The 6 Best Outdoorsy Towns to Explore in Colorado

Colorado is one of the most beautiful places in the world to embark on unforgettable outdoor adventures. While the Centennial State is often associated with winter sports, it’s a haven for outdoor recreation all year round, from hiking, biking, and paddling to camping, fishing, and rafting. To explore everything the state has to offer, it helps to know where to go. Before bee-lining to the biggest cities in the state, allow us to turn your attention to the best outdoorsy towns in Colorado, where the year-round populations sit comfortably below 10,000, and the seasonal activities soar beyond your "Wild America" imagination. (Psst: If you haven’t seen the 1997 classic, add it to your travel prep itinerary.)

1. Breckenridge

Breckenridge is one of Colorado’s premier outdoor destinations, offering an impressive mix of spring/summer and fall/winter recreation at 9,600 feet above sea level. Located just 90 minutes west of Denver, it’s easy to get to and offers never-ending mountain views along the way. FYI: this summer, the town is hosting its first-ever Wildflower Week from July 2 to 12, with some programming continuing all season long. 

• Year-Round Population: ~5,000 residents
• Recreation Opportunities: Hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and dog sledding
• Must-Do Adventure: Learn how to ski on Peak 9 or hone your form across any of Breckenridge Ski Resort’s five pristine peaks.
• Insider Tip: Meander over to the Trollstigen Trailhead along the Illinois Gulch Creek Trailhead to snap a picture with Isak Heartstone, one of Thomas Dambo’s iconic troll sculptures, of which there are 170+ scattered across the world. 

2. Crested Butte

Crested Butte is another Colorado mountain town beloved for its variety of year-round outdoor recreation. One of the state’s most charming small towns, Crested Butte is considered to be the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, making it an especially worthwhile destination come spring and summer, as most trails (and especially the 9-mile out-and-back Rustler’s Gulch Trail) bloom into a rainbow of color. Since it’s located just over four hours southwest of Denver, this beloved Colorado adventure town is often best suited for longer vacations rather than quick weekend getaways. If, however, you live nearby, consider yourself lucky! 

• Year-Round Population: ~1,650 residents
• Recreation Opportunities: Hiking, mountain biking, paddleboarding, rafting, fly-fishing, skiing, snowboarding
• Must-Do Adventure: Marvel over the knee-high wildflowers (peak bloom is July through August) and towering mountain views as you hike or bike your way across the famous 401 Trail.
• Insider Tip: Kebler Pass is one of the most stunning scenic drives in all of Colorado, offering spectacular mountaintop views amongst the Aspens. The breathtaking 33-mile-long route is open from May to October and requires only two-wheel drive. (If you’re feeling much more brave and adventurous, Schofield Pass also offers jaw-dropping views, but it is extremely rugged and requires four-wheel drive.

3. Estes Park 

Estes Park is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, making it one of the most visited and beloved nature towns in Colorado. As adorable as the downtown area is, with all its restaurants, cafes, and shops, it's the natural environment and everything it offers that keeps locals and tourists coming back. Located 85 minutes northwest of Denver, the beautiful mountain town offers direct access to RMNP, along with ample water recreation on Lake Estes, where kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats, and pontoon boats are available to rent from the marina. Swimming, however, is forbidden due to glacial temps.

• Year-Round Population: ~5,780 residents
• Recreation Opportunities: Hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, fly-fishing, wildlife viewing, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing
• Must-Do Adventure: Explore the more than 300 miles of hiking trails, alpine lakes, scenic overlooks, and iconic destinations within Rocky Mountain National Park—particularly, the Trail Ridge Road, which was built between 1929 and 1939 and remains the highest continuous paved road in the U.S. at an elevation of 12,183 feet.
• Insider Tip: Rocky Mountain National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year; however, there are seasonal closures, and dogs are only permitted in vehicles, not on any trails or in any meadows. There is a $30-per-vehicle fee. 

4. Telluride

Craving a hint of Europe here in the States? Telluride’s towering 14ers and box canyon valley make it feel similarly dramatic to the Alps. Located just over six hours southwest of Denver, the popular Colorado mountain town requires a bit of a journey for most, but the endless outdoor recreation in and around town makes it well worth the trek. 

• Year-Round Population: ~2,400 residents 
• Recreation Opportunities: Hiking, mountain biking, rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, skiing, snowboarding
• Must-Do Adventure: Load your bike onto the free Telluride Mountain Village Gondola (or hop on in your trusty hiking boots) to access more than 50 trails of awe-inspiring alpine adventure.
• Insider Tip: At 365 feet, Telluride’s Bridal Veil Falls is Colorado’s tallest free-falling waterfall, and a landmark you most definitely won’t want to miss. Psst: It looks especially magical in the early morning just after dawn. 

5. Vail 

Vail is one of the most famous ski destinations in the world, let alone in Colorado. What many don’t realize, however, is that the beautiful resort town, which sits at 8,120 feet elevation, is brimming with year-round outdoor adventure. Roughly 1 hour and 40 minutes west of Denver, the celebrity-adored town boasts beautiful views, exhilarating water and land recreation, and an exceptional dining scene that will make you want to stay for far longer than an overnight or weekend getaway.  

• Year-Round Population: ~4,800 residents
• Recreation Opportunities: Hiking, mountain biking, mountain climbing, kayaking, paddleboarding, fly-fishing, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling
• Must-Do Adventure: Catch a thrill skiing or snowboarding the legendary Back Bowls at Vail Ski Resort.
• Insider Tip: There are more than 100 miles of trails in Vail. To avoid the crowds without missing out on the scenery, opt for Booth Falls Trail in East Vail, where you’ll be met with a 60-foot waterfall and stunning Aspen groves amongst the mountains. 

6. Winter Park 

Winter Park is a neighboring ski resort town to Breckenridge, making it a great detour destination. Nestled against the Continental Divide, sitting at 9,000 feet above sea level, surrounded by 12 and 13ers, with the Fraser River running directly through it, Winter Park is considered to be Colorado’s Top Adventure Town. Between Winter Park Resort and Trestle Bike Park, visitors have access to over 3,000 acres of world-class skiable terrain and over 40 miles of mountain biking trails, plus more than 600 miles of hiking and biking trails throughout the greater Fraser Valley. Suffice to say, you won’t get bored vacationing within this Rocky Mountain gem.

• Year-Round Population: ~6,000 residents
• Recreation Opportunities: Hiking, mountain biking, fishing, rafting, kayaking, backcountry skiing, snowmobiling
• Must-Do Adventure: Enjoy fresh pow on a bluebird day at Winter Park Resort, where 3,000 acres of winter sport adventure await
• Insider Tip: Winter Park is home to the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD), where comprehensive adaptive outdoor experiences are offered year-round.

While there are plenty of other remote small towns in Colorado, these outdoorsy towns draw visitors from all over the world with their vast recreation offerings. When you visit any of these mountain towns and outdoor destinations, you can expect to embark on an exhilarating adventure, whether it be on water or land. Happy travels (and trails)!