Montezuma

Montezuma is a small statutory town in eastern Summit County, Colorado, sitting at 10,200 feet in the upper Snake River valley, with surrounding peaks reaching 12,000 to 13,000 feet. The Keystone ski resort lies downvalley to the west, and the Continental Divide rises just to the east. Despite its official town status, Montezuma is widely regarded as a ghost town — a former mining camp that now counts fewer than 100 residents, with just 74 people recorded in the 2020 census.

Visitors come for the historic atmosphere and dramatic Rocky Mountain setting. The high elevation and proximity to the Continental Divide make for striking scenery, though the short summer season and mountain weather demand preparation. Access is realistic from late spring through early fall; winter months bring serious hazards at this altitude.