While big names like Vail and Breckenridge get most of the recognition and traffic, there is much else to see in Colorado's Rocky Mountains.
If you're looking for something off-beat this summer, try one of these lesser-visited towns.
Palisade
Located on the Western Slope of the Rockies, about halfway between Denver and Salt Lake City, the small town of Palisade offers an unusual combination: a rich agricultural region surrounded by high-desert terrain.
Famous throughout the State for its peaches and wine, orchards and vineyards dominate the landscape. Nearby, one can explore the rocky trails of the Colorado National Monument, the slopes of Powderhorn Ski Resort, or the high-alpine lakes of the Grand Mesa.
Grand Lake
The western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is just two miles north of Grand Lake, making it a great two-birds-with-one-stone stop - visit the Park, sure, but explore a new destination at the same time.
The lake itself, also called Grand Lake, is the largest natural body of water in Colorado, perfect for sailing, fishing, and a host of other water activities - something you don't get too often in land-locked Colorado. Check out the lake-side boardwalk during the summer, and in the winter, its many snowmobile and cross-country ski trails.
Creede
Home of the last silver boom of the 19th century, Creede is as Colorado as it gets. Despite its proximity to Wolf Creek Ski Resort, the old mining town is essentially dead during the winter.
If you like getting a look at local mountain life, and if you like having the winter trails all to yourself, you should make the 5-hour journey from Denver someday. Fishing on the Rio Grande and camping in the San Juan Mountains are the highlights of summer. No matter the season, you can stay with a local family at Windsock Acres to get an authentic feel of the place.
Salida
People who pass through Salida are usually bound for the ski slopes at Monarch Mountain. But there's much more to see and do in and around Salida.
The town itself is more interesting than most expect, with a large, diverse selection of restaurants, bars, and breweries. The Arkansas River has its headwaters nearby, making it a prime location for river rafting adventures.
Crested Butte
Crested Butte, riddled with aspen trees, is fantastic in the fall, and a great out-of-the-way ski destination in winter. Summertime is all about mountain biking, with world-class trails of all difficulty levels - Crested Butte was once the location of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.
June and July are also peak-season for wildflower blooms, which could be worth the trip in itself. Far from everything, Crested Butte is a true destination, and its main drag, Elk Ave, is full of historic mining-era buildings and charming multi-colored storefronts.
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