Westcliffe

From this picturesque town in Custer County, sandwiched by the Wet and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges, you can spot five 14,000-foot peaks, known as the Crestone Group.

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In the foreground of the photo is a black road with white lanes and yellow lanes stretching to the middle of the photo, where the road drops off. Beside the road on either side are fields of green grass. In the background of the photo is the large, deep-blue and snowcapped Sangre de Cristo Mountains of the Frontier Pathways scenic byway in Westcliffe, Colorado, looming majestically over the town under dusty-blue skies. — The Frontier Pathways scenic byway

A standup paddleboarder dressed in summer clothing stands on a paddleboard on Lake Isabel in Westcliffe, Colorado. The waters gently ripple under the water craft and in the background are hills upon hills of pine trees and grass. — Lake Isabel water recreation

A panoramic photo of the snowcapped Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Westcliffe, Colorado, at night. The sky above the mountains is dark gray and black with what looks like thousands of little glowing stars speckling the sky. Slightly to the left of center of the photo is a vertical cluster of multi-colored stars making up the beautiful Milky Way Galaxy. — Stargazing the Milky Way in Westcliffe

One barn-like building painted bright white on its side with a red roof stands in the middle of an empty grass pasture. Beside it is a smaller structure, also painted white and red. These are the cabins of Beckwith Ranch in Westcliffe, Colorado. Behind the ranch is more pasture and a stunning backdrop of snowcapped Sangre de Cristo Mountains underneath cloud-dotted blue skies. — Beckwith Ranch on Hwy. 69

A photo of the sweeping and purple Wet Mountain Valley in Westcliffe, Colorado. There are low, gray clouds looming around the peaks of the mountains. The mountains lead way to green and yellow grass pastures speckled with black cows. — Wet Mountain Valley view

A storefront in Westcliffe, Colorado, called the Stage Shop on Main Street. The shop front is covered in patio chairs and benches. — The corner of Main Street and Hwy. 69

A person with a backpack and hat on stands on a dirt trail with their leashed dog looking out at a grove of pine trees on the Rainbow Trail in Westcliffe, Colorado. — Hiking the Rainbow Trail

The Smokey Jack Observatory, a small roofed structure with wood-paneled walls, stands on a patch of dirt in Westcliffe, Colorado. The sky above the observatory is deep blue after a recent sunset. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are snowcapped and majestic in the background of the photo. — Smokey Jack Observatory in Westcliffe

A striking panoramic photo of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, snowcapped and dark blue. Above the mountains are orange, pink and yellow whispy clouds, looking like licks of fire above the mountains during sunset in Westcliffe, Colorado. — Sunset over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains

The quiet area, home to 200 miles of hiking and biking trails and 54 alpine lakes, has an air of the undiscovered, and you’re likely to spot real wranglers herding cattle on horseback.

Since the mountain ranges shield Westcliffe and nearby Silver Cliff from light pollution in the region, the communities are the first in Colorado to be recognized by DarkSky International for their exemplary stargazing opportunities. Join other Milky Way-spotting enthusiasts at Smokey Jack Observatory in Westcliffe, which hosts star parties through the summer months.

Campgrounds in the San Isabel National Forest are easily accessible just west of town and are starting points for numerous outdoor adventures. Cross-country skiers, hikers, anglers, climbers, bird-watchers, boaters and hunters will find something to inspire them. The Crestone Needle about 17 miles from Westcliffe attracts avid rock climbers, while the 30-mile Rainbow Trail follows the Sangre de Cristos and is a favorite with hikers and mountain bikers.

Take a peek at All Aboard Westcliffe, a museum devoted to the area's railroad history, and stop for a performance or movie at the Historic Jones Theater. An out-of-the-ordinary site is Bishop Castle, about 28 miles southeast of Westcliffe. Resident Jim Bishop has been building this free and visitor-ready medieval masterpiece by hand since 1969. Learn more about quirky roadside attractions in Colorado

In town, more than 10 restaurants and a number of lodging facilities ranging from B&Bs to rustic lodges are eager to please. Snag a table at the rustic Alpine Lodge to dine amid wraparound show-stopping views of the vast Wet Valley.

In south-central Colorado, Westcliffe is perfectly situated for all kinds of day trips to sites including the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, the Royal Gorge Region, Lake Pueblo State Park and Monarch Mountain ski area.

For more to see and do in the area, read a 1 Day in Pueblo itinerary

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