20+ Things to do in Telluride, Colorado in the Summer

Looking for things to do in Telluride this summer? You’ve come to the right place!

Telluride, Colorado is possibly the most picturesque mountain town in the U.S. Nestled in a box canyon between 14,000-foot peaks in the San Juan mountains, this small town still holds onto its Wild West charm. 

Telluride in the summer makes the perfect vacation destination for adventure seekers or for those seeking some relaxation. Though famous for its ski resorts, Telluride offers endless outdoor opportunities and things to do in the summer. 

I’ve partnered with my friend Kate at Kate Roams the World who has explored all that Telluride has to offer to make sure you make the most of your trip!

You’ll definitely want to pack your bags and dust off those hiking boots for things to do in Telluride this summer!

Let’s go! 

Things to do in Telluride in the Summer

1. Go on a hike

Hiking is one of the best Telluride summer activities though you won’t need several days like you would in the Channel Islands.

With trails for beginners or advanced hikers, you can spend one day finding beautiful nature scenes like waterfalls, alpine lakes, and wildflowers during the summer. 

Telluride sits at 8,750 feet above sea level and the hikes can climb a few thousand feet above this. It is a lot harder to catch your breath at this high altitude and it can take time for your body to adjust. Keep hydrated and take more water than you think you need on your hikes.

The most beautiful and popular hikes in Telluride can get crowded, so it’s best to get an early start. You’ll especially want to hit the trails early in the high alpine since Telluride in the summer can bring afternoon thunderstorms. It is recommended to get below the treeline by the early afternoon.

Bridal Veil Falls

Hike to Colorado’s tallest free-falling waterfall at 365 feet, Bridal Veil Falls located a short 10-minute drive from downtown Telluride. 

This out-and-back hike is moderate in difficulty and dogs are allowed. It is a 4-mile roundtrip with about 1,400 feet of elevation gain. The trailhead is accessible by any vehicle and there is a large parking area.

Hope Lake

You’ll love this moderately challenging hike to the beautiful alpine Hope Lake featuring wildflowers of Telluride in the summer

The dog-friendly hike is 6 miles roundtrip with about 1,500 feet of elevation gain. You can get to the trailhead via Highway 145, about 40 minutes from downtown Telluride. 

A vehicle with a bit of ground clearance is recommended. The whole hike is scenic in the dense forest with flowing creeks and incredible views of the colorful and towering San Juan mountains.

Bear Creek Falls

Located 25 minutes from downtown Telluride is an easy to moderate half-day hike to a beautiful waterfall, Bear Creek. The dog-friendly hike is about 5 miles round trip with 1,050 feet of elevation gain.

Take a day trip to hike Blue Lakes near Ridgway, CO

The Blue Lakes trail is one of my favorite hikes in the whole state of Colorado. The trailhead is located an hour and a half away from Telluride. 

The dog-friendly hike is rated moderate to hard, especially if you go up to the second and third lakes. The entire hike is 8.7 miles roundtrip with 2,509 feet of elevation gain. 

All 3 lakes are all different shades of blue and the trail offers stunning mountain views in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness. I promise you will not be disappointed if you make the trek here!

2. Take the free gondola ride up to Mountain Village

The town of Telluride is connected to Mountain Village, a smaller neighboring town, via a gondola. The best part is that it’s free for all to ride! 

The gondola typically opens at the end of May and closes in mid-October. The gondola runs from 6:30 am to midnight. Hop on the gondola on Oak Street in downtown Telluride.

From the gondola, you will have some of the best views of the surrounding mountains while being able to kick back and relax on the 13-minute ride. 

From Telluride to Mountain Village, the gondola takes riders up almost 800 feet!

3. Visit Mountain Village

After the gondola ride, get off at Mountain Village to explore. What used to be a mining town is now well-developed and modern. Explore this small town to grab a coffee at Tracks Cafe or go to Telluride Brewing Co Brewpub & Kitchen for great bar food and beer.

4. Go mountain biking 

Telluride in the summer has plentiful mountain biking spots, with trails ranging from beginner to expert. These are the best mountain biking trails in Telluride:

• The Village Trail (Beginner/Intermediate) 
• The Jurassic Loop (Beginner/Intermediate)
• The Boomerang Trail (Intermediate)
• The Prospect Trail (Intermediate)

If you don’t have your own mountain bike with you, you can rent one with Black Tie Adventure Rentals or with Epic Mountain Rentals.

5. Climb the Via Ferrata 

One of the best Telluride summer activities for adventure seekers is climbing the Via Ferrata!

Via Ferrata, Italian for ‘Iron Way’ is an experience not for those scared of heights! The Via Ferrata involves hands-on climbing 600 feet up a rock face wall.

But don’t worry, you’ll be with an experienced and trained guide, hooked in with a harness and wearing a helmet the whole time! 

You will have amazing views of the town of Telluride below, the surrounding mountains, and the Bridal Veil Falls.

The Via Ferrata takes about 4-5 hours to complete. Book your trip through Telluride Adventures or Telluride Mountain Club.

6. Go rafting on the San Miguel River 

Cool off in the summer months by jumping on a half-day white water rafting adventure. 

Enjoy paddling the Class II and III rapids with great views of the forest in between red rock walls.

7. Head to a Telluride summer festival 

Starting at the end of May there are weekly rolling Telluride summer festivals. Whether it be documentaries, music, food, comedy, cultural, or scientific, there ought to be something interesting happening during your summer trip to Telluride. 

Some of the most popular Telluride summer festivals are the Blues and Brews Festival, the Jazz Festival, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and the annual Film Festival.

8. Go horseback riding 

What better way to take in the mountain views than by going horseback riding with Telluride Horseback Adventures and enjoying the Wild West vibes of Telluride in the summer?

9. Explore downtown Telluride 

Go shopping and dining in Telluride’s small and charming downtown area in the summer. Starting in June, Telluride has a daily farmer’s market that is open from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM where you can find produce, prepared foods, and handmade crafts. 

10. Check out the Telluride Historical Museum

Spend an hour at the Telluride Historical Museum to learn of Telluride’s history, including the Ute Native Americans, settlers, and gold miners that came to the area, and the town’s innovations over the decades.

Their summer hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Admission prices are $9 for adults, $6 for kids 6-17, and $6 for those 65 and older. Children 5 and under get in for free.

11. Soak in hot springs near Telluride

Soak in natural hot springs to rejuvenate and relax your muscles after all of your outdoor activities. Hot springs, rich in various minerals, can have healing benefits such as reducing stress and healing skin problems. 

• Orvis hot springs is just under an hour’s drive away with 10 pools of varying temperatures. You can also book a massage here, or stay overnight in their hotel or campground.

• An hour SW of Telluride is Dunton Hot Springs, a luxurious stay nestled in the San Juan mountains in an old ghost town. 

• Wiesbaden Hot Springs, 1 hour East of Telluride, is a resort with 3 soaking pools to choose from. There is also a spa on site that offers massages. 

12. Go on a thrilling 4×4 Off-Roading Tour

If you want to go on a 4×4 adventure in Telluride in the summer, but don’t want to do the hair-raising drive yourself then I highly recommend going on a guided tour. 

With Telluride Offroad Adventures, you can choose from half or full-day tours to go up one of the high passes into the heart of the mountains. You can choose from Ophir Pass, Imogene Pass, Black Bear Pass, and more.

13. Get an adrenaline rush on the Canopy Adventure

On the Telluride Canopy Adventure, you can fly across the mountains on 5 ziplines, walk across 2 aerial bridges, and down 2 rappels. 

14. Take flight on a paragliding adventure 

Experience the San Juan mountains all the way up in the sky by going on a tandem paragliding flight! Telluride Paragliding is the only paragliding outfitter in the area, and rides are weather dependent. 

15. Go kayaking or SUP

Enjoy the relaxing and calm waters of Trout Lake or Alta Lake by getting on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard (SUP) while visiting Telluride in the summer.

If you’re a beginner, consider this 3 ½ hour SUP tour that provides door-to-door transportation as well. Or rent your own SUP through Telluride Outfitters for the day to explore any lake at your own leisure.

16. Pamper yourself with a spa day 

If you’re craving a luxurious self-care day, Telluride has many spas and wellness centers for you. Pure Beauty Telluride and Telluride Spa Concierge are two popular and highly-rated spas with many services to choose from.

17. Sip your morning coffee with a mountain view

There are a few great coffee shops in Telluride to get your morning started! 

• Visit Telluride Coffee Roasters where they freshly roast their beans right in the store. You can also pick up a bag of coffee to go. If you’re a matcha drinker, they have fresh matcha as well!

• The Coffee Cowboy is a very popular spot with many outdoor seating options. The coffee shop is run out of a converted horse trailer and is known for its specialty coffee drinks. 

• Go to The Butcher & the Baker for great coffee and breakfast. If you’re looking for a breakfast to go- try their breakfast burrito!

• Between the Covers is a unique coffee shop tucked in the back of a bookstore. 

18. Chow down on pizza or eat at a brewery after your long hikes

Brown Dog Pizza is Telluride’s best pizza spot. I ate here after a hike during my trip and it tasted like heaven! Brown Dog Pizza has many different kinds of pizza but their specialty is Detroit- style pies. They also have local beers on tap. 

Go to the Smuggler Union Restaurant & Brewery for freshly made and locally sourced plates and beers brewed in-house. 

The Floradora Saloon is another great spot for lunch or dinner with outdoor seating spots with mountain views. They have a wide wine and beer selection and serve locally sourced comfort food.   

19. Go camping in Telluride

Fully immerse yourself in nature and avoid the costly hotels around Telluride by setting up camp! 

The Telluride Town Park Campground is conveniently located right in the town of Telluride so you can walk to restaurants and shops from your campsite. There is a restroom and shower facility here.

Or head to Sunshine Campground or Matterhorn Campground located 15-20 minutes from the town of Telluride. 

The Sunshine Campground has only first come, first served spots, while the Matterhorn Campground has sites you can reserve in advance. The Matterhorn campground also has showers and flush toilets.

For free, dispersed camping head to Last Dollar Road. There is a greatly dispersed camping area here, about 30 minutes from downtown Telluride.

It is a busy area so try to go as early as you can to secure a spot for the night, but the views can’t be beaten. It’s still one of my favorite camping spots I’ve ever been to!

20. Go fishing 

There are many lakes and rivers around Telluride in the summer to go fishing for trout. You do need to have a fishing license in the state of Colorado, but you can easily pick one up at most sporting goods stores.

Some of the best fishing spots are Trout Lake, the San Miguel River, the McPhee Reservoir, and the Miramonte Reservoir. You can also go on a guided fly fishing day trip with Telluride Fly Fishers. 

How to Get to Telluride, Colorado in the Summer

Fly into Telluride Airport or Montrose Regional Airport

The Telluride airport, located just 5 miles from downtown Telluride, is the closest airport. But getting a flight here can be very expensive and difficult. 

Only Denver and Phoenix offer flights to Telluride directly. They do have rental cars at the Telluride airport.

The Montrose airport is located 65 miles from Telluride. In the summer months, there are 5 cities that offer nonstop flights to Montrose Regional Airport: Denver, Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas, and Houston. Be sure to check the schedule to plan your trip well!

You can get a rental car at the Montrose airport to drive yourself to Telluride.

Fly into Denver International Airport 

Make your summer road trip dreams come true if you have extra time to spare by flying into Denver. Rent a car and make the 6-hour drive down to Telluride. If you opt to rent a car, you can take advantage of exploring the Southwest corner of Colorado. 

You’ll pass through the heart of the Rockies, enjoying some of the best alpine views in the U.S. This is personally the choice I would make, but understandably many do not have the luxury of extra time or want to do all the extra driving.

Weather in Telluride, Colorado in the Summer

Summers in Telluride are very comfortable. 

June has an average high temperature of 71°F and lows of 41°F. June has the longest days of the year, with an average daylight length of almost 15 hours. On any given day there is only a 17% chance of rain. 

If you plan to come to Telluride in early June, be prepared for some hikes in the high alpine to still have snow and they may be inaccessible. Lakes may not be thawed by this time either.

In July, temperatures in Telluride reach an average high of 74°F during the day, with a chilly but comfortable 47°F at night and early mornings. July is the rainiest month with a 54% chance of rain each day, mostly in the afternoon.

Afternoon thunderstorms are common in Colorado, so try to schedule your outdoor activities for the morning.

August has similar average temperatures compared to July. Daily average highs reach 73°F with lows of 46°F. There is a 42% chance of rain on any given day. 

Where to Stay in Telluride, Colorado in the Summer

Be sure to book your summer stay in advance as hotels in Telluride can get very expensive and the options can be limited. You can also get a better deal on hotels by visiting in the middle of the week as opposed to weekends when prices can double.

Bivvi Hostel

If you’re on a budget, the Bivvi Hostel is a great, highly-rated option with breakfast included. They have 4 or 6-bed dorm options, as well as a few private suites for 2-4 people.

Mountain Lodge at Telluride

The Mountain Lodge at Telluride is a great mid-range and rustic option with an outdoor pool and mountain views.

The Hotel Telluride

The Hotel Telluride is another great mid-range option with a restaurant, bar, and spa onsite.

Inn at Lost Creek

If you want to stay in neighboring Mountain Village, check out the Inn at Lost Creek. All the suites feature a kitchenette so if you plan to stay in Telluride for a while you can cook your own meals.

Final thoughts: Things to do in Telluride, Colorado in the Summer

The small and picturesque town of Telluride, Colorado makes the perfect summer mountain getaway. The stunning mountain vistas alone will have you wanting to plan a trip here, but once you’re there you surely won’t be bored. 

Whether you want to climb the famous Via Ferrata, hike to a stunning alpine lake surrounded by wildflowers, or see entertainment from one of Telluride’s many summer festivals, you’ll have plenty to do and see in Colorado!

Ready to head to Colorado? Check out these resources!

Author Bio: Kate is currently based out of Philadelphia where she works per diem as an RN. She did travel nursing for two years all over the West Coast taking many road trips in between assignments. She’s lived in California, Colorado, Arizona, & Washington. Currently, when she’s not traveling or working as a nurse, she writes for her travel blog Kate Roams the World.

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