Top Colorado Resort Towns to Mesmerize

Colorado Resort Towns

Colorado has become known for its resort towns, famous for their awe-inspiring Rocky Mountain landscapes, ski resorts, and other natural wonders. These resort towns are some of the best places to find a mountain getaway, engage in mountain activities, and simultaneously relax and rejuvenate. Resort towns have become experts at facilitating retreats to satisfy all sorts of people. Although they are all unique, we invite you to explore our suggestions to find the right destination to meet your needs.

Aspen

Aspen, Colorado, is a special place. It embodies the Colorado experience and some. Aspen Mountain Resort (ski area), a primarily intermediate-level mountain, delivers skiers and riders right into the heart of downtown Aspen, seamlessly connecting the outdoor experience with the Posch urban mountain lifestyle. Beautiful Aspen trees cover the resort mountain and spread their canopy throughout town.

Aspen Highlighlands is next door and will provide the challenging ski and snowboarding experience that many have come to expect from Colorado. Aspen has the outdoor experience to suit any level and style of participant.

Downtown Aspen is everything you would expect from a high-end urban setting, combining designer brand names with exquisite dining experiences and more. Aspen is known as the playground of the rich and famous, and with that comes an ongoing assortment of cultural events. For holidays, Christmas, Halloween, New Year, or whatever special occasion, Aspen lights up with full galore. There is always a variety of cultural events that attract some of the world’s best artists, musicians, and intellectuals.

Luxury Lodging and Accommodations

Aspen provides the best in class accommodations, from luxury hotels to chalet rentals and cabins. You can find your style of accommodation in Aspen.

Pitkin County Airport

Access to Pitkin County Airport, just 9 minutes from Aspen, makes getting in and out of Aspen very convenient.

Scenic Drives in Aspen

• Independence Pass - one of the most scenic drives in Colorado. This route connects Aspen to Twin Lakes and reaches an elevation of 12,095’. Stop by Independence Ghost Town.
• Castle Creek Road - this is a peaceful drive through the Castle Creek Valley. Stop by Ashcroft Ghost Town.
• Basalt to Ruedi Reservoir - drive along the Fryingpan River to this sparkling lake nestled in the mountains.

Estes Park an Iconic Colorado Resort Town

Estes Park has long been a high mountain retreat that promotes good health. It doesn’t have a ski/snowboard resort connected, but it resides right next to Rocky Mountain National Park and is considered the RMNP gateway. There is always an ongoing assortment of events happening in Estes.

Estes Park is a beautiful mountain town with Lake Estes within the Park. The lake is a recreation source offering fishing, boating, and swimming. A paved 3.75-mile trail circles the lake and is perfect for walking, running, or biking.

The Stanley Hotel

This luxury hotel is closely related to the development of Estes Park and is famous for inspiring Stephen King’s novel The Shining. The Stanley Hotel is a luxurious place to stay with a slightly eerie charm. The hotel is a well-maintained Victorian-era hotel with various rooms and structures to choose from.

Mountain Recreation

Year-round recreation and outdoor adventure is abundant. During the summer, RMNP offers over 300 miles of hiking with popular trails for all ability levels, rock climbing, fly fishing, and kayaking. In the winter, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and photography are popular. Guided tours and equipment rentals are available year-round.

Scenic Drives

Estes Park presents several scenic drives. Here are some favorites:

• Trail Ridge Road - connects Estes Park with Lake Granby and passes through RMNP. The road is considered the highest paved road in America, reaching over 12,000 ft.
• Peak to Peak Scenic Byway - this route is considered Colorado’s oldest scenic byway and stretches 55 miles from Estes Park to Central City.
• Big Thompson Canyon - U.S. Highway 34 follows Big Thompson River from Loveland to Estes Park.
• Estes Park to Lyons - follow Highway 36 from Estes to Lyons, a scenic and easy drive.

Durango, a Colorado Resort Town

Durango, Colorado, is a charming mountain resort town located in the southwestern part of the state, known for its scenic beauty, outdoor recreation, and vibrant culture. As a resort town destination, it offers a mix of natural attractions, historical sites, and activities that cater to visitors year-round.

Outdoor Recreation

Purgatory Resort is a nearby ski area offering downhill skiing and snowboarding, nordic skiing, and backcountry snowcat skiing. Snowmobiling is also a popular winter activity. Summer activities include hiking, world-class mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and fishing.

Cultural and Historical Attractions

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - this historic train travels between Durango and Silverton and offers various fares and options.
Mesa Verde National Park - about 35 miles from Durango, this World Heritage Site showcases well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings.

Scenic Drives

• Durango to Mesa Verde National Park - offers panoramic views of the Montezuma Valley and the high desert landscape.
• Vallecito Lake Loop - a tranquil drive to a pristine lake surrounded by pine forests and peaks.
• Animas River Scenic Byway - scenic views of the Animas River as it flows south towards New Mexico.
• Durango is part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Loop.

Cañon City a Colorado Resort Town

Cañon City, Colorado, is a unique resort destination that combines outdoor adventure, history, and stunning natural landscapes. Nestled in the Arkansas River Valley, it’s a haven for thrill-seekers, history buffs, and those seeking a peaceful retreat. The mild year-round climate makes it attractive. Here's what makes Cañon City memorable as a resort destination:

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park (RGBP)

The RGBP features the highest suspension bridges in the world, offering breathtaking views of the gorge and the Arkansas River 1,200 feet below. The Park offers gondola rides, ziplining, a sky coaster, hiking trails, and more.

Whitewater Rafting on the Arkansas River

The Arkansas River is one of the most popular places to whitewater raft and flows right through Cañon City. Local outfitters can set your group up with just the rafting experience as Class II through Class V rapids are available.

Royal Gorge Route Railroad

This historic train travels through the Royal Gorge, offering unparalleled views of the canyon walls and the Arkansas River. The train is notorious for their exquisite dining options and special events.

Outdoor Recreation Opportunities and Other Attractions

There is always a host of events going on in the area.

• Guided off-road jeep tours are popular in the canyons country.
• Plenty of hiking and biking trails.
• Rock climbing.
• Fishing.
• Winery Tours
• Farm Tours

Scenic Drives

• Royal Gorge Scenic Byway - drive U.S. Highway 50 along the Arkansas River that leads you to the Royal Gorge.
• Skyline Drive - a narrow, one-way road that runs along the crest ridge just outside of Cañon City. Along with stunning views, there are fossilized dinosaur tracks along the ridge.
• Phantom Canyon Road - a gravel road that follows the path of an old narrow-gauge railroad, part of the Gold Belt Scenic Byway. Best for high-clearance vehicles.
• Gold Belt Scenic Byway (entire route) - a dramatic scenic byway that connects Cañon City, Cripple Creek, and Victor.
• Highway 115 (Cañon City to Cripple Creek) - this drive is full of panoramic views of the Pike’s Peak region and ends in the historic mining town of Cripple Creek, now a casinos destination.
• Fremont County Road 9 - this drive takes you north of Cañon City, offering stunning views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and access to nearby recreational areas.
• High Park Road - A paved road that climbs from the Arkansas River Valley into the mountains north of Cañon City, about 23 miles to Guffey, and is open year-round.

Telluride a Colorado Resort Town

Tucked away in a dramatic box canyon is the historic Victorian town of Telluride. Once a silver mining town, now a destination resort town that combines the extreme Colorado outdoor experience with luxury accommodations. The downhome eclectic community will inspire you and embrace you with Rocky Mountain fever.

Ride the Mountain Village Free Gondola that connects the town of Telluride with Mountain Village. It’s how you get around in Telluride.

Telluride Scenic Drives

Scenic drives in and around the Telluride area are abundant. Many connect surrounding communities via very high mountain rugged routes.

• San Juan Skyway (Million Dollar Highway) - one of Colorado’s most iconic scenic drives. This 236-mile loop through the heart of the San Juan Mountains connects Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, and Durango. A potentially dangerous route in the winter.
• Last Dollar Road - a classic backcountry road connecting Telluride to Ridgeway. Not recommended in wet or snowy conditions.
• Ophir Pass - a high-clearance, 4WD route that connects Telluride to Silverton via a rugged pass. Best in the late spring through early fall.
• Bridal Veil Falls Road - a scenic short drive leading to the base of Bridal Veil Falls, Colorado’s tallest waterfall. Accessible in the summer months.

by Kathleen Fitzsimmons