Colorado's Wildly Underrated Mountain Village Is An Uncrowded Gateway To Outdoor Thrills With A Cute Downtown

Tucked away from landmark Colorado mountain towns such as Telluride, famous for its front-row views to Colorado's iconic Rocky Mountains, lies the underrated outdoor playground of Cuchara. Located in the Spanish Peaks region, Cuchara was founded in the 1910s as a summer resort town. Today, this tiny unincorporated community has evolved into a welcoming mountain hamlet that surprises with a lively downtown and an old-Western style.

Whether you're looking to spend a few days here or are just passing through, Cuchara enchants with its charming character that packs an unexpected punch. You'll bask in the serenity of its natural spaces and wildlife areas and revel in the uncrowded, picturesque downtown. Situated along the Cucharas River, natural rhythms are the beating heart of this undiscovered gem.

Furthermore, the area has spiritual significance — the native people to this region believed the mountains, such as West Spanish Peak, to be sacred givers of all life on Earth. The peaks also served as markers for traveling pioneers and indigenous people. If you'd like to learn more about the region's fascinating anthropological, geological, and pioneer history, you can start your adventure at the Cuchara Center for History, Nature, and Information and then head out to enjoy the outdoors.

While Cuchara hasn't gained the attention that other Colorado towns have, its privileged location between the San Isabel National Forest and the Cucharas River makes it the perfect spot for outdoors-people of all types to flourish — including hikers, campers, fishers, and skiers. Anglers can head to North Lake State Wildlife Area, while hikers will find their stride in Cuchara Mountain Park. You can take advantage of the trail system in this year-round recreation area for summertime hiking and wintertime snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. An exciting recent development in the park is that after 20 years, the ski area has finally been opened again in 2025. You can get lift tickets for $40, a steal in a state where lift tickets in more famous ski areas can cost $300. 

After a day of outdoor adventures, reward yourself with a burger and local brew on the sunshine-soaked outdoor deck of Cuchara's only restaurant, the Western-saloon-themed Dog Bar & Grill (yes, it is dog friendly). It's open seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day. If you visit on a summer weekend, you'll catch some live music as well.

Nestled near the southern border of the state, you can reach Cuchara by driving down I-25 from either the Colorado Springs Airport (a two-hour drive), or the Denver International Airport (a little over three hours). This town also makes a fantastic addition to your incredible Colorado road trip itinerary to explore its four national parks, thanks to the Highway of Legends Scenic Byway that snakes down Colorado Highway 12 to Cuchara. This two-lane road passes through the impressive 9,995-feet-above-sea-level Cuchara Pass, national historic sites such as Cokedale, and has views of the stunning West Spanish Peaks and wondrous Cuchara Valley for much of the way.

Once in Cuchara, you can take your pick from a small handful of charming lodging options. Enjoy a rustic and cozy stay in the Cuchara Inn, or relax by the river at the Cuchara River Bed & Breakfast. There are also many cabin rentals and Airbnbs you can choose from. Keep in mind that most of the action in Cuchara takes place from May to October, similar to many other Colorado mountains towns such as nearby La Veta, another artsy community in the foothills of the Spanish Peaks. For the best trip possible, make sure to pack layers, sunscreen, and reliable hiking shoes.