Telluride in Summer: What You Need to Know

Last Updated on February 24, 2023 by foxintheforest

Beautiful mountain scenery meets luxury in this historic Colorado locale. Telluride in summer is a must-see destination with plenty of activities to get you into nature. From stunning gondola rides to epic festivals, you’ll never be bored in Telluride during the summer.

As a Colorado local of over 13 years, I love to spend some time in Telluride every year. There is just so much to do and see you can keep coming back and never do the same thing twice.

So if you’re looking to experience the best things to do in Telluride as a local, not as a tourist, then you’re in the right place.

About this Guide to Telluride in Summer

Inside this exclusive local look at what to do in Telluride during the summer you’ll find hot info about:

  • Practical info about visiting Telluride in the summer
  • Tips and tricks for beating the crowds
  • How to get to Telluride
  • Where to eat
  • Where to stay
  • The top things to do in Telluride during the summer

Is Telluride Worth Visiting in the Summer?

In short, yes! Although many people know about the incredible skiing, Telluride is actually much more accessible and just as beautiful during the summer.

In fact, July marks wildflower season, where you can hike and explore some of the most stunning wildflower hikes in Colorado.

Most 4×4 roads are passible by late June, meaning you’ve got free reign of some of the best scenic drives in Colorado.

Not to mention, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival is world-famous – making it an excellent spot if you want to enjoy the mountains with some live music.

Is Telluride Busy in the Summer?

As one of the top mountain towns in Colorado, visiting Telluride in summer is no secret. This place can be exceptionally busy in the summer, especially during a festival weekend or over the 4th of July.

Weekends tend to be busier than during the week (since a lot of people visit Telluride as a weekend away from Denver), but you’ll want to plan your lodging and book any activities well in advance.

Local Tip: Looking to beat the crowds? Get up before the sun. A sunrise start pretty much guarantees you’ll be ahead of the bulk while adventuring in Telluride.

Climbers scaling a rock wall along the Telluride Via Ferrata.

How to Get to Telluride

There is only one paved road in and out of Telluride, making it a bit exclusive to reach. From Denver it’s typically easiest to take I-70 west to Highway 50 towards Montrose.

From there head to Ridgway and then take Highway 62 (super-scenic) until you reach Highway 145 at Leopard Creek Canyon. Head southeast until the road ends in downtown Telluride.

Local Tip: Prefer to avoid the traffic on I-70? You can take the 285 out of Denver west to Poncha Springs. From here, head west again over Monarch Pass along Highway 50 until you reach Montrose.

Then follow the directions from Montrose to arrive in Telluride. Typically this route is a little bit slower, but if there’s bad traffic it might be quicker.

Where to Eat in Telluride in Summer

Start your day in Telluride in summer off right with a delicious Day Maker breakfast sandwich at The Butcher & The Baker, a locally-loved bakery and cafe.

You can dine in on other tasty breakfast options or grab some pastries to go. The fresh lunch and dinner options are great fuel or recovery food for a hike or other outdoor adventure.

For sandwiches, salads, soups, and even small plates, LittleHouse is a deli that will satisfy your craving for classic comfort food like a Croque Madame or deviled egg salad.

Plus, the bar serves creative twists on classic cocktails such as the NOLA Old Fashion with chicory coffee liquor.

Quench your thirst on a Telluride summer night with a pint at Smuggler Union. The local brewpub offers award-winning beers that you can sample by the flight if you can’t decide.

You can pair your beer with hearty homemade American cuisine including a honey-cured bacon burger or elk rigatoni bolognese.

If you want to splurge on a fancy but oh-so-worth-it meal, make a reservation at 221 South Oak. A quaint Victorian building houses this top-tier Telluride restaurant featuring American fare with a Southern twist.

Where to Stay in Telluride in Summer

It can be hard to choose from all the hotel options in Telluride in summer. The New Sheridan Hotel is a historic hotel built in 1895 that has been restored and updated with luxury rooms, rooftop hot tubs, a restaurant, and two bars.

Or check in to The Victorian Inn, which offers cozy comfort in an extremely convenient location right near the base of the gondola.

Local Tip: AirBnBs book out fast and they are very pricey – even in summer. Make plans in advance.

Camping in Telluride

Spending the night in Telluride in the summer is also awesome because it’s warm enough that camping is an option. For convenient camping right in Telluride, you can pitch a tent in one of the campsites at Town Park. For a little more nature, take your tent outside of town to one of the developed campgrounds nearby – Sunshine, Alta Lakes, Matterhorn, and Priest Lake.

Local Tip: Some of these camping areas require high clearance 4×4 vehicles to reach. Be sure to do your homework and check road conditions before heading out.

You can find a little more seclusion by dispersed camping at Lizard Head Pass, although this is a popular area for dispersed camping, so the Forest Service has done work to limit campsites and preserve the area.

Lizard Head Pass features lots of hiking trails, so this makes a great base to explore what Telluride summer has to offer.

Is it Better to Stay in Telluride or Ouray?

That largely depends on what you’d like to do. Ouray is easier to access and more affordable. Telluride is about an hour’s drive away from Ouray.

However, if you want to be in the heart of the majestic mountain action, then Telluride is a great place to stay. During festivals, you may prefer to stay in town simply due to the traffic coming in and out of Telluride.

A Map of Things to Do in Telluride

Get oriented with this map of Telluride summer activities. Don’t forget to check out the interactive version.

Map of Telluride in summer.

Things to Do in Telluride in the Summer

While the ski slopes might not be open, there are still so many fun things to do in Telluride in summer.

Glide in the Gondola

Although the gondola obviously provides access to the ski slopes in the winter, there are lots of reasons to ride the gondola in Telluride in summer, too!

The 13-min gondola ride takes you from Telluride up to Mountain Village and is worth riding just for panoramic views along the way.

You can also get off at the midway stop (Station St. Sophia) to access a whole network of hiking and biking trails on the mountain.

Explore the Hiking Trails

The list of Telluride hikes is long, and you could spend all your time in Telluride in summer exploring the trails. Here are some the must-do hikes in Telluride:

  • Bridal Veil Falls – Taking the trail to the tallest free-falling waterfall in the state is one of the best hikes in Colorado. The hike to Bridal Veil Falls is steep but short and definitely worth it for the incredible view of the 365 foot tall falls.
  • Blue Lake – To get to one of the best alpine lakes in Colorado, you’ll start the same as for Bridal Veil Falls but then branch off. You’ll pass through a meadow where you can take a break at an old mining cabin before you head up to Blue Lake.
  • Ice Lake – The hike to Ice Lake is simply stunning, with a vast wildflower meadow along the way uphill to a turquoise alpine lake – or multiple alpine lakes if you continue all the way to Upper Ice Lake. I truly think the Ice Lake Basin is one of the prettiest places in Colorado, but the hike is quite strenuous, so be prepared for some serious uphill to get there.
  • Jud Wiebe Trail – Take a tour of Telluride on this moderate hike which starts right in town. The Jud Wiebe Trail continues through conifer forests and groves of aspen along the San Miguel River.
Hikers sitting by a lake in Telluride in the summer.

Soak in the Hot Springs

Even in the warm weather of Telluride in the summer, it’s hard to resist Colorado hot springs. Telluride has some wonderful nearby soaking options within an hour’s drive.

Escape to Orvis Hot Springs for an adult atmosphere at the clothing-optional, natural hot springs.

For a more family-friendly developed hot springs, you can head to Ouray Hot Springs and enjoy the large pool and separate soaking sections.

There’s also plenty to explore in Ouray in summer while you’re in the area.

Traverse Cliffs on a Via Ferrata

Have a unique adventure on the rocks on the Telluride via ferrata. While you don’t need to be a rock climber to do the via ferrata, you do need some technical gear, including a helmet, harness, and special via ferrata lanyard.

You clip this lanyard to the cable for safety, then make your way along the rock walls of the box canyon using the iron rungs.

It’s an experience you will never forget – and maybe not for those afraid of heights!

Ride Along the Million Dollar Highway

Take a spectacular Colorado scenic drive along the Million Dollar Highway stretching from Silverton to Ouray.

Along the way through mountain passes, you’ll see the San Juan National Forest, Uncompahgre Gorge, Twilight Peak, and many more priceless views.

Car driving along a road in Telluride in summer.

Hit the Mountain Biking Trails

When the snow melts in Telluride in summer, the ski slopes turn into a mecca for mountain bikers.

In fact, the gondola cabins even get equipped with bike racks in the summer, so you can easily transport your bike up the mountain and fly on the way down.

Beyond the resort, you can find a wide variety of terrain, including old mining roads and former railroad tracks, to ride throughout the San Juans.

Get a Rush While White Water Rafting

Enjoy the adrenaline of a white water rafting experience on the San Miguel River in Telluride in the summer.

Outfitters such as Mild to Wild and Telluride Outside can guide you through the rushing rapids for a super cool Telluride summer experience.

Bait Your Hook for Fly Fishing

Whether you’re an experienced angler or brand new to baiting a hook, Telluride has plenty of places to try to get a bite, from trout streams to alpine lakes.

You can hire a guide to show you where the fish are or head out on your own, but make sure you know the local regulations. A Colorado fishing license is required.

Browse the Local Shops

When you need a break from your outdoor adventures in Telluride in summer, stroll the town streets and visit the local shops.

Browse the stacks at Between the Covers bookstore, upgrade your outdoor gear at Jagged Edge, or find a perfect mountain town souvenir at Hook.

Have Fun at a Festival

Summer in Telluride is full of festivals, so you can follow your interests to find your favorite to attend.

Mountainfilm kicks off festival season in May with documentaries about environmental, cultural, and outdoor themes and has athletes and artists in attendance.

June features the Telluride Balloon Festival, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and the Telluride Wine Festival.

In September, Labor Day weekend always marks the world-renowned Telluride Film Festival, while later in the month is the popular Telluride Blues & Brew Festival.

Go Exploring on a 4×4 Trail

4×4 driving is a bit of a rite of passage for your time in Telluride in the summer. Bring your own rig, or opt to rent in town.

There are several super-famous 4×4 drives near Telluride catering to different abilities. Always do your due diligence and look up current road conditions before committing.

Here are a few of the top 4×4 roads near Telluride:

  • Ophir Pass: easy to moderate. Goes from Ouray to Telluride
  • Black Bear Pass: Difficult and dangerous. From Ouray to Telluride
  • Yankee Boy Basin: Moderate. Near Telluride. Heads up towards Mt Sneffeles.
  • Imogene Pass: Easy to moderate. Goes from Ouray to Telluride

Local Tip: Don’t have stellar driving skills? You can always join a Jeep tour to go along for the ride.

View of the gorgeous mountains outside of Telluride in the summer.

Head to Ouray for the Day

One of the most popular day trips from Telluride is to hop on a scenic drive and head to Ouray.

Known as the Little Switzerland of America, this charming mountain hot spot has a lot on offer. With an amazing lineup of things to do in Ouray, you can easily spend a day here.

A great stop if you’re opting to do the Million Dollar Highway, you’ll want to spend at least an hour or two exploring the town.

Plenty of nearby attractions, including famous Ouray hikes, mining tours, and the Ouray via Ferrata, make this a must-see spot near Telluride.

Local Tip: If you have a 4×4 vehicle or rent one, opt to take one of the easier mountain pass roads into Ouray, then take the scenic San Juan Skyway back.

What is There to Do in Telluride in July?

July marks the stunning wildflower season in Telluride. Hiking, biking, and scenic driving are absolute must-do’s if you want to enjoy the blooms.

Other activities include riding the gondola, enjoying the town, or taking a mining tour.

Nearby Attractions

There is a variety of things to do near Telluride that are worth a day trip (or more). If you’re passing through on a Colorado road trip, or just spending a week in Telluride, these are a few areas to check out nearby:

  • The Alpine Loop 4×4 road
  • Ouray
  • Ridgway
  • Silverton
  • Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
  • Durango

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