Nestled in the heart of Colorado, the historic communities of Alma and the wider El Paso County region offer a window into the state?s early 20th-century mountain life. Travelers interested in heritage, railroads, and old-school Americana will find a compelling mix of high-altitude scenery, small-town charm, and evocative ghost-town remnants scattered through the hills.
Where Alma and El Paso County Sit in Colorado
Alma lies high in Colorado?s central Rockies, often cited among the highest incorporated towns in the United States. While El Paso County is better known today for the larger city of Colorado Springs, its hinterlands and historic communities share similar roots in mining, ranching, and early frontier settlement. Together, they offer a rewarding side trip for anyone exploring Colorado?s Front Range and mountain passes.
A Journey Back to the 1920s Mountain West
Travelers with an interest in early 20th-century life will find that many communities around Alma and El Paso County retain traces of the 1920s in their streetscapes, cemeteries, and old school buildings. The era was marked by mining booms and busts, narrow-gauge railroads snaking along canyons, and small schools serving scattered mountain families.
Reading the Landscape Through Old School Sites
Historic school sites scattered through the region evoke a time when a single-room schoolhouse could serve as both classroom and community center. When you pass weathered foundations, small cemeteries, or clusters of older homes, you are often walking through what used to be the center of local life. For modern visitors, these sites help frame hikes and scenic drives as living history tours rather than just pretty views.
Cemeteries as Quiet Storytellers
Across El Paso County and up into the high country near Alma, small, often fenced cemeteries dot the hillsides. Dates from the late 1800s into the 1920s tell stories of miners, ranchers, teachers, and children who shaped the region. Visiting respectfully allows travelers to connect names and dates to the broader narrative of Colorado?s settlement, while also enjoying peaceful, panoramic vantage points over valleys and peaks.
Exploring Ghost Towns and Forgotten Communities
The mountains surrounding Alma and parts of El Paso County are rich with the remains of ghost towns?clusters of foundations, tumbled log walls, or lone school structures that once served dozens of families. These former communities are ideal for travelers who enjoy pairing outdoor exploration with local history.
What to Expect in Colorado Ghost Town Country
- Ruins and Relics: Old school sites, mine shafts, and cabin ruins appear along backroads and hiking routes. Always observe safety signs and keep a safe distance from unstable structures.
- Variable Access: Some locations are reachable by paved or graded roads, while others require high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles, especially in wet or snowy conditions.
- Seasonal Beauty: Summer and early autumn offer the best combination of clear roads and scenery, with wildflowers or golden aspen groves providing a vivid backdrop to abandoned townsites.
Planning a Self-Guided History Drive
Visitors can design a loop that begins near Colorado Springs in El Paso County, then climbs toward higher-elevation communities closer to Alma. Along the way, pullouts and side roads often lead to former school locations, railroad grades, or remnants of homesteads. Topographic maps, modern GPS apps, and local visitor centers can help pinpoint notable historic points while ensuring that you remain on public roads and respect private property.
Outdoor Experiences Around Alma and El Paso County
Beyond their cultural heritage, Alma and the surrounding counties are gateways to classic Colorado outdoor adventures. The high country invites hiking, scenic drives, and wildlife watching, all with sweeping views of the Continental Divide and the Front Range.
High-Altitude Hiking and Scenic Passes
From Alma, travelers can access mountain passes and trailheads that climb quickly above the tree line. Popular activities include summiting nearby peaks, trekking along old wagon routes, and exploring alpine meadows once used as grazing or transport corridors. In El Paso County, lower-elevation trails provide expansive views of Pikes Peak and the surrounding plains, making it easy to combine history stops with accessible day hikes.
Photography and Historic Landscapes
The combination of weathered wooden structures, distant ridgelines, and big skies makes this region rewarding for photographers. Early morning and late afternoon light cast warm tones on old schoolhouses, fences, and mine remains. Winter snow transforms deserted sites into quiet, monochrome scenes, while summer reveals rich greens and wildflowers around old townsites.
Seasonal Considerations for Visiting
Alma?s high elevation and the varying terrain of El Paso County mean that conditions can shift quickly. Planning with the seasons in mind will help you enjoy a safer and more comfortable trip.
Winter and Shoulder Seasons
Snow often arrives early and lingers late at higher elevations near Alma. Many remote roads can become impassable or challenging without proper equipment. Travelers visiting from late autumn to early spring should check road reports, be prepared for sudden weather changes, and focus on lower-elevation heritage sites in El Paso County when mountain passes are closed or icy.
Summer and Early Autumn
Summer is the most popular time for exploring ghost towns, historic school sites, and high alpine routes. Temperatures are comfortable, and most backroads are open. Early autumn offers brilliant foliage, cooler days, and fewer crowds, making it a favorite season for those interested in combining history walks with scenic photography.
Respectful Travel in Historic Mountain Communities
When exploring Alma, El Paso County, and surrounding historic landscapes, travelers can help preserve the area?s character by following a few simple practices:
- Leave structures and artifacts undisturbed; enjoy them visually and photographically only.
- Stay on established roads and trails to minimize erosion and habitat damage.
- Observe quiet hours and local customs in small communities that still function as home for modern residents.
- Pack out all trash and be prepared to go without services in remote areas.
Staying Overnight: From Mountain Lodges to City Comforts
One of the pleasures of a trip through Alma and El Paso County is combining high-country exploration with a comfortable night?s rest. In the higher elevations, visitors typically find small inns, rustic cabins, or vacation rentals that echo the region?s historic character. These accommodations often feature mountain views, easy access to trailheads, and a quieter, more intimate atmosphere that suits the reflective nature of heritage travel.
Lower in elevation, larger towns and cities in El Paso County provide a wider range of lodging, from familiar hotel brands to independent guesthouses. Staying in or near a city offers convenient services, dining options, and museums, while allowing you to drive into the hills by day to explore historic school sites, cemeteries, and old town locations. Many travelers choose to split their stay: a base in a larger community for a few nights paired with a night or two at higher altitude near Alma, where stargazing and crisp mountain air round out the historical experience.
Connecting Past and Present in the Colorado Rockies
Alma and the landscapes of El Paso County invite travelers to slow down and consider how history, geography, and modern recreation intertwine. From the remnants of early 20th-century schools and cemeteries to contemporary mountain trails and scenic overlooks, every bend in the road offers another chapter in Colorado?s story. With thoughtful preparation, respect for the land, and an eye for detail, visitors can turn a simple road trip into a rich journey through time in the central Rockies.