My daughter was looking at Staunton State Park for some climbing. I'd probably spend my time hiking 14ers. I only do class 1 and 2. What small town do you recommend nearby for airbnb's? I like small and high (in elevation, lol), and what mountains would I be near? I went to Leadville 2 summers ago and did Massive and Elbert. Didn't get a Whitney permit, so figured I could go play for a week in CO. Probably just fly into Denver and rent a car

Bierstadt, Evans, and Quandary are all pretty easy and pretty close. Bierstadt and Quandary are climbed a LOT and are a lot of people's first 14er.

How far is too far for a town? Besides Evergreen, which is a fine town, but maybe not vacation from Texas worthy, there's really not much within 30 minutes each way.

Loved when we lived in Conifer.

Buena Vista is a pretty cool spot for camping in close proximity to a lot of 14ers, but not sure about the airbnb scene.

Mr President Elect said:

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Buena Vista is a pretty cool spot for camping in close proximity to a lot of 14ers, but not sure about the airbnb scene.

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Agree with this. Did Mt Yale and stayed with a friend who was living up there.

94chem said:

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Aggie_Boomin 21 said:

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How far is too far for a town? Besides Evergreen, which is a fine town, but maybe not vacation from Texas worthy, there's really not much within 30 minutes each way.

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I've been to Cloudcroft, Taos, and Leadville the past few years. Put me in the woods at 9000 feet, and life is good.

Much more of a Silverton/Red River guy than a Breckenridge/Telluride/Winter Park person.

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I meant how far from the park is too far for y'all?

10andBOUNCE said:

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Mr President Elect said:

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Buena Vista is a pretty cool spot for camping in close proximity to a lot of 14ers, but not sure about the airbnb scene.

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Agree with this. Did Mt Yale and stayed with a friend who was living up there.

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I've had some good airbnb experiences in Buena Vista...pretty good central location to some good climbs.

BV is really a good option. There are a fair number of Airbnb options as well. I'm a bit biased because my cousin owns a number of stores/restaurants up there, though.
Check out Princeton Hot Springs resort.
You can get access to Mt Antero, Mt Princeton, Mt Harvard, Mt Elbert and Mt Massive anywhere from a few minutes to a short drive away

Whatever you do if you go, remember NOT to call it "Bwayna vista". Call it "Bee-u-na Vista", or just BV. I've had a few run ins with real cranky locals whom hate the S*** out of Texans.
Funny, they don't seem to hate my money, though….

Also, the fishing on the Arkansas that runs right on the east side of town is pretty good quality, but waters can be painfully cold

Buena Vista is a good base. If you're willing to try something a little harder for 14ers the Kit Carson and Challenger point are a nice combo. It's a long day from the trailhead though if you're not backpacking. Do not attempt in bad weather though as the backside of Kit Carson has massive exposure if you slip

This is the Kit Carson route https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=kitc2

Agree with others, BV is a great option with plenty of VRBO/ABnB options at varied price points. Georgetown is a decent home base for Bierstadt and Grays & Torreys, but limited lodging options and not near as much food & drink. For Quandry & Decalibron, Alma is a good home base for lodging and not far from food & drink in Breck or Fairplay.

Thanks, everyone. This is my go-to guide for rectangle states. And Boo-eeena Vista? Dadgum, those people have worse pronunciation than LBJ!

Just to update, we ended up going to Fairplay, and stayed at The Hand Hotel. I hiked the DeCaLiBron (Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, and Bross) out of nearby Alma, and Quandary Peak out of Breckenridge. My daughter climbed 2 days near Buena Vista and surfed in the river.

Loved the cocktails at the Distillery in Fairplay, and the food truck out back was amazing and cheap.

FairPlay = South Park. Seriously. Great little town.