Plan your summer getaway to the Colorado Rockies

Keep it a secret from winter, but summer is my absolute favorite time in Colorado.

While skiing is fantastic and I enjoy heading to the mountains for thrilling powder days and cozy nights by the fireplace with hot chocolate, ever since I moved to Colorado over a decade ago, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the arrival of spring. This is marked by melting snow, thawing ground, and the delicate purple pasque flowers peeking through—clear indicators that summer is just around the corner.

Each year, I make sure to schedule several long weekends in the Rocky Mountains from May to September. My days are packed with outdoor dining, hiking, mountain biking, local festivals, birdwatching, art shows, brewery tours, farmers market strolls, and more. Here are my top recommendations for planning the perfect summer vacation in the Colorado mountains.

Step 1: Decide on your base location

On a map, Colorado’s mountainous area may appear small and easy to navigate. However, many high-altitude spots are actually quite distant and separated by challenging terrain, meaning you could find yourself driving for hours to reach a mountain town that seems close at first glance. For instance, while Aspen and Crested Butte are just 11 miles apart in a straight line—and some people hike between them—they’re over three hours apart by car.

Therefore, it’s advisable to focus on one specific area and make it your home base. By staying in one of the following mountain towns, you’ll enjoy easy access to outdoor adventures as well as restaurants, bars, shops, art venues, and a range of accommodation options. From each town, you can explore nearby areas without wasting too much time traveling.

Are you visiting Colorado for the first time? Check out these 16 must-do activities across the state

Aspen

Atmosphere: Upscale boutiques, art galleries, historic Victorian houses, and grand mansions nestled amid lush wilderness. Summer in Aspen is all about outdoor pursuits, but the town also boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene, featuring numerous museums, performing arts venues, concert series, historical sites, and cultural events.

Do: Enjoy a peaceful afternoon surrounded by flowers and hummingbirds at the John Denver Sanctuary. This tranquil park, nestled along the Roaring Fork River, boasts enormous boulders engraved with song lyrics and inspirational quotes. Enhance your visit by packing a picnic with snacks and charcuterie from Meat & Cheese, a favorite local eatery and farm shop.

Eat: Secure a reservation at Bosq, the first and only Aspen restaurant to earn a prestigious Michelin star when the guide made its debut in Colorado last year. Here, chef-owner Barclay Dodge creates dishes using wild ingredients foraged from the surrounding mountains. While it’s on the expensive side, the experience is undeniably worthwhile.

Stay: Experience a night in an Aspen landmark by reserving a room at the Hotel Jerome, an establishment that has graced the corner of Main and Mill streets for 135 years. Constructed in 1889, this historic hotel has witnessed countless stories, and you can delve into its rich past by joining a one-hour tour with the Aspen Historical Society.

Breckenridge

Vibes: A bustling, walkable Main Street lined with souvenir shops and outdoor gear stores, all set against a backdrop of rugged mountains. Breck attracts a mix of young families and bachelorette parties, making it a lively place for various activities and excellent people-watching.

Do: Sign up for a workshop at Breck Create, a nonprofit arts hub where you can explore skills like printmaking, glassblowing, screen printing, oil painting, and metal smithing. If you prefer a more leisurely experience, stroll through the downtown area known as the Breckenridge Arts District, where historic buildings have been transformed into art studios, galleries, and performance venues.

Eat: Savor a meal at Radicato or Rootstalk, both led by chef-owner Matt Vawter, who earned the James Beard Award for best chef in the Mountain region in 2024. Radicato specializes in homemade pasta and Italian dishes, while Rootstalk offers contemporary American cuisine. For a special occasion, indulge in the seven-course seasonal tasting menu with wine pairings at Rootstalk.

Stay: Experience the charm of The Carlin, a new downtown hotel inspired by quaint European inns. Often referred to as a “restaurant with rooms,” the main attraction is the ground-floor restaurant featuring seafood and light, coastal dishes. After dining, simply head upstairs to rest. There's also a subterranean tavern for those looking to continue the evening.

Crested Butte

Vibes: A charming small town known for its quirky, independent spirit and stunning wildflower displays. Crested Butte is a bit off the beaten path, requiring some effort to get to, which makes it a favorite among those who truly appreciate its beauty.

Do: Hop on the chairlift and enjoy a thrilling mountain bike descent at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, boasting over 30 miles of singletrack trails. If you visit in July or early August, you'll be cycling through vibrant fields of wildflowers.

Eat: For your morning coffee or a mid-afternoon boost, make the trek to Coffee Lab in the ghost town of Gothic. This charming spot in the historic town hall serves delicious brews, with all proceeds supporting the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, a nonprofit dedicated to high-elevation scientific research.

Stay: If you're traveling with friends or family, consider booking Scarp Ridge Lodge. This distinctive property, housed in a former saloon right in the heart of downtown, offers an upgraded vacation rental experience with cruiser bikes, chef-prepared breakfasts, a rooftop hot tub, and more.

Step 2: Secure your lodging

In Colorado's mountain towns, you'll discover a diverse selection of places to stay—from spacious Airbnb and Vrbo homes suitable for larger groups to charming cabins, upscale hotels, and budget-friendly motels. Most accommodations are conveniently located in town, making it easy to explore. If you're seeking an authentic, rustic experience, you can find a few secluded rural vacation rentals, though they are limited.

Summer is generally less crowded than winter in many Colorado mountain towns, especially those with ski areas, so securing a place to stay shouldn't be a problem, even if you're planning a spontaneous getaway.

However, there are some exceptions to this guideline. Hotels and vacation rentals often fill up several months ahead for holidays like Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, so you might find fewer options for those dates.

Throughout the summer, campsites also fill up quickly once reservations open, typically six months in advance. However, many campgrounds offer a limited number of first-come, first-served sites, so if you're feeling adventurous, you might still find a camping spot (just be sure to have a backup plan in case they're all taken). For those who don’t mind a more rugged experience, apps like iOverlander can help locate free, dispersed campsites on public land—but keep in mind these locations lack facilities (think: no bathrooms).

Step 3: Outline the top activities in the Colorado mountains

Consider a day trip

From Aspen: Journey to Glenwood Springs and enjoy an afternoon soaking at either Iron Mountain Hot Springs or Glenwood Hot Springs Pool.

From Breckenridge: Beat the heat with a visit to Dillon Reservoir, where you can learn to sail, rent kayaks and paddleboards, or build sandcastles on the beach.

From Crested Butte: Organize an adventure to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, a less-visited gem known for its breathtaking gorge carved by the Gunnison River.

Get outdoors

It's no surprise that outdoor activities take center stage in the Colorado mountains. You can customize your experience to match your comfort and skill level. Looking for a relaxed day in nature? Book a guided fly-fishing trip. Need an adrenaline rush? Rent a mountain bike or try whitewater rafting. Want to enjoy stunning vistas? Hike to the summit of a peak with your camera in tow. You can venture out solo, but if you prefer some guidance, there are plenty of outfitters ready to lead the way.

Explore mining history

Many of Colorado's mountain towns were once bustling mining hubs, where ambitious prospectors sought to extract gold, silver, lead, zinc, coal, and other precious resources hidden beneath the earth. Regardless of your historical interests, it's intriguing to delve into how these communities originated. You can take guided tours, explore historical mining sites, and even discover remnants of old mining machinery along various hiking trails.

Looking to explore Aspen on a budget? Check out these free experiences

Catch a performance under the stars

Apart from the occasional afternoon thunderstorm, summer weather in the mountains is nearly perfect. Many towns in Colorado host outdoor concert series or performances, allowing you to enjoy a show while gazing at the stars. With clear skies and minimal light pollution, it’s a fantastic combination.

In Aspen, don't miss the Aspen Music Festival, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. In Breckenridge, check out neighborhood pop-up performances from the Breck Music AirStage, a converted 1975 Airstream trailer turned stage. And enjoy free live music at Crested Butte Town Park during the weekly Alpenglow concert series.

Enjoy the vibrant summer festivals

There's almost always a festival happening in the Colorado mountains each weekend—and they're a blast! Check your travel dates to find out which annual events coincide with your visit, and plan to attend. Some of my personal favorites are the Breckenridge Wine Classic, the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, and the Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Experience or Labor Day Experience.

Step 4: Curate your menu and select the top dining spots in the Colorado mountains

Explore the farmers market

At weekly farmers markets in Aspen (Saturdays), Breckenridge (Sundays), and Crested Butte (Sundays), you can find fresh local produce, artisanal goods, homemade snacks, wine, and other treats. Stock up for snacking or those evenings when you prefer staying in.

Check out local craft breweries

Whenever I take a road trip to the mountains, I often start at a local craft brewery. These laid-back venues let you sample a flight of beers to discover your favorite, enjoy lawn games, order from food trucks, and mingle with locals. I recommend The Eldo Brewery in Crested Butte, Aspen Brewing Company, and Broken Compass Brewery in Breckenridge. If beer isn't your preference, visit Carboy Winery in Breckenridge for Colorado wines or Montanya Distillers in Crested Butte for Colorado rum.

Indulge in Colorado-inspired dishes

Colorado's stunning terrain has inspired many restaurant menus, showcasing mountain-inspired dishes such as elk tenderloin, rainbow trout, buffalo, and wild game sausage. Savor these flavors at places like Pine Creek Cookhouse in Aspen, Briar Rose Chophouse and Saloon in Breckenridge, and Elk Ave Prime in Crested Butte.

Step 5: Determine your travel method

You can easily take a road trip to Colorado's mountain towns from wherever you are—although once you arrive, your car might not see much use. Traffic and parking can be challenging in these towns, so you'll likely leave your vehicle at your hotel or rental and explore on foot, by bike, or via public transport.

Alternatively, you can fly into Denver International Airport and then either rent a car or book a shuttle for the remainder of your journey. While some Colorado mountain towns have their own regional airports, they are usually small with limited flight options, so you'll often need to connect through Denver.

Step 6: Get your bags ready

Colorado's mountain towns sit at elevations between 8,000 and 10,000 feet. This translates to warm, sunny days with temperatures reaching the 60s and 70s, accompanied by low humidity. However, nighttime temperatures can drop to the 40s and 50s. Pack comfortable activewear for daytime adventures, but don't forget at least one pair of long pants and a warm sweatshirt or jacket for chilly evenings outdoors. While sandals are fine for leisurely strolls in town, sturdy walking or hiking shoes are essential for other activities.

If you forget to pack anything else, make sure it's sunscreen and a reusable water bottle. At these high altitudes, sunburns and dehydration can occur much faster than you're accustomed to at home. (If you happen to forget these essentials, you can buy them locally, but be ready for some sticker shock due to mountain town prices.)

The dress code in Colorado's mountain towns is incredibly laid-back—jeans, shorts, and t-shirts are common even for dinner. However, if you plan to enjoy a meal at a more upscale restaurant, consider bringing along a slightly nicer outfit: a light sundress with sandals and a jean jacket, or slacks or nicer jeans paired with a polo or collared shirt. (In Aspen, the fashion is more upscale, so don't hesitate to bring your designer pieces if you have them.)