Your Ultimate Guide To Crested Butte In The Summer

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Welcome to Crested Butte in the Summer! This gorgeous little mountain town is lovingly called “The Wildflower Capital of Colorado” and oh it does not disappoint!

I spent 4 days exploring the gorgeous area of Crested Butte in July a year ago and I was wowed over and over again!

This truly is one of the most beautiful & photogenic places in the United States come July! In this blog post I give you the full run down on how to enjoy Crested Butte in the Summer!

Table of Contents:

1. Where Is Crested Butte, CO?

2. How To Get To Crested Butte In The Summer

3. What is the best month to visit Crested Butte?

4. Where to stay in Crested Butte In The Summer

5. Camping in Crested Butte

6. Crested Butte, CO Map

7. Things to do in Crested Butte in The Summer

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Where is Crested Butte Colorado located?

Crested Butte is located in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado, in Gunnison County. It lies about 28 miles north of the town of Gunnison and around 230 miles or 4.5 hours southwest of Denver.

Nestled in the Elk Mountains, Crested Butte is a gorgeous mountain town which is a popular destination for skiing and mountain biking and is known for its scenic alpine landscapes.

How To Get To Crested Butte In The Summer

There are a couple options you can take when traveling to Crested Butte, CO. If you are coming from out of state you will want to fly into either Denver, CO, or Montrose Regional Airport.

What I have done both times is fly into Denver, CO and made a road-trip out of it! From Denver it is around a 4.5 hour drive and you can see Breckenridge and some gorgeous views on the drive.

If you are not interested in road tripping to Crested Butte, there are flights that go from all of those major airports to the Montrose Regional Airport. In Montrose you can pick up a rental car to drive the 2 hrs to the town! 

 What is the best month to visit Crested Butte? 

Crested Butte is arguably gorgeous in all seasons, but it truly depends on what activities you want to do!

For this blog post we are going to focus on the Summer months- July is the best month for wildflower viewing as they are blooming. The weather is also lovely- not too hot and not too cold with temperatures ranging from 60’s-80’s F.

Other months worth mentioning are:

September

This is usually the best month for fall colors, with cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. Great for fall foliage and scenic drives, as the aspen trees turn a gorgeous gold!

February

February tends to have the best snow conditions, but the entire winter season is ideal for snow sports. Crested Butte is known for its world-class ski resort.

Is it worth going to Crested Butte in the Summer?

100% Yes! This cute little town isn’t named the wildflower capital of Colorado for nothing!

Come July tons of gorgeous wildflowers bloom all over the town. There are beautiful hikes for you to embark on, a cute downtown to stroll through and even a Wildflower festival to attend! I more than recommend visiting Crested Butte in the Summer.

Where To Stay In Crested Butte in the Summer

Crested Butte offers a variety of accommodations to suit different preferences and budgets. Here are some options!

Top Accommodations:

Nordic Inn: The Nordic Inn in Crested Butte is a cozy, family-owned lodge offering comfortable accommodations with easy access to mountain biking trails. Featuring a warm, inviting atmosphere, it provides amenities like a hot tub, sauna, and complimentary breakfast, making it a great base for outdoor adventures.

Old Town Inn:  The Old Town Inn in Crested Butte is a charming, budget-friendly lodging option that offers comfortable rooms with a cozy, homey feel. Conveniently located near downtown, it provides amenities such as complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, and easy access to local shops, restaurants, and outdoor activities.

Lodge at Mountaineer Square: The Lodge at Mountaineer Square is a luxurious ski-in/ski-out hotel located at the base of Crested Butte Mountain Resort, offering stunning mountain views and convenient access to skiing and outdoor activities. Featuring upscale amenities such as a full-service spa, outdoor heated pool, hot tubs, and a restaurant, it provides a comfortable and relaxing retreat for guests year-round.

The Grand Lodge Hotel: The Grand Lodge Crested Butte is a spacious, family-friendly hotel located near the base of Crested Butte Mountain Resort, offering ski-in/ski-out access and stunning mountain views. With amenities like a heated outdoor pool, multiple hot tubs, a fitness center, and an on-site restaurant, it provides a comfortable and enjoyable experience for both winter and summer guests.

Camping in Crested Butte Colorado

Crested Butte offers several great camping options, ranging from established campgrounds to dispersed camping sites. Here are some popular choices:

1. Mt Crested Butte Campground: Located just outside of town, this campground offers amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms. It’s a good base for exploring the area.

2. Lake Irwin Campground: About 10 miles from Crested Butte, this scenic campground is situated near a beautiful lake, providing opportunities for fishing, hiking, and stunning views. It’s also popular for wildflower viewing in summer.

3. Oh Be Joyful Campground: Located along the Slate River, this campground offers a more rustic experience with beautiful river views. It’s close to hiking and biking trails.

4. Dispersed Camping: There are numerous dispersed camping spots in the surrounding national forest. Areas along Kebler Pass and Schofield Pass offer many options. Just make sure to follow Leave No Trace principles and check for any specific regulations!

5. Gothic Campground: Located near the town of Gothic, this campground offers a quiet setting with access to hiking trails and the picturesque scenery of the surrounding mountains.

Always check the availability and any seasonal restrictions before heading out, as some campgrounds may fill up quickly, especially during peak season.

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Crested Butte, Colorado Map

Things to do in Crested Butte Summer

1. Go Hiking In The Wildflowers

Easily the best part about visiting Crested Butte in the Summer are all the wildflowers! Everywhere you look you will find gorgeous flowers blooming. There are some wonderful hikes you can take to really immerse yourself in them.

Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Snodgrass Trail: This moderate hike offers fantastic views of town and has tons of stunning wildflowers. The trailhead is just a short drive from Crested Butte, and the hike leads you through lush meadows filled with various wildflowers! We meandered around this area for two sunsets and got some beautiful shots!

2. Rustler Gulch: A beautiful hike in the Crested Butte area that showcases stunning scenery, especially in the summer when wildflowers are in full bloom. 7 miles round trip, this trail takes you into a stunning alpine valley full of blooms!

3. Crested Butte Upper & Lower Loop Trail: This beautiful trail follows a beautiful river and takes you through some gorgeous scenery with beautiful wildflowers along the side of the river- generally considered easy as it has no elevation and is a loop.

4. Gothic Mountain Trail: Starting in Gothic, this hike takes you into a spectacular basin surrounded by mountains. The trail is about 7.6 miles round trip and is especially beautiful in mid-summer when the wildflowers are in full bloom.

5. American Lake Trail: The American Lake Trail is a moderate/challenging hike near Crested Butte, Colorado, covering about 7 miles round trip with an elevation gain of approximately 2,300 feet. The trail features a steady ascent through forests and vibrant wildflower displays, leading to the stunning alpine lake.

To catch the wildflowers at their peak, aim to hike in July. Don’t forget your camera to capture the stunning colors!

2. Check Out An Alpine Lake

Crested Butte is surrounded by beautiful alpine lakes that are perfect for exploring, hiking, and enjoying the stunning mountain scenery!

Here are some beautiful alpine lakes in the area:

1. Peanut Lake: This picturesque alpine lake (pictured above!) is located just a short 5 minute drive from Crested Butte, nestled in a serene mountain setting surrounded by wildflowers and towering peaks. It’s accessible via car and offers opportunities for enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and photography.

4. Lake Irwin: A short drive from Crested Butte, Lake Irwin is surrounded by forested areas and offers opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and picnicking. There are also campgrounds nearby for those who want to spend more time in the area!

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3. Explore Crested Butte’s Downtown

One of my favorite parts about Colorado is how adorable all of the mountain towns are- Crested Butte is no exception!

This town has unbelievable views of the mountains surrounding it plus so many lovely boutiques with local art, cute souvenirs and great food that you will want to spend all day poking your head into them! 

Some of my favorite spots in Crested Butte are:

Camp 4 Coffee: This cute local coffee shop in Crested Butte, is known for its cozy, rustic vibe and excellent coffee. We came here every morning when we were visiting!

The small, cabin-like building is covered in colorful license plates, making it a fun and iconic spot in town. Camp 4 Coffee serves freshly roasted coffee, espresso drinks, and pastries.

Butte Bagels: Get here early! This is a popular spot, and for good reason. Their bagels are super yummy and freshly made. We got here around 8am and there already was a long line! It was definitely worth the wait 🙂

4.  Attend The Crested Butte Wildflower Festival

Each July an annual 10 day celebration called “The Crested Butte Wildflower Festival” is held! This festival is meant to celebrate and showcase the beauty of the wildflowers that blanket the mountains and valleys surrounding the town.

There are over 150 workshops in wildflower expertise! Check out the link above to see when registration is available and when the festival will go on- in past years it has happened from July 11-20th!

The Festival includes a range of activities:

– Guided Wildflower Hikes

– Photography Workshops

– Garden Tours

– Painting Classes

– Nature Walks

– Expert led Educational Programs

5. Enjoy Music & A View!

Whats better than live music in a gorgeous outdoor setting?! Live music is a huge part of Crested Butte’s culture.

They have a few festivals that happen each Summer including:

Alpenglow Concert Series: A free outdoor concert series that takes place Monday evenings at 5:30pm from mid-June through mid- August at the Crested Butte town Park.

Crested Butte Music Festival: Another wonderful concert series that focuses on classical, jazz, blues and bluegrass!

You can also hear live music at some local venues such as the Crested Butte Public House and Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

6. Go Mountain Biking

Ready to challenge yourself physically? Get out there and go mountain biking! There really isn’t a better place to start your mountain biking journey (or continue it!) than one of the birthplaces of mountain biking (yes really!)

Mountain biking in Crested Butte is legendary, offering some of the best trails in Colorado and attracting riders from around the world!

The area boasts over 750 miles of trails that vary in difficulty, from beginner-friendly paths to challenging technical routes. You can enjoy a diverse range of landscapes, including wildflower-filled meadows, dense aspen forests, and rugged alpine terrain

Popular trails include: 401 Trail Loop, Snodgrass Trail and Trail 403

7. Go Horseback Riding

Horseback riding in Crested Butte offers a peaceful and beautiful way to explore the region’s stunning landscapes, from wildflower-filled meadows to alpine forests and mountain views!

Guided trail rides are available through local ranches and outfitters, catering to all experience levels. You can find opportunities for both short rides and longer excursions into the backcountry.

In Crested Butte, there are several ranches and outfitters that offer horseback riding experiences.

Here are some popular places where you can sign up for guided trail rides:

Fantasy Ranch Horseback Adventures: Located in nearby Almont, Fantasy Ranch offers a variety of trail rides, including half-day and full-day trips, as well as scenic rides in the mountains around Crested Butte and through the Gunnison National Forest. They cater to all levels of riders.

Almont Resort: Located about 20 minutes from Crested Butte, this resort offers guided horseback riding tours through scenic mountain trails. They provide rides suitable for all skill levels, and you can explore beautiful forested areas and river valleys!

Harmel’s Ranch Resort: Also in Almont, Harmel’s offers horseback rides as part of its all-inclusive ranch experience. They have trail rides ranging from an hour to a full day, with opportunities to explore nearby mountains, forests, and rivers.

8. Take Photos

In the summer, Crested Butte is a paradise for photographers! It is bursting with vibrant colors and stunning landscapes. Photography was the main reason I decided to travel to Crested Butte in July and I was not disapointed.

Here are some wonderful spots to take photos:

Wildflower Fields

Crested Butte is renowned for its breathtaking wildflower displays, particularly in July. Trails like Snodgrass, Rustler Gulch, and the meadows around Kebler Pass are filled with a stunning array of blooms, including lupines, columbines, and Indian paintbrush.

We had a blast shooting portraits in these gorgeous landscapes, although they would be perfect for landscape photographers as well!

Alpine Lakes

Beautiful alpine lakes like Lake Irwin and Peanut Lake offer stunning reflections of the surrounding mountains and sky. Early mornings or late afternoons are ideal for capturing the serene beauty and mirror-like surfaces of these lakes.

Mountain Vistas

Hiking trails such as the 401 Trail and Schofield Pass provide breathtaking panoramic views of the Elk Mountains and the surrounding valleys. These vantage points are perfect for capturing sweeping landscapes and dramatic sunsets.

Conclusion

In conclusion, summer in Crested Butte is a breathtaking experience filled with endless outdoor adventures and vibrant activities that cater to all interests!

From exploring the stunning wildflower trails and scenic mountain vistas to enjoying exhilarating mountain biking and horseback riding, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this picturesque little mountain town.

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or someone seeking a peaceful getaway, Crested Butte offers a unique blend of natural beauty and small-town charm that will leave you with lasting memories and a longing to return. Pack your bags and get ready to experience the magic of Crested Butte this summer!

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