Swaths of color cover the landscape during wildflower season. This vibrant spectacle has helped earn Crested Butte the title of “Wildflower Capital of Colorado.” See the pictures below for the views you’ll see if you visit Crested Butte in summer. 

Crested Butte is surrounded by acres of protected, public land. Because of this protection, there are innumerable amazing views to savor. A few especially good spots to view wildflowers include Brush Creek, Snodgrass, Crested Butte Mountain Resort, the Lupine trails and Gothic Road to Judd Falls. Hartman Rocks in Gunnison is one of the best places to see high desert wildflowers and plants like paintbrush and mariposa lilies.

Colorado’s least visited National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, is a short drive from Gunnison. Black Canyon is 60 miles from Gunnison in Montrose, Colorado. This canyon is characterized by steep and narrow granite walls. There are beautiful views and hiking trails from the north and south rims. You can also fish for trout in the gold medal waters of the Gunnison River. Black Canyon National Park is also one of the best places in Colorado to stargaze because of its remote location and low light pollution. Attend an astronomy talk with a ranger to learn more about the night sky at the Black Canyon. Other things to do at this Colorado National Park include rock climbing, wildlife watching and horseback riding.

The public lands around Crested Butte and Gunnison are teeming with wildlife during summer. Seeing wildlife is very exciting, but you should never approach an animal in the wild or feed it. One of the best ways to spot wildlife is on a quiet backcountry hike. Most animals and birds are more active at dawn or dusk. Animals like marmots and elk tend to stick to higher-elevation areas in the summer.

Shed hunting in Colorado is prohibited from January 1 to April 30. Additional time-of-day shed hunting restrictions exist in the Gunnison Basin from May 1 to 15 to protect the Gunnison sage grouse.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) turns into a downhill bike park in the summer. With 30+ miles of lift-served singletrack, mountain bikers of all abilities have trails to ride. You can also ride the Silver Queen lift to the peak and hike back down. The kids will love thrilling activities like rock climbing and a bungee jump trampoline at the Adventure Park. Check the CBMR events calendar to see what else is going on during your summer visit.

The outdoor music venues in Crested Butte and Gunnison host most of their events in the summer. See live music at local parks, the base area of CBMR, the outdoor stage at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts and more! Pop into any of the bars on Elk Avenue in the evening and there’s a high chance a band will be playing while people dance. Check the events calendar for more concerts and events.

Go on a guided wildflower hike with the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, experience Gunnison’s ranching history at Cattlemen’s Days, or race your mountain bike in the Original Growler. These are just a few of the events you could attend when you visit Crested Butte in summer. Make plans for one with our summer guide.

Most of the trails in Crested Butte and Gunnison are multi-use. You might encounter hikers on your bike ride or horseback riders on your hike. Knowing who yields to whom and other summer trail etiquette helps keep everyone safe.

Ready to visit Crested Butte in summer? Find other Colorado trip resources with our trip planning guide. Book flights, browse places to eat and explore things to do. Booking a place to stay early will help you get the best rate. Options include traditional hotels, vacation rentals, quaint inns and even some hostels. View all your lodging options below.