Underrated Rocky Mountain Towns You Should Spend More Time In

The Brobdingnagian Rocky Mountain region straddling the Continental Divide from Montana to Colorado offers one true metropolis – Denver – and a whole host of towns whose names sound like brand of blue jeans . Yet those small Town are what offer one of the country ’s least populated subdivision an undeniable charm , too often overtop by travelers lining up to hit the incline of Aspen or the cannabis shops of the Mile High City . Here are eight smaller spots that you should definitely have on your microwave radar .

Durango, Colorado

Why it ’s so great : Fromoff - the - control grid Ourayto thehippie promised land of Nederlandto thehidden charms of Alma , Colorado is stack with small Ithiel Town that make you immediately question your decisions in life story : like , why the nether region you do n’t live here already . One of the more underrated is this vivacious Old West Ithiel Town insert away in the state ’s southwest recess that ’s brim over with historic Victorian hotels , cool old - timey bars like the Diamond Belle Saloon , and the beautiful Animas River Trail cut right through Downtown .

Must - do : The Victoria de Durango - to - Silverton narrow - calibre track journey is stunningly gorgeous if a bit touristy , whileMesa Verde National Parkis just 35 miles west .

Billings, Montana

Why it ’s so cracking : A forward-looking boomtown thanks to late shale oil discovery , Montana ’s largest metropolis ( and only metropolis with a population over 100,000 ) is surprisingly cosmopolitan , with eight local craft breweries , the visually sensational Babcock Theatre , and acool still in a former railroad train depot complex . But Billings never lets you forget you ’re still in Montana , with rodeos , motorcycle lead , and widely - undefendable vistas of seven ( yeah , count ‘em , seven ) mountain ranges . Plus spook caves at Pictograph Cave , alpine beach at Lake Elmo State Park , and the Grand Canyon - style Bighorn Canyon .

Must - do : Hiking the beautiful Swords Park Trail is an first-class mode to spend the day , but the more exercise - averse will love a leisurely ride along the Beartooth Highway , one of the mostscenic roads in America .

Boise, Idaho

Why it ’s so great : Called " the next Portland " by a arise turn of multitude ( OK , by us ) , Boise hold on its hipster bona fides fresh with nearly 150 coffee shop , almost a dozen breweries , and a get saloon / eating place conniption that helps make America ’s 99th - biggest city a arise attraction for the middle of the Venn diagram where the circles are " granola eater " and " gun proprietor . " But what really makes this cycling - centric metropolis stand up out is its inviting calibre of life , which often entails float idly on the Boise River or walking / pedal the beautiful 20 - mile Boise Greenbelt along its banks .

Must - do : attend a Boise State Broncos game on the iconic blue domain at the 37,000 - seat Albertsons Stadium is a quintessential local experience , while the hipster influx at the yearly SXSW - style Treefort Music Fest every March gives Austin a scraggy - denim - wearing run for its money .

Fort Collins, Colorado

Why it ’s so not bad : Grab a barstool in this metropolis ’s historical Old Town district and you ’ll now see why local call this lay - back college town " Fort Fun . " Most celebrated as the home base of New Belgium Brewing , this beer - crazy oasis host a masses of other top - tier brewer ( do n’t slumber onOdell ) that you could visit by motorcycle ( Brew Cruiseis one such hitch ) in this equally wheel - crazy city ( where , yes , you could rent motorcycle from aBike Library ) . Between beer , there ’s fly sportfishing , whitewater rafting , and beautiful stack hikes all around .

Must - do : head up 30 Swedish mile west into Roosevelt National Forest to see a concert at one of the comfortably - kept arcanum in the Rockies : the glorious Mishawaka Amphitheatre , which is kind of like a mini - Red Rocks . In a canon . On the side of a river .

Ogden, Utah

Why it ’s so great : While Park City has the star power and Provo boast one of thebest bouncy - music scenes in the country , this historic railway town 40 miles northerly of Salt Lake City can get overlooked . But the home of Weber State University has plenty going for it , include three ski refuge east of townspeople , the beautiful Antelope Island State Park west of town , and a friendly prevention / eating place scene ( hello Kokomo Club ! ) in its well walkable business district . popping by the spicy springs and waterfalls , kayak the surround rivers , climb the cliff , or simply hike up the foothills of the magnificent Wasatch Mountains .

Must - do : For one of the best views in all of baseball game , take in a plot at the always - fun Lindquist Field , home of the small - league Ogden Raptors , and make unexampled best friends with whoever the nether region terminate up sitting next to you .

McCall, Idaho

Why it ’s so great : Who knew there was a strident party lake in the centre of Idaho ? For the past several year , local springiness breaker certain as hell did , and they went at it so hard the city had to banish alcohol on the popular North Beach for this year ’s Fourth of July festivities . But that does n’t vary the fact that this stunning hangout town situated on the picturesque Payette Lake is a showstopper for all season . ( That include winter , when nearby ski repair are open and the Winter Carnival roll up into town with snow sculptures and Mardi Gras troop . ) The Downtown is a romantic amalgamation of Old West - style construction which , unlike most Rocky Mountain towns , sits right on the sharpness of a mini - Tahoe - esque alpine lake .

Must - do : A trip-up to the nearby Ponderosa State Park extend serene beauty and bucolic views , but you really ask to get out on the urine while you ’re here . River raft the scenic Salmon River or take a relaxingcruise around the lake .

Laramie, Wyoming

Why it ’s so keen : America ’s least thickly settled state is n’t just known for its city , but this chill college township in Southeast Wyoming does n’t mind being overlooked . With a historic Downtown and amazingly happening legal community scene around the University of Wyoming , Laramie is rounded out with an array of outdoor delights that will have you trout angle the Laramie River , sneaking out to the delightfully unearthly quite a little outpost Centennial for skiing or hiking , or taking part in its one-year Tour de Laramie bike drive , which stop at as many of Laramie ’s plentiful bars as you may manage on two bike .

Must - do : The Snowy Range Scenic Byway is a great means to get out and see the sights , while mount the1.4 billion - class - old rocks at nearby Vedauwoowill really have you feel like a local . A prehistoric one .

Manitou Springs, Colorado

Why it ’s so great : Manitou Springs is eldritch , and proud of it . This substitute oasis six miles west of radical - conservative Colorado Springs is a fete for the pot . You ’ll see barefoot hippies playing guitar in one of the country ’s largest national historic territory as tourists ride North America ’s highest railway to the top of Pikes Peak and impossibly set locals take on the steep tramp of the infamous Manitou Incline . With the eerie Cave of the Winds and the centre - come out Garden of the Gods also within spitting distance , there ’s more than enough here to keep you entertain well past your scheduled difference date .

Must - do : If you ca n’t be in New Orleans for Mardi Gras , Manitou Springs ' Carnivale is the next best matter . Trust .

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