Visit Wet Mountain Valley

Visit Wet Mountain Valley Come for the mountains, stay for the stars ✨
You don't have to go far to get away from it all! Westcliffe | Silver Cliff | San Isabel | Wetmore

⛰️ Colorado 🏔️

Visit the Wet Mountain Valley and Custer County, Colorado to take a road less traveled to authentic Colorado adventures! Consider yourself invited to 320 sunny days of adventure in our national forests and wilderness areas. Climb our 14,000 foot peaks, hike our trails with breathtaking vistas and dip your hook in our pristine mountain lakes and streams. Join over 6,000 people tapping their feet at

our annual music festivals. Visit art galleries or take in live performances at the historic Jones Theater and the outdoor amphitheater. Shop the ‘Cliffs Commercial District in the historic towns of Silver Cliff and Westcliffe. Step back in time to the days of silver and gold mining, railroads and ranching at our museums. After a day of adventures of all sorts, enjoy a meal prepared at one of our destination restaurants.

09/07/2026

Witnessing the glow of sunrise in the Sangres is a special you’ll never forget.

Did you know that the Sangre de Cristo Mountains got their name from the striking red and pink alpenglow that lights up the peaks at sunrise?

Hope everyone is enjoying their Labor Day holiday!

One of the most magical hikes in Colorado takes you over the rainbow 🌈, to a sheltered alpine amphitheater ⛰️, where pri...
09/05/2026

One of the most magical hikes in Colorado takes you over the rainbow 🌈, to a sheltered alpine amphitheater ⛰️, where pristine lakes are hidden in the clouds ☁️. Although this might sound like a fairytale journey, it’s a real hike, and we’ll tell you exactly how to find it. 🗺️

Your journey to Lakes of the Clouds begins in the charming village of Westcliffe, which sits at the foot of the towering Sangre de Cristo Mountains. 🏔️

Make your way to the Gibson Creek parking area, and walk 200 feet to the Rainbow Trail. Once on the Rainbow, go right, and you’ll encounter two paths to choose from: the first will be about .3 miles and is known as the “Swift Creek” route; the second is about a mile farther and is known as the “Lakes of the Clouds” route.

Choose wisely, for although each takes you to the Lakes of the Clouds, they offer slightly different adventures…

🥾 Rainbow Trail/Swift Creek Route: This is the shorter option, but as most adventurers know, there’s always a catch. This is also the steeper trail, especially between the Swift Creek crossing and the Lakes of the Clouds trail junction. So be warned.

🌲 Rainbow Trail/Lakes of the Clouds Route: This option is a little longer—adding about 1.4 miles each way—and roughly 400 feet of elevation gain. But it avoids the steeper section of Swift Creek by winding over several ridges.

Perhaps the best option: Do both! You can do a loop by going up one trail and down the other from the junction. Whichever route you choose, plan on making this an all-day mountain adventure.

📏 8.3–11.1 miles round trip
⛰️ 2,100–2,600 feet of elevation gain
💧 Beautiful alpine lakes
🎣 Fishing for Rainbow Trout
🏔️ Enchanting views of Sangre de Cristo peaks
🥾 Moderate difficulty
🌩️ Start early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms

The journey to Lakes of the Clouds offers a bit of everything: Dramatic alpine views, magical mountain lakes, unrivaled fishing opportunities, abundant wildflowers, peaceful forests, and the rare satisfaction of discovering a place that most people will never see. ✨

You can learn more about the Lakes of the Clouds trail and other Westcliffe adventures here: https://tinyurl.com/3e3wfjmc

There’s no better place to start your fall festivities than in the cozy, cool, and quirky mountain town of Westcliffe, j...
09/04/2026

There’s no better place to start your fall festivities than in the cozy, cool, and quirky mountain town of Westcliffe, just a short drive! 🍂✨🏔️ From a classic car show and parade to an Oktoberfest, this month we have a ton of events you won’t want to miss!

Highlights Include...

🔺The High Altitude Horsepower Car Show🔻

Enjoy an incredible display of classic, antique, vintage, rat rod, and hot rod cars with the stunning Sangre de Cristo Mountains as a backdrop. It’s FREE and open to the public.

WHEN: Saturday, September 5th
TIME: 9am-2pm
WHERE: Main Street in Westcliffe

🔹Parade Honoring First Responders🔹

Westcliffe is hosting a First Responders parade, a way to honor and celebrate all the brave men and women who risked their lives for our nation on 9/11, and most recently, fighting the Aspen Acres fire. Because of our incredible first responders and their unwavering dedication, the fire never reached Westcliffe, the Wet Mountain Valley, or the Sangre de Cristo range. We owe them more than words can convey. This parade is our community’s way to say THANK YOU!

WHEN: Friday, September 11th
TIME: 5:30pm
WHERE: Main Street in Westcliffe

🔸Oktoberfest🔸

Join us for a day of music, dancing, and Gemütlichkeit! We’ll have food, drinks, a beer garden, a stein-hoisting contest, a Bavarian dress contest, a brat-eating contest, and a bouncy house for the kiddos.

WHEN: Saturday, Sept 19th
TIME: 10am-8pm
WHERE: Wet Mountain Saddle Club in Westcliffe

👉🏻 For more information and to check out all of our upcoming events, visit our website at: https://tinyurl.com/3hhxd4jw

Get in the fall spirit this weekend, while enjoying cooler temps and a slew of festivities 🍂: from classic cars and star...
09/04/2026

Get in the fall spirit this weekend, while enjoying cooler temps and a slew of festivities 🍂: from classic cars and star parties to arts-and-craft shows, a day trip this weekend promises to be one you won’t want to miss!

🛻 The annual High Altitude Horsepower Car Show is rumbling down Main Street on Saturday! Enjoy an incredible display of classic, antique, vintage, rat rod, and hot rod cars with the stunning Sangre de Cristo Mountains as a backdrop. Saturday, September 5th, from 9am-2pm. It’s FREE and open to the public.

Also happening this weekend...

Ten-Minute Plays at the Jones Theater 🎭
Fiber Arts Show and Sale 🧵
Sangres Art Guild “Everyday Life” Art Show 🖼️
Smokey Jack Observatory: Daytime and Nighttime public viewings ☀️ 🔭 ✨
Artwalk on Main Street 🫟
Olde Schoolhouse Quilters 27th Annual Quilt Show🪡
Watercolor Class with Julie Hutslar 🎨
Artist Talk by Lewis Williams: One Bike, One Canvas. Every Day. 🚲

To learn more about all the upcoming events, check out our website at: https://tinyurl.com/3hhxd4jw

Many say that Humboldt is one of the easiest 14ers in the Sangre de Cristo mountains, here combined with views of some o...
09/04/2026

Many say that Humboldt is one of the easiest 14ers in the Sangre de Cristo mountains, here combined with views of some of the very most technical in the Sangres and state... Crestone peak and needles! What a view!!

09/04/2026

An uncrowded, affordable, charming small town, stunning mountain views, and the perfect basecamp for every outdoor activity you can imagine?! 😍

It does exist and it’s called Westcliffe, Colorado! ✨⛰️

Will you discover the magic and wonder of Colorado’s best kept secret? 🤫 Visit us today! 💜

Westcliffe: https://tinyurl.com/5dt8eh6s
Local Lodging: https://tinyurl.com/4ftdnkur
Outdoor Activities: https://tinyurl.com/4uwxvx5b

The first hints of autumn 🍂 have arrived in the Wet Mountain Valley! Just 90 minutes from the Springs and 60 from Pueblo...
09/01/2026

The first hints of autumn 🍂 have arrived in the Wet Mountain Valley! Just 90 minutes from the Springs and 60 from Pueblo!

Who’s ready for leaf-peeping season?? 👀

🌬️🍂🍄‍🟫🍁☕️🥧🏔️🤎🎃

Imagine relaxing in the cool, refreshing mountain air while your kids run and play in Silver Cliff’s new playground and ...
09/01/2026

Imagine relaxing in the cool, refreshing mountain air while your kids run and play in Silver Cliff’s new playground and park! ⛰️🤸‍♂️

The grand opening was this weekend, and it was so much fun! Lots of laughter, smiles, and activity. 🫶🏻

If you weren’t able to make it to the big celebration, no worries! Come anytime to enjoy the beautiful park, sports fields, and new playground with your family. Best of all, you have the awe-inspiring views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains right in front of you. 🌄

As always, if you get hungry, there are tons of food options in town. And if you decide to make it a longer trip, you can always stay the night. We have affordable accommodations for every taste and budget.

https://visitwetmountainvalley.com/

Unplug, Unwind, and Reconnect with nature in the Wet Mountain Valley. ✨🌲⛰️

08/31/2026

Cool air, gorgeous views, and surrounded by nature. Who could ask for more? 💜⛰️🐴

Wishing you all a peaceful week. If you need a break, Mountain Moments like these are closer than you think. Westcliffe is only a short distance from the Front Range but miles from ordinary… ✨

https://visitwetmountainvalley.com/

Uncrowded. Undiscovered. Unforgettable

Looking for a fun event to do with your kiddos on Saturday? 😃 Enjoy the cool mountain air and let them run, play, and ex...
08/28/2026

Looking for a fun event to do with your kiddos on Saturday? 😃 Enjoy the cool mountain air and let them run, play, and explore at the 3rd annual Silver Cliff Fun Day!! ⛰️🤸‍♀️🍦

The reopening of the newly designed Silver Cliff playground will be marked by a day full of kid-friendly activities, including kite building 🪁, a bubble station 🫧, a bounce house 🛝, and affordable snacks 🌭.

For older kids and adults, there’s also a 5k and 8k run 🏃‍♀️, pickleball tournament 🏸, sand volleyball tournament 🤾🏽‍♀️, and a horse basketball tournament ⛹🏻.

All happening in the gorgeous Rocky Mountains of Westcliffe and Silver Cliff, 📍only 60 minutes from Pueblo and Canon City, and 90 minutes from Colorado Springs.

Come play in the mountains this weekend! We’re close to the Front Range but miles from ordinary. ⛰️✨

Address

59000 Highway 69 N
Westcliffe, CO
81252

Telephone

+17204807230

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Visit Wet Mountain Valley posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Visit Wet Mountain Valley:

Shortcuts

Share