Crested Butte in the summer is a great place for outdoor fun. With miles of trails for hiking and biking, rivers and lakes for fishing, and plenty of other outdoor activities, the area offers something for everyone.
For hikers and mountain bikers, the area is a paradise. With over 450 miles of easy fireroads, tame singletrack challenging technical terrain, the Gunnison Valley offers a variety of trails ranging from flowy single track to steep root-filled switchbacks.
The Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s lift-assisted Bike Park offers a dowhhill mountain biker’s paradise.
For those looking to take advantage of the local rivers and streams, fishing is a popular choice. The Slate River and Gunnison River offer excellent fly fishing opportunities for trout. Additionally, the thousands of high mountain lakes in the area provide plenty of options for fishing for fish such as cutthroat trout, Kokanee salmon and grayling.
In addition to outdoor activities, Crested Butte also offers plenty of cultural attractions. The Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum showcases the area’s past with exhibits about history, mining, skiing, mountain biking, and more. The Crested Butte Arts Festival is one of the oldest and most influential arts festivals in the Rocky Mountain Region and features hundreds of talented artists.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Summer at Crested Butte Mountain Resort is an outdoor-lover’s paradise. From hiking and lift-assisted biking trails to rock climbing and mountaineering, there are endless opportunities for adventure. Summer activities include:
Crested Butte Mountain Bike Park
With 30+ miles of lift-served singletrack, the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Park has been designed to meet the needs of all riders; from beginners on two wheels to gravity experts. The lift-served bike haul, provided via the Red Lady Express, has a diverse network of trails that contains both lift-served downhill trails and cross country rides that connect to some of the legendary rides in and around Crested Butte.
Scenic Chairlift Rides
During the summer Crested Butte operates both the Red lady Express and Silver Quen Express lifts for scenic rides up the mountain. The Red Lady Express VIDEO serves lift-assisted mountain biking and hikers looking for impressive views and a scenic hike down from mid-mountain. The longer Silver Queen Express (7 minutes 2,072 vertical feet) VIDEO offer hikers some of the most incredible views of the area, depositing riders at the highest chair serviced point on the mountain (11,400ft), hikers have access to the peak summit trail, a brisk hike down or a scenic round-trip ride back down the lift.
Kids Summer Programs
The Resort has a variety of kid specific fun in the mountains. Check out CBMR Mountain Adventures, Camp CB and CBMR Mini Riders.
CBMR Adventure Park
Discover the Adventure Park with your family located at the CBMR base area. Watch as your kiddos conquer rock walls, uncover precious gemstones, take leaps of faith on the bungee trampoline.
Disc Golf
Bring your own discs and try Colorado’s most scenic 18-hole disc golf course!
Crested Butte’s disc golf course 10-3 @ CB, named after the course’s elevation, is eighteen holes of pure fun for beginners and seasoned players alike. The course begins at the top of the Red Lady Express Lift and meanders to within easy strolling distance of the base area.
In addition, Crested Butte offers a short course accessed from the top of the Red Lady Express. The short course is a beautiful hike that has amazing views of Mt. Crested Butte. The course loops back to the Red Lady Lift once you have completed your round. Large pine trees surround you and will challenge your skills of throwing your discs in the perfect spot. Have fun, take it easy and enjoy this beautiful activity at Crested Butte.
Festivals
Crested Butte is a festival town, from excellent live music, art, wildflowers, mountain biking and film, this mountain mecca offers an array of special annual events that are worth planning your trip around. Check out our Crested Butte Festival Guide.
Live Music
Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley is an incredible place for live music! Both the resort and the Arts Center host an incredible lineup of national and international artists. There are lots of great venues in Crested Butte, Almont and Gunnison, some of which host regular live music nights throughout the summer. Several of the more popular spots for live music are the Eldo Brewery, Crested Butte Public House, I Bar Ranch and Harmels on The Taylor. Check out these resources:
Our Crested Butte Live Music Calendar
The Alpenglow Concert Series
Live From Mount Crested Butte Summer Concert Series
I Bar Ranch Live Music
Crested Butte Public House Live Music
Mountain Biking
Crested Butte, Colorado is known for its stunning mountain biking trails and is an ideal destination for mountain bikers of all skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert rider looking for a challenging ride, Crested Butte is sure to have something for you.
From beginner trails along the Slate River like the Lower Loop VIDEO to the renowned 401 VIDEO, Crested Butte offers an extensive network of trails for your mountain biking adventure.
The area is packed with outfitters and bike shops ready to assist you in finding the perfect ride for you.
Crested Butte is a storied place to mountain bike and offers beautiful views while providing an adrenaline rush for those looking for two-wheeled adventure.
Mountain Biking resources:
Crested Butte Mountain Bike Trails
Best Crested Butte Mountain Bike Rentals
Crested Butte Mountain Bike Events
Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association
Crested Butte Developement Team
Jeep Tours and Rentals
There is no better way to enjoy the unparalleled beauty of the Gunnison Country than from the comfort and safety of a legendary Jeep! Experience the majestic Elk Mountains surrounding Crested Butte, explore ghost towns in the vast alpine playground of Taylor Park. You will see stunning vistas, wildflower filled meadows and waterfalls, all while learning about the unique history and geology of the Gunnison Country. Here are Crested Butte’s Best Jeep Tour and Rental Companies.
Rafting & Kayaking
Crested Butte area rafting and kayak outfitters offer a great opportunity to spend a day running one of Crested Butte’s whitewater rivers.
Crested Butte whitewater rafting is a great way to experience the Gunnison Valley’s extensive network of mountain rivers carving through gorgeous wilderness areas. Trips of varying length and grade are offered by Crested Butte, Almont and Gunnison raft and kayak outfitters.
Here are some of the valley’s best rafting and kayak outfitters:
Scenic River Tours
Three Rivers Resort
Irwin Guides
Wheelies & Waves
Fishing
Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley offer up an excellent destination to fly fish.
With its rivers, high mountain lakes, and reserviors, the area offers a wide variety of fly fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels.
Trout is the primary fish that anglers will find in these waters, but the area also contains pike, whitefish, and more.
There are many wonderful places to fly fish in Crested Butte. A few popular spots include Slate River, East River, Taylor River, the Gunnison River and Taylor Park Reservoir.
On the Slate you’ll find classic pocket water with great Brown, Rainbow, Brook, and Cutthroat Trout fishing. The East River provides anglers with larger deeper pools for bigger Brown and Rainbows. Tthe Gunnison River offers large trout as well.
Snowmelt from the surrounding mountain ranges feed the Taylor River, which flows into the Taylor Park Reservior VIDEO. The reservoir is a great fishing spot, offering up rainbow, brown, and lake trout. The reservoir is also a great spot for camping, hiking, boating, and hunting.
Crested Butte Fishing Resources:
Crested Butte Angler
Taylor Park Marina
Almont Resort
Irwin Guides
Three River’s Resort
Harmels on the Taylor
Hiking & Peak Bagging
Crested Butte, Colorado, is known for its stunning hiking trails, offering breathtaking vistas of the Rocky Mountains. Hiking can range from beginner to expert level and can be enjoyed year round. Summertime offers mild temperatures and lush greenery, while wintertime provides hikers with the chance to explore the area under a blanket of snow. The renowned Crested Butte Wildflower Festival takes place in July and draws hikers from all around to marvel at the beauty of nature. Crested Butte hikers will find a variety of trails that are perfect for day hikes or an overnight backpacking trip.
More info HERE.