South of Boulder, this tiny town sits below Eldorado Canyon and offers some of the finest rock climbing in the country - over 500 routes in all, with names like Freight Train, Nightmare Block and Cloud Nine. Its natural spring and once-chic spa have seen many a swimmer, but the retro pool is still open and the water feels as healthy as ever.
Once considered the Coney Island of the West, modern Eldorado Springs is far from commercialized and this suits its residents just fine. The Eldorado Cafe is a good spot for food and drinks. In fact, it is the only one.
Stunning Eldorado Canyon State Park, past the Artesian Springs, is the area's climbing mecca, but it's also a perfect spot to hike, fish, watch climbers or picnic along South Boulder Creek. The park is comprised of two noncontiguous patches of land linked by a five-and-a-half-mile hiking trail. There are 12 total miles of hiking trails to explore, but mountain biking is limited to the Walker Ranch Loop. Climbers aren't the only wildlife here - mule deer, mountain lions, foxes, black bears, golden eagles and seven species of bats abide in this protected haven.