6 Beautiful Rocky Mountain Towns

These spots ranked in Architectural Digest's 50 Most Beautiful Small Towns in America

April 15, 2019

Site Staff,

Mountain enthusiasts hardly have to be convinced that our high country cities and towns are unmatched in beauty, but sometimes it's nice to have the reassurance. Architectural Digest published The 50 Most Beautiful Small Towns in America, and seven Rocky Mountain spots made the cut. From Idaho to Colorado, let's celebrate the stunning small towns we know and love.

AD's Kristine Hansen takes us through some of the West's most stunning high country hideaways. Take a look!

Jackson, Wyoming

Photo courtesy of FTP Edelman and Wyoming Office of Tourism

"A cultural mecca for innovative food, the arts (spot a Warhol at the National Museum of Wildlife Art) and, of course, downhill skiing in this town a half hour south of Grand Teton National Park keeps throngs of visitors coming. Locals enamored with the great outdoors love it here, too."

Snowmass, Colorado

Photo by Tamara Susa. Courtesy of Snowmass Tourism.

"Skiers and mountain bikers love this tiny town but so do spa and dining enthusiasts, who can be kept busy for days thanks to resorts like the Westin Snowmass Resort and Viceroy Snowmass. Anderson Ranch Arts Center is an enclave for artists through its artist-in-residence program and hosted workshops, programs, and events."

Ketchum, Idaho

Photo courtesy of Idaho Tourism

"In the heart of Idaho’s Sun Valley, this town is an outdoors utopia, with snow sports, fishing, rock-climbing, and more. Four gorgeous alfresco hot springs are nearby and open for soaking."

Big Sky, Montana

Photo courtesy of Visit Montana

"This Southern Montana community in the Rocky Mountains is not called Big Sky for nothing: Stargazing is among the country’s best because of no light pollution and the absence of any metropolis. Skiing—both Nordic and downhill—is a huge draw."

Leadville, Colorado

Photo by Diana Lange

"At around 10,000 feet, the country’s highest-elevation incorporated city—a former mining town that during the late 19th century had Colorado's second largest population behind Denver—boasts all the goods for foodies and beverage snobs (including a brewery) and is a popular training spot for runners."

McCall, Idaho

Photo courtesy of Idaho Tourism

"Its outdoor activities year-round ranging from fly fishing to cross-country skiing, this resort town (home to quite a few wellness properties) on the southern shore of Payette Lake also hosts an annual Winter Carnival and, in 2018, launched its first sled-dog race."

Categories: High-Country Communities