When Vail officially opened Lionshead Village in 1969, it effectively borrowed the name from a Simba-shaped boulder that sits high above Minturn, the historic railroad town nestled in a valley between Vail and Beaver Creek. And that is a grand metaphor for Minturn’s place in the Vail Valley: This tucked-away mountain hamlet is often overlooked but full of treasures. (It’s worth noting that in 2014, a 30-foot chunk of Lionshead Rock’s snout broke off and came tumbling down the mountainside, landing smack in the middle of Minturn’s mothballed railroad tracks.)

Vail and Beaver Creek may get all the shine along the I-70 corridor, but Minturn, which occupies the west bank of the Upper Eagle River, is the valley’s only true mountain town.

Adventurous skiers know it as the end point of the Minturn Mile, the backcountry route-turned-luge that begins atop Vail Mountain’s Ptarmigan Ridge and drops 2,000 feet to a barstool at Minturn Saloon. Motorists pass through the town as they transit Highway 24 to and from Leadville, making note (or not) of the stretch of highway known as the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway. Wise visitors make it their destination and explore everything Minturn has to offer. 

The town, named for Denver railroad executive Robert Minturn Jr., sprang up in the late 1800s when the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad ran a line over Tennessee Pass to carry coal and passengers from Grand Junction to Pueblo. (By contrast, Vail was founded in 1966 and Avon, the town anchoring Beaver Creek, was incorporated in 1978, though it had been a railroad stop since 1889.) For 100 years, steam, then diesel, locomotives rumbled through Minturn, until the last train rolled out of the switchyard in 1997. The tracks and remnants of the turntable and depot remain, and longtime residents still remember the clang-clang of the trains. Recently, there’s been talk of reviving the railroad to help with I-70 congestion and the controversial transfer of waxy crude oil from Utah to the Gulf Coast. Whether that happens remains to be seen—and many Minturn locals vehemently hope the trains never return.

Rather than staking its revival on the railroad, Minturn, population give-or-take 1,000, leans into luring visitors (and their disposable income) by preserving its perfectly quirky small-town vibe and promoting its unparalleled access to the outdoors. “What wouldn’t take you to Minturn?” asks Sam Chipkin, resident and trail operations manager for Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance, which oversees the town’s bike park. “It’s the best place. Minturn has a funkiness; it’s not an HOA downtown. There’s a lot of character, and it has everything going for it trail-wise.”

Surrounded on three sides by the Holy Cross Wilderness, Minturn is nirvana whether you’re into mountain biking, road biking, trail running, hiking, backpacking, fishing, rafting, or kayaking. And if the brand of paradise you’re looking for is simply taking in the crisp air and basking in the unparalleled glory that is the Rocky Mountains, Minturn has that too. 

Whatever Your Passion, Discovery Awaits  

Get Outside  | Shop | Eat 
| Drink | Gawk | Sleep | Go Local

Get Outside

Mountain biking 
Its location deep in a river valley means that Minturn is ideally situated for mountain bikers craving big descents (and, conversely, big climbs). Trails from all directions end (or, if you’re a glutton for punishment, start) in or near town. Local favorites include the Meadow Mountain Loop Trail (a 10-mile circuit through open space on Minturn’s outskirts that was a ski area in the 1960s before it was bought by Vail Resorts and shut down), the Everkrisp Trail (also on Meadow Mountain, a connector to the Eagle Valley Trail from Vail Pass to Glenwood Canyon), the Minturn Mini Mile (a mile-long stretch of singletrack for kids skirting Minturn’s downtown), and Two Elk (which starts at the bike park on the north side of town and winds 11 miles up a creek drainage all the way to Vail Pass). 

Road biking 
Pedaling the 30 miles from Minturn up to Tennessee Pass (along the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway) isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s doable. It’s a climb most of the way, but views and landmarks like Red Cliff’s steel arch bridge and the train trestle bridge over the Eagle River will surely distract you. 

Trail running, hiking, and backpacking 
Where there’s singletrack, there are also runners, hikers, and backpackers. As a gateway to the Holy Cross Wilderness, the area has hundreds of miles of trails to explore, either for a day hike or a days-long trek. “From Minturn, you could walk anywhere and for as long as you want and not cross your track again,” Chipkin says. One of the more popular trails is Cougar Ridge to Lionshead Rock (yes, Vail’s namesake rock!). At 6.3 miles roundtrip with significant elevation gain, this route requires some grit, but nobody says you have to go all the way.

Fishing 
Spend much time in Minturn and it’s a rare day you won’t see someone fishing the Eagle River—even in the dead of winter. “If you haven’t had to put your fly in your mouth so it doesn’t turn into an ice cube, you haven’t lived,” laughs Stefanie Neubauer, a local who co-owns Eagle River Whisky with her husband, Spencer. There are multiple access points for wading and floating, and the area is known for its brown trout. Try your hand or enlist the help of guides from Minturn Anglers. It’s worth noting that, about a decade ago, the town developed handicap fishing access by the Boneyard open space, upstream and southeast of downtown. 

Rafting, kayaking, and floating
In late summer when runoff ebbs, the stretch of the Upper Eagle River from the bridge between Kirby Cosmo’s BBQ Bar and Little Beach Park and town can be mild enough for kids big and small to bob around on inner tubes (parental supervision and life jackets are a must!). Depending on water levels, experienced adrenaline seekers can raft and kayak all along the stretch between Camp Hale and Dowd Junction (that spaghetti-like intersection of Highway 24, Highway 6, and I-70). Locals gauge water levels by watching snowmelt on the Minturn Mile and in Game Creek Bowl. When the white stuff is gone, it’s a sign of lower water. During spring runoff, Dowd Chute, a raging Class IV stretch of the Eagle that thunders downstream of Dowd Junction at the river’s confluence with Gore Creek is a rite of passage for many locals; experience it with a trusted local outfitter, such as Timberline Tours. 

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Shop

As small as Minturn is, Main Street is home to numerous shops worth browsing—some might even inspire regular pilgrimages. 

Although the storefront is easy to pass by, don’t overlook Eagle Valley Music & Comics (211 Main St). This small shop is jammed from floor to ceiling with records and comics, CDs, DVDs, and guitar supplies. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Just ask owner and encyclopedia-of-a-brain Tom Robbins, and he’ll point you in the right direction, probably showing you something new. Music aficionados know to queue up on the sidewalk outside on National Record Store Day in April. That’s when in-demand and rare albums are released, and Robbins allows five customers into the shop at a time.

Thrifters will find the holy grail at Holy Toledo (191 Main St). Open since 2002 (with new ownership in 2023), the boutique consignment store has legions of fans, some regularly traveling from as far as Denver to search through the racks. The building, which dates to 1906 and was once a Presbyterian church (notice the lancet windows), houses a trove of gently used clothing, from fashion finds to timeless wardrobe samples.

The Scarab (201 Main St), which sits across the way from Holy Toledo, isn’t just a high-end home decor store, it’s considered one of the best rug stores in the country. Residents and owners Larry Stone and Jane Rohr choose to do business in Minturn because of its central location within the Vail Valley (they work with many interior designers) and their deep belief in the town’s innate creativity and soulfulness. “I ponder how Minturn has gone through changes throughout its history,” says Stone, who has lived in Minturn since 1990. “The river is still there, the railroad, the highway, the old homes. What changes the character of Minturn is the people who live here. I would say Minturn has always had a community of prideful people.”

Just north of town opposite the Cross Creek Trailhead, the Meadow Mountain Business Park (23698 US Hwy 24) is a shopping destination unto its own. In addition to Vail Mountain Coffee & Tea the eclectic assortment of shops includes a shoe store (Swedish Clog Cabin), a gourmet grocer (Mangiare Italian Market, 970-827-5603), and a magical potions apothecary (The Belden Witch).

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Eat

While many mountain towns suffer from too many restaurants serving the same (mediocre) fare, that’s simply not true in Minturn.

There’s no local dining conversation where the Minturn Saloon (146 Main St) doesn’t come up at least once. When Anthony and Connie Mazza bought the saloon in 2021, they did so intending to carefully renovate the 1901 building and continue its legacy as a community gathering space. The menu is fresh Tex-Mex with a dash of Americana fun: from legendary post-Minturn-Mile margaritas to the Wagyu chili dog with Village Bagel bun (the Mazzas also own Village Bagel in Edwards and Gypsum). 

Thai Kitchen (141 Main St) is so popular, many locals don’t even know the restaurant’s full name. It’s just “the Thai place.” What’s more important than remembering the name, is knowing with certainty that you should go and order the curry puffs, tom kha soup, and chicken khao soi.

If you’re cruising Main Street and come across a jammed patio, you’re almost surely in front of Rocky Mountain Taco (291 Main St). Join the masses for a Hippie Crack torta—a freshly baked roll stuffed with a tumble of roasted red potatoes, poblanos, and Anaheims, plus avocado, mayo, cheese, lettuce, onion, and tomato. Too many veggies? Dive into Cali Style tacos with grilled sirloin, fries, cheese, and crema.

Sunrise Cafe (132 Main St) is Minturn’s official breakfast and lunch spot with morning goodies ranging from banana French toast to egg scrambles and lunch leaning into Reubens, BLTAs, and Italian sandwiches. No matter what time you go, order the Minturn Sunrise smoothie made with pineapple, raspberry, blueberry, banana, and coconut yogurt.

In addition to the cook-it-yourself steaks and seafood at Minturn Country Club (131 Main St), the main attraction is T.J. Ricci, who is the restaurant’s resident magician. A rib-eye and card tricks make any night—date or otherwise—memorable.

You might not think a town of 1,000 could support three restaurants serving Mexican cuisine, but you’d be wrong. The Mexican Bar & Grill (160 Rail Road Ave), which sits across the street from the Minturn Saloon in the former Turntable Restaurant space (on the former site of the switchyard’s actual turntable), does just fine, gracias! The fare is classic Mexican and impressive dishes like the molcajete and the chilaquiles distinguish it from the competition.

Despite only opening in 2023, the Crazy Chicken (455 Main St) has quickly knit itself into the fabric of the town. “It’s the small town, local experience, and locals bar,” says Nancy Richards, owner of The Bunkhouse. Expect great chicken sandwiches and apps, but the real draw is the wings, which are ordered with a choice of 12 sauces, from Buffalo and teriyaki to ... PB&J.

Every town needs a barbecue joint and Kirby Cosmo's (474 Main St) is Minturn’s. Located on the north end of town, it often captures business from those coming down Highway 24 from Red Cliff and Leadville. The BLT with fried green tomatoes and the pulled pork sandwich are worth the stop.

Arriving in town from the I-70 side, you can’t miss Magustos’ (101 Main St) mustard-yellow building and its mustache logo. If the mustache has you thinking that the restaurant is Italian, well, you’re partially right. The menu has a little bit of everything, including pizza and pasta. And, in fact, that’s what you should go for. 

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Drink

For craft distillery connoisseurs, an absolute must is the Wee Dram (161 Main St), which is Minturn Whisky Co’s tiny home-turned-tasting room. It is likely the cutest and coziest space you’ve ever been to, and since it’s first-come-first-served, you might have to wait before you can sip a glass of Eagle River’s Scotch-inspired mountain whisky. Owners and distillers Spence and Stefanie Neubauer are so passionate about their spirits that you can’t help but get wrapped up in the story of it all. “We wanted to be in Minturn because of the water, which comes from Cross Creek,” Spence says, recounting  an anecodote from a Minturnite he met in passing whose grandchildren run straight to the tap when they come to visit because, she says,  it’s the best water they’ve ever had. And guess what the most important ingredient in whisky is? Water. To pay it forward the Neubauers donate one percent of all proceeds to the Eagle River Coalition.

While wines served at the Wild Mountain Cellars (107 Williams St) tasting room are made with Lodi, California-grown grapes, the winery’s vibe still fits the adventurous Minturn lifestyle. As winemaker Matthew Deem explains it: “Wild Mountain represents a look in the distance to unexplored terrain.”

With its roastery and headquarters in Minturn’s Meadow Mountain Business Park, you can be assured that any coffee you order from Vail Mountain Coffee & Tea (23698 US Hwy 24) will be as fresh as humanly possible. Come back in the afternoon for a glass of wine or beer on the banks of the river.

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Gawk

While wandering Main Street, don’t forget to look up to catch sight of the town’s iconic water tower. Guaranteed you’ll snap a picture.

You’ll also want a photo of Geronimo, the iconic, rusted-out, blue Chevy Impala that sits outside the Sunrise Cafe (132 Main St). Stuffed animals peek out from the holes in the car’s body. Deemed “The People’s Car,” the town issues Geronimo a parking variance, allowing it to remain front and center for the summer. Come November, however, the car rolls off into the sunset for the winter. If you’re wondering “why,” consider the car part of the local color and the intention to “Keep Minturn Minturn.” Geronimo is such an integral part of the local culture that Eagle River Whisky is naming one of its bottlings after it.

The Minturn Market, which celebrates 28 years in 2025, draws folks from far and wide to downtown Minturn’s Williams Street every Saturday between late June and the weekend after Labor Day. Eagle County’s oldest market is a combo of food trucks, produce, baked goods, and artisan wares, but more than anything, it’s a way to enjoy Minturn al fresco.

Not that you should go all paparazzi, but Minturn Fitness Center (1000 Maloit Park Rd) on the south side of town is where Lindsey Vonn trains when she’s in the valley. It’s also where athletes attending Vail Ski & Snowboard Academy (1 Academy Loop), named one of the best high schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report and home to many a future Olympian, work out daily.

Vail might have the Gerald Ford Amphitheater and Beaver Creek has the Vilar Performing Arts Center, but neither has anything on Little Beach Park Amphitheater (801 Cemetery Rd) on the banks of Eagle River. The summer concert series hosts free live music on most Thursday evenings from June through August. And with play structures and plenty of grass, it’s the perfect family outing. 

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Sleep

When Joe and Tierney Delude bought the Eagle River Inn (145 N Main St) from the previous owner (nicknamed “Old Dog” for the senior hound he kept around the hotel’s erstwhile liquor store), they knew it was going to be a project. The hotel was built as a boarding house for the railroad workers in the 1890s and underwent a major renovation in 1986. Needless to say, it needed some love. “When we first looked at the inn, we found it very charming,” Tierney says. “And when we saw the river on one whole side of it, we were in. “We updated everything and made it brighter without losing the adobe look and feel [of its history].” In addition to having 12 beautifully appointed rooms, the inn’s secret weapon is having a third-generation Minturn resident working the front desk who is a fountain of local history and knowledge.

When Nancy Richards first floated the idea of opening a hostel in the Vail Valley, she was told it couldn’t be done. Not true. The Bunkhouse (175 Williams St)—with 30 private pods (Japanese-style sleeping capsules) in the main bunk room, a four-person dorm, and a six-person dorm—opened in Minturn in 2016 and has been a resounding success, catering to solo travelers who don’t necessarily want to be alone. “Minturn was willing to work with us. The town was amazing and saw the benefit,” notes Richards. The hostel’s community feel brings people together, and Richards likes to show off her town by encouraging travelers to seek out what makes Minturn special. She points them to places like the Wee Dram, the Crazy Chicken, the Minturn Saloon, and the amphitheater for live music during the summer.

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Go Local

The heart and soul of Minturn is its individuality—and the fact that it isn’t Vail, Avon, or Beaver Creek. That’s a clear distinction among residents old and new, even as they wrestle with how to make the town economically viable. The problem is that growth can be tricky, especially when vacant and potentially historic buildings downtown need significant infusions of cash to make them viable. Eagle River Inn’s Tierney Delude puts it this way: “Yes, we need business and economic growth but we don’t want to become a resort town.”

“It’s not easy to make ends meet for our town budget,” explains Larry Stone of the Scarab. “We need creative people to come to Minturn. People who understand its character, have a reverence for the history, and are chasing their passion instead of the money.”

Recent examples are folks like the Deludes of the Eagle River Inn and Anthony and Connie Mazza of the Minturn Saloon. Both businesses leveraged savings, sweat equity, and cash from outside investors to preserve the town’s history and culture by not just renovating landmark buildings, but also upping the ante of the hospitality services Minturn provides.

Stone and other local business owners, including the Neubauers of Minturn Whisky and the Wee Dram, are creating a Downtown Development Authority to ensure there’s a plan for smart, Minturn-specific growth.

“Diversity and gentrification are coming,” says the Minturn Saloon's Anthony Mazza. “We have this window to hopefully hold onto the weirdness and quirkiness.”