COME TO LIFE Ghost Towns For an eerie alternative to a museum exhibit, peer into a Wild West ghost town. Teller City , near Walden, is a solid place to start. Step back in time 150 years when the silver-mining town was home to more than 1,500 people, 27 saloons and a hotel. Now, you can hike in to spot remaining cabin structures and imagine the lives of those who called it home. Hear the wind whistle through Animas Forks near Silverton as you walk down the deserted Main Street, stepping into cabins, a remaining mill and the old jail. Or steer your bike to Saint Elmo near Buena Vista to see the town’s 43 remaining buildings, including an abandoned courthouse and a general store that still operates seasonally. Animas Forks near Silverton Hiking While thousands of gorgeous hikes can be found in Colorado’s foothills and high peaks, these options really sing when the leaves change around mid-September. Golden Gate Canyon State Park’s Raccoon Trail , near Rollinsville, opens to panoramic summit views framed by golden aspens and quiet stretches of forest. In Cedaredge, the Crag Crest Trail follows a narrow ridge on the Grand Mesa, where high-elevation lakes and vibrant fall foliage spread out in every direction. For a simple outing, head to Rainbow Lake Trail in Frisco, where a mellow path leads through colorful trees to a still pond backed by Tenmile Range peaks. Cedaredge 46 1-800-COLORADO DANIEL FORSTER; JOSEPH THOMAS
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2026: Page 46
