Grand Junction

Grand Junction is where the mountains and desert meet at the confluence of the mighty Colorado and Gunnison rivers—a grand junction indeed. No matter which...

Winter Park

Winter Park Resort is easily navigable from the small village at the base anchored by Zephyr Mountain Lodge and the Fraser Crossing and Founders Pointe...

Grand Lake

The tiny town of Grand Lake, known to locals as Grand Lake Village, is doubly blessed by its surroundings. It’s the western gateway to Rocky...

Glenwood Springs

Once upon a time, Glenwood Springs, the famed spa town that forms the western apex of a triangle with Vail and Aspen, was every bit...

Pueblo

In 1842 El Pueblo trading post, on the bank of the Arkansas River, was a gathering place for trappers and traders. Today the trading post...

Ouray

The town of Ouray (pronounced you-ray) is nestled in a narrow, steep-walled canyon in the shadow of the San Juan Mountains. It was named for...

Salida

Imposing peaks, including 14,000-plus-foot Mount Shavano, dominate the town of Salida, which is on the Arkansas River. Salida draws some of the musicians who appear...

Snowmass

One of four ski mountains owned by Aspen Skiing Company and one of the best intermediate hills in the country, Snowmass has more ski-in ski-out...

Buena Vista

Skyscraping mountains, the most impressive being the Collegiate Peaks, ring Buena Vista (pronounced byoo-na vis-ta by locals). The 14,000-foot, often snowcapped peaks were first summited...

Leadville

Sitting in the mountains at 10,152 feet, Leadville is America's highest incorporated city. The 70 square blocks of Victorian architecture and adjacent mining district hint...

Keystone

One of the region's most laid-back destinations, Keystone is understandably popular with families and, as the state's largest night skiing operation (with lifts running until...

Cañon City and Royal Gorge

From the glut of adventure tours that line U.S. 50 west of the city, to the nearby Royal Gorge—a dramatic crack that plunges more than...

Gunnison

At the confluence of the Gunnison River and Tomichi Creek, Gunnison is an old mining and ranching community and college town. It’s been adopted by...

Silverton

Glorious peaks surround Silverton, an old mining community. The town reputedly got its name when a miner exclaimed, "We ain’t got much gold but we...

Nederland

A former mining and mill town at the top of Boulder Canyon and on the scenic Peak to Peak Highway, "Ned" embodies that small, mountain-town...

Alamosa

The San Luis Valley's major city is a casual, central base from which to explore the region and visit the Great Sand Dunes...

Palisade

Palisade is Colorado's version of Napa Valley, with the highest concentration of wineries in the state. It's an easy day trip from Grand Junction; meander...

Cortez

The northern escarpment of Mesa Verde to the southeast and the volcanic blisters of La Plata Mountains to the east dominate the views around sprawling...

Trinidad

If you're traveling on I–25 and want to stop for a night in a historic town with character instead of a motel on the outskirts...

Copper Mountain

Once little more than a series of strip malls, Copper Mountain is now a thriving resort with a bustling base. The resort's heart is a...

Golden

Golden was once the territorial capital of Colorado. City residents have smarted ever since losing that distinction to Denver by "dubious" vote in 1867, but...

Georgetown

Georgetown rode the crest of the silver boom during the second half of the 19th century. Most of the impeccably maintained brick buildings that make...

Pagosa Springs

Although not a large town, Pagosa Springs has become a major center for outdoor sports. Hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing opportunities abound here, and there’s...

Montrose

The self-described "Home of the Black Canyon" sits amid glorious surroundings, but it’s otherwise a typical Western town with a small historic center, where you'll...

Idaho Springs

Colorado prospectors struck their first major vein of gold here on January 7, 1859. That year local mines dispatched half of all the gold used...

Cuchara Valley

If you want a true mountain rural setting, head to the Cuchara Valley. From here or La Veta you can go camping or hiking in...

Dillon

Dillon can't seem to sit still. Founded in 1883 as a stagecoach stop and trading post for men working in the mines, Dillon has had...

Frisco

Keep going past the hodgepodge of strip malls near the interstate and you'll find that low-key Frisco has a downtown district trimmed with restored B&Bs...

Carbondale

The artsy, outdoorsy town of Carbondale sits under looming Mount Sopris (12,965 feet), and its Main Street is lined with century-old brick buildings that house...

Meeker

Once an outpost of the U.S. Army, Meeker is still a place where anyone in camouflage is in fashion. Famous for its annual sheepdog championships—a...

Granby

The small, no-nonsense town of Granby (elevation 7,935 feet) serves the working ranches in Grand County, and you’ll see plenty of cowboys. What the town...

Niwot

Niwot is the Arapaho Indian word for "left hand," and this is where Chief Niwot (born circa 1820) and his tribe lived along the banks...

Lyons

Lyons is a peaceful, down-to-earth community of 2,000 residents that’s tucked inside the red-sandstone foothills at the confluence of the North St. Vrain and South...

Creede

Creede, a flash-in-the-pan silver town, was known in its heyday as Colorado’s rowdiest mining camp. When silver was discovered here in 1889, hotels, saloons, banks...

Redstone and Marble

About an hour’s drive from Aspen, Redstone is ringed by the impressive sandstone cliffs from which the town draws its name. The entire town, now...

Palmer Lake

Artsy, and very sleepy, Palmer Lake is a magnet for hikers who set out for the evergreen-clad peaks at several in-town trailheads. There are more...

Craig

Craig is home to some of the best fishing in the area. Guided trips to the hottest fishing spots are available, as are horseback pack...

Grand Mesa

Small, quiet towns along the 63-mile Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway (Highway 65) provide just enough support for the plethora of outdoor opportunities available...

Rangely

The center of one of the last areas in the state to be explored by European settlers, Rangely was dubbed an "isolated empire" by early...

Evergreen

Once a quiet mountain town, today Evergreen is a tony community filled with upscale, extravagantly designed homes. The downtown core remains rustic in feel, however...

Ridgway

The 19th-century railroad town of Ridgway has been the setting for some classic Westerns, including True Grit (the original John Wayne version) and How the...

Cripple Creek

One of Colorado's three legalized gambling towns, Cripple Creek once had the most lucrative mines in the state—and 10,000 boozing, brawling, bawdy citizens. Today the...

Dolores

On the bank of the Dolores River, just downstream from the McPhee Reservoir, the tiny town of Dolores is midway between Durango and Telluride on...

Del Norte

...

La Junta

For an easy day trip from Pueblo into Colorado's past, head east to La Junta. The Koshare Indian Museum is in town, and Bent's Old...

Hot Sulphur Springs

...

Longmont

With more than 165 restaurants, some of Colorado’s best breweries, a distinct local arts scene, and more than 2,000 acres of open space and parks...

Arapahoe Basin

Arapahoe Basin was the first ski area to be built in Summit County. It has changed—but not too much—since its construction in the 1940s, and...

Cedaredge

Cedaredge is called the gateway to the Grand Mesa, the world's largest flat-topped mountain. An elevation of 6,100 feet makes for a mild climate that...

Lake City

Lake City—with its collection of lacy gingerbread-trim houses and other Victorian buildings—has one of the largest National Historic Districts in Colorado (more than 200 structures)...

Basalt

...

Paonia

...

Westcliffe

In a joint effort with neighboring Silver Cliff, this remote town at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains became the state's first International...

Southwest Colorado

The reddish rocks found in much of the state, particularly in the southwest, give Colorado its name. The region's terrain varies widely—from yawning black canyons...

Boulder and North Central Colorado

With spectacular scenery and an equally appealing climate, north central Colorado contains a string of sophisticated yet laid-back cities and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure...

South Central Colorado

Stretching from majestic mountains into rugged, high desert plains, south central Colorado has plenty of 14,000-foot peaks, astounding natural hot springs, striking red-rock outcroppings, rivers...

Steamboat Springs and Northwest Colorado

Varied terrain attracts bold outdoors enthusiasts, and genteel towns are tucked among the craggy cliffs for those seeking quieter pursuits. Whatever your choice, the northwest...

Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley

The Roaring Fork Valley—and Aspen, its crown jewel—is the quintessential Colorado Rocky Mountain High. A row of the state's famed Fourteeners (peaks over 14,000 feet)...

Summit County

Summit County, a mere hour's drive from the Denver Metro Area on a straight shot up I–70, is Denver's playground. The wide-open mountain park ringed...

Side Trips from Denver

If you have ever wondered why folks living along the Front Range—as the area west of Denver and east of the Continental Divide is known—continually...

Outside Great Sand Dunes National Park

The vast expanse one sees from the dunes is the San Luis Valley. Covering 8,000 square miles (and with an average altitude of 7,500 feet)...

Central City and Black Hawk

Changes to the gambling laws created a "gold rush" to Black Hawk and Central City, allowing the casinos to stay open 24/7 and offer craps...

San Luis and Fort Garland Loop

To get a real feel for this area, take an easy driving loop from Alamosa that includes San Luis and Fort Garland. In summer, take...

Outside Mesa Verde National Park

A onetime market center for cattle and crops, Cortez, 11 miles west of the park, is now the largest gateway town to Mesa Verde and...

Outside Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

...

Outside Rocky Mountain National Park

Location is just one reason why Estes Park is the most popular RMNP gateway (both the Beaver Meadow and Fall River entrances are 4 miles...

Southwest Colorado

The reddish rocks found in much of the state, particularly in the southwest, give Colorado its name. The region's terrain varies widely—from yawning black canyons...

Boulder and North Central Colorado

With spectacular scenery and an equally appealing climate, north central Colorado contains a string of sophisticated yet laid-back cities and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure...

South Central Colorado

Stretching from majestic mountains into rugged, high desert plains, south central Colorado has plenty of 14,000-foot peaks, astounding natural hot springs, striking red-rock outcroppings, rivers...

Steamboat Springs and Northwest Colorado

Varied terrain attracts bold outdoors enthusiasts, and genteel towns are tucked among the craggy cliffs for those seeking quieter pursuits. Whatever your choice, the northwest...

Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley

The Roaring Fork Valley—and Aspen, its crown jewel—is the quintessential Colorado Rocky Mountain High. A row of the state's famed Fourteeners (peaks over 14,000 feet)...

Summit County

Summit County, a mere hour's drive from the Denver Metro Area on a straight shot up I–70, is Denver's playground. The wide-open mountain park ringed...

Side Trips from Denver

If you have ever wondered why folks living along the Front Range—as the area west of Denver and east of the Continental Divide is known—continually...

Outside Great Sand Dunes National Park

The vast expanse one sees from the dunes is the San Luis Valley. Covering 8,000 square miles (and with an average altitude of 7,500 feet)...

Central City and Black Hawk

Changes to the gambling laws created a "gold rush" to Black Hawk and Central City, allowing the casinos to stay open 24/7 and offer craps...

San Luis and Fort Garland Loop

To get a real feel for this area, take an easy driving loop from Alamosa that includes San Luis and Fort Garland. In summer, take...

Outside Mesa Verde National Park

A onetime market center for cattle and crops, Cortez, 11 miles west of the park, is now the largest gateway town to Mesa Verde and...

Outside Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

...

Outside Rocky Mountain National Park

Location is just one reason why Estes Park is the most popular RMNP gateway (both the Beaver Meadow and Fall River entrances are 4 miles...

Rocky Mountain National Park

With its towering mountains, active and abundant wildlife, and crystal clear lakes and rivers, Rocky Mountain attracts nearly 5 million visitors per year, trailing only...

Mesa Verde National Park

Unlike the other national parks, Mesa Verde earned its status from its ancient cultural history rather than its geological treasures. President Theodore Roosevelt established it...

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison River is one of Colorado's most awe-inspiring places—a vivid testament to the powers of erosion, the canyon is roughly...

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Created by winds that sweep the San Luis Valley floor, the enormous sand dunes that form the heart of Great Sand Dunes National Park and...

Colorado National Monument

Colorado's version of red rock is nowhere more spectacularly on display than at Colorado National Monument. Created between 65 and 225 million years ago, the...

Dinosaur National Monument

Overlapping the border between Colorado and Utah, Dinosaur National Monument offers river runners and dinosaur enthusiasts a remote and magnificent attraction that more than rewards...

Rocky Mountain National Park

With its towering mountains, active and abundant wildlife, and crystal clear lakes and rivers, Rocky Mountain attracts nearly 5 million visitors per year, trailing only...

Mesa Verde National Park

Unlike the other national parks, Mesa Verde earned its status from its ancient cultural history rather than its geological treasures. President Theodore Roosevelt established it...

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison River is one of Colorado's most awe-inspiring places—a vivid testament to the powers of erosion, the canyon is roughly...

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Created by winds that sweep the San Luis Valley floor, the enormous sand dunes that form the heart of Great Sand Dunes National Park and...

Colorado National Monument

Colorado's version of red rock is nowhere more spectacularly on display than at Colorado National Monument. Created between 65 and 225 million years ago, the...

Dinosaur National Monument

Overlapping the border between Colorado and Utah, Dinosaur National Monument offers river runners and dinosaur enthusiasts a remote and magnificent attraction that more than rewards...

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