Quiet mountain town, brimming with art and natural backdrops
Driving sometimes looms as an obstacle to vacations, especially out-of-the-way ones, which is why southern Colorado’s ghost ski resort Cuchara shines bright as a Colorado getaway.
It offers an ideal vacation spot with limited foot traffic aided by affordable places to eat and sleep. The county that houses it — Huerfano County — has only two traffic lights, but an unlimited to-do list. (I’m a little wary about letting this secret out! :))
Head three hours south on I-25 for the weekend and experience world-class drives, hikes and family magic.
[Ready to live in the mountains?]
Cuchara — classic mountain town
Photo by Michael Fruehmann on Unsplash
Driving distance from Denver — Approximately three hours south on I-25.
Nestled between the lush pines of the San Isabel National Forest and the Cucharas River, Cuchara has a true rural mountain setting.
Nearby San Isabel National Forest spans nearly 3 million acres. Many visitors lace up their hiking boots to tackle one of the park’s 19 fourteeners or fish Clear Creek Reservoir.
My favorite part of the area is a summer drive on Independence Pass. Twin Lakes has some great campgrounds, just off the pass.
The area has countless hikes and lakes, and serves as a great basecamp for hikes up Trinchera Peak, which features abundant wildlife and scrambling! Yeah.
The tiny and laid back resort town of Le Veta borders Cuchara; its residents include artists and ranchers. Small music venues and galleries regularly host family friendly events. Hint: book a dinner reservation at Aly’s restaurant; Chef Aly Rome has an ever evolving menu and options for everyone.
You won’t be able to miss the the Spanish Peaks that reach 13,631 feet and hug the Highway of Legends (State Highway 12), which courses through La Veta and Cuchara. I almost don’t want to give this one away. Truly gives some quiet Colorado magic to those who make the trip.
Cuchara highlight — Great Sand Dunes National Park
Photo by Meriç Dağl on Unsplash
The great thing about getting out there is that you end up that much closer to similar, out-of-the-way places. Great Sane Dunes National Park, just about 90 minutes from Cuchara, proves the point.
I cannot recommend this day trip enough. If you go with your family, plan on renting gear to sled and sand board on the dunes. It’s a guaranteed, perfect afternoon!
At the end of the day, cool off in Medano Creek, nestled below sand dunes and high peaks.
Living in Denver doesn’t get much better than this and the exploration doesn’t end here!
[Best off-the-beaten path getaways for Denverites: Ouray]
Reach out for more insights on harnessing the great lifestyle Denver offers. Let’s talk!
[optin-monster-shortcode id=”nwz2l046s0eomxieraof”]