Your Ultimate Guide To Telluride In The Summer

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I first visited Telluride, CO back in 2019 right after I had quit my Interior Design job to try and go full time in photography. I was in desperate need of an adventure and some inspiration so I hit the road for a stunning road trip that ended right here in Telluride in the Summer! 

Telluride is one of those towns you immediately fall in love with- it has the laid back, western charm of Colorado mountain towns set in an absolutely unbelievable setting. 

Couple that charm and setting with unreal adventures and you have a town I will be returning to over and over again. In fact my last trip in July of 2023 almost convinced me I should move there!

Table of Contents:

1. Where Is Telluride, CO?

2. How To Get To Telluride?

3. What is the best month to visit Telluride?

4. Where to stay in Telluride in the Summer

5. Telluride CO Map

6. Things to do in Telluride Summer

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Is it worth going to Telluride in the Summer?

While Telluride is mainly known as a stunning ski town perfect for a Winter escape, I cannot overestimate how beautiful of a location it is in the Summer.

 If you are like me and love to hike, climb and explore the mountains in the summer this is the perfect location for a week of adventure! 

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1. Go Hiking In The San Juan Mountains

The San Juan Mountain range has easily become one of my ranges in the United States. The mountains here are a bit drier than other mountains but they make up for it with the stunning colors and beautiful turquoise lakes tucked amongst them. 

Here are 3 hikes I would recommend to anyone with varying difficulty levels: 

Bridal Veil Falls

This 365’ waterfall is the largest free flowing falls in Colorado! It is the perfect afternoon hike from Telluride. You only have to drive 8 minutes from downtown to reach the parking area. 

The trail is 2 miles RT with 856  ft of elevation gain.Check out the trail guide here. 

Blue Lakes Trail

Blue Lakes Trail is quite a bit longer, but the rewards are much greater! With 3 beautiful alpine lakes to see and a stunning hike in through a beautiful forest and mountain landscape this one is 100% worth the grind. 

This trail sits about an 1hr 15 minutes away from Telluride and you will most likely want a high clearance vehicle for the trailhead. 

The stats of the hike are 8.7 miles RT with 2,509 ft of elevation gain. Check out the trail guide here.

I will warn you because this hike is in Colorado you will already be at quite a high elevation starting out at 9,351 ft and ending at 11,746 ft. 

Be kind to yourself if you have a hard time with this one- and maybe don’t do it on your first day in from sea level! 

Island Lake via Ice Lake Trail

I have actually haven’t done this hike yet, but it is one that has been on my list for years so I thought I would include it! This stunning lake is located an 1hr 55 min drive from Telluride. 

The hike takes you to a beautiful, light blue lake with mountains rising on all sides of it. 

The trail is 7.7 miles RT with 2,680 ft of elevation gain. Similar to Blue Lakes this hike is located at quite a high elevation- starting out at 9,843 ft and ending at 12,042 ft. You can check out the trail guide here. 

READ MORE: 11 Of The Best Moderate Day Hikes In Washington

2. Climb the Telluride Via Ferrata

An adventure of a lifetime! If you are looking to push your mental limits when exploring Telluride in the Summer you can’t get any more exciting than the Via Ferrata Tour! 

Located right near the downtown of Telluride you can experience the fun of hanging from metal bars hundreds of feet above the ground. 

There aren’t many via ferratas in the US just yet so this is a great way to experience one without having to book yourself a ticket to Europe!

If you don’t like the look of this one there is another nearby in Ouray Colorado you could take a look at- you can find that here.

We booked this tour with Telluride Mountain Guides and had an absolute blast! 

READ MORE: Layering For Hiking

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3. Explore Telluride’s Downtown

One of my favorite parts about visiting Telluride in the Summer is simply exploring the downtown with an iced chai in hand. 

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.

READ MORE: Check Out These 11 Stunning Cabins in Washington

4. Hangout At A Lake

If you spend some time in Telluride in the Summer, chances are at some point it will get quite hot and you will feel the intense urge to jump in a lovely body of water- luckily I have you covered! 

There are some gorgeous lakes only a short drive from Telluride.

Alta Lakes

 This lake is a 51 minute drive from Telluride or 43 minute drive from Mountain Village.

The drive itself is gorgeous though, so you won’t be bored for any second!I would make sure to have a high clearance vehicle for the short drive up to the lower lake.  

There are 3 lakes to visit here- the lower lake is accessible by your car and the other two you will have to hike to.

If you are looking for camping there are also 20 dispersed camping spots up here! 

Trout Lake

 A bit farther up the road from Alta Lake is Trout Lake- a lovely lake that is easily accessible with any vehicle and you can paddle board or canoe in. 

This lake has a stunning view of the mountain peaks across from it and is gorgeous at sunset. If you want to add a hike onto this lake day, Hope Lake trailhead is right near this lake!

READ MORE: 5 Beautiful and Beginner Friendly Hikes In Washington

5. Go on a 4×4 Drive

Telluride is a 4×4 heaven! There are so many stunning mountain roads and passes you can drive and explore. 

If you don’t feel comfortable driving yourself you can take a tour with Daves Mountain Tours or Telluride Offroad Adventures! 

Otherwise you can rent a jeep for the day at Telluride Outfitters or Mountain Adventure Equipment. 

Some of the most popular roads to drive include: Ophir Pass, Black Bear Pass, Imogene Pass and Illium Road! 

READ MORE: “How Hard Is That Hike?”- Hiking Class Explained

6. Climb a 14’er

Ready to challenge yourself physically? Take the long route and climb a 14’er in the San Juan Mountains! Colorado has 58 14’ers to climb and 14 of them are located in the San Juans! 

You can check out The Next Summit’s post on San Juan Mountain 14ers for all the details.

When I went back in 2019 I climbed Mt. Sneffles from the Blue Lake trail and took the ridge to it! It was a blast and an absolutely gorgeous climb. It definitely pushed my skills and mental capacity to the brink, although I personally wouldn’t have it any other way! 

READ MORE: 11 Of The Best Backpacking Trails In Washington

7. Ride The Gondola

If you are looking for a chill way to spend your afternoon in Telluride in the Summer- consider taking a ride on the gondola that goes between the town of Telluride and the Mountain Village. 

This activity takes you on 2-3 different gondolas, all with beautiful views and all FREE! You can stop off at the top and explore if you want to extend your day a bit. The views from up there are pretty unbelievable and require no physical labor. 

READ MORE: Artist Point Snowshoe– The Best Winter Activity In Washington

8. Take Photos

Telluride is truly a photographer’s paradise. From the picturesque town with a waterfall pouring behind it, the stunning alpine lakes and wildflowers that bloom around the town all through July there are endless photo opportunities. 

My favorite spots for photos: 

• Blue Lakes Trail
• Highway 145 headed South from Telluride towards Alta Lakes
• Trout Lake for wildflowers
• The Via Ferrata- on the “main event” 
• The top of the gondola at sunset
• Bridal Veil Falls

READ MORE: Getting Started In Mountaineering

Conclusion

Telluride in the Summer has some amazing adventures and I cannot wait for you to experience them!

I hope this guide helped you get a good idea on what to do while exploring Telluride. I know I will personally be coming back time and time again!

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