This Colorado Town Is An Underrated Recreation Haven In The Rocky Mountains

Colorado lures travelers with its mountain towns famous for their large ski resorts and endless après-ski activities. These glitzy spots are very expensive, though. For a more low-key trip, just head down into the valley. The often overlooked town of Carbondale has plenty of outdoor activities and doesn't skimp on stunning Rocky Mountain views.

This part of Colorado was originally the home of the nomadic Ute people. That changed after precious metals were found around Aspen in 1879. During the next decade, homesteaders flocked to the upper Roaring Fork Valley, ranches were built, and railroad tracks were laid. Carbondale was founded in 1888 during this boom period — but its newfound prosperity didn't last long. Potato farming became the driving force of the economy, and it took decades for tourism to start reviving the area. The small town now sits in between two popular ski communities. Aspen, 30 miles to the southeast, became a hot destination in the 1960s. (While it's expensive, here's how you can visit Aspen, Colorado on a budget.) On the other side, Glenwood Springs sits just 15 miles northwest of Carbondale and is home to a mountaintop amusement park.

To reach Carbondale, you can fly to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE), but the small airport receives nonstop flights from under a dozen cities. For more flight options, you might prefer Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) near Vail or even Denver International Airport (DEN), which is considered the most sustainable airport in America.

It's impossible to ignore Carbondale's natural beauty, perfectly positioned within the Rocky Mountains. It sits at the base of Mount Sopris, a nearly 13,000-foot mountain with a double peak in the Rockies' Elk Mountains, and is nestled between the Roaring Fork and Crystal Rivers. The varied landscape makes Carbondale a recreation haven, with activities like hiking, cycling, fishing, rock climbing, and skiing all within easy reach.

The Mount Sopris Trail is a hard, demanding hike. The nearly 14-mile, out-and-back trail gains around 4,500 feet in elevation. You can split up the long journey with a stop at the Thomas Lakes along Prince Creek with sparkling water and beautiful views of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area. Those views only get better. From the top of Mount Sopris, you can see the entire Roaring Fork River and valley surrounded by mountain peaks. The 70-mile-long river, which flows from Independence Pass down to the Colorado River, is known as a prime trout-fishing spot. Alpine Angling and the Crystal Fly Shop offer guided fishing trips in Carbondale. 

Along the Crystal River, you will find the Penny Hot Springs with natural mineral water that's the perfect temperature for a soak. The pools are free, and there is a parking lot just south of Carbondale. If you want to combine a hike with the hot springs, the 13-mile out-and-back Crystal Valley Trail passes the hot springs and is popular among bikers, hikers, and cross-country skiers. The altitude makes for great snow conditions throughout the winter. In the summer, rock climbers can base themselves in Carbondale for access to bouldering, sport climbing, and trad climbing opportunities on a variety of rock types from limestone to granite.

After spending the day on the quiet mountain or river, you'll find more excitement in the center of town. The Carbondale Creative District is full of unique venues in renovated old buildings. For example, the Powers Art Center took over a cow pasture to build a modern art museum. The Studio for Arts + Works (SAW) converted an old auto-mechanic shop into artist studios, and the Tiny Pine Bistro turned its backyard into a tiki bar. The nearby Village Smithy Restaurant has been serving breakfast and lunch in a one-time blacksmith shop for 50 years, and Marble Distilling Co. & the Distillery Inn is the world's first luxury inn and distillery. The zero-waste distillery handcrafts whiskey and liqueurs using local grains and river water.

Carbondale also hosts a First Friday event each month where art galleries and restaurants stay open late, and food trucks and musicians take over the streets. The family-friendly event brings out the whole community. Then, if the mountains still beckon, you can drive the West Elk Loop Scenic Byway. The 205-mile road starts in Carbondale. Conveniently, it finishes there as well. The scenic and historic byway passes through historic Redstone, the mining town of Marble, farming communities called Paonia and Hotchkiss, and Crested Butte, the "Wildflower Capital of the World." There are state parks, national forests, and a national park to visit along the way. You'll also be surrounded by gorgeous Rocky Mountain scenery the entire time.