Colorado's Best Mountain Towns
Crested Butte
This magical mountain town has some of the most vibrant and stunning summertime wild flowers. It’s one of the few popular mountain towns that still had it’s old town charm. Go snag some fresh produce at the Farmer’s Market then hit the mountains for some of the best mountain biking, hiking, and fishing in the state.
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/580989/fjk837.png)
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Ouray
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/580990/1xm84ku.png)
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Steamboat Springs
Most people know it as a ski town but summer in Steamboat is just as lovely. Most of the hikes up there are less trafficked than the rest of the state plus you can enjoy a float down the Yampa to give your legs a rest. Strawberry Hot Springs is a MUST!
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/580992/1mb2bti.png)
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Durango
Not far from Ouray is this magical town. Durango, second to Crested Butte, has some of the most stunning wildflowers in the San Juans. Nestled in the Animas River Valley, it offers a mix of outdoor adventures and Old West charm. Explore historic downtown, ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, go river rafting or explore the hundreds of hikes nearby.
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/580994/1dsoghn.png)
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![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/580996/jjqfj7.png)
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Aspen
Famous for its stunning mountain formations, Aspen offers a blend of adventure, culture and luxury. You can spend your days hiking, biking and rafting or exploring the downtown area with upscale shops and restaurants. Don’t miss the hike up the Maroon Bells. Go the extra mile past the crowds to take in the scenery in a quiet space. Pro tip: the best summer time hike is from Crested Butte to Aspen or vice versa. It’s worth every step!
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/580997/18tiyvu.png)
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![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/580998/1do6r56.png)
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Buena Vista
A second favorite to Crested Butte, Buena Vista is a summertime gem. Hikers know it as the town as the base of the Collegiate Peaks, 4 striking 14,000ft mountains. Its full of outdoor activities with the most popular being a white water rafting experience down the Arkansas River. Hike, bike, float, eat – whatever tickles your fancy – Buena Vista has it all while maintaining an old mining town feel.
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/580999/31rowz.png)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/581000/mpwk48.png)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
Colorado's Best Mountain Towns
Crested Butte
This magical mountain town has some of the most vibrant and stunning summertime wild flowers. It’s one of the few popular mountain towns that still had it’s old town charm. Go snag some fresh produce at the Farmer’s Market then hit the mountains for some of the best mountain biking, hiking, and fishing in the state.
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/580989/fjk837.png)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
Ouray
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/580990/1xm84ku.png)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
Steamboat Springs
Most people know it as a ski town but summer in Steamboat is just as lovely. Most of the hikes up there are less trafficked than the rest of the state plus you can enjoy a float down the Yampa to give your legs a rest. Strawberry Hot Springs is a MUST!
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/580992/1mb2bti.png)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/580995/409duy.png)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
Durango
Not far from Ouray is this magical town. Durango, second to Crested Butte, has some of the most stunning wildflowers in the San Juans. Nestled in the Animas River Valley, it offers a mix of outdoor adventures and Old West charm. Explore historic downtown, ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, go river rafting or explore the hundreds of hikes nearby.
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/580994/1dsoghn.png)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/580996/jjqfj7.png)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
Aspen
Famous for its stunning mountain formations, Aspen offers a blend of adventure, culture and luxury. You can spend your days hiking, biking and rafting or exploring the downtown area with upscale shops and restaurants. Don’t miss the hike up the Maroon Bells. Go the extra mile past the crowds to take in the scenery in a quiet space. Pro tip: the best summer time hike is from Crested Butte to Aspen or vice versa. It’s worth every step!
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/580997/18tiyvu.png)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/580998/1do6r56.png)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
Buena Vista
A second favorite to Crested Butte, Buena Vista is a summertime gem. Hikers know it as the town as the base of the Collegiate Peaks, 4 striking 14,000ft mountains. Its full of outdoor activities with the most popular being a white water rafting experience down the Arkansas River. Hike, bike, float, eat – whatever tickles your fancy – Buena Vista has it all while maintaining an old mining town feel.
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/580999/31rowz.png)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/581000/mpwk48.png)
![](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fdetails.942103f9.png&w=48&q=100)