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The Odometer: Roughly 104 miles, one way from Denver
Unlike in the surrounding towns of Vail and Beaver Creek, you won’t see many BMWs or Hermés bags in Minturn. Instead, the vibe in this quiet town of fewer than 1,000 locals is more Tevas and T-shirts. Here, it’s not unusual to see hikers with muddy boots cutting up with the bartender at Minturn Whisky Company or the barista at Sunrise Minturn greeting regulars by name. If it’s an unpretentious mountain getaway you’re seeking, this is the spot.
A historical gem in Eagle County, Minturn was developed primarily as a railroad town in the late 1800s around the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. It was incorporated in 1904, making it one of the oldest towns in the county. Though the hamlet has seen its booms and busts, Minturn’s welcoming community feel is making it a popular spot for visitors—residents already know what a good thing they’ve got.
Jump Ahead:
What To Do
Get Outside
As the gateway to the White River National Forest and the Holy Cross Wilderness, Minturn’s backyard features mountains to climb, snow to shred, trails to ride, and rivers to fish.
In the summer, hiking and biking are the favored activities. Road bikers can enjoy the lung-burning ascent from Minturn to Red Cliff, while mountain bikers have a myriad of trails to explore, including the roughly four-mile Everkrisp Trail, which runs from base of Meadow Mountain in Minturn to the Stone Creek Trail in Eagle-Vail.
Popular hikes in the area include Lionshead Rock, a roughly seven-mile climb up a shady trail with rewarding views of Mt. Holy Cross, and Two Elk Trail. The latter winds up into the mountains, where cooler temperatures make the steep climb worth it. You can also stroll along the (unused) train tracks, where black bears can often be spotted nibbling on wild raspberries in late summer. Peakbaggers can push themselves on Mt. of the Holy Cross, one of the area’s most iconic fourteeners thanks to its signature cross-shaped couloir.
Fly-fishing is a year-round pursuit in Minturn, with numerous access points (including ADA ramps and platforms) along 1.5 miles of the Eagle River. And though the summer months see plenty of anglers, winter fly-fishing might be the town’s best-kept secret, as it’s when fewer folks take advantage of the opportunity to hook slow-moving trout. Minturn Anglers offers guided wade and float trips as well as rental gear for striking out on your own.
During the winter, Minturn is a popular base camp for those wanting to ski Vail and Beaver Creek, as it’s just 10 minutes from each. For those who are backcountry savvy, the Minturn Mile is on many winter bucket lists. This totally legal yet out-of-bounds route takes skiers and riders through the trees from the top of Vail, over Game Creek drainage, and through “the luge”: a tight-turning two-mile stretch that mimics a bobsled track. Don’t be fooled by its name; the Minturn Mile is actually closer to three or four miles. At the end, adventurers can head straight for the recently renovated Minturn Saloon, the traditional finish line where margaritas, Mexican food, and other Milers await.
Other backcountry options include Meadow Mountain, which is perfect for uphill enthusiasts and snowshoers. A steady climb gives way to epic views, while the descent rewards skiers with untouched powder and wide-open turns. Maloit Park, located at the southern end of town, offers free public access to International Ski Federation–sanctioned Nordic skiing trails, perfect for sampling skinny skis (snowshoes are welcome, too).
Arts & Culture
New this year is Gel Z Art Gallery, which longtime Minturn artist Angelica Clemmer opened in May. (She’s also the creator of a colorful mural of a moose and bear near Minturn Town Hall.) All the pieces on display are from Vail Valley sculptors, painters, printmakers, and other local creatives. Follow Gel Z on social media to stay in the loop about events such as live painting at art block parties and the Minturn Market (the town’s Saturday farmers’ market in the summer).
Tap into your own creative instincts at Bat Country Studios, where professionals can lead you in clay, painting, and even glass-blowing classes. Or, drop into the Barn, a soothing sanctuary for movement arts, to find your Zen during an outdoor yoga flow backed by live music.
Bring a picnic blanket to spread out on the lawn while catching a free concert on the outdoor stage at Little Beach Park. Kids can climb on the playground or splash on the riverbank during these Thursday night shows, which take place in July and August. Acts scheduled for later this summer include Deltaphonic and the Chaotics, among others.
Where To Eat & Drink
Start off your day at Vail Mountain Coffee and Tea Company. It’s removed from Main Street but there’s no better place to enjoy a freshly roasted cup of joe. On Main Street, Sunrise is a sleek coffee shop serving up breakfast, lunch, smoothies, and adult beverages—try Lou’s Scramble with pork green chili or the steak bánh mì at lunch.
Thai Kitchen offers up classic dishes like Pad Thai and drunken noodles, as well as options like vegan yellow curry. Word has gotten out about how good it is, so expect a crowd on weekend evenings, when it’s a good idea to place your to-go order an hour in advance.
Kirby Cosmo’s is a popular spot with southern-style barbecue and a hopping bar for après. If you enjoy your dinner served with a side of magic, head to the Minturn Country Club, where general manager T.J. Ricci (son of the club’s owner, Tom Ricci) slings steaks and seafood alongside slight-of-hand card tricks.
A former ski patroller and his doctor wife opened Minturn Whisky (spelled the Scottish way) in 2023 after falling in love with high-quality, small-batch Scotch on a trip to Scotland. String lights twinkle on the patio here, and there’s a record player by the door. Dark wood furnishings are meant to evoke a traditional Scottish pub.
Where To Shop
Stroll along Main Street and you’ll be tempted to duck into a number of small shops that line the street. Holy Toledo (located in a former Presbyterian church) is a locals’ favorite. Shoppers from across the valley venture to the consignment store to find great deals on apparel, shoes, and accessories. At Eagle Valley Music & Comics, search through a wide variety of vinyl and stacks of graphic novels—owner Tom Robbins has been in the biz for more than 30 years.
Alpine Kind opened its Minturn location (you can also find an outpost of the trendy gift store in Vail) in 2023. It’s a great place to find indoor activities— such as handmade wooden tic-tac-toe boards, embroidery kits, puzzles, and a stylish mahjong set—for a hot or snowy weekend. There’s also a small but thoughtful collection of T-shirts and other apparel, kids’ toys, crafts, and books.
On summer Saturdays (June through September), the Minturn Market attracts shoppers with live music, a food court, and a variety of vendors selling gifts, clothing, jewelry, handmade crafts, home decor, gourmet foods, and fine art—and there’s even a goat petting zoo. On Saturdays in December, the Minturn Market offers a wide variety of artisanal holiday gift options; carolers, appearances by Santa, s’mores, and more provide a bit of seasonal cheer.
To check off your spiritual shopping list, visit the Belden Witch, which offers more than 95 loose-leaf tea blends, herbal remedies and crystals, plus regular yoga and meditation classes. Stop by during one of the full moon rituals, which are complete with sound bowls, journaling, astrology, and tarot.
Where To Stay
You won’t find any chain lodging in Minturn. Hotel Minturn is a boutique hotel with a clean and contemporary style. To soak up the historical ambiance, check out the Minturn Inn, a bed-and-breakfast on Main Street that was built in 1915. Belying the fact that everything in the valley is pricey, the Bunkhouse is a boutique hostel with a 30-bed bunk room and a few private rooms, none of which will break the bank.
The Eagle River Inn, inside a recently renovated 1892 building, is so close to the river that its babbling will soothe you to sleep. It’s also steps from the Minturn Saloon and a great fishing spot. Visitors praise the tasty included breakfast, comfy robes and slippers, and alpine furnishings.
If You Do One Thing
Check out the public restroom. No, seriously. Deemed the Best Public Restroom in America in 2015 by Cintas, the two pieces of “functional art” that adorn the city’s public restroom were designed to mimic a passageway into a Rocky Mountain mine. The exteriors blend into the surrounding landscape while the interior features undulating walls. The result is a unique space that elevates the common commode.
