Lake City, CO

Tucked deep into the San Juan Mountains, Lake City is a remote, charming mountain town surrounded by some of Colorado’s most rugged backcountry. It originally grew as a 19th-century mining hub, and today you can still see that heritage in its well-preserved Victorian downtown and historic county courthouse. Life here revolves around the outdoors, from boating on nearby Lake San Cristobal to hiking fourteeners and exploring the Alpine Loop. It gets quiet in the winter and fills with energy during the summer, making it an appealing spot for anyone looking for true solitude and a close-knit, slow-paced mountain community.