5 Underrated Colorado Mountain Towns For A Scenic Outdoor Getaway

Colorado is one of the best destinations in the U.S. for outdoor adventure. Its epic combination of arid desert, deep canyons carved by thundering rivers, and the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains makes it an extraordinary place for outdoor lovers to explore. Mountain towns like Aspen, Vail, Telluride, and Boulder are world-famous as playgrounds for hikers, climbers, ski fans, and snowboarders, with stunning landscapes, extraordinary trails, and adventure everywhere you turn.

But while there are plenty of spots that are extremely well-known, there is also a wealth of under-the-radar places tucked away in the Rocky Mountains that make for a wonderful scenic outdoor getaway. Towns like Lake City, Durango, Manitou Springs, Estes Park, and Leadville might be less heralded, but they are no less exciting and offer a more laid-back experience than some of the more famous spots.

We've put together a list of gorgeous mountain towns recommended by locals and visitors that aren't on every tourist itinerary but are well worth a visit. From mountain hikes and paddling down whitewater rivers to charming historic downtowns and excellent cultural hot spots, these five Colorado mountain towns are excellent, exciting, and surprisingly underrated.

Lake City is one of those charming towns that time has almost forgotten, frozen in a golden age of hospitality, simple pleasures, and a relaxed pace of life. It is one of Colorado's hidden treasures and definitely doesn't get the recognition it deserves. Sitting high up in the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado, it is a historic mining town with a stunningly well-preserved Victorian-era old town center, filled with gorgeous architecture largely built during the 1870s, when silver mining in the region reached its peak.

Redditor u/dead_gerbil highlights the combination of interesting history and beautiful charm, saying, "I was just in Lake City this past Sunday! What a quirky little town, and beautiful. Saw the slumgullion earth flow and Alfred Packer massacre site!" The town center is small but with plenty to see and do, with spots like the Hinsdale County Museum well worth a look. The Packer Saloon & Cannibal Grill and the Bushwhack Lodge Bar & Grill are great for a bite to eat, while the local craft brewery, Lake City Brewing Company, is the perfect spot for some liquid refreshment. 

Most visitors to mountain towns in Colorado are looking for stunning views and magnificent scenery, and Lake City doesn't disappoint. The town is surrounded by many of Colorado's 58 peaks over 14,000 feet of elevation and offers access to some of the best mountains to bag your first 14er. Uncompahgre Peak via Nellie Creek Road is a good introduction to a 14er, a 7-mile route with fewer technical sections than most. For those looking for a challenge, Wetterhorn Peak via Ridge Stock Driveway Trail offers stunning views and also includes a section of exposed Class 3 climbing.

Durango is the largest town in this list, but its remote location, right down in southwestern Colorado near the border of Arizona and on the edge of the Southern Ute Reservation, means that it is often overlooked as a destination. It is a long way from the most popular Colorado spots like Denver, Aspen, or Colorado Springs, but it's well-worth the drive thanks to the huge variety of outdoor activities on offer. Redditor u/realestateco describes Durango as "a great mix of outdoor adventure, community, and everyday livability [with] access to hiking, biking, skiing, rivers, and a vibrant downtown, all in one place."

The town leans into a tourist-friendly, Old-West vibe, with plenty of cowboy-inspired decor on show in the shops, bars, and restaurants, as well as the delightful Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. But it isn't overwhelmed by visitors, and Redditor u/realestateco says, "If you want a well-rounded town with a strong sense of community and plenty to do year-round, I can honestly say Durango is hard to beat." 

The old-timey feel, along with the Powerhouse Children's Museum, the paddling and rafting opportunities on the Animas River, and the zip lines and mountain coasters up in the nearby San Juan Mountains, make it an ideal destination for adventure-seeking families. There are some great dining options, like Famburger, Oscar's Cafe, and Fired Up Pizza, while adults will love the range of craft beer available from local breweries like Carver Brewing Co. and the Steamworks Brewing Company.

Located on the edge of Colorado Springs, tucked away between the Garden of the Gods and the looming majesty of America's mountain, Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs is a charming little town that rarely gets the recognition it deserves. Most visitors to the area concentrate on its much larger neighbor, but missing out on spending some time in this charming little community is a huge fail. Redditor u/zonker77 highlights some of its joys, saying, "Manitou Springs is my favorite mountain town, only 30 minutes from Colorado Springs and totally charming. Look up the Manitou Incline if you want to show your friends a unique hike, nothing else like it in CO, but definitely not for novices. And it's 20 minutes from Garden of the Gods, which is one of the prettiest parks in the state."

There's a lot to unpack in this small town. Its historic downtown is crammed with boutique shops, making it a great spot for some retail therapy. There's a glass-blowing store (complete with demonstrations!), art galleries and jewelry stores featuring Native American artisan crafts, and even a store where it is Christmas all year long! Start your day at Uncle Sam's Pancake House for a hearty breakfast, fuel up at Adam's Mountain Cafe or Armadillo Ranch, and enjoy locally brewed craft beer at the Manitou Brewing Company.

Manitou Springs offers a great combination of small-town charm and outdoor activities. Visitors can explore the Heritage Museum in the center, wander around the fascinating Manitou Cliff Dwellings on the outskirts of town, or enjoy a delicious, curative taste of one of the eight mineral springs around town. Finally, no visit would be complete without an attempt at the Manitou Incline, the iconic, impressive, and undeniably tough hike that takes you 2,000 feet up in less than a mile!

Leadville has a reputation of being one of the most outdoorsy towns in the U.S. This is largely due to the concentration of endurance events that are based here, culminating in the extraordinary Leadville 100, a 100-mile ultramatathon that includes about 12,000 feet of elevation gain and is widely considered to be one of the toughest running races in the world. But while much of the town's attraction does come from the extraordinary landscapes it is surrounded by, Leadville itself is something of a sleeper hit, particularly compared to the more touristy, crowded options in the state.

Redditor u/MNmostlynice says, "Don't live there, but it's my favorite mountain town in the States. It's quiet during the week, gets busy on weekends, and it's jam-packed on race event weekends, which there are 4-5 in the Leadville Race Series. There is a lot of really cool history in that town." And most of that history is found buried beneath the ground. Leadville is an old mining town, and its past is inextricably interlinked with Wild West figures like Doc Holliday, Texas Jack, and the Unsinkable Molly Brown. 

It is worth exploring the Route of the Silver Kings in the foothills of Mount Sherman to see the old mine shafts and ghost towns that were once the foundation of the American Dream. Leadville's old town is gorgeous, drenched in Old West heritage and stunning architecture. The main street, Harrison Avenue, takes you past the National Mining Hall of Fame, the exquisite Delaware Hotel, the Tabor Opera House, and the iconic Silver Dollar Saloon, one of the original drinking holes of Leadville's Wild West era.

Set in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in northern Colorado, it is hard to understand why Estes Park isn't more popular. Redditor u/strawstru sums it up, saying, "Estes Park is amazing. Adorable small town, great food everywhere, souvenirs out the woohaa, and the Stanley Hotel for historical value." Surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks, the town has the perfect backdrop and follows this up with a perfect old-fashioned mountain town atmosphere. A morning spent strolling around the laid-back downtown area is a joy, with streets lined with boutiques, galleries, and cafes overlooking the river. You'll probably see elk roaming freely through the town parks, as well as the occasional mule deer, bighorn sheep, and moose. The iconic Stanley Hotel is a must-visit local landmark, an elegant, sophisticated hotel with a chilling haunted history. Steven King was inspired to write The Shining after spending a night in the famously terrifying Room 217 here!

Estes Park is surrounded by fantastic hiking trails in the Rocky Mountains National Park, including the popular Bear Lake Loop and Emerald Lake Trail. It is also extremely close to the Trail Ridge Road, one of the highest continuous paved roads in the country, which is worth a drive to see. Even if you don't fancy the trek, you can still enjoy magnificent views from the top of Prospect Mountain, with the Scenic Aerial Tramway, one of only a few European-style cable cars in the U.S., whisking you to the summit in just a few minutes.

In compiling this list, we wanted to avoid the larger, more popular Colorado destinations like Denver, Vail, Aspen, Telluride, and Colorado Springs. We focused on towns with a population below 20,000, with the majority below 10,000. We explored various social media and review websites for direct recommendations for lesser-known mountain towns, and cross-referenced with authoritative travel sites. We also researched the town websites to ensure that our recommendations also included sufficient activities and amenities to make a visit worthwhile, in addition to the outdoor activities available in the surrounding mountains.