Ultimate Summer Guide for Crested Butte Colorado

I’ve had the pleasure of visting Crested Butte, Colorado many times over the last five years. From it’s epic winter downhill snowboarding and skiing to being the wildflower capitol of Colorado, it’s a place that should be on your bucket list.

Crested Butte is a special place because of it’s distance away from Denver. Once you arrive, you will see why. It can be hard to determine what to see first and when to see wildflowers in Crested Butte Colorado, which is why I spent a week there to do the research for you.

On this blog post we will cover where to stay in Crested Butte, where to hike, where to eat, and the best time to see wildflowers in Crested Butte! Let’s get into this beautiful Colorado mountain town!

Located just five hours from Denver, Colorado, Crested Butte is tucked away on the southwest part of the state on the other side of the range.

Getting to Crested Butte in the summertime is easier because Kebler Pass and Cottonwood Pass open up after the snow melts. If your driving from Denver, I suggest Cottonwood Pass for the most beautiful views! In the winter, these roads close and you must take I-70 through Gunnison.

Alternatively, you can fly into Montrose Regional Airport, which is about 3 hours from Crested Butte Colorado. Grand Junction Airport is another option and is 3 hours from Crested Butte. These are what I typically do in the winter time as snow can impact travel times. Lastly, United offers two flights from Denver to Gunnison-Crested Butte airport daily. This is only 30 minutes from Crested Butte but will be the most expensive option.

Something that I love about Crested Butte is how small it is compared to other ski areas in Colorado. It is not built up with giant hotels and fancy resorts, and thats what keeps it charming.

If your able, the best way to enjoy Crested Butte in my option is to stay near the base. Especially if your going to be snowboarding in the winter time, it is great to walk around. Crested Butte has a free bus system that runs 365 days a year, which makes getting from the base to downtown easy without a car.

If your looking to stay at a hotel, the best hotels in Crested Butte are:

• Elevation Hotel and Spa, located at the base of Mount Crested Butte has everything you need and is pet friendly!
• The Grand Lodge Hotel and Suites is an older building but is affordable for families to stay in. Pet friendly and located at the base.
• The Lodge at Mountaineer Square is located at the base and is perfect for the entire family.

Personally, I try to rent an Airbnb for the best experience in Crested Butte! Keep in mind that peak season such as the entire month of July and winter vacations will book in advance due to the limited amount of vacation rentals.

If you like camping, that is a wonderful way to enjoy Crested Butte. There are dispersed campsites and established campsites to choose from. Keep in mind that if your visiting during peak season it will be harder to find a campsite. Use this website as your guide to book a campsite in advance, or research a dispersed area. Be mindful that some of the dispersed camping requires high clearance or a 4X4 vehicle.

If your visiting Crested Butte in the summertime, there is an abundant amount of things to do once the snow melts. June through September are truly spectacular!

There is hiking to do in Crested Butte for all skill levels and all ages! Late June and July is when the wildflowers will start to bloom. The Wildflower Festival happens for 10 days mid-July every year. There are over 200 workshops including pollination, hiking, photography, and guided hiking. Head over to my blog post to read more on what hikes to enjoy in Crested Butte!

Crested Butte is home to many mountain biking trails and rentals. The most popular is to take your bike on the chair lift and ride the dirt paths down to the base. I watched all ages participate in this! The Crested Butte Mountain bike park has 30+ miles of lift-served single-track runs, ranging from easy to expert.

Summer is the perfect time to get in the water and cool down! The most accessible place to paddle board or kayak is Lake Irwin as the walk from the car is close. However, if your into carrying a paddle board on your back, Long Lake is a stunning place to paddle as well. Rent from Wheelies and Waves in downtown CB and your off to paddle.

Crested Butte is home to many incredible shops and art galleries. Not only that, Elk Avenue is full of places to eat and unwind after a fun day of exploring. Find a patio spot and people watch the day away! My favorite shops in Crested Butte are: Willow, Lavish, The Mountain Store, ad Pfisters Handworks.

Late May to beginning of October is when the market runs on Sundays from 9AM to 2 PM. Local artisans, farmers, and food vendors cover Elk Ave. for an enjoyable place to shop and support the local economy. Keep in mind that parking is limited so this is a good time to talk the free bus downtown!

Crested Butte is home to many delicious restaurants! To name a few of my favorite spots that I have visited over the years; Bonez, The Hideout, The Secret Stash, Teocalli Tamale, Ryce Asian Bistro, Pitas in Paradise, The Slogar, Breadery, Marchitelli’s Gourmet Noodle, and Yukihana Sushi and Sake Bar.

As a snowboarder, I had never rode a chairlift in the summertime. It is fun to get off and hike around or to the summit of Crested Butte. Keep in mind that the Silver Queen lift closes at 2PM everyday so be sure to give yourself enough time especially if you plan to ride the lift to the base. Silver Queen takes you closest to the summit with the best views. However, the Red Lady Express is a shorter option that runs from 9am-5pm daily.

Just 20 minutes from Crested Butte is the historic town of Gothic, Colorado. The road to Gothic closes in the winter and is only home to a few scientists. In the summertime, The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory opens it’s doors for interpretive wildflower hikes, and even a coffee shop! This area is a beautiful place to hike as well.