11 Fun Things to do in Silt, CO (+ Where to Stay & What to Eat)

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This little old west town has been dubbed a “simply irresistible little town”, or SILT.  Calling the town by an acronym is much more inviting than a town named after the fine sand of the Colorado river bottom. Although this is a tiny little town, you will find interesting things to do in Silt and in the surrounding area.

Silt is located centrally along I-70, between Glenwood Springs and Rifle. Generally, visitors stay in Silt as a jumping-off point for activities in the greater Colorado River Valley. In fact, the town calls itself the ” gateway to the outdoors.”

The Silt area boasts hiking, fishing, snowshoeing, skiing, snowmobiling, rafting, biking, boating, and horseback riding throughout the year. The KOA campground has become a favorite of travelers. It is frequented by many of the same travelers that visit the Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs annually.  

This is part of our series on Western Colorado. If you are looking for things to do and places to stay near Silt we have many more resources for you. The next town west (or down the valley) is Rifle and the extremely popular Glenwood Springs is 15 miles to the east(or up valley). (Hint if you want to sound like a local heading east along I-70 is called “up valley” and west is called “down valley” because it is along the Colorado River.

Make sure to check out our in-depth guides on the surrounding areas.

• 17 Fun Things to do in Rifle (the next town West)
• Ultimate Guide for Camping Near Silt and Rifle
• Guide to Planning An Amazing Vacation in Glenwood Springs Area
• 17 Memorable Things to do in Glenwood Springs

About Silt

The first inhabitants of Silt were the Ute people who lived along the Colorado River Valley. Then In 1881, the area was open to homesteading.

It was originally founded in the late 1800s as a coal mining and agricultural town.  In 1915, it was incorporated into Garfield county as the town of Silt. 

Fun fact about Silt: sugar beets were the main crop in early agricultural history (source). 

Oil and gas development in the area has had an impact on the development of Silt as well. They experienced the boom and bust of the oil shale times. Today part of the economy is based on the natural gas exploration and production in the region.

Today this town is a great example of the western small town life. About 3,000 people live within that 1.5 miles Square area. Many more people live within small ranches and farms in the unincorporated lands surrounding Silt.

Here are the best things to do in and near Silt (And you wil find where to stay and eat):

Hand Feed an Alpaca at Sopris Alpaca Farm

We love going to see the alpacas and you will too. The Sopris alpaca farm features over 30 Alpaca that are used for show and for their fleece.

This family raises the alpacas from birth so you might even see some tiny babies or yearlings. A visit to the farm is free but you can buy a small bag of food to feed the alpaca. They also have a cute little shop on-site and host weekend crafts and events for kids. Check their website for the latest kids’ activities.

• Sopris Alpaca Farm Website
• Location: 35795 US-6, Silt, CO 81652
• Cost: Free to visit and stay at an AirBNB

Step Back in Time at the Silt Historical Park

At Silt historical park you can step back in time to the true old west.  The park is full of relocated original buildings, supplies, and artifacts from the area. 

Some of the buildings include a sheepherder’s camp, schoolhouse, blacksmith’s shop, mercantile, cowboy camp, office and saloon, house, and railroad building.  Each is set up with original artifacts of the time.During special events the Silt Historic Park comes to life with reenactments.

You can drop in between noon and five from Tuesday through Saturday or contact them at (970) 876-5801 To make an appointment. The volunteers are all very knowledgeable and interested in the history of the area.

• Silt Historical Park Website
• Location: 707 Orchard Ave, Silt, CO 81652
• Cost: Donation basis

Take Family Portraits in a Magical Setting

The Colorado River Valley is situated between the distant peaks, the Grand Hogback and the Colorado River, Several places along the River or one of the nearby reservoirs makes for a spectacular backdrop for family pictures.

We took our latest family photo here and had a wonderful experience. Simply blessings photography is located near silt. The photographer specializes in families with small children and babies. She does a wonderful job of moving quickly keeping the kids entertained and adding a touch of old western feel to your photos.

• Simply Blessing Photography
• Location: 240 W Main St. PO Box 891 New Castle, CO 81647
• Cost: Portrait packages vary

Enjoy an Afternoon at Harvey Gap Reservoir

As you follow seventh Street out of town north over Silt Mesa you will drive through the pretty little plateau of ranchettes and hayfields. The road follows through the gap in the hogback to Harvey Gap Reservoir. This little reservoir is situated in a beautiful valley between the mountains. You can fish, hike, boat along the reservoir, or swim at the swim beach

We enjoy swimming here in the summer but as the reservoir level decreases in late July and August it can get a little bit muddy. The parking fee is a Colorado State Parks pass and is currently 9$. Remember to bring your lifejacket if you plan to float because it’s Colorado law.

Insiders’ secret: your state park pass is good until noon the next day so you can return or explore the nearby state parks. We suggest Rifle Gap Reservoir or Rifle Falls State Park.

• Harvey Gap State Park & Reservoir
• Location: Harvey Gap Road
• Cost: $9 for the parking pass

Story Time at the Library 

I know you don’t usually see a library on the list of things to do in a small town. We have so much fun checking out libraries in different areas like a review of one in Moab.

This is an impressive little library for a tiny town.  You can enjoy study rooms, a large community room, a beautiful fireplace reading area, laptops that can be checked out for use in the library. They have many community activities and small children’s reading area. There are also interactive toys in this reading area.

• Silt Library Website
• Location: 680 Home Ave, Silt, CO 81652
• Cost: Free

Buy a Bucket of Honey at the Honey Shack

if you really want to be treated to a local go to buy their honey by the buckets. This place is literally just a shark or small building on a ranch.

“We are one of the largest honey producers in Colorado. We annually raise millions of honeybees and harvest the honey from nine different regions on the western slope of Colorado. The honey is then brought to our licensed extraction facility to bee extracted. Then it’s transported to our licensed bottling facility to bee bottled and distributed. Giving our customers the ultimate farm to table honey experience.”

Colorado Mountain Honey

• Colorado Mountain Honey Website
• Location: 5876 Co Rd 346, Silt, CO 81652
• Cost: Varies by the amount of honey that you buy

The Silt Colorado River Park

Just south of I-70 past Holiday Inn Express is a nice little park along the Colorado River. The Silt River Preserve is a 132-acre conservation easement protected by Aspen Valley Land Trust and owned by the Town of Silt. The area protects wildlife habitat that includes active bald eagle nests, a blue heron rookery, winter range for deer and elk, and is a wonderful community resource.

There is a boat ramp for access to the river, picnic areas, trails, educational waysides, and a community garden. Make sure to take time to walk the short flat circuit walk along the river and back through the cottonwoods.  A small pond and picnic tables are centrally located in the park. This place is good for fishing access for floating the river, skipping rocks, and walking your dog.

• Silt River Preserve website
• Highwater Farm on the preserve website
• Location: 7001 Co Rd 346, Silt, CO 81652
• Cost: Free

Enjoy A Cup of Coffee at Wild Coffee

This coffee little coffee shop right in the center of town is loved by locals and travelers alike. People have said “This is the best coffee shop in the Roaring Fork Valley.”

You can get a locally roasted cup of coffee and pastry to enjoy inside or to go. The shop and the coffee have a wonderful local story, but you will have to stop by and ask Misty herself.

• Wild Coffee Shop
• Location: 704 Main St Silt, CO 81652
• Cost: just a cup of coffee

Visit Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs is located just 25 minutes from Silt. Glenwood and its hot springs is one of the main attractions For visitors to Silt. You can soak in the hot springs, raft the river, high altitude amusement park and ski in the winter. We have an entire series on Glenwood to help you plan your visit there.

• Plan your visit to Glenwood Springs
• 17 Fun Things to do in Glenwood Springs
• Which Hot Springs Should You Choose?

Experience the Old West in Rifle

Rifle is the next town to the west and has many outdoor adventures to offer. You can stay in town, watch a show, play a round of golf or eat at a unique restaurant. Or choose to head out for a hike and or water sports at Rifle Gap State Park. A little further into the hills, you will find Rifle Falls State Park. That’s exactly where we suggest you spend a day. Its beautiful in any weather.

• 17 Fun Things to do in Rifle
• Rifle Falls State Park
• Guide to Camping near Rifle

Where to Stay in Silt

Holiday Inn Express

Holiday Inn Express hotel is located on the south side of the river and has both river and mountain views. You can enjoy the scenery of the snowcapped Mamm Peaks and views of the Roan Plateau while you watch the river flow by. We think it’s fun to watch boaters and fisherman floating the river or the eagles hunting along the Colorado River.

Special tip: Room 301 has the best view from a private balcony this balcony can even be enjoyed in the sunny Colorado winter.

• Holiday Inn Express at Booking.com
• Ask for Room 301

Red River Inn

The Red River Inn is just off the highway in town. This hotel is locally owned and budget friendly. They have larger rooms avaliable and some with kitchenette. There is a delux triple for up to six people.

Welcome to Red River Inn, your Silt “home away from home.” Red River Inn aims to make your visit as relaxing and enjoyable as possible, which is why so many guests continue to come back year after year. Guest rooms offer air conditioning and a refrigerator, and Red River Inn makes getting online easy as free wifi is available. You can also take advantage of some of the amenities offered by the small hotel, including a 24 hour front desk. 

Red River Inn

• Check Prices for Red River Inn

KOA Campground

This popular full-service campground is conveniently located right off I-70 on the Colorado River.  The campground is new and currently expanding which means it all has all new facilities as well. You can RV camp, tent camp, or rent a small cabin right along the river. You might have a little highway noise or hear the train from the far side of the highway. Spots start at $48 a night or you can become a member for a $10 discount

The Alpaca Farm

Sopris Alpaca Farm is just east of town on Highway 6. They have over 30 alpacas on the farm and the owners are wonderful. They are members of Harvest Host and have an Alpaca Experience AirBNB. You’ll find so many wonderful things made of alpaca fleece to buy and gifts for others In the shop.

You will love sitting on the porch watching the Alpaca play as the sun sets. Or having your morning coffee with them.”

alpaca paradise

Free Camping

If you would like to disburse camp on public lands the town is surrounded by BLM land. You can camp anywhere on BLM. Your best option is to stop in the BLM field office located right off I- 70 South of town and pick up a map.

You can add this in as a stop along a Colorado RV road trip or rent a camper near here after you arrive. We suggest Outdoorsy as the have more RVs for rent near here (including ours)

• Read our Ultimate Guide to Boondocking
• Read more for places to camp in the Colorado River Vally

Silt Colorado RV rental

You can find RV rentals in Silt on Outdoorsy. There is this really cool camervan that is pet friendly and ony 22 feet long. Perfect for an adventure!! Campervan for Rent in Silt .

Where to Eat in Silt

Wild Coffee for Breakfast and Coffee

Even if you’re just passing through on I 70 it’s worth a stop at Misty‘s coffee shop. This young lady is so sweet and the service is excellent. She has a wonderful story about opening this coffee shop at a young age. But I’ll let you ask her about it yourself.

The coffee beans are roasted locally by a family that started a roastery in Uganda. You can also get yummy local pastry to go with your cup of coffee.

This coffee shop is located Just west of the roundabout in the main downtown area. The space is small but has a wonderful atmosphere and if your kids want to go for a walk to the library or park it’s just around the corner.

BrickHouse Pizzeria for Lunch or Dinner

This little restaurant serving pizza and Italian food is right off the roundabout in town. The restaurant is owned by a local family with one restaurant in silt and one in rifle.

It’s a small place but the staff will do their best to seat you if you have a large family. They serve flat crust pizza cheese bread garlic knots and wings.

Miners Claim

The Miners Claim is a great place if you are in town for lunch or dinner. This is considered the nice restaurant for a special occasion in town. But you don’t have to visit just on a special occasion the atmosphere is laid-back as the rest of Western Colorado and the food is yummy. The outside eating area has fireplaces to keep you warm in the winter.

Final Thoughts

Silt is a tiny little town with a wonderful welcoming feel. Its centrally located along I-70 and considered the “Gateway to the Outdoors”. You can head just 20 minutes in any direction and find a new adventure.

• 17 Fun Things to do in Rifle (the next town West)
• Ultimate Guide for Camping Near Silt and Rifle
• Guide to Planning An Amazing Vacation in Glenwood Springs Area
• 17 Memorable Things to do in Glenwood Springs

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