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Silverton
Experience Silverton, Colorado
The Warmer Days
The most frequent question Silvertonians field each summer is, “So, when does your town close?”. It’s true that the bulk of our tourist traffic flows in the summer. The scenic train is in full swing bringing thousands of visitors up that majestic canyon. And Silverton’s 4th of July Festival is not to be rivaled with its exquisite fireworks display, Rhubarb Festival, and brass band concert in the park. The Hardrock 100 running race and the Iron Horse Classic bicycle race brings thousands of athletes for each event, and August’s Hardrock Holidays honor the mining tradition that built the town.
But what is little understood by our summer guests is that Silverton doesn’t close. It simply changes pace. As the frenzy of June through August passes, the mountains quiet while everyone and everything takes a breath.
September chill tells the Aspens it’s time for their show, and hills of brilliant green turn yellow, gold, and fire red. There is no better place in the San Juans to test your photography skills during our high mountain fall. Trails are quieter, and that peaceful walk in nature that you might have missed earlier can easily be enjoyed in later seasons.
Winter in Silverton
Winter, brings its own brand of recreation and fun. Take those snowshoes and head up into the woods or along the river. In the crystalline silence, you may see a fox, hare, or even a lynx padding through the snow. Cross-country skiers access groomed trails right from town. Kendall Mountain Recreation Center offers a family-friendly ski hill, and if you have the skill and nerve, nothing beats Silverton Ski Mountain for the ultimate extreme ski experience.
February brings a heckuva good time every President’s Day weekend when Silverton Skijoring hits Blair Street. Imagine the cultural cross-over of epic ski-racing and the finest horse and rider teams in the southwest matching skills to bring a purse race to this tiny community. While hundreds of spectators ring cowbells and cheer their favorite teams, horse and riders race along the course pulling a low-flying skier over jumps and through gates. It’s a popular two-day event, so if you plan to come, it’s best to book your hotel room early.
And no winter outing would be complete without a warm beverage at day’s end, available at any of Silverton’s restaurants or bars, many of which remain open in winter.
Our “off” seasons are November and April, so call ahead for the availability of services during those months.
Gunnison
Explore Gunnison, Colorado
Gunnison is a place that harkens back to the Old West. The community retains its ties to a century of ranching with its wide open spaces, friendly folks and Cattlemen’s Days, one of the oldest rodeos in Colorado. Its location offers easy access to the largest body of water in the state at Blue Mesa Reservoir. Whether it is waterskiing, sailing, fly fishing, or camping with the family, Gunnison provides the perfect recreational and western getaway.
Gunnison History
Named after John W. Gunnison, a US Army officer who surveyed for the transcontinental railroad in 1853. With the mining boom in the 1870s along with an increase of ranchers, there was a population increase during this time. The D&RGW was the main railroad serving this area for about 70 years for townspeople and ore. It was a major producer of hay and other various grains most of which shipped to Crested Butte.
Home to Western Colorado University. 
Pueblo
Activities in Pueblo, Colorado
Find out for yourself why this flavorful southwest city was named one of the nation’s four “most livable cities” by Partners for Livable Communities, a Washington D.C. non-profit organization.
Perhaps one of the state’s most faithful chronicles of life in this area is the Colorado Historical Society’s El Pueblo History Museum. Located on the actual site of the El Pueblo trading post built in 1842, the museum is now in the heart of downtown Pueblo. Take a stroll in the Union Avenue Historic District along a mile of painstakingly restored buildings. Shop the outdoor exhibits of southwestern art and pottery. Be sure to walk through the grand old Pueblo Union Depot with its mosaic tile flooring, polished wood wainscoting and stunning, stained glass windows.
History aside, the people of Pueblo spend the summer outdoors-as well as the fall, winter and spring! The mild climate of southern Colorado means bicycles and golf clubs stand at the ready year-round.
The 35-mile River Trail System is a paved ribbon that stretches from Colorado State University-Pueblo on the city’s northeastern fringe clear down to Lake Pueblo to the west, where surreal limestone cliffs rim the 60-mile shoreline of the reservoir. Bicyclists, in-line skaters, joggers and power-walkers populate this recreational roadway.
Along the Arkansas River is Pueblo’s new urban kayak course. Located between the 4th Street Bridge and Union Bridge at Corona Street in downtown Pueblo, the course features seven fun and challenging holes, with easy access and parking at either end.
Steamboat Springs
Things to Do in Steamboat Springs, Colorado
From horse-drawn sleigh rides to winter fly-fishing, charming boutiques and day spas, to hot live music and nightspots, Steamboat offers activities for everyone, from the young to the young-at-heart. Incredible skiing and riding brings powderhounds to the Steamboat resort where they claim some of the world’s best tree skiing and snow so light they call it Champagne Powder. With the historic Howlesen Hill located right in downtown and multiple cross country ski areas Steamboat Springs earns its title as Ski Town U.S.A.
Steamboat Springs is a real ranching town too surrounded by working ranches and wide open rangeland that makes it different from any other Colorado ski town.
Try a soak in the legendary natural hot springs, ride a snowmobile along the Continental Divide, and enjoy the majestic views of the Rocky Mountains from a hot-air balloon, or hone your skills at the Winter Driving School.
With nearby Steamboat Lake and Stagecoach Lake there is great summertime boating, paddling and fishing to be had and the fishing goes on in the winter once the ice has frozen solid there is great ice fishing to be had. Check out more fun Colorado lakes here.
Telluride
Vacation in Telluride, Colorado
The once rough and tumble mining town of Telluride has become a vacation destination for many of the rich and famous. Where the railroad engineers used to announce their destination as To-Hell-You-Ride now the sense of luxury has imparted the valley with a peaceful grandeur that it never had in its mining days.
Framed by the stunning beauty of the San Juan Mountains, Telluride is surrounded on three sides by jagged rock, roaring waterfalls, green canyons, and native wildflowers.
Home to Telluride Ski Resort, Arts and Culture
Home to the Telluride Ski Resort, an active arts and cultural community, you can enjoy performing arts, live music, world-class dining, local crafts, a farmer’s market, or the many Summer festivals that keep Telluride alive.
The Free Gondola – Mountain Village
Take a ride on the Telluride – Mountain Village FREE gondola. This gondola connects the town of Telluride with Mountain Village and provides practical transportation between the two locations. It’s also a great way to get a bird’s eye view of the spectacular canyon and surrounding forest and sightseeing fun for guests of all ages.
Telluride History
This tucked-away mountain community, although small, is rich with historical significance. Like many other Colorado mountain towns, Telluride was a mining boom town and one of the wealthiest of its kind. A great way to get to know Telluride is to learn about its history.
Winter Park
Things to Do in Winter Park, Colorado
Winter Park is most renowned as a ski area but offers much more, especially for those seeking a Colorado adventure. This is the great outdoors you’ve dreamed about, where fresh air and gorgeous natural surroundings meet high-alpine adventures and soothing retreats. It’s the perfect convergence of life, nature, and the elements. Winter Park inspires visitors from around the world and constantly rewards those lucky enough to call this home. See for yourself.
Getting to Winter Park
Take the “Winter Train” or the California Zephyr Train straight from Union Station in LoDo Denver to Winter Park. Make a connection at Union Station on the A-line, which goes directly to Denver International Airport (DIA).
Skiing and Riding at Winter Park
With a name like Winter Park you know you can count on a world class skiing and riding experience. The Winter Park ski resort has over 3000 acres of skiable terrain and receives 300+ inches of snow on an average year which makes for great fun and an extended spring season. There is also great backcountry skiing available from the nearby top of Berthoud Pass and multiple cross country ski areas in the valley for the self propelled skiers.
Summer in Winter Park
Once the snow melts the fun doesn’t stop, with one of the most extensive mountain bike trail systems in the state Winter Park is a riding mecca for both lift served and cross country riding. A fully equipped rental and repair shop at the base of the ski resort has everything that you need to outfit you for a day of riding. The trail system in the surrounding valley is second to none with good signage and a variety of different trails to explore.
Take the Short Drive From Denver
A mountain drive just 67 miles from Denver. As you crest the 11,400-foot summit of Berthoud Pass and make your way down US Highway 40, the valley opens up before you like your own four-season playground. The area shimmers with life, from the snowcapped peaks of the Continental Divide to the northern runout of the Fraser River and its tributaries. Home to unbelievable outdoor adventure, spectacular scenery, and family fun. With over 324” of snow each year, it makes for excellent skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, and snow angel making. It is a playground sure to please anyone’s inner child.
Ouray
Explore Ouray, Colorado
Ouray: The Switzerland of America
Nestled deep within a natural amphitheater of jagged peaks and sheer granite walls, Ouray is a Victorian winter wonderland and a summertime paradise for those seeking a true high-altitude escape. Known globally as the "Switzerland of America," this historic town serves as a stunning gateway to the San Juan Mountains. For over 100 years, Ouray has been a unique mountain destination for world travelers, offering a timeless blend of quality lodging, gourmet restaurants, boutique shops, and outdoor activities that are available year-round.
A Step Back in Time: Victorian Elegance and Mining Lore
When you visit Ouray, you are invited to take a step back in time. The town’s history is etched into its Victorian architecture, with beautifully preserved brick and wood buildings that date back to the 1870s mining boom. Once a bustling center for gold and silver extraction, the town has transitioned from a rugged mining camp to a peaceful mountain sanctuary that seemingly runs on its own time.
Strolling down Main Street, you’ll encounter friendly mountain people and a culture that celebrates its legendary past. The neighboring town of Ridgway, just a few miles north, complements this experience with its own "Old West" film history (famously the setting for the original True Grit) and a burgeoning craft food scene. Together, these two towns provide an unmatched base camp for exploring the Southwestern Rockies.
The Jeep Capital of the World
In the summer months, Ouray transforms into the "Jeep Capital of the World." The town is home to hundreds of miles of historic off-road mining routes that spider-web throughout the San Juan National Forest. These rugged paths, such as the famous Alpine Loop, take adventurers over high-mountain passes exceeding 12,000 feet, past ghost towns, and through meadows filled with vibrant wildflowers. Whether you are an experienced wheeler in your own rig or prefer a guided Jeep tour to learn the history of the mines, these trails offer some of the most spectacular backcountry vistas in North America.
Liquid Relaxation: Sulfur-Free Hot Springs
After a day of exploring the dusty trails or hiking the breathtaking Ouray Perimeter Trail, there is no better way to rejuvenate than in the town’s natural hot springs. Unlike many other geothermal locations, Ouray’s water is famously sulfur-free, meaning you can soak in the therapeutic, mineral-rich heat without the pungent odor often associated with natural springs.
The Ouray Hot Springs Pool and Fitness Center offers a massive, multi-temperature facility with stunning views of the surrounding peaks. For a more intimate experience, several historic lodges—like the Wiesbaden Vapor Caves or Twin Peaks Lodge—offer private soaking tubs and vapor caves carved directly into the mountain rock.
Winter’s Icy Majesty
As the snow falls, Ouray pivots to its second life as a premier winter sports hub. It is home to the world-renowned Ouray Ice Park, the first of its kind in the world. Located within the Uncompahgre Gorge, the park features over 200 man-made ice climbing routes that attract climbers from across the globe every January for the Ouray Ice Festival.
For those who prefer their snow underfoot, the region offers spectacular backcountry and cross-country skiing opportunities. The Red Mountain Pass area provides some of the most challenging and rewarding "skinner" tracks for expert powder hounds, while the Ironton Park Cross-Country Ski Area offers groomed, level trails through historic mining ruins, perfect for families and beginner skiers.
Plan Your Journey
From its towering waterfalls—like the thundering Box Cañon Falls—to its cozy fireside taverns, Ouray represents the very best of the Colorado experience. Whether you are here for the adrenaline of the off-road trails or the peaceful atmosphere of a mountain retreat, Ouray and Ridgway are essential stops for your ultimate Colorado summer vacation guide. Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about seasonal pass openings, festival dates, and the best deals for your next San Juan adventure.
Leadville
Discover Leadville, Colorado
The history of Leadville is filled with dramatic stories of real people who made and lost fortunes in this frontier mountain town spiced with Victorian flavor. People are known to all of us-Carnegie, Guggenheim, Susan B. Anthony, the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown, Doc Holliday, Oscar Wilde, Horace, and Baby Doe Tabor-are just a few of the many who fill Leadville’s past. Leadville once had a population larger than Denver and was considered for the state capital when Colorado became a state in 1876. Sitting near the headwaters of the Arkansas River Leadville’s elevation makes it one of the highest towns in North America with an altitude of just over 10,000 ft.
The history of Leadville is closely tied to the booms and busts of mining in the surrounding mountains. The decline of mining in has forced Leadville to become more creative and its recent history has revolved around attracting endurance athletes through a series of cycling and running events in 
the summer months. The high altitude is part of the challenge for those events and the epic terrain, long distances and large competitive fields make those events into legendary spectacles.
Downtown Leadville – Shop
Harrison Avenue in downtown Leadville is a fascinating blend of old and new, its quaint shops filled with antique treasures and art created by some of today’s best and brightest talent. Along with pieces of yesteryear and fine arts and crafts, there are bookstores, bike/ski shops, and outfitters for all manner of fresh-air activities. Pop into a Western wear store, souvenir and T-shirt shop, or one of many great restaurants for a quick bite or a leisurely meal.
Kremmling
Explore Kremmling, Colorado
Kremmling is a quaint Western town with deep ranching roots. Bordered by cliffs on the north, Byers Canyon to the east, the Colorado and Blue Rivers to the south, Heeney Colorado also to the south, and Rabbit Ears area to the northwest, Kremmling has long been a playground for anglers, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts. The untamed, untapped wilderness areas led the community to dub West Grand county the “Sportman’s Paradise.” Visitors can also enjoy the stunning mountain views from a raft while running the Colorado River which runs through the town before entering Gore Canyon and its epic whitewater.
Fishing abounds around Kremmling with the Colorado river running through town and multiple points of river access up-river towards the east. The Blue river and its Gold Medal waters below the Green Mountain Reservoir dam has a reputation for such large trout that it has been nicknamed “Jurassic Park”. Nearby lakes to cast a line into include Wolford Mountain Reservoir just north of town, the Green Mountain Reservoir to the south and the Williams Fork Reservoir tuck away down a dirt road to the south-east.
The western half of Grand County is also one of the few mountain areas left where dirt bike, snowmobile, ATV and Jeep riders can off road on extensive, easily accessible trail systems. Trails begin at town limits, and stretch six miles north to Wolford Mountain. Whether you’re exploring on foot, horse, bike or machine, discover an affordable alternative to big mountain resorts, and experience the West at a fraction of the cost.