10 Best Hidden Gems in Colorado

You can find Zapata Falls in Mosca, Colorado – a town unknown to most. Maybe you’ve heard of Alamosa, the largest nearby town, 30 miles south. However, if you travel to this San Luis Valley waterfall, the journey will be worth it. It’s a short hike along the South Zapata Creek – take note of the unique cabin ruins along the trail – to reach the alcove and experience the cold water of the Zapata Falls.

There’s more to do in the area, as well. From the parking lot, you’ll find other hiking and biking trails to fill your day. Come by in the winter to see the waterfall frozen, as if stuck in time.

Colorado’s San Luis Valley is the site of multiple alleged UFO sightings and paranormal instances. With this in mind, Judy Messoline, a true believer and resident of Hooper, Colorado, erected the UFO Watchtower north of Alamosa.

Whether you’re there to spot a visitor from outer space or just want to take in the beauty of the San Luis Valley, the elevated platform offers an unobstructed 360-degree view. If you’re feeling bold, bring an offering to the Martians and leave it at the base in an area referred to as ‘The Garden’ – a spot where multiple psychics have noted a vortex to the beyond may be open.

The Native Ute people once inhabited much of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Eastern Nevada, Northern New Mexico, and Arizona. The Ute Indian Museum explores the tribe’s connection with the land and geography of the southwestern United States.

This carefully curated museum is located on the original homestead site of Ute leader Chief Ouray. After spending time with the artifacts inside, it’s worth wandering around the outside of the museum to see the Chief Ouray memorial site, the native plant garden, and shaded walking paths.

Strawberry Park Hot Springs is a mountain paradise, tucked in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. The open-air hot spring pools are open to the public year-round. The owners have kept the hot springs (temperature around 102-degrees Fahrenheit) as natural as possible, so it really feels like you’re nestled into a mountainous rock formation.

Lodgers staying on site have access to the hot springs until midnight. Note that after sunset, only adults are allowed in the pool area and clothing is optional. The lodging options are unique with tent sites, cabins, and covered wagons to rent.

Extreme adventurers won’t want to miss a visit to the Ouray Ice Park, a man-made ice climbing area in the Uncompahgre Gorge. There are around 200 ice and mixed routes climbers can access, in a range of difficulties. The park itself does not offer instruction or gear, but a number of shops in the town of Ouray do. Be sure to read up on the rules of the park and ice-climbing etiquette before starting your adventure.

Not interested in ice climbing? It’s still worth a visit to see the remarkable sheets of ice and admire the athleticism required to scale the gorge.

The Media Archaeology Lab is more than a tech museum – it’s a tech playground. As the website states, consider it “the computer lab of your dreams.” Museum visitors are encouraged to use all the outdated tech on site, which includes Atari game consoles, portable typewriters, slide projectors, various Macintosh desktops, and so much more.

The Lab is located on The University of Colorado Boulder campus. The large campus is worth taking in after your visit to the Media Archaeology Lab. Consider grabbing some lunch followed by a stroll along Boulder Creek.

Originally called Turnerville after founder George Turner built the beginnings of the town for his daughter in 1915, Tiny Town has been entertaining families for more than 100 years. The attraction features more than 100 buildings built to 1/6 scale – the perfect height for kiddos to peer into third-story windows and pretend to be giants. Here, kids can let their imaginations roam the Tiny Town streets.

The big draw for many visitors is the train, which is also petite, but big enough to ride. The train departs every 30 minutes and takes riders on a 10-minute tour of the grounds.

The Carousel of Happiness in Nederland, Colorado is a place that exudes joy – as the name describes. The restored carousel from 1910 is made up of more than 50 hand-carved animals ranging from alpacas and deer to lions and lynx. Kids (and adults) will want to ride multiple times to experience the many fun characters and discover their favorite.

Don’t leave the Carousel of Happiness without heading upstairs to the puppet theater. While the kids play make believe with the animal puppets, adults can watch the antique carousel gears turn from above.

At the Wheeler Geologic Area, you might feel like you’re on Mars and not in the La Garita Wilderness of southwest Colorado. Within this 60-acre section of the San Juan range are bizarre spire-formations of tan-, cream-, and pink-colored rock made from eroded volcanic ash – a hint at the area’s past volcanic history. The rock formations that stand today are truly something to behold.

It's worth noting that getting to the Wheeler Geologic Area isn’t necessarily easy, but it is worth the trip. Plan for a full day either hiking the 7 miles in or driving 14 miles on an intensely bumpy 4-wheel drive road. If driving, you’ll still need to hike a short distance once the road ends.

The hike to Ice Lake Basin in the San Juan National Forest is a rewarding way to spend a spring or summer day. The reward comes from the views: meadows ablaze with wildflowers, the Clear Creek waterfall glistening in the sunlight, staggering mountain peaks surrounding you, and of course, the azure lakes of Ice Lake Basin at the end of the trail. The lower basin has one shallow lake. In the upper basin you’ll find the three larger lakes: Ice Lake, Island Lake, and Fuller Lake.

From the trailhead, it’s a 7-mile roundtrip hike. The Ice Lake Basin trailhead begins across the street from the South Mineral Campground in Silverton.