7 Best Colorado Towns for a Summer Vacation

Today’s travel is all about feeling better — feeling better about you, the planet, and everyone on it. There’s no better place to start this new kind of adventure travel than in the state of Colorado. Whether you’re planning a trip to Colorado or are a native looking to get out for the summer, here is a list of the best Colorado towns for a summer getaway. 
Snowmass Village

Snowmass Village is a stunning hamlet in the Elk Mountains. While it has the feel of a small ski town, it is only nine miles from Aspen. If you ask any local, Snowmass Village stands firmly in its own identity. This town has gorgeous peaks, amazing restaurants, plenty of entertainment, and a new Base Village. Don’t miss the free guided hikes with naturalists from Aspen Center for Environmental Studies through the fields and wildflowers.
 

Palisade

Known for its small vineyards and peach orchards, Palisade is a small town in western Colorado. Downtown Palisade recently made headlines with the opening of Pêche Restaurant. On top of that, Palisade is an emerging mountain biking destination. The Palisade Plunge, one of the longest singletrack downhill mountain bike trails in the U.S., descends into the town of Palisade. The Plunge opens this summer after a decade’s worth of planning, construction, and multi-million-dollar investment.

 

Telluride

Telluride is Colorado’s best-hidden gem to many Coloradoans. At the height of the summer season, it can be crowded, but if you time it right (early or late summer) you’ll quickly discover what makes this community one of the best. Its box canyon and Bridal Veil falls are both beautiful and humbling. The historic downtown is locally run, and the summer music festival scene cannot be duplicated.

 

Dinosaur

This remote community of ranchers in northwestern Colorado does not disappoint in the dino category. Dinosaur Colorado is home to the Dinosaur National Monument. Stand in awe of prehistoric animals who once roamed the earth at the Quarry Exhibit Hall. Here you will stand face to face with approximately 1,500 exposed dinosaur fossil remains.

 

Grand Lake

This beautiful mountain lake town offers a laidback vibe and fantastic outdoor activities. You can also access the western entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park. If you’re looking for a guide to the park, try Kaiyote Snow, a self-taught naturalist and former instructor for the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. She and her company, Kaiyote Tours, lead visitors on hiking and overnight backpacking trips in the summer to learn about birding and wildlife in RMNP.

 

Buena Vista

Buena Vista is a more unknown town in Colorado, but we guarantee you will fall in love when you arrive. The name of this town in Central Colorado says it all (come on, it’s basic Spanish, folks). Buena Vista has beautiful mountain views, excellent rafting, kayaking, and SUPing on the Arkansas River. Don’t forget to check out Mount Princeton Hot Springs.

 

Fort Collins

Home to Colorado State University, Fort Collins is an eclectic and welcoming conglomerate of college kids, ranchers, tech entrepreneurs, and families, all in one vibrant community. The town is connected by more than 285 miles of bike trails and lanes and its historic downtown was the inspiration for Disneyland’s Main Street USA. Fort Collins is also home to the Colorado Shoe School where you can design and create your custom shoes from repurposed leather destined for the landfill and recycled sole material from bike tires and discarded tennis balls.
 
 
If you visit our beautiful state and fall in love, contact our team here at Corken + Company and we will help you find your dream home!
 
 
Find more Colorado towns for your summer vacation at:
https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/summer-vacations/best-colorado-towns-summer-travel

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Rachel Sartin

Lori Corken