Looking for some quiet places to live in Colorado?
Shhh…do you hear that sound? Me neither. Isn’t it wonderful?! For a little bit of peace, quiet, and tranquility within the Centennial State, check out this list of some of the best small towns in Colorado.
- Palisade
Wikimedia Commons Juicy peaches, vineyards, and other various orchards await you in this Slope town of 2,700. What more could you possibly want in a quiet place to live in Colorado? Get more details about visiting Palisade. Palisade, CO 81526, USA
- Grand Lake
Wikimedia Commons Aside from the charming shops, restaurants, and the fact that the town of 500 has a wooden boardwalk, we love Grand Lake because it is relatively quiet (in terms of tourists) despite being a scenic mountain town. It is truly one of the best small towns in Colorado. Discover more about Grand Lake. Grand Lake, CO 80447, USA
- Frederick
Town of Frederick, CO Facebook Located just north of Denver, Frederick is a beautiful community that prides itself on friendly locals, a picturesque downtown area, and numerous community events and festivals. This quiet place to live in Colorado is sure to delight visitors of all ages. Frederick also happens to be one of the safest cities in Colorado as of 2021. Frederick, CO, USA
- La Junta
Wikimedia Commons All right, history buffs; this small town in Colorado to visit is for you! The southeast town of La Junta is a mecca for Colorado history with not only its local museums, but Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site, the Purgatoire River track site, and the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. Get more details on planning a day trip to La Junta. La Junta, CO 81050, USA
- Creede
Wikimedia Commons Don’t let the small population of less than 300 fool you; Creede is one of the best small towns in Colorado. It packs a major punch in terms of mouthwatering restaurants, adorable boutiques, and surrounding landscape just waiting to be explored. Get more evidence on why Creede is so special. Creede, CO 81130, USA
- Dinosaur
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn Dinosaur National Monument, anyone? Say yes; the answer is ALWAYS yes! Unsure what this is? Get all the details on Dinosaur National Monument. Cottonwood Canyon, Colorado 81640, USA
- Calhan
Flickr/Dave Soldano Located just east of Colorado Springs, Calhan is another quiet place to live in Colorado. It houses wonderful antique stores AND the vibrant—and quite frankly unexpected—Paint Mines Interpretive Park (pictured). Now who is ready to take the most colorful hike of their life? Learn more about the unique Paint Mines Interpretive Park. Calhan, CO 80808, USA
- Ouray
Wikimedia Commons As far as I’m concerned, the 1,000 residents who live in the “Switzerland of America” are some of the luckiest in Colorado. Aside from the incredible landscape, Ouray also boasts hot springs, a rich mining history, and even a tasty brewery or two, making it a great small town in Colorado to visit. Get yourself acquainted with the options for hiking in Ouray. Ouray, CO, USA
- Silverton
Wikimedia Commons Another historic mining town is Silverton. This quiet place to live in Colorado is sure to take you back in time with its well-preserved downtown area AND unique and memorable Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. All aboard! Silverton, CO 81433, USA
- Stratton
Claremont Inn Hunters and lovers of the finer things can finally live in harmony, as the eastern Colorado town of Stratton boasts some of the best game hunting in the state as well as the gorgeous Claremont Inn & Winery. One of the best small towns in Colorado, Stratton is a must visit. Stratton, CO 80836, USA
What’s your favorite small town in Colorado to visit? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Wikimedia Commons
Juicy peaches, vineyards, and other various orchards await you in this Slope town of 2,700. What more could you possibly want in a quiet place to live in Colorado? Get more details about visiting Palisade.
Palisade, CO 81526, USA
Aside from the charming shops, restaurants, and the fact that the town of 500 has a wooden boardwalk, we love Grand Lake because it is relatively quiet (in terms of tourists) despite being a scenic mountain town. It is truly one of the best small towns in Colorado. Discover more about Grand Lake.
Grand Lake, CO 80447, USA
Town of Frederick, CO Facebook
Located just north of Denver, Frederick is a beautiful community that prides itself on friendly locals, a picturesque downtown area, and numerous community events and festivals. This quiet place to live in Colorado is sure to delight visitors of all ages. Frederick also happens to be one of the safest cities in Colorado as of 2021.
Frederick, CO, USA
All right, history buffs; this small town in Colorado to visit is for you! The southeast town of La Junta is a mecca for Colorado history with not only its local museums, but Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site, the Purgatoire River track site, and the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. Get more details on planning a day trip to La Junta.
La Junta, CO 81050, USA
Don’t let the small population of less than 300 fool you; Creede is one of the best small towns in Colorado. It packs a major punch in terms of mouthwatering restaurants, adorable boutiques, and surrounding landscape just waiting to be explored. Get more evidence on why Creede is so special.
Creede, CO 81130, USA
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
Dinosaur National Monument, anyone? Say yes; the answer is ALWAYS yes! Unsure what this is? Get all the details on Dinosaur National Monument.
Cottonwood Canyon, Colorado 81640, USA
Flickr/Dave Soldano
Located just east of Colorado Springs, Calhan is another quiet place to live in Colorado. It houses wonderful antique stores AND the vibrant—and quite frankly unexpected—Paint Mines Interpretive Park (pictured). Now who is ready to take the most colorful hike of their life? Learn more about the unique Paint Mines Interpretive Park.
Calhan, CO 80808, USA
As far as I’m concerned, the 1,000 residents who live in the “Switzerland of America” are some of the luckiest in Colorado. Aside from the incredible landscape, Ouray also boasts hot springs, a rich mining history, and even a tasty brewery or two, making it a great small town in Colorado to visit. Get yourself acquainted with the options for hiking in Ouray.
Ouray, CO, USA
Another historic mining town is Silverton. This quiet place to live in Colorado is sure to take you back in time with its well-preserved downtown area AND unique and memorable Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. All aboard!
Silverton, CO 81433, USA
Claremont Inn
Hunters and lovers of the finer things can finally live in harmony, as the eastern Colorado town of Stratton boasts some of the best game hunting in the state as well as the gorgeous Claremont Inn & Winery. One of the best small towns in Colorado, Stratton is a must visit.
Stratton, CO 80836, USA
For even more small town beauty, check out these beautiful and charming small towns in Colorado.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
The Best of Colorado September 16, 2022 Rachel Raimondi What are the best small towns in Colorado? If you are looking for the best small towns in Colorado, know that there are a total of 399 towns and cities in the state, many of them extremely charming and unique. Located in Chaffee County, you’ll find Salida. Here, you’ve got views of the Sawatch Range as well as plenty of opportunities for doing some high elevation hikes in the Collegiate Peaks. And there are a ton of shops and restaurants to peruse. Crested Butte is one of many Colorado ski towns. And it hits all the marks with supreme ski slopes, shopping and dining in town, and an overall scenic area. What it lacks are tourists. Which state parks should I visit in Colorado? There are 42 state parks in Colorado to choose from. In Littleton, you’ll find Roxborough State Park. This 4,000-acre park offers 14 miles of hiking trails as well as rock climbing and camping opportunities. It’s also a great spot to take in the state’s unique ancient red sandstone formations and its monoliths and spires. Eleven Mile State Park is in Lake George. Here, you can explore the 3,405-acre reservoir and wetlands via a boat with opportunities for fishing and swimming as well. The 7,662-acre park also has five miles of trails and camping, biking, and hunting opportunities. What are the most memorable hotels in Colorado? While there are tons of hotels within Colorado’s nearly 105,000 square miles, there are a few that really stand out. The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park is one of those. Opened in 1909, this 140-room hotel is primely located just a few miles from the entrance to the 265,000-acre Rocky Mountain National Park. Aside from the Colonial Revival’s beauty and history, there are also some gorgeous views of Lake Estes and the Rockies. You might also know this hotel for its connection to horror author Stephen King’s The Shining and its two films. And Estes Park itself is a great small town in Colorado to visit.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The Best of Colorado
September 16, 2022
Rachel Raimondi
What are the best small towns in Colorado? If you are looking for the best small towns in Colorado, know that there are a total of 399 towns and cities in the state, many of them extremely charming and unique. Located in Chaffee County, you’ll find Salida. Here, you’ve got views of the Sawatch Range as well as plenty of opportunities for doing some high elevation hikes in the Collegiate Peaks. And there are a ton of shops and restaurants to peruse. Crested Butte is one of many Colorado ski towns. And it hits all the marks with supreme ski slopes, shopping and dining in town, and an overall scenic area. What it lacks are tourists. Which state parks should I visit in Colorado? There are 42 state parks in Colorado to choose from. In Littleton, you’ll find Roxborough State Park. This 4,000-acre park offers 14 miles of hiking trails as well as rock climbing and camping opportunities. It’s also a great spot to take in the state’s unique ancient red sandstone formations and its monoliths and spires. Eleven Mile State Park is in Lake George. Here, you can explore the 3,405-acre reservoir and wetlands via a boat with opportunities for fishing and swimming as well. The 7,662-acre park also has five miles of trails and camping, biking, and hunting opportunities. What are the most memorable hotels in Colorado? While there are tons of hotels within Colorado’s nearly 105,000 square miles, there are a few that really stand out. The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park is one of those. Opened in 1909, this 140-room hotel is primely located just a few miles from the entrance to the 265,000-acre Rocky Mountain National Park. Aside from the Colonial Revival’s beauty and history, there are also some gorgeous views of Lake Estes and the Rockies. You might also know this hotel for its connection to horror author Stephen King’s The Shining and its two films. And Estes Park itself is a great small town in Colorado to visit.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you are looking for the best small towns in Colorado, know that there are a total of 399 towns and cities in the state, many of them extremely charming and unique. Located in Chaffee County, you’ll find Salida. Here, you’ve got views of the Sawatch Range as well as plenty of opportunities for doing some high elevation hikes in the Collegiate Peaks. And there are a ton of shops and restaurants to peruse. Crested Butte is one of many Colorado ski towns. And it hits all the marks with supreme ski slopes, shopping and dining in town, and an overall scenic area. What it lacks are tourists.
Which state parks should I visit in Colorado?
There are 42 state parks in Colorado to choose from. In Littleton, you’ll find Roxborough State Park. This 4,000-acre park offers 14 miles of hiking trails as well as rock climbing and camping opportunities. It’s also a great spot to take in the state’s unique ancient red sandstone formations and its monoliths and spires. Eleven Mile State Park is in Lake George. Here, you can explore the 3,405-acre reservoir and wetlands via a boat with opportunities for fishing and swimming as well. The 7,662-acre park also has five miles of trails and camping, biking, and hunting opportunities.
What are the most memorable hotels in Colorado?
While there are tons of hotels within Colorado’s nearly 105,000 square miles, there are a few that really stand out. The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park is one of those. Opened in 1909, this 140-room hotel is primely located just a few miles from the entrance to the 265,000-acre Rocky Mountain National Park. Aside from the Colonial Revival’s beauty and history, there are also some gorgeous views of Lake Estes and the Rockies. You might also know this hotel for its connection to horror author Stephen King’s The Shining and its two films. And Estes Park itself is a great small town in Colorado to visit.