Southwest Colorado, CO

Travel Guide

Mesa Verde National Park which includes tranquil scenes and landscape views
Mesa Verde National Park showing tranquil scenes, mountains and landscape views
Montrose showing a sunset, landscape views and a gorge or canyon
Montrose featuring landscape views and tranquil scenes
Montrose which includes tranquil scenes

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 TellurideOpens in a new window, 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 DurangoOpens in a new window and Silverton, a historic mining town.

Explore the famous Pueblo cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National ParkOpens in a new window. 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.

Where to stay in Southwest Colorado

Durango - Purgatory which includes night scenes, street scenes and a city

Historic Downtown Durango

5/5(31 area reviews)

The abundant dining options and stunning river views are top of the list for many visitors to Historic Downtown Durango. A stop by Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad or Animas River Trail might round out your trip.

Historic Downtown Durango
Pagosa Springs featuring a river or creek and a small town or village

Downtown Pagosa Springs

While visiting Downtown Pagosa Springs, you might make a stop by sights like San Juan River and Nathan's Hippy Dip Hot Spring.

Downtown Pagosa Springs
#adaptivereuse in #Salida #colorado #historicpreservation #architecture      According to the website about the facility:"The oldest part of the current building dates to 1887 and Salida’s first public lights were illuminated on December 7, 1887... The power plant was extended between 1909 & 1914 & again between 1929 & 1945... it was acquired by Public Service Company of Colorado in 1924. The Salida steam plant was operated only intermittently starting around 1931, reactivated in 1948, placed on standby in 1958, and retired in 1963, after which the structure was used for storage... until 1989 when the plant was converted into a theater." - salidasteamplant.com

Downtown Salida

You'll enjoy the bars and riverfront in Downtown Salida. You might want to make time for a stop at Riverside Park or Arkansas River.

Downtown Salida
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San Juan River Village

If you're spending some time in San Juan River Village, San Juan River is a top sight worth visiting.

San Juan River Village
High alpine lake.  Great hike.  3.5 miles from trail head.  431 elevation gain. Easy to hike, bike or xc ski.  Absolutely stunning especially with lilies.

Downtown Crested Butte

If you're spending some time in Downtown Crested Butte, Sea Level Spa and Trail 403 are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Crested Butte
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Columbine Lake

5/5(1 area review)

While Columbine Lake might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Purgatory Resort and Lake of the Pines.

Columbine Lake
Grand Lodge Crested Butte

Grand Lodge Crested Butte

3 out of 5
6 Emmons Rd, Mount Crested Butte, Crested Butte, CO
The price is ¥16,952 per night from Oct 5 to Oct 6
¥16,952
¥26,165 total
Oct 5 - Oct 6
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star ski lodge in Crested Butte. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free area shuttle. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,178 reviews)
"Staff was nice and courteous. Room was disappointing ! Exhaust fan in bath is as noisy as a generator running non stop! Cannot turn it off as part of building operation! No refrigerator or microwave in room. King bed gets you just that! A king bed placed in a regular room. They want you to reserve ..."

Reviewed on Sep 23, 2025

Grand Lodge Crested Butte
Comfort Inn & Suites Durango

Comfort Inn & Suites Durango

2.5 out of 5
455 S Camino Del Rio, Durango, CO
The price is ¥15,121 per night from Oct 26 to Oct 27
¥15,121
¥17,185 total
Oct 26 - Oct 27
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Durango. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,084 reviews)
"Good convenient."

Reviewed on Sep 25, 2025

Comfort Inn & Suites Durango
Elevation Hotel & Spa

Elevation Hotel & Spa

4 out of 5
500 Gothic Rd, Mount Crested Butte, Crested Butte, CO
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥16,804 per night from Oct 13 to Oct 14
¥16,804
¥25,928 total
Oct 13 - Oct 14
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Crested Butte. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,018 reviews)
"A big hotel with a complex of shops and restaurant built in. There is a ski lift out back behind the outdoor lounge, that accommodates mountain biking during the ski off-season."

Reviewed on Sep 23, 2025

Elevation Hotel & Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
BV Overlook Camp & Lodging

BV Overlook Camp & Lodging

2 out of 5
27700 Co Rd 303, Buena Vista, CO
Stay at this campground in Buena Vista. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fireplace in the lobby. Popular attractions Arkansas River and Buena Vista River ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (54 reviews)
"We loved the tiny home option! Will definitely do again!"

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2025

BV Overlook Camp & Lodging
Texan Resort

Texan Resort

3.5 out of 5
860 County Road 142 Box 156, Lake City, CO
Stay at this 3.5-star cabin in Lake City. Enjoy free WiFi, a picnic area, and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Lake City Ski Hill and Super Naturals Food ...
6.8/10 (247 reviews)
"Older place but fitting for the area and all the side by sides and jeeps going out on the Alpine Loop. Had a lot of fun in town and the surrounding areas are breath taking."

Reviewed on Sep 21, 2025

Texan Resort
Alexander lake lodge

Alexander lake lodge

2.5 out of 5
21221 Baron Lake Dr, Cedaredge, CO
Stay at this cabin in Cedaredge. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Popular attractions Star Lake and Cobbett Lake are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (239 reviews)
"Great food, great people!! Walk to the lakes and hiking. Solid little cabin!! Thank you"

Reviewed on Sep 18, 2025

Alexander lake lodge
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Cities near Southwest Colorado