Colorado Towns

The county seat and most populous town of Garfield county, West Colorado, Glenwood Springs is – true to its name – another of Colorado’s mineral spring towns. But you won’t just be soaking up the restorative water at the hot springs here.

But if you’re more interested in soaking up some local Western culture, make sure you’re in town for Cattlemen’s Days. This 119-year-old festival celebrates the Western way of life, complete with rodeos and a parade. Visiting in the winter months? Then you will get to have some fun skiing at the Crested Butte Mountain Resort or the Monarch Ski Area.

Trinidad was settled in before Colorado even became a state in 1876. The 1860s brought Spanish and Mexican settlers, who liked the convenient location close to the historic trading route, the Santa Fe Trail.

If you like a spot of skiing, Frisco is the town for you. There are no less than four ski resorts located nearby: Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, and Keystone. You can also go cross-country skiing at the Frisco Nordic Center too.

Thanks to its stunning alpine environment, Ouray is often called the “Switzerland of America”. As such, you can get involved in ice climbing at Ouray Ice Park – attracting adventurous types from across the globe – and go hiking in the scenic Box Canyon Falls Park.

Founded as a “scenic health resort” thanks to its natural mineral springs in 1872, Manitou Springs boasts a whole lot of historic buildings that point back to its origins as a resort. There’s the entire Manitou Springs Historic District to wander around, complete with old residences and hotels.