A former mining depot, Red Cliff promises echoes of a Wild West past and veins of rushing creek water. Sleep at Green Bridge Inn, the town’s only place to stay, nestled at the base of its evergreen-laden hills. Less than an hour away from top ski destinations like Beaver Creek, Vail and Copper Mountain and settled amid wonders like the White River National Forest and Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument, this inn beckons to any Colorado-thrills seeker.
Keep an eye out for the vertical green sign spelling out the inn’s name on its green-and-brown three-story facade. Inside, you’ll find rooms with wood-paneled walls, dark-brown bed frames, rustic windows and kitchenettes, so you can feel cozy without sacrificing the classic comforts. Visit the first floor for the provisions and liquor stores (the only ones in Red Cliff) for a night-in wine bottle, or relax on the patio to admire the quaint streets of your basecamp before experiencing mountain excitement.
While you’ll feel sweetly tucked away in a slightly isolated spot, you’re still involved in a vibrant community. The inn, aside from being the only one in Red Cliff, is a hub for the occasional community event or popular race, like the annual TransRockies run. Feel the enchanting town’s fellowship either by participating in adventurous activities, or by simply watching the action from your terrace.
It’s the location of the inn that screams Colorado: With the surrounding national monument and national forest, you can get into the state spirit and make this area your playground in snowfall or sunshine. Rent an ATV during the summer or a snowmobile in the winter, and know you have an inviting retreat waiting when you’re ready to call it a day.
Although Wi-Fi and long-distance calls are available, this high-elevation hotel sits happily in a cell-service dead zone. Relish an off-the-grid long weekend solo or with loved ones.
The corner King Suite has it all — balcony views revealing colorful storybook houses built on Red Cliff’s hillsides and inside space to stretch out. Plus, the room provides dishware to reheat your leftover grilled cheese and chili from Mango’s Mountain Grill (the small town’s only restaurant) and glassware for your wine from the provisions store downstairs.
“Green Bridge Inn feels like home away from home! We have stayed twice at the Green Bridge Inn, in different rooms but both equally high quality and comfortable. The staff is always friendly and super helpful. If you are lucky enough to have your journey bring you to the area, the Green Bridge Inn is definitely the place to stay!” — dkdubord, Tripadvisor
Only two minutes away via car is the famed steel-arch Green Bridge that the inn was named after, also known as the Red Cliff Bridge, and the nearby overlook makes for an Insta-worthy photo op.
Want an invigorating hike? Check out the constantly inclining — but generally less-populated — Half Moon Trail for high-up views of reflective lakes and jagged peaks as far as the eye can see.
Looking to experience the iconic Mount of the Holy Cross? Trek the 10-plus miles on its trail, or get a view of the fourteener on the .4-total-mile Julia’s Deck Trail, which leads to the picturesque Mount of the Holy Cross Overlook. For more low-key exploration, take a 15-minute scenic drive along the Top of the Rockies byway to endearing Minturn for their summertime market or boutique shops.
Photos courtesy of Chris Miller Photography & Green Bridge Inn