Explore

Bishop Castle

Beautifully detailed castle built by hand, right in San Isabel's forests. You might even see the builder roaming the grounds!

Crestone Needle Trail

37.97646 N, 105.50552 W If you're feeling extra motivated, this is a wild 14er. It's recommended only for those who have experience at this elevation/with hard scrambles! This is a very challenging, long climb with lots of exposure.

DeWeese Reservoir

Perfect for camping, fishing (rainbow trout, brown trout, and kokanee salmon), and wildlife viewing.

Hermit Pass

8.7 mile point-to-point OHV trail for fishing and off-road driving!

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

We cannot recommend GSDNP enough! Whether you climb to High Dune, skimboard down the dunes, or play in the stream at its base (if there's enough snow on the mountains), you can easily spend a day at this magical national park.

Lake Isabel

Beautiful spot for a picnic, paddle boarding, kayaking, hammocking, or just a walk around the lake.

Mission: Wolf

Solar-powered, experiential nature center that provides a sanctuary for unwanted captive-born wolves and horses. Keep in mind the dirt/4WD-friendly roads!

Music Pass Trailhead

Beautiful 2.6 mile out-and-back hiking and mountain biking trail!

Natural Water Slide

One of our favorite spots! 1.6 mile out-and-back hike that takes you to natural water slides and waterfalls.

Paradise Cove Swimming Hole Trail

Beautiful hidden swimming hole in the mountains! Perfect for those who want to cliff dive, hammock, or swim in fresh (cold) mountain water.

Peregrine Coffee Roasters

Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

STUNNING. White water raft, zip line, hike, take a giant swing across the gorge, walk across the world's highest suspension bridge, or go for a scenic train ride through the Royal Gorge!

Smokey Jack Observatory

Westcliffe is a Dark Sky Community, meaning there is little light pollution at night. Star gaze at Bluff Park or within the mountains!

South Colony Lakes Trailhead

37.97646, -105.50564 Challenging 6.8 mile alpine lake hike in the Sangre de Cristos; 1 hour away from Westcliffe.

Zapata Falls

A must-see, stunning, short waterfall hike near Great Sand Dunes NP. We recommend taking a vehicle that has decent ground clearance, the road to the trailhead is super rocky. That said, we've seen Prius drivers rip it up this road.