Westcliffe is a certified, international dark skies community. While here be sure to check out the night sky at Bluff Park and consider visiting Smokey Jack's Observatory, less than 1/2 mile from the Courtyard Country Inn. There are multiple star parties and events going on throughout the year. As the dark skies website states about Westcliffe, "As two of the highest altitude Dark Skies towns in the world, combined with the preservation efforts of the community, spectacular views of the Milky Way can be seen, even from lighted Main Street!" Be sure to check out all the events at https://www.darkskiescolorado.org/smokey-jack-observatory Additional information about our dark skies can be found at http://sangrestargazers.skymtn.com/
Mission:Wolf is located outside of town and offers a unique opportunity to be up close and personal with wolves. We are happy to have been a corporate sponsor of the new documentary produced by NeeNee Productions - Mission Wolf: Experiment in Living.
Bishop Castle is one to be explored. According to their website, "Three full stories of interior rooms complete with a Grand Ballroom, soaring towers and bridges with vistas of a hundred miles, and a Fire-Breathing Dragon make the Bishop Castle quite an unforgettable experience! Visitors are always welcome free of charge, and the castle itself is always open."
Bear Basin Pack Trips is sure to offer adventure whether you are looking for horseback riding, fly fishing, or guided hunting trips.
Music Meadows is a working Dude Ranch that provides horseback riding, photography workshops, and much more.
Llama Trekking allows for a unique experience as you explore the ranch. Go on a beautiful hike, spend the day exploring, and nothing beats the llamas.
Hike the San Isabel National Forest and check out the Wet Mountain Valley and the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area for some of the most beautiful scenery around (you can find the Rainbow Trail, Music Pass, Venable and Commanche trailheads and many others of varying difficulty levels). Maps and other information can be found online at the following sites
https://wilderness.net/visit-wilderness/?ID=529 https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/psicc/recreation/hiking/?recid=12403&actid=50
Fish close by in Lake DeWeese known for its year-round fishing with bass, trout and tiger muskie; ice fishing is also a popular past-time here. Grape Creek is another great option to explore. If you're looking for high altitude fishing we have some of the best with the Alpine Lakes: Macey, Stout Creek, Lily, Hermit, Venable and Brush Creek (please note many of these are only accessible with 4wd or by hiking). River Sister Fly Fishing offers some great opportunities
Cycling in Custer County offers something for everyone from mountain biking on the Rainbow trail to family cycling on the Park to Park trail here in town. The Historic Mining Loop and other trails leading to Lake DeWeese offer more of an adventure for cyclists of all ages, and the great thing is you can reach these from right here at the Courtyard. You'll never have to load your bikes to head out on your adventure but instead can leave directly from the comfort of your room.
Multiple Events and Festivals Take Place in Westcliffe Throughout the Year:
High Mountain Hay Fever Bluegrass Festival https://www.highmountainhayfever.org/
Westcliffe Stampede Rodeo http://www.wmvsc.com/2019-rodeo-schedule.html
Hardscrabble Mountain Run https://www.sanisabel.org/hardscrabble-mountain-trail-run
High Peaks Art Scramble during the High Peaks Music Festival https://www.sangresartguild.org/ http://www.highpeaksmusicfestival.org/
Hullabaloo Arts Festival - according to the Sangre Art Guild webstie, "Three days of Family Fun celebrating the Arts, showcasing visual arts, performing arts, musical arts, culinary arts, fiber arts and literary arts, to name a few.
Westcliffe is home to a variety of shops and restaurants. You're sure to enjoy the coffee shops that line Main Street along with the art galleries, unique boutiques, rock shops, and much more. There's always something for everyone! One of our favorites is All the Range; they have all the needed gear for your outdoor activities. If you're looking for an activity for the entire family check out Cliff Lanes for bowling, billiards, and even lunch or dinner. Hungry? Right across the road from the Courtyard is an amazing bakery: Sugar and Spice Mountain Bakery. Walk across the road and grab a muffin, cinnamon roll, or even a slice of quiche or a breakfast burrito and enjoy a relaxing morning in the courtyard. Or down the road just 2 blocks is Sugarlump Bakery: great for breakfast, lunch, or grabbing a gourmet coffee or frappe. Later in the afternoon enjoy Tony's Mountain Pizza or plan ahead and make reservations at Alpine Restaurant, just a short drive out of town.
Spend the day strolling Main street or hiking the Sangre de Cristo Mountains - whatever you do you're sure to love Westcliffe!
Mission:Wolf is located outside of town and offers a unique opportunity to be up close and personal with wolves. We are happy to have been a corporate sponsor of the new documentary produced by NeeNee Productions - Mission Wolf: Experiment in Living.
Bishop Castle is one to be explored. According to their website, "Three full stories of interior rooms complete with a Grand Ballroom, soaring towers and bridges with vistas of a hundred miles, and a Fire-Breathing Dragon make the Bishop Castle quite an unforgettable experience! Visitors are always welcome free of charge, and the castle itself is always open."
Bear Basin Pack Trips is sure to offer adventure whether you are looking for horseback riding, fly fishing, or guided hunting trips.
Music Meadows is a working Dude Ranch that provides horseback riding, photography workshops, and much more.
Llama Trekking allows for a unique experience as you explore the ranch. Go on a beautiful hike, spend the day exploring, and nothing beats the llamas.
Hike the San Isabel National Forest and check out the Wet Mountain Valley and the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area for some of the most beautiful scenery around (you can find the Rainbow Trail, Music Pass, Venable and Commanche trailheads and many others of varying difficulty levels). Maps and other information can be found online at the following sites
https://wilderness.net/visit-wilderness/?ID=529 https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/psicc/recreation/hiking/?recid=12403&actid=50
Cycling in Custer County offers something for everyone from mountain biking on the Rainbow trail to family cycling on the Park to Park trail here in town. The Historic Mining Loop and other trails leading to Lake DeWeese offer more of an adventure for cyclists of all ages, and the great thing is you can reach these from right here at the Courtyard. You'll never have to load your bikes to head out on your adventure but instead can leave directly from the comfort of your room.
Multiple Events and Festivals Take Place in Westcliffe Throughout the Year:
High Mountain Hay Fever Bluegrass Festival https://www.highmountainhayfever.org/
Westcliffe Stampede Rodeo http://www.wmvsc.com/2019-rodeo-schedule.html
Hardscrabble Mountain Run https://www.sanisabel.org/hardscrabble-mountain-trail-run
High Peaks Art Scramble during the High Peaks Music Festival https://www.sangresartguild.org/ http://www.highpeaksmusicfestival.org/
Hullabaloo Arts Festival - according to the Sangre Art Guild webstie, "Three days of Family Fun celebrating the Arts, showcasing visual arts, performing arts, musical arts, culinary arts, fiber arts and literary arts, to name a few.
Westcliffe is home to a variety of shops and restaurants. You're sure to enjoy the coffee shops that line Main Street along with the art galleries, unique boutiques, rock shops, and much more. There's always something for everyone! One of our favorites is All the Range; they have all the needed gear for your outdoor activities. If you're looking for an activity for the entire family check out Cliff Lanes for bowling, billiards, and even lunch or dinner. Hungry? Right across the road from the Courtyard is an amazing bakery: Sugar and Spice Mountain Bakery. Walk across the road and grab a muffin, cinnamon roll, or even a slice of quiche or a breakfast burrito and enjoy a relaxing morning in the courtyard. Or down the road just 2 blocks is Sugarlump Bakery: great for breakfast, lunch, or grabbing a gourmet coffee or frappe. Later in the afternoon enjoy Tony's Mountain Pizza or plan ahead and make reservations at Alpine Restaurant, just a short drive out of town.
Spend the day strolling Main street or hiking the Sangre de Cristo Mountains - whatever you do you're sure to love Westcliffe!