Jeep Momma's Top 10 Must Visit Small Towns

Bucket List Musts

Saguache, Monte Vista, Del Norte [San Luis Valley, Colorado]

photo courtesy The Jeep Rescue League

Saguache, Home of the Original Jeep Rescue League, in the heart of the Rockies, a must see! Several vintage and antique Jeeps on display along with some cool military vehicles. The headquarters is also home to several military exhibits.

Saving Jeeps one Jeep at a Time Blog Post 

Nearby this small mountain town is Elephant rocks, and Natural Arch just a short drive from Del Norte, Colorado. Del Norte is settled along the Rio Grande River which is a great place for some fishing. About an hour's drive is Great Sand Dunes National Park and Zapata Falls. There is a fun off-road trail in the Sand Dunes park up to Medano pass where you can see some amazing views. 

Nearby is Monte Vista home to the Crane Festival where you will find more 4x4 trails. Just a short drive from Monte Vista is the trail Bishop's Rock as well as trails that will lead you to Elwood Pass as well. The Gaia GPS app will help you find these trails. 

There is a Jeep adventure in all directions from the San Luis Valley. Check out the Chinaman's Gulch Trail & Carnage Canyon a trail for only series rock crawlers just over Poncha Springs Pass, near Buena Vista Colorado.  A mecca of fun for any overlander. See other my other Colorado towns for more great Jeep Trails.

Moab, Utah

Arches National Park

A must stop for every off-roader! However, you don't need to be an off-roader to enjoy Moab. There is so much beauty to see. Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, The Colorado River, 3 Scenic By-ways - Utah 128 is absolutely breathtaking, Deadhorse state park and nearby ghost town Cisco. 

Jeep Momma Moab Adventure

Oatman, Arizona

A small village on old Route 66 in Mojave County, Arizona. Fun shops and "wild" Burros that wander the streets. The Burros are descendants of the burros brought to the area by the miners. In the early 1900's Oatman, a tent city, was a thriving gold mining center. 

Creede, Colorado

 A quaint small town nestled in the mountains of Colorado. Main Street shopping, nearby Stoney Creek Pass a 4x4 trail that takes you to the Alpine Loop Near Silverton, Colorado. There are other great scenic drives bachelor’s Loop Tour a 22-mile scenic off road drive up and around the historic mining district. The trail is rated moderate. Just down the road is Pool Table Road which takes you the Wheeler Geological Area https://www.southfork.org/wheeler-geological-area which has the most fantastic geological features in the San Juan Mountains. Another must see North Clear Creek Falls and South Clear Creek Fall Unexpected scenic waterfall just off the highway. 

Lake City, Colorado

Engineer Pass

Once you leave Creede, Colorado you just take scenic by-way Colorado 149 up to Lake City, Colorado. Another quaint little town nestled in the San Juan Mountain range. Rocky Canyons with high valley floors and crystalline flowing rivers with miles of outdoor beauty. A small town with big history, Lake San Cristobal with boating, fishing, and other water activities. Plenty of hiking opportunities and Ghost towns nearby.  Engineer Pass A Jeep Badge of Honor Tour, one of Colorado's highest roads takes you over to the Alpine Loop which is full of mining history and ghost towns.  

Silverton, Colorado

You can either take Stoney Pass from Creede, Colorado or Engineer Pass from Lake City to The Alpine Loop which takes you directly to this National Historic Landmark and former mining boomtown full of mining history. A cute little town with great shops and restaurants.  There are miles and miles of old mining roads winding in and around the mountains with amazing views.  An off-roaders dream come true. Nearby Engineer Pass, Poughkeepsie Gulch two Jeep Badge of Honor Trails. Corkscrew Pass and Cinnamon Pass are close by too. 

Winslow, Arizona

Standin' on the Corner

Bar Harbor, Maine

Lots and lots of shopping and good food! Plus Acadia National Park is nearby! 

Taos, New Mexico

Rio Grande River Gorge Bridge

One of the prettiest mountain towns in America with an amazing scenic location in the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Taos has a unique art community and known for its adobe building and historic architecture. There is a world class ski resort nearby along with the most photographed and iconic churches. Close by is a must see Rio Grande Gorge Bridge National Monument. The tenth highest bridge in America. I had no idea it was even there the time I drove to Texas from Colorado. You don’t even realize you are on the bridge until it is too late, and you look down and if you are afraid of heights you will scream like I did. There is a scenic drive that circles through the Carson National Forest. An 83-mile loop through the mountains, valleys, mesa, and national forestland peppered with small community destinations full of activities and annual events. This drive is centered around Wheeler Peak at 13,159 feet, the highest point in the state. There are several places in the area to take your Jeep Off Road.

Salem, Massachusetts

Step back in time the many ghost or witch tours, there are plenty to choose from when you visit this unusual ~cursed at one time~ town. I spent two days in Salem in 2016 an learned a lot about the Salem witches. It was extremely interesting to hear about all the curses and stories about the witch trials. A must stop is Murphys Bar, said to be haunted by the ghosts in the cemetery right next to the building. I couldn’t find much off roading near Salem but if you are into the water there are many maritime activities. The Misery Islands are nearby, as well. 

More Haunted Places in Salem

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