Colorado summers practically beg for a good scoop of ice cream, and some of the best cones in the state come from small-town shops that have been at it for decades. These are the kinds of places where families stop after Little League games, where road trippers pull over for a cool break, and where recipes get passed down instead of thrown out.
A few sit inside historic buildings, some make their treats in small batches right on site, and all of them have kept regulars coming back year after year. If you love finding a classic soda fountain or a homemade cone while exploring Colorado’s mountain towns and quiet main streets, this list is for you.
Grab a napkin, plan a drive, and get ready to add a few sweet stops to your next Colorado adventure.
1. Josh and John’s Naturally Homemade Ice Cream, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Started back in 1986 by two friends named Josh and John, this Colorado Springs favorite has built its reputation on small-batch ice cream made in the store.
The shop leans into natural ingredients and rotating flavors, so the case looks a little different depending on when you visit. Cones, shakes, and sundaes round out a simple, classic menu.
Downtown Colorado Springs makes an easy setting for a stop, whether you are exploring the shops nearby or cooling off after a day at Garden of the Gods. It is a friendly place to bring the whole family for a scoop.
2. Lyons Soda Fountain, Lyons, Colorado
Step into an old-fashioned soda fountain experience in the small town of Lyons, where the counter service and classic treats feel like a throwback in the best way.
The menu keeps things traditional with malts, shakes, floats, sundaes, and scoops. It is the kind of stop that pairs perfectly with a slow walk around a quiet mountain-gateway town.
Lyons sits near the entrances to some of Colorado’s popular canyon drives, so this is an easy pit stop when you are heading toward the hills. Order a malt at the counter and settle in for a bit.
3. Sweet Coldwater Company, Buena Vista, Colorado
Mountain town energy meets homemade treats in Buena Vista, a favorite base camp for rafting and hiking along the Arkansas River.
Ice cream makes for the perfect reward after a day on the water or the trail, and a scoop shop in a town like this tends to stay busy all summer long.
Buena Vista’s location in the Upper Arkansas Valley means big views and easy access to outdoor fun. Grabbing a cone here fits right into a day spent exploring the surrounding peaks.
4. Higher Grounds Ice Cream, Salida, Colorado
Salida’s historic downtown is packed with brick storefronts and creative shops, which makes it a fun spot to wander with a cone in hand.
An ice cream stop here fits the town’s laid-back, artsy vibe. Salida draws visitors year round with its riverfront setting and lively main street, and something cold and sweet is an easy add to any afternoon.
The town sits along the Arkansas River in the heart of the mountains, so plan a walk by the water before or after you grab your scoop. It is a relaxed way to enjoy one of Colorado’s most charming small towns.
5. Glacier Homemade Ice Cream and Gelato, Durango, Colorado
Durango loves its sweets, and Glacier has become a go-to name for homemade ice cream and gelato in the southwest corner of the state.
The shop makes its own flavors in small batches, offering both classic ice cream and Italian-style gelato so you can go traditional or try something a little different.
Downtown Durango works well for a stroll, especially near the historic railroad depot where the famous narrow gauge train pulls in. A cone here is a sweet way to cap off a day of sightseeing in a town full of history.
6. Two Below Zero, Frisco, Colorado
High up in Summit County, Frisco’s Main Street is a walkable stretch of shops and eateries where ice cream feels right at home after a day in the mountains.
A scoop shop in a ski-and-summer town like this stays useful in every season, whether you are cooling off in July or treating the kids after a day on the slopes.
Frisco sits close to Lake Dillon and several major ski areas, so it is a natural stop on a Summit County trip. Grab a cone and enjoy the mountain backdrop that surrounds the town.
7. Boulder Ice Cream, Boulder, Colorado
Homemade flavors with a Colorado twist have made Boulder Ice Cream a longtime local name, with its treats popping up in shops and scoop spots around the area.
The company has focused on crafting its ice cream in small batches, and its pints have become a familiar sight for folks who want that homemade taste at home.
Boulder itself is a lively college town at the base of the Flatirons, packed with places to walk, shop, and eat. A scoop fits perfectly into a day spent exploring Pearl Street and the surrounding foothills.
8. Sweet Cow Ice Cream, Louisville, Colorado
Fun-loving and family-friendly, Sweet Cow got its start in Louisville and has built a loyal following for its homemade ice cream made in small batches.
The brand keeps a playful cow theme running through everything, and the shops serve up cones, cups, and sundaes with a rotating lineup of flavors.
Louisville’s historic Main Street has repeatedly earned praise as one of the best small-town main streets around, which makes it a pleasant place to walk before or after your treat. It is an easy, cheerful stop for a scoop just outside the Denver metro area.
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