O'Phalen Adventures

Tag: Colorado

Best Mountain Towns in Colorado
Because we’re a fulltime travel family, we were able to spend four months living and traveling in Colorado this summer. We toured a good chunk of the state to bring you our picks for the best mountain towns in Colorado!
Some things to know about how we made our picks:
- We were here in summertime. I do think seasonality might play a part in which towns end up being people’s favorites.
- We love to hike. That means that amazing outdoor opportunities definitely influenced which areas we loved.
- We have small kids. We’re not able to spend a ton of time appreciating nightlife or fine dining.
- We don’t ski. Well, at least not on this trip!
- We’re not made of money. Places like Aspen are pretty, but my goodness are they bougie.
With all of that said, here are our favorite picks for the best mountain towns in Colorado:
#5 Best Mountain Towns in Colorado: Durango
Why we loved it: Durango was warm and welcoming, especially during the farmer’s market when we visited. This town is big enough to have amenities like an amazing children’s museum, but still maintains that small town vibe. There are a lot of fun events (like a river rafting festival!), but it’s far enough away from a big city that it doesn’t get packed. We enjoyed this sweet Colorado mountain town!
Our top picks for what to do: Ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, eat on the river at Animas River Beer Garden, take kiddos to The Powerhouse museum, enjoy the Durango Farmer’s Market, and don’t miss a trip to Mesa Verde National Park.
Where to stay: General Palmer Hotel (Hotel), Fairfield Inn (Hotel), Alpen Rose RV Park (RV Park)
#4 Best Mountain Towns in Colorado: Leadville
Why we loved it: Leadville is the highest incorporated town in the United States at 10,119 feet. It’s the smallest town on our list, but its one main historic street is packed full of adorable coffee shops and has artistic flair. It’s also super close to breathtaking Twin Lakes and a gorgeous mountain drive over to Aspen if you’re wanting to visit the iconic Maroon Bells.
Our top picks for what to do: Catch a show or take a tour of the Tabor Opera House, hike a famous Colorado 14er, kayak or paddle board nearby Twin Lakes, make some pottery at Fire On the Mountain.
Where to stay: The Timberline (Hotel), Free Camping in Twin Lakes (Camping)
#3 Best Mountain Towns in Colorado: Frisco
Why we loved it: Frisco is exactly the right combination of adorable mountain town and friendly approachableness that bougier places like Breckenridge lack. It’s cheerful and bright, and it’s ideally located right in the middle of all of the amazing outdoor adventures you could want.
Our top picks for what to do: Paddle the Dillon Reservoir, hike to an alpine lake, have fun at Frisco Adventure Park, try a local roast at Rocky Mountain Coffee Roasters.
Where to stay: Frisco Inn (Hotel), Heaton Bay Campground (RV Park)
#2 Best Mountain Towns in Colorado: Crested Butte
Why we loved it: Crested Butte is a wildflower lover’s paradise. The whole town is surrounded by wildflower meadows so that you truly can’t miss them. It’s also a town that’s charming without being pretentious. Cute restaurants and bookstores are still relatively affordable!
Our top picks for what to do: Enjoy the wildflower festival events, eat at Butte Bagels, take a hike at Lupine Trail 2, drive Washington Gulch Road (with 4×4!)
Where to stay: Nordic Inn (Hotel), Blue Mesa Adventure Pods (Glamping), Campfire Ranch on the Taylor (RV Park)
#1 Best Mountain Towns in Colorado: Ouray
Why we loved it: Ouray is both an adorable town that’s eclipsed by it’s unbelievable mountain setting. Truly, there isn’t a bad view within 30 minutes of this town! The San Juan mountains offer amazing outdoorsy adventures, while in town has shopping and dining that’s sweet and not too crowded. We all agreed that two weeks wasn’t enough here!
Our top picks for what to do: Swim in the hot springs, drive Million Dollar Highway, try the Via Ferrata, take an ATV adventure
Where to stay: Hot Springs Inn (Hotel), The Beaumont (Adults-only Hotel), Riverbend RV Park (RV Park), Ouray Riverside Resort (RV Park)
I hope our picks for best mountain towns in Colorado helps you plan your Colorado adventure! For everything we’ve written about our time in Colorado, head here. If we’ve left your favorite Colorado mountain town off the list, let me know in the comments!
Disclaimer: Product links in this blog post may be Affiliate links, and I will earn a small commission for each purchase made through these links at no extra cost to you. Affiliate income helps fund our family travel and allows me to keep creating inspiring family travel content for you. I so appreciate when you use my links to make purchases you would have made anyway.
For more posts about how our family travels, check out these posts:
Follow our adventures on Instagram:

Get an email when we post and never miss an adventure:

* indicates required

Email Address *
First Name
Last Name
August 21, 2024
Twin Lakes Colorado Camping: Colorado’s Most Beautiful Views?
If you’re looking for Twin Lakes Colorado Camping ideas, you’ve come to the right spot! Honestly, everyone should camp here at least once, in my opinion. As a fulltime RV family for over four years now, we’ve camped in a lot of places. And Twin Lakes is in the top five for prettiest views!
Getting the best views in Twin Lakes requires some boondocking skill because the hookups are few and far between here, so you might want to check out our e-book before coming:

Boondocking 101 Guide

$7.00

This 10-page guide will assist RVers in learning the basics of boondocking, or camping off-grid! We share everything we’ve learned as a family living off-grid and boondocking in our RV.

Boondocking 101 Guide quantity

Category: Ebooks, RV Life

Tags: Boondocking, How To, RV
Even if you’re tent camping or only passing through for a night, there are some amazing options. Let’s get into it!
Twin Lakes Colorado Camping: Boondocking Spots
In my opinion, Twin Lakes is absolutely the place to boondock. The views are AMAZING, and there are lots of options. That said, big rigs will need to use caution. We found a spot for our fifth wheel on a summer Friday afternoon, but you’ll want to scout first to be sure you’ll fit. The parking lot by the reservoir is a great place to park a big rig and scout.
We found a spot here, but there are rigs all around up here in spots like this, this, and this. If you want to read others’ reviews, check out these areas in the boondocking apps we use!
The road up here (24) is steep and a little bit windy (especially on the Leadville side!), but paved and totally doable with a trailer. We’re parked just 100 feet off the pavement. Just be sure you can turn around before you pull in anywhere! The only dump and fresh water is at the Leadville Sanitation Center, and it’s exhorbitant. But that’s the price you pay for these views!
Twin Lakes Colorado Camping: Dry Campground Options
There are multiple forest service campgrounds with spots for both RVs and tents, but no hookups:
Lakeview Campground
Lakeview Campground is tucked right near all of the boondocking sites, so the views are similar. It’s also directly next to the trailhead for Mount Elbert, if you’re planning to hike it! Several sites will fit big rigs, so this could be a good option if you can’t find a large enough boondocking spot. There are also vault toilets available, but no running water in 2024. Reserve in advance.
Dexter Point Campground
Dexter Point Campground is literally just a big, open parking lot right on the lake. We walked through on a holiday weekend, and only one trailer was there. So this is a great pick for anyone who needs a last-minute spot. Or for an overnight stop with a big rig you want easy access to. No services except toilets. First come, first serve.
White Star Campground
White Star Campground is closer to the tiny town of Twin Lakes, and it’s tucked into beautiful trees. The campground is right by the lake and boat launches. This spot will fit big rigs, but it does seem to book up way in advance. It normally has a dump station, but it’s closed in 2024. Definitely reserve in advance.
For other Twin Lakes Colorado camping options, check out the other forest service campgrounds in the area.
Twin Lakes Colorado Camping: RV Parks With Hookups
There aren’t any Twin Lakes Colorado Camping options with hookups, so if you require full hookups, you’ll have to camp a bit closer to town. But Leadville is cute, too!
Sugar Loafin’ Campground
Sugar Loafin’ Campground is about 20 minutes away in Leadville, Colorado. We haven’t stayed there, but it looks like it gets the best reviews in town. Book here.
I hope that this post has helped you plan your Twin Lakes Colorado camping trip! If you’re planning a trip to Twin Lakes, don’t come without a way to get on the water! We love this inflatable kayak for its affordability, durability, and ease of storage. And don’t forget the hiking gear! Twin Lakes in summer is outdoorsy paradise.
Disclaimer: Product links in this blog post may be Affiliate links, and I will earn a small commission for each purchase made through these links at no extra cost to you. Affiliate income helps fund our family travel and allows me to keep creating inspiring family travel content for you. I so appreciate when you use my links to make purchases you would have made anyway.
For more about our fulltime RV life, check out these posts:
Follow our adventures on Instagram:

Get an email when we post and never miss an adventure:

* indicates required

Email Address *
First Name
Last Name
July 9, 2024