TOP 5 SUMMER DESTINATIONS IN THE COLORADO MOUNTAINS
Colorado is a popular winter vacation destination. Ski season is a popular time to visit Colorado because of the state’s abundance of mountain towns.
If you want to avoid the crowds, though, the summer in Colorado’s mountains is the best time to do so.
Colorado summers are lovely, with bright, sunny days and pleasant, comfortable evenings. The mountain slopes will be awash with color if you arrive at the correct time of year.
THE BEST MOUNTAIN TOWNS
The summertime fun in each Colorado mountain community is unique. Some are famous for their hot springs or alpine flowers, while others host the best festivals outside of Colorado.
Don’t know where to begin? Here are our top five mountain communities in Colorado to visit this summer.
Here are a few helpful hints for planning the perfect vacation in Colorado:
CRESTED BUTTE, COLORADO
Crested Butte is one of our favorite Colorado mountain communities because of its special blend of hippy cool and old mining town character.
Crested Butte, Colorado, was recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of a “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” to visit in the United States.
Crested Butte is certainly worth the trip, despite being a bit out from the typical tourist route. The community of about 1,500 people holds its own thanks to its stunning natural scenery, plethora of outdoor pursuits, and rich Old West heritage.
Crested Butte is a popular ski resort town in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, but it’s also a great place to go hiking. Explore on foot or by mountain bike using a trail map obtained at the visitor center.
Taylor Canyon, between Gunnison and Crested Butte, offers a once-in-a-lifetime whitewater rafting excursion.
This tour of the Taylor River is perfect for the whole family since it will get your blood pumping and provide an up-close look at why this area is so beloved by Coloradans.
A trip with the kids to the Steamboat Springs Balloon Festival. Colorado Tourism Office/Matt Inden
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO
Even in the summer, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, provides a ton of excitement for guests, especially those who enjoy cowboy hats and the outdoors. In the mountains above Steamboat Springs, you can still see traces of the Old West.
In the summer, campers may enjoy the mountains and the magnificent Yampa River without worrying about snow.
You can take a rafting trip down the Yampa River, or you can rent an inner tube and float down the river on your own.
You can also visit the springs that gave the town its name if you choose. Strawberry Park Hot Springs is the place to go if you want a personal, genuine spring experience. Quick recovery is possible at these mineral hot springs.
Visit Steamboat Springs during the annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo and Art in the Park celebration if at all possible.
The Hot Air Balloon Rodeo is an annual event that takes place in late June or early July and features balloons in a variety of shapes and sizes, from cowboys to turkeys.
OURAY, COLORADO
A visit to Ouray, Colorado, a town often called “the Switzerland of America,” is another “can’t miss” on a summertime tour of Colorado’s mountain towns.
Ouray is a terrific site to relax in the natural hot springs or get up close and personal with some of the stunning waterfalls that dot the region, and it’s located a bit further south in the heart of the snow-capped San Juan Mountains.
The beautiful spring wildflowers are a major draw for visitors to this small mountain community. The outskirts of town serve as the starting point for a number of climbs.
The Bachelor Syracuse Mine is a great place to learn about the city’s rich gold and silver past. There you can get a glimpse into the lives of miners from the past.
You may take a ghost tour during the day or at night if you’re feeling courageous, and there are plenty of historic walking tours and cute shops on the main drag in Ouray.
Visit the vapor caves and unwind in this charming little slice of Switzerland if you’re in need of some mental hygiene.
BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO
Located in the Rocky Mountains, Breckenridge is a lovely mountain town that attracts visitors in search of the great outdoors and a taste of small-town America during the summer months.
When the snow melts in the summer, Breckenridge, Colorado, a town known for its world-class skiing, becomes a veritable paradise of verdant forests, clear streams, and towering peaks.
In the summer, when Breckenridge is at its most active, the town becomes a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Miles of beautiful paths for hikers and bikers of all abilities are a main draw.
Breckenridge has everything you need for a relaxing stroll or an exhilarating day of mountain biking. Wildflower-filled meadows provide a beautiful tapestry that complements the breathtaking views of the neighboring hills.
TELLURIDE, COLORADO
Telluride, Colorado, has all you might want from a mountain community and more. This once-mining district in Colorado is now a haven for artists, athletes, and adventurers, and it is filled with historic buildings from the state’s Old West era.
Far from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis, the village may be found nestled in a quiet box canyon. Telluride, Colorado is a charming mountain town known for its independence and the dramatic scenery of its surrounding forested peaks.
There are many interesting events to attend over the summer in Telluride. Every year in June, the town hosts a Bluegrass Festival, drawing a large number of bluegrass bands for a day of outdoor enjoyment in the town’s outdoor amphitheater.
In the summer, the ski gondola is open and people can ride it up the mountain to get a bird’s-eye view of the small village below. If you want to see the San Juan Mountains in all their glory, you can hike all the way to the peak.
Or you could take a trip to Bridal Veil Falls, the longest free-falling waterfall in Colorado. Anglers, hikers, golfers, and cyclists frequent the area.
When the weather is nice in the summer in Telluride, residents and visitors alike love to spend as much time as they can outside.
Maybe you’ll be so occupied with all the fun things to do this summer that you’ll breeze right on through to the perfect spot to begin your ski season.
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLORADO
When it comes to weekend getaways in Colorado, many Coloradans choose Glenwood Springs. They travel here for the Hanging Lake walk and the thermal springs.
When the temperature outside rises, many people head to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park to cool off and get up close and personal with some of Colorado’s most stunning crystals and rock formations at this one-of-a-kind gem and mineral spectacular.
The Alpine Coaster, Cliffhanger Roller Coaster, Soaring Eagle Zip Ride, and the terrifying Giant Canyon Swing have made the once-simple cave tours into a major attraction at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.
Hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, and even paragliding are all fantastic options in the Glenwood Springs area. Hanging Lake is an iconic destination for hikers in this Colorado mountain town. Hanging Lake’s turquoise waters and beautiful cascade make it a popular destination for hikers of all ages.
If you want to experience staying in a historic hotel and rubbing shoulders with famous people, the Hotel Colorado is the place to do it.
After you’ve had your fill of sight-seeing, relax in the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, the town’s top attraction.
After a day of sightseeing, it’s nice to come here and unwind in one of the two enormous outdoor pools (one for swimming and one for lounging).
The two enormous water slides in the pool are a big hit with the kids in the summer. Adults can get the stress relief they need at the Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves, which feature a natural geothermal steam bath.
