Modern-day Basalt maintains its vintage railroad character, historic buildings and small-town feel. Its climate can’t be beat: lovely winters, fresh long springs, warm breezy summers, and brilliant crisp autumns create a haven for families and sports enthusiasts. It is a vibrant and diverse community offering a wealth of recreational opportunities.

The area’s natural landscape has created a phenomenal environment for fishing. Basalt boasts two Gold Medal waters: the Frying Pan and the Roaring Fork rivers, with some of the best fly fishing in the West. Many anglers venture out on their own, while others prefer to take advantage of the talented and knowledgeable fishing and rafting guides.

The Basalt Recreation Department is a wealth of information and activities for residents and non-residents. From cross-country skiing excursions and hiking trips, to football, tennis, baseball, soccer and softball programs, both children and adults can take advantage of playing in the outdoors under the direction of experienced instructors and athletes. Check out the schedule at www.basaltexpressrec.org.

Basalt’s many parks, community gardens and grassy spots, including the new Old Pond Park on Two Rivers Road and classic favorite Arbaney Park, next to the municipal swimming pool, give folks plenty of places to toss a Frisbee®, enjoy the local flora and fauna, have a picnic or simply sit on a bench and watch the passers-by.

Paved biking and walking paths abound around town, where non-motorized vehicles, animals and strollers are welcome. Bicyclists—and motorists—can take a winding and sometimes steep ride up the Frying Pan Road to Ruedi Reservoir. On this single road there are fine spots for fishing, camping, hiking and boating. Here you’ll also find the Basalt State Wildlife Area, with 5,000 acres and opportunities to view elk, eagles, bighorn sheep, deer and even mountain lions. If you are a motorist, make sure you fuel up before you hit the long road; there are no gas stations on Frying Pan Road.

Speaking of fuel, around town are loads of nifty eateries to fill empty bellies, including coffee shops, delis and pizza joints. From casual to classy, restaurant cuisine includes American, Chinese, El Salvadorian, French, German, Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Chinese and a new “World Bistro.”
It’s easy to wile away an entire afternoon simply browsing the shops and galleries downtown. Here, offerings include jewelry and clothing boutiques, an independent bookstore and toy store, stationery shop and much more. Art galleries feature folk art, artifacts, prints, photography, watercolors, oil paintings and other fun finds. Day spas make for a cozy, indoor spot to retreat from “real life” and get pampered for a while. Local hotels, lodges and bed-and-breakfasts offer visitors easy access to all of the attractions within walking distance; brand-new lodging is under construction in the southeastern part of town.

Drive just a few miles down Highway 82 to the west, and you’ll find the Willits development, with a thriving residential community and a vibrant Town Center. Loft living lends an urban feel to the area, and upscale shops and a variety of restaurants add to the area’s color. On the docket: a Whole Foods market, the first of its kind in a resort community.

There’s still more happening in Basalt: Voters have approved the building of a new town library across from the post office. The library’s digs will feature expanded community meeting space and a bigger children’s section. And as always, 2008 brings favorite annual festivals, such as August’s River Days, local parades, a summer concert series and children’s activities—community events that make Basalt a wonderfully homespun and approachable place to live and visit.

For more information about the Town of Basalt, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 970-927-4031 or Town Hall at 970-927-4701. Also visit www.basalt.com.


Town of Basalt


Basalt grew out of a crude frontier settlement called “Frying Pan” that was established in the early 1880s near the junction of the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork Rivers. This rugged outpost had more saloons than churches and few women or families. It was a camp where men cut timber and fed wood into charcoal kilns. The beehive-shaped brick kilns, constructed in 1882 and still standing today at Arbaney Park, were among the first permanent industrial structures built in the Roaring Fork Valley to support silver mining in Aspen.

In 1883 an enormous wooden trestle and two separate tunnel bores beneath the Continental Divide brought the Midland Railroad’s standard gauge train down the Frying Pan into the Roaring Fork Valley to Aspen, in a competition with the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, then a narrow gauge. With the announcement by Midland that the junction of the rivers would also become the main junction for the railroad, a town was formed in 1887 called Aspen Junction.

The railroads brought a wave of commerce and industry and confusion over the town’s name, which was often mistaken for Aspen and Grand Junction. The Midland Railroad eventually opted for a new identity and settled on a namesake derived from the black volcanic rock that stands in a formidable mountain peak – Basalt Mountain – just north of town.

Today, fly fishermen wade the crystal-clear waters of the Frying Pan River, angling trout in this gold medal trout stream. Golfers tee up at the world-class Roaring Fork Club, designed by Jack Nicklaus. Cyclists pedal the meandering curves of Frying Pan River Road shadowed by bald eagles and great blue herons. Boaters set sail at Ruedi Reservoir, unfurling spinnakers during a regatta at the Aspen Yacht Club.


Basalt Chamber of Commerce

Overseeing a list of events that run all year long is enough to keep things hopping at the Basalt Chamber of Commerce.

Basalt River Days is a fun-filled mountain celebration of the Gold Medal Rivers of Basalt. The festival, scheduled for August 15-16, 2008, comprises a whole litany of events including national-caliber bands, food, arts and crafts, pie baking, a parade, and much more.

Summertime also brings the Basalt Music Series, beginning in mid-June and running through the end of August. Local, regional and national bands perform on Wednesday evenings in Lions Park and other venues throughout greater Basalt. For 2008’s line-up and locations visit www.basaltchamber.com.

The holiday season glistens in historic downtown Basalt, often blanketed in snow. The chamber hosts the Peace Tree Lighting and Holiday Stroll in December, featuring Santa Claus, carolers, hay rides and prime shopping into the night.

The Basalt Chamber works hard to support and promote the local economy, offering discounted season ski passes, business after-hours mixers and grand opening events to bring attention to area businesses and drive customers to their doors. In conjunction with other area chambers of commerce, Basalt hosts professional development seminars every year and collaborates with Colorado Mountain College to enrich the knowledge of those participating.

As Basalt expands, new neighborhoods emerge in the vibrant new urban developments of Willits, Orchard Plaza, Southside and the Midvalley Business & Design Center. Each area enhances Basalt’s offerings of small boutiques, art galleries and some of the best restaurants in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Be sure to stop by the chamber, housed in an authentic railroad caboose symbolic of the town’s railroad heritage. Here you’ll find maps, brochures and recommendations to make the most of your stay in Basalt. You can also call the chamber at 970-927-4031 or visit
www.basaltchamber.com.