Top 10 Best Rocky Mountain Towns
The Rocky Mountain Range is known for its stunning wildlife and excellent skiing. This sprawling mountain range that divides most of the northern continent has a lot of sleepy mountain towns hidden in its folds. Have you ever wondered where the best towns are in the Rocky Mountain Range?
Check out our list of the top 10 Best Rocky Mountain towns below to find out!
1. Fraser, Colorado
- Population: 1224 (2010 Census)
- Elevation: 8,754 ft
Fraser, Colorado is one of the best Rocky Mountain towns along the famed mountain range for several reasons. This close-knit, year-round community is centrally located to everything- it’s only an hour and thirty minutes west of Denver, the state’s capital. It’s also only six miles away from one of the best ski resorts in the nation- Winter Park Resort!
Despite being close to all the action, Fraser manages to maintain its idyllic mountain town feel with its small community charm.
2. Crested Butte, CO
- Population: 1643 (2017)
- Elevation: 8,909 ft
Crested Butte, Colorado is also known as the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado” for its many blooms. This is fitting since Crested Butte is pretty far from Colorado’s capital Denver. This sleepy mountain town in the Rocky Mountains is 4-and-a-half hours away from Denver, in fact.
Despite being a small mountain town, Crested Butte is known for its many outdoor activities, such as hiking, fishing,
The Rocky Mountain Range is known for its stunning wildlife and excellent skiing. This sprawling mountain range that divides most of the northern continent has a lot of sleepy mountain towns hidden in its folds. Have you ever wondered where the best towns are in the Rocky Mountain Range?
3. Steamboat Springs, CO
- Population: 12,965 (2017)
- Elevation: 6,732 ft
Steamboat Springs is northwest of Denver by approximately 3 hours. This mountain town is one of Colorado’s favorite destinations for many reasons, the least of which is not the six-peaked Steamboat Springs Ski Resort. In addition, this popular vacation spot also boasts numerous hot springs! In fact, the city has a municipal pool and slide in town.
Steamboat Springs offers all the amenities of a mountain town, with a slightly bigger community. You won’t get that isolated, small-town feel in this popular tourist destination, but you will get to enjoy the many attractions year-round as a resident!
4. Taos, New Mexico
- Population: 5, 668 (2017)
- Elevation: 6,969 ft.
Although most usually associate the Rocky Mountains with Colorado, the famed mountain range actually stretches all the way into Mexico. Taos is located in the high desert, surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains which is a subset range from the main Rockies. Just one hour and thirty minutes from the New Mexico capital of Sante Fe, Taos has grown in reputation as an art colony, historic center, and winter ski town.
5. Estes Park, Colorado
- Population: 6,339 (2017)
- Elevation: 7,522 ft
Estes Park, Colorado is an hour and thirty minutes from Denver tucked away in the lush forests of the Rocky Mountains. Estes Park is a famous summer mountain town, with many travelers eager to take advantage of the lakes, nearby rivers and sprawling forests of the valley. Estes Park also has a famous landmark – the Stanley Hotel, which is one of the most haunted hotel destinations in the nation, and the inspiration for Stephen King’s Overlook Hotel in “The Shining”.
6. Jackson, Wyoming
- Population: 10,532 (2017)
- Elevation: 6,237 ft.
Jackson, Wyoming is a top destination for skiers of all kinds, as well as frequent national park goers. The Jackson Hole valley is home to three ski resorts – Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King Mountain Resort, and Grand Targhee Resort. Nearby are the National Elk Refuge, the National Museum of Wildlife Art and Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park to the north.
7. Breckenridge, Colorado
- Population: 4,928 (2017)
- Elevation: 9,600 ft.
Breckenridge, Colorado is a large mountain town with a small-town feel. This is because many of the homes in the area are owned by part-time residents who come to ski at the Breckenridge Ski Resort or enjoy the lakes and Blue River in the summer. Breckenridge boasts the annual Ullr Festival in Winter, a community celebration honoring the Norse God Ullr.
Breckenridge, Colorado is an hour and thirty minutes west of the capital of Denver.
8. Park City, Utah
- Population: 7,729 (2017)
- Elevation: 7,000 ft.
This Rocky Mountain town in Utah boasts a famous film festival – the Sundance Film Festival, which is the largest independent film festival in the nation. It is also home to two ski resorts, Deer Valley Resort, and Park City Mountain Resort which both hosted activities in the 2002 Winter Olympics.
9. Bozeman, Montana
- Population: 45,596 (2017)
- Elevation: 4,820 ft
Although Bozeman, Montana is at the lowest elevation of this list, it also has the highest population! In 2010, Outside selected Bozeman as the best place in the West to live for skiing. In addition to the skiing culture in Bozeman, this large city – fourth largest in Montana!- is also home to Montana State University, and has its own international airport!
10. Telluride, Colorado
- Population: 2,426 (2017)
- Elevation: 8,750 ft
Telluride, Colorado is six hours southwest of Denver, and a popular Colorado mountain town that most have heard of. The small but lively town sits in a box canyon, and the nearby Bridal Veil Falls is a tourist draw as much as the Telluride Ski Resort is in winter. Aerial tram rides take you through the canyon, and you can still see old mining settlements dotting the hills.
