Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado

Hide and seek: Discover the Wild West, tamed just right, in a former ghost town deep in southwest Colorado's San Juan Mountains.

Located at the end of a dusty road and surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks, the 1885 gold-mining town of Dunton is only about 30 miles from Telluride yet feels a million miles from anywhere. Yes, those are log cabins on the 1,500-acre property, but behind the rustic facades you'll find Anichini Egyptian cotton sheets and Ren spa products alongside works of Western and folk art selected by co-owner Christoph Henkel, who began restoring Dunton Hot Springs in 1994. Butch Cassidy may have carved his initials into the saloon, but the "town" now has its own winery to help guests wash down meals made from local, organic ingredients. It's tempting to head straight for the six natural hot springs, which range from 85 to 106 degrees. To really earn your soak, start with a hike up into the San Juans or a yoga session in the Pony Express studio. Whichever way you turn, you should have plenty of elbow room, as Dunton accommodates only 42 guests. You can take over the entire town, if you wish—no six-shooter necessary.

Find your way: Cortez Municipal Airport connects to Denver; from there, it's just over an hour's drive past waves of aspen trees and jagged volcanic peaks to Dunton.

Dunton Hot Springs
52068 West Fork Road, No. 38
Dolores, Colorado
Tel: 877 228 4674
Cabins from $500 per night per person, including meals and beverages

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