Located in the gorgeous Spanish Peaks Wilderness in southern Colorado, this tiny town is a true hidden gem. It has stayed nearly the same over the last 50 years, which has only added to its charm. Here’s what to do in the best small town in Colorado, Cuchara!
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Where to Stay
As mentioned before, the town of Cuchara is very small, so anywhere you stay will be close. There is only 1 main street in the town, as well as a tiny ski area that’s 10 minutes away.
- Yellow Pine Guest Ranch – This fabulous ranch offers cozy cabin stays, gorgeous views of the Cuchara Valley and River, and also horseback riding.
- Cucharas River Bed and Breakfast – Listen to the river outside your window as you fall asleep at night here. This lovely property is located right on the main street of Cuchara.
- Camping: Lastly, there are several options in this area. Check out the Bear & Blue Lakes area, which is about 20 minutes away from Cuchara. There is also the Cordova Pass Campground, which offers access to great hiking.
What to Do
Go on a Horseback Ride
Even if you don’t stay at the Yellow Pine Ranch, you should definitely go on a horseback ride here. The tour takes you through the property’s pastures, streams and beautiful forest. You’ll also have views of the lush and green Cuchara Valley along your ride.
Enjoy a Hike
There are several beautiful hikes around this area, which are great in both the summer and fall. Here are a few of the best:
- West Spanish Peak Trail. You can access this hike from the Cordova Pass road, which also has camping at the trailhead, as listed above. The trail to the timberline of the peak is pretty mild and only takes about 1.5 hours. However, the remainder of the hike to the top of this 13,631 ft peak is quite challenging and only for experienced hikers!
- For a less difficult trail, try the hike between Bear and Blue Lakes, which is about 20 minutes from Cuchara. This especially lovely 1 mile hike starts at Blue Lake and ends at Bear Lake. It meanders through gorgeous forest and past several small alpine lakes.
- A third option is the 2.6 mile Spring Creek Trail. This hike is an easy out and back and has beautiful views of West Spanish Peak. Additionally, it’s a great hike for the fall, as there are many Aspen trees along the route.
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Eat at the Local Establishments
As said before, this town is tiny! There are only 2 restaurants on the main street, along with an ice cream/coffee spot and the Bears Den mini golf, which serves coffee and snow cones. Also, it should be noted that most of these places are only open during the summer months!
- First is the long standing local favorite Dog Bar and Grill. This spot, which is perfect for your furry friends, has been around for 40 years. Go for a drink and enjoy the live music on the weekends!
- The Cuchara Yacht Club is the other option here for food and drinks. Along with lovely river views on their back patio, they also have live music occasionally and patio games.
Visit the Nearby Town of La Veta
The charming and artsy town of La Veta is only 20 minutes from Cuchara. While not much bigger than Cuchara, there is definitely enough to do here to make it worth a stop. Stroll along the main street of the town to find several art galleries, a great brewery, and also fabulous ice cream at Charlie’s Market.
There’s also a golf course in town and the delicious Alys’ restaurant, which is a cozy home and offers a different dinner menu each night.
Drive along Scenic Highway 12
Lastly, be sure to drive along the scenic road of Highway 12. Also known as the Highway of Legends, this gorgeous route runs from Walsenburg to Trinidad, with Cuchara being right in the middle. The best stops along the byway include:
- Lathrop State Park
- John Farley Wildflower Overlook
- North Lake Wildlife Area
- Monument Lake
- Stonewall Shopping Bag Restaurant (try the desserts!)
- Trinidad Lake State Park
- Nana & Nano’s Pasta House in Trindad
We hope you enjoyed this guide on the best small town in Colorado, Cuchara. For additional Colorado information, check out our page here.
Jonathan, Caroline and Queso