From the beauty of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to rodeo arenas and art galleries, the two towns blend outdoor adventures with local culture. One day might take you up an alpine lake trail or out fishing for trout, while another slows down the pace with stargazing, meandering on Main Street or staying in scenic lodgings with valley views.
Stargazing Under Colorado’s Skies
Far from city lights, the night sky comes alive in this International Dark Sky Community. Stand beneath countless stars, and maybe you’ll even catch a meteor blazing by, in a sky that feels endless. At the Smokey Jack Observatory, free star parties open the retractable roof to the universe. With a computer-automated telescope and a knowledgeable guide, you’ll spend two hours viewing glowing galaxies and star clusters in brilliant color.
Set out on a journey through the solar system with the self-guided interactive Planet Walk. This free experience uses an audio guide app on your phone and interpretive signs as you learn facts about the planets. It begins at the Welcome Station, located in front of Cliff Lanes at 25 Main St., and leads you up Main Street. The first stretch is walkable, but to cover the remaining miles and reach the farthest stops, you’re encouraged to bike or drive out to Pluto and other dwarf planets waiting to be discovered.
Ranch Life & Rodeo Spirit
Step into ranch life at Willow Wind Farm, where a tour brings you closer to curious alpacas and other animals like fine-wool sheep. After meeting these gentle creatures, spend the night at the farm’s Airbnb, where wide windows frame sweeping views of the valley and mountains. You can also step into the boutique to find products made from the very fibers of the ranch animals.
Every third week in July, the Wet Mountain Valley Stampede Rodeo stirs up Western spirit as the crowd leans forward, watching bull riders hang on through every buck and twist. As the event rolls on, the stands erupt with cheers during horseback contests and barrel racing, followed by live music that carries the celebration into the evening.
Wet Mountain Valley Heritage & History
All Aboard Westcliffe invites you to explore Custer County’s railroading past in a restored 1901 Denver & Rio Grande Railroad depot and a single-stall engine house. Visitors can see refurbished rail cars, model railroads of the Wet Mountain Valley and displays filled with artifacts that tell the story of the community’s railroad days.
Once a working cattle operation, Beckwith Ranch now invites visitors to experience ranch life as it was generations ago. Its Victorian-style mansion — a white home with red roofs that stand against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains — feels like a glimpse into another era. Guided tours take you through restored buildings, from guest houses to barns, where stories bring the valley’s ranching heritage to life.
The Silver Cliff Museum showcases the town’s mining and ranching traditions. Built in 1879, the building originally served as the fire station and town hall before being transformed into a small museum packed with stories and artifacts of everyday life from Custer County’s early years. Exhibits feature photographs, period clothing, original firefighting tools and even items from the town’s businesses from more than a century ago.
Main Street Charm
Take a stroll down Main Street, and you’ll see shop windows catching your eye with outdoor gear, handcrafted pieces and little treasures you didn’t know you needed. Families looking for more to do can head to Cliff Lanes Entertainment Center, as the crash of bowling pins mixes with the lively sounds of the arcade, from air hockey pucks clattering to laughter shared around the pool table.
The scent of warm pastries drifts from local coffee shops along Main Street, tempting you inside for a sweet bite alongside a caramel macchiato or freshly brewed coffee. From June through September, the Westcliffe Farmers’ Market sets up on Fridays with stalls of farm-fresh produce, homemade breads, sweet confections, Amish-baked goods, handcrafted jewelry and artisan ware. If you arrive early enough, you just might catch some live music as the market gets going.
Music, Culture & Local Art
In summer, the High Mountain Hay Fever Festival brings music to the valley with quick-picking sounds of bluegrass, the kind that has you tapping your toes. Past lineups have included nationally recognized performers such as The Price Sisters and Becky Buller, and food stands serving up plenty to enjoy between sets. Entertainment continues at the historical Jones Theater, where stage productions like its signature “Shakespeare in the Sangres” share the schedule with movies and special events.
Admire fine art at Sangres Art Guild 3rd Street Gallery, where two floors feature collections that change throughout the season, from vivid paintings to striking photography by local and regional artists. Just down the way on Main Street, Greenstone Artworks highlights southern Colorado talent with pieces that capture landscapes, wildlife and the outdoors in every brushstroke and detail.
Outdoor Recreation: Hiking, Fishing, Gravel Riding & Hunting
The Wet Mountain Valley offers no shortage of ways to get outside. For an easy hike, the Rainbow Trail passes through meadows dotted with flowers. If you’re craving more of a challenge, the Swift Creek/Lakes of the Clouds loop leads to alpine lakes with broad valley views, while the Venable Trail takes you past Venable Falls and up to more sweeping vistas. Wherever you go, following Care for Colorado Leave No Trace Principles helps keep the outdoor beauty intact.
If fishing calls your name, the alpine lakes perched above the Wet Mountain Valley offer plenty of places to drop a hook. Lower Venable Lake is known for cutthroat trout, making it a popular spot for anglers. South Colony Lakes are home to cutthroat trout as well, with brook trout found lower in South Colony Creek near the upper parking lot.
Gravel riding in the Wet Mountain Valley is all about open dirt roads, wide views and plenty of room to roam. With miles of backroads and little traffic, you can choose from countless routes that vary in distance and terrain. Whether pedaling past open ranchland or beneath the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the scenery makes every turn worth the ride.
Whether solo or guided, hunting in state wildlife areas such as Middle Taylor Creek offers opportunities to spot deer, elk, blue grouse and even bears. Those looking for a more structured outing can book a high-alpine trip with Bear Basin Ranch, as guides share their expertise in game habits and hunting techniques while leading deer and elk hunts.
Scenic Drives on the Frontier Pathways Scenic Byway
Take a scenic drive along the Frontier Pathways scenic and historic byway and watch the Sangre de Cristo Mountains rise higher with every mile. Along the way, you might hop out to admire Bishop Castle from the outside or spend some time at Lake Isabel, where hiking, water activities and birding make it a favorite stop. Or follow Hwy. 96 west into the valley, where the road opens to expansive views of the Sangres — a sight so striking it never fails to inspire awe.
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