Home to national parks, dramatic wilderness, ancient Indian cliff dwellings and abandoned mining towns, this corner of Colorado has seemingly endless sights to see.
Ski, drive, hike or bike your way through Southwest Colorado’s soaring mountains, snowy slopes and rugged rock formations. Focus on its national parks, charming villages or historic Indian sites, or discover all the attractions that the region has in store.
Ski or snowboard the famous slopes of Telluride, nestled among the highest concentration of 14,000-foot (4270-meter) peaks in the United States. Explore the charming former Victorian mining town, full of historic sites such as the Sheridan Opera House and the Telluride Historical Museum.
Don’t miss other smaller but equally charming resort towns scattered throughout the region. Because of its location, largely enclosed by steep mountains, Ouray is called the "Switzerland of America." Crested Butte, a former mining town, is now known as "the last great Colorado ski town." Take a steam-powered locomotive along the heritage railway between Durango and Silverton, a historic mining town.
Explore the famous Pueblo cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park. After touring the Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in North America, learn about Pueblo culture in the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. See rock carvings along Petroglyph Point Trail and enjoy panoramic views from Sun Point Overlook.
Experience some of the country’s steepest cliffs and oldest rocks in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Hike along the rims or down into the canyon, camp under the stars and look for elk, mule deer and more along the Gunnison River.
Make your way over the fabled Red Mountain Pass between Ouray and Silverton along the Million Dollar Highway. Enjoy breathtaking vistas as you navigate the narrow road’s hairpin turns. Bike or hike along the Colorado Trail, which stretches for 500 miles (805 kilometers) through six national forests and eight major mountain ranges.
Southwest Colorado offers fun in all seasons, but plan accordingly depending on the time of year that you visit. Snow begins falling in early fall and remains on the ground well into spring. Many places in the region are closed or inaccessible during winter. Outdoor activities are highly dependent on the season.
