Summer & Spring
Activities
Known as the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado”, Crested Butte is truly a kaleidoscope of natural beauty in the summer. Since 1986, we’ve hosted the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, sharing Mother Nature’s colors with flower-lovers in fun, fresh ways. Apart from the scenery, Crested Butte also offers some of the most diverse warm-weather activities for you and your family.
In summer, Crested Butte and Mount Crested Butte are the best places to enjoy all of Colorado’s outdoor recreational activities: epic mountain biking, hiking in alpine and aspen forests, fishing in pristine rivers, lakes and streams, and whitewater rafting and kayaking in class II–IV rapids. Enjoy boating, paddle boarding and all water sports on Colorado’s largest lake, the Blue Mesa. Horseback riding and ATVing in the Rocky Mountains also prove to be some of the best ways to take in the spectacular scenery.
Here, surrounded by two million acres of National Forest and Wilderness, you can truly find serenity! Join us for the Wildflower Festival, Fat Tire Bike Week, Festival of the Arts, Reel Fest, Crested Butte Music Festival and the Crested Butte Fall Festival, just to name a few of the fabulous events! With so much going on, you may have to tack on a few extra days to your trip!
The park serves 25 trails covering 30 miles of lift-served cross-country and downhill trails for all abilities. There is everything from wide, flowy trails for beginners to steep rock gardens and more technical descents for the experts. In addition, the Gunnison Valley is home to over 750 miles of single-track and some of the most talked about mountain bike trails in the world.
Evolution Bike Park
Photo by CBMR
Summer Chairlift Rides
There’s nothing like the view from the top of Mt. Crested Butte. On a bluebird day, you can gaze down on the town of Crested Butte, look out toward the old town site of Gothic (a mining camp turned research area) or take in the entire Gunnison Valley. Plus, with a ride on the Silver Queen or Red Lady Express, you can do it all without the work of hiking! Available at Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
Live Summer Concerts
Presented by the Mount Crested Butte Town Center Community Association, the Live from Mt. CB music series returns for the summer of 2018 with an exciting lineup of amazing musicians. Join the fun every Wednesday between June 27 and August 15 for an evening of free music at the base of Mt. Crested Butte, just steps away from Nordic Inn!
Photo by TravelCrestedButte.com
Photo by CBMR
ATVing & Offroading
Mining roads from the late 19th and early 20th century make Crested Butte an awesome destination for off-roading, dirt bikes, and ATVs. Go over 12,000 foot mountain passes and through historical camps. Check out Schofield Pass, offering awesome views of the Gothic Natural Area and Pearl Pass, which will take you to Aspen through wildflowers, boulder fields, and steep climbs. Guides and rentals are available as well.
Photo by AllCrestedButte.com
Hiking
Hike to the summit of Mt. Crested Butte or just take a stroll through aspens and wildflower soaked meadows. Crested Butte Mountain Resort offers a few options for guided hikes. Plan on 2 hour to 2 hours and 30 minutes for each guided hike. Guided hikes are available for both individuals and families through Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
Running
Crested Butte’s epic hiking and mountain biking trails make for idyllic trail runs. The athletic community here is strong, only surpassed by the camaraderie in welcoming all levels of participants. Warning: The runs found here will quickly make you forget any mundane park laps taken in the city or suburbs and have you yearning for dramatic mountain views the next time you lace your shoes up.
Photo by irwinguides.com
Test your skill on the 28ft auto-belay Climbing Pinnacle in Mt. Crested Butte’s Adventure Park or venture out for the real thing on the nearby peaks and canyon walls. Taylor Canyon, only a 25-minute drive away near Almont, offers some excellent half-pitch routes. Venture a bit further south to Hartman Rocks near Gunnison for some high desert rock formations beckoning to be scaled.
Climbing
Photo by theclubatcrestedbutte.com
Golfing
The Club at Crested Butte features the only golf course in town. Designed by world-renowned course architect, Robert Trent Jones II, this championship golf course is one of Colorado’s hidden gems. Play on over 160 acres among a tranquil setting of trout filled lakes, aspens, and pristine wilderness, all surrounded by spectacular views of the Elk Mountain Range.
Tennis
Both public and private courts are available for you to get in some serves and volleys. Public courts are available at no charge on a first come, first served basis apart from days when there are clinics (In town Tues/Thurs midday, Wed mornings). The Club at Crested Butte also offers year-round tennis with indoor and outdoor courts (court fees apply). Public tennis courts can be sound at Crested Butte Courts off Elk Ave & 6th St and Mt. Crested Butte Courts off 911 Gothic Road, Mt. Crested Butte.
Rafting
Experience the Gunnison Valley from a different point of view through rafting! The Taylor River (a 20-minute drive), is fast and technical whitewater, delivering fantastic canyon scenery, a wild ride and memorable experiences. Upper Taylor will be more action packed and nerve-racking while the Lower Taylor will still take you on a sweet, but less intense trip. Guided half-day and full-day trips down the Taylor River or Gunnison Rivers are also through Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Photo by TravelCrestedButte.com
Hunting
The Elk mountain range’s namesake is prized in the area along with deer and wild turkey. Hiring a local hunting outfitter is recommended for their expertise, for permitting, and they can even help with hiring a local meat packer to process your game. Many hunting areas are not accessible by motorized vehicles, so plan on other means to get there. For more information on hunting areas, seasons, regulations, and license applications, check out the Colorado Department of Wildlife.
Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Stand up paddle boarding is a great activity for the whole family. Visit a number of picturesque lakes and rivers in the Crested Butte area like Emerald Lake in Gothic Valley near Schofield Pass, Lake Irwin or Lost Lake off Kebler Pass, Slate River off of Slate River Road, Taylor Reservoir in Taylor Park, Long Lake in the Washington Gulch or Blue Mesa Reservoir in Gunnison.
Photo by TravelCrestedButte.com
Photo by Ski.com
Summer Adventure Park
Enjoy mini golf, rock climbing, bungee trampolines, the Coke Zero Gravity BagJump and the newest feature the Tin Cup Mining Co., where kids can prospect for gems just like the miners of yesteryears did. Activities can be purchased a la carte or take advantage of the Adventure Ticket and enjoy unlimited access to chairlift rides and Adventure Park activities all day long.
Lifted Access: 3D Archery Course
Enjoy a 20-target archery course at the top of the Red Lady Express. Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Black Bear, Fox, Coyote and Rocky Mountain Elk will be set amongst the beautiful mountain landscape in a format that appeals to all ability levels. The loop from the lift covers a total of about one and a half miles and returns archers to the top of the chairlift, where they can download back to the base area.
Photo by crestedbuttenews.com
Photo by outtherecolorado.com
Disc Golf
Try Colorado's most scenic 18-hole disc golf course! Ten-Three @ Crested Butte is eighteen holes of pure fun for beginners and seasoned players alike and was recently named one of the top 25 courses in America. The course begins at the top of the Red Lady Express Lift and meanders to within easy strolling distance of the base area. Available through Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
Photo by crested-butte-real-estate.com
Summer Kids Camp
Summer time in Crested Butte is spectacular--and your kids should get to experience everything our valley has to offer. No matter their age, children can spend time experiencing mountain adventures, or enjoying the comforts of the Crested Butte Mountain Resort nursery while you’re out exploring.
Photo by kimcrestedbutterealestate.com
Scenic Drive
Enjoy the stunning vistas from the comfort of your own car. Taking a drive can allow you to catch more colors and views if your stay is brief. 4-wheel drive is not required for any of these trips, but cameras are certainly recommended. Keep in mind many of these routes are closed in the winter and if you venture off the beaten path, the road may get increasingly rough.
Special thanks to Crested Butte Mountain Resort and Travel Crested Butte for activity details.