12 Most Beautiful Small Towns In The Colorado Plateau You Should Visit
Red rock formations, staggeringly deep canyons, and arid grasslands make up the intensely beautiful region of the Colorado Plateau. Centered on the four corners of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado and bordered by the Rocky Mountains in the north and east, the Great Basin in the west, and the Sonoran Desert in the south, this tableland region creates a unique and awe-inspiring landscape that draws visitors from around the world. Although named for the waterbody that drains 90% of this region–the Colorado River–this expanse is notable in its water constraints and arid climate. The Grand Canyon and Mesa Verde are just two examples of the natural and cultural wonders that can be experienced on the Colorado Plateau, and many of these wonders are best accessed through the beautiful small towns in the region.
Moab, Utah
An outdoor adventurist's paradise, Moab, Utah, will have you in awe from every angle, whether you're hiking through the desert, rappelling into a slot canyon, or whitewater rafting the Colorado River. But you don't need to be a daredevil to enjoy the natural features Moab has to offer. A simple walk in one of the easily accessible nearby parks like Canyonlands, Arches National Park, or Dead Horse Point State Park will provide stunning views of red rock arches and hoodoos and vast overlooks of canyons in all directions. And the beauty doesn't fade as the evening comes but transforms into a vibrant desert sunset scene, with dark, starry skies to follow at night. Stay in a glamping yurt at Under Canvas to stay as close to nature as possible while enjoying the creature comforts of a luxury stay.
Williams, Arizona
A visit to the Grand Canyon is a wish on many people's bucket lists, and Williams, Arizona, is the best way to access this world wonder. Just 56 miles south of the canyon's South Rim, this town provides a great base camp to launch your canyon adventures. Take a hike along the canyon rim to marvel at the mile-deep chasm formed by billions of years of erosion by the Colorado River, revealing layer upon layer of colorful rock. The town is also charming, with its Wild West aesthetic, functioning heritage railroad 'The Grand Canyon Railway,' and retro automotive museum and vintage car rentals, offering a slice of history not quite as old as the million-year-old rock formations surrounding the town.
Sedona, Arizona
Famous for its glowing orange and red sandstone formations and purple sunsets, it's no wonder Sedona, Arizona, has been heavily featured in Hollywood movie backdrops for decades. Artists and photographers go wild for the utterly artistic landscapes, and many phenomenal works of art have been inspired by these natural muses, which you can visit in Sedona's many art galleries. Cathedral Rock, a natural sandstone butte, is one of the most photographed spots in Arizona, but there are countless other spots just as beautiful to spur your creative fancy. But it's not just visual beauty Sedona is famous for. Many believe that this is a powerful site for supernatural energy hotspots. You can hike to four "vortexes", where the energy is said to converge, and see for yourself if you can feel the magic!
Kanab, Utah
Yet another beautiful and surreal landscape recognized as TV-worthy, Kanab, Utah, has been the site of over 100 movies and TV shows, including many classic westerns, giving it the moniker "little Hollywood." Only a couple hours' drive from the Grand Canyon and multiple world-famous national parks like Zion and Bryce Canyon, Kanab is the ideal jumping-off point for trips to these epic locations. As wonderful as the national parks are, don't forget to give the local hidden gems and state parks some love. Nearby Buckskin Gulch is one of the world's deepest and longest slot canyons, and the pink sand at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is something you won't see anywhere else.
Gallup, New Mexico
Like much of the Colorado Plateau region, Gallup, New Mexico, boasts epic red sandstone cliffs and beautiful wildflowers, but it's the human-created beauty that really makes this small town stand out. Over 70% of Native American art in the world comes from this area, produced by at least five tribes. From beautiful silver and turquoise jewelry emblematic of the region to experimental art with a modern twist from young Native American artists, Gallup is blossoming with creativity passed down through generations. In fact, Anasazi archaeological sites date back to 300 A.D., and artifacts such as art, jewelry, rugs, and pottery can be viewed at Red Rock Park Museum.
Telluride, Colorado
The epitome of the American West, Telluride, Colorado, has preserved its historic boom-town architecture so well that it feels frozen in the 1800s. Many iconic Victorian buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and you can even stay in an old miner's hotel. Tucked away between steep mountains on all sides, it's easy to forget about the modern, outside world and enjoy a time out of time. Not to mention, the mountains make for excellent hiking in the summer, world-class skiing in the winter, and a cascade of changing colors surrounding the town in the fall.
Taos, New Mexico
Tucked in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of north-central New Mexico, Taos is a town brimming with historical and current cultural significance. The indigenous Taos people and their ancient traditions continue to thrive and have preserved the spectacular Taos Pueblo site for 1000 years, maintaining its indigenous cultural integrity as well as adopting new customs from the Spanish and Anglo-American cultures post-contact. The artistry of these thousand-year-old multistoried adobe buildings has inspired countless photographers, artists, and architects throughout the years and explains why artists settled here to form the Taos art colony, whose studios are preserved as part of the National Register of Historic Places.
Mancos, Colorado
Another site where ancient Pueblo structures have been preserved is the spectacular Mesa Verde. From the town of Mancos, Colorado, the park is a quick 10-minute drive away, where you can see the "Cliff Palace", a jaw-dropping group of cliff-dwellings built by the Ancestral Pueblo people around 700 AD in an area inhabited by other indigenous groups since 7500 BC. Located in Mesa Verde National Park, the largest archaeological preserve in the United States, there are over 5,000 sites and 600 cliff dwellings, a scale which must be seen to be believed. In the town of Mancos itself, architects of a different sort sculpt world-famous bronze sculptures, among other artisan goods like beer, rum, and leather.
Durango, Colorado
Only 30 minutes East of Mancos is another must-visit Colorado destination. The small town of Durango is the ultimate mountain town, set in the verdant San Juan National Forest and boasting many hike-worthy trails and peaks. Try your boots on a portion of the Colorado Trail that runs 567 miles from Denver to Durango and offers phenomenal mountain vistas. Or sit back and relax on the old-fashioned Durango Train on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (a National Historic Landmark) that will carry you by scenic peaks, canyons, and waterways while being regaled of the authentic railroading history of the 1800s, when the train transported precious metals during the mining boom, rather than passengers.
Bluff, Utah
The tiny, unassuming town of Bluff, Utah, is home to some impressive and grandiose sights and history. Located on the southern rim of Bears Ears National Monument, you can see first-hand the historical evidence of those who went before by the petroglyphs, pottery, cliff dwellings, and other archaeological artifacts. In fact, over 100,000 documented cultural sites have been found within the monument, dating from 700 years old to as far back as 12,000 BCE. To this day, the site continues to be a sacred space for Native Americans who conduct ceremonies, forage, and collect herbs and medicine on their ancestral lands.
Lupton, Arizona
Known as the "painted cliffs" at the border of Arizona and New Mexico, the town of Lupton has become a staple stopover along the famous Route 66, one of the original highways in the United States and a primary route for those who migrated West. Though only about 25 people live in the town today, many tourists pass through on their southwest adventures. Kitschy shops selling souvenirs cater to tourists and are some of the only shops in town, other than the "State Line Convenience Store." Many of the other buildings have been taken down after the town was all but abandoned after the post-WWII boom times. The main attraction is the cliffs themselves, with red, white, and pink striations forming a stunning backdrop for the teeny town, no longer booming.
Jemez Springs, New Mexico
Those looking for a relaxing and spiritual vacation will want to stop in Jemez Springs, New Mexico. Just an hour north of Albuquerque, this town is built around the hot springs that occur here. Located in the Santa Fe National Forest, the springs are the perfect place to unwind and disconnect from the outside world. People have been indulging in the healing mineral waters as far back as 2,500 BC, based on archaeological findings in the area. Join the ranks of these historical spring-goers by heading to McCauley, Spence, or San Antonio hot springs for a true natural spring experience without man-made accouterments. Aside from the springs, the area is full of rich history. Walk the interpretive trail at the Jemez National Historic Landmark, winding through hauntingly beautiful stone remnants of a 700-year-old village from the 1600s.
Takeaway
There is no doubt that the natural beauty of the Colorado Plateau is beyond compare and has provided immeasurable inspiration for creatives throughout time. The breathtaking Pueblo cliff-dwellings and handmade artisan wares perfectly complement the painted rocks and mind-blowing canyons, creating a hotbed of natural and cultural splendor. A visit to one of these small towns will fill your cup and bring a large helping of awe into your life, so don't wait to visit the Colorado Plateau!
