Hidden-Gem Wild West Museums in Colorado

Stop by these off-the-beaten-path spots for a unique point of view on Colorado's Old West heritage.

Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center
Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center
A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art in Trinidad
A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art in Trinidad
Limon Heritage Museum & Railroad Park Complex
Limon Heritage Museum & Railroad Park Complex
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Outlaws & Lawmen Jail MuseumCripple Creek

Relive the outlaw days of the Wild West in the red-brick building that served as the Teller County Jail for almost 90 years.

Black American West MuseumDenver

Learn the stories of Black miners, soldiers, homesteaders, ranchers, lawmen and other professions that built the West. (Call ahead for hours.)

Frontier Historical MuseumGlenwood Springs

Historic house with tales of the area that include characters like Doc Holiiday, Buffalo Bill Cody and Teddy Roosevelt.

Museum of Northwest ColoradoCraig

See one of the country’s largest collections of cowboy and gunfighter memorabilia on public display.

Pioneer Village MuseumHot Sulphur Springs

Learn about tools of Grand County inhabitants, pioneer clothing and more in a 1924 schoolhouse.

A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western ArtTrinidad

The collection includes more than 350 of Mitchell’s works, Spanish folk art and Native American artwork.

Limon Heritage Museum & Railroad Park ComplexLimon

The heritage of the eastern plains is on display thanks to donations from the families of those who lived it.

Cross Orchards Historic SiteGrand Junction

Tour historic buildings (including an 1890s barn/bunkhouse), railroad cars and vintage agricultural equipment.

Gunnison Pioneer MuseumGunnison

Historic buildings from around the county, including the Paragon School House and Alfonzo Hartman's post office, make up this historic park.

John W. Rawlings Heritage Center and MuseumLas Animas

Exhibits include early 1900s storefronts of a post office, barber shop, jewelry store, candy shop and bank.

Rimrocker Historical SocietyNaturita

Catch up on 150 million years of archaeological, mining and pioneer heritage amid items donated by local citizens.

Underground Mining MuseumCreede

Learn about stoping, blacksmithing, mucking, blasting and assaying in the cool heart of the mountain.

Victor Lowell Thomas MuseumVictor

Housed in an 1899 building, see artifacts, photos and memorabilia from the area's Gold Rush heyday.

Ouray Alchemist Pharmacy MuseumOuray

A guided tour takes you through a Wild West pharmacy, with 700 hand-blown pharmacy bottles, leech jars, medicines and more.

Cozens Ranch MuseumFraser

The first homestead in the Fraser Valley is now a museum that explores the area's pioneer past.

Fort Garland Museum & Cultural CenterFort Garland

Discover a 19th-century military fort's parade grounds and adobe buildings. Learn about the Buffalo Soldiers stationed there after the Civil War.

Four Mile Historic ParkDenver

In the heart of the city, a 12-acre historical site is home to Denver's oldest standing structure, hosting exhibitions and workshops.

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