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Bring On the Wildflowers & Sunshine!
It was a long winter in Telluride, and we’re looking forward to putting away our skis and snowshoes and lacing up our hiking boots for the summer!
Things are finally back to normal after several years of managing a pandemic in a tourist town, and we’re looking forward to exploring the mountains mask-free.
Whether you’re new to Telluride or a frequent visitor, we can definitely help you find some amazing summer activities! From secret local hikes to hidden biking trails, we have you covered. Check out some of our favorite Telluride summer activities below!
Outdoor Activities
Telluride is the ultimate playground for adults. With an abundance of outdoor activities for all ages and experience levels, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Take a peek at some of our favorite outdoor activities below!
We might be biased, but we have some of the best hiking trails in Colorado. While more popular trails like Bear Creek Falls and Bridal Veil Falls often have an abundance of visitors, we love quieter hikes like Ballard Peak or the Sneffels Highline. Want some tips for a hike that’ll fit your skill level? Just ask! We know all of the best trails in the area.
From maintained parks to backcountry bike trails, Telluride has an amazing trail system.
The Telluride Bike Park, which is just a few years old, is a great option for beginner and advanced bikers alike. Season passes and daily passes are available and there are also lessons for anyone wanting to take their skills to the next level. There are also several local trails, like Penelope’s Way and Deep Creek, that offer singletrack riding for experienced bikers.
Our resident biker Asa (he’s quite the daredevil) knows every single biking trail in the area!
There’s nothing more serene than paddling with your furry friend on one of Telluride’s pristine alpine lakes. From the car-accessible Trout Lake and Woods Lake to hike-tos like Blue Lake and Hope Lake, grab your paddle and get ready to hit the water!
Need a rental in the area? Our friends at Telluride Outside and Mountain Adventure Equipment have gear rentals and even offer lessons! Visit their websites for more information.
Horses are not only majestic, but they also bring us back to Telluride’s history as a mining town.
Horseback riding is one of the best ways to enjoy Telluride’s scenic mountains (minus all the hard work). Some local outfitters include Telluride Wranglers, Telluride Horseback Adventures, or Circle K Ranch.
For those who would rather enjoy the comfort of a wagon, both Telluride Wranglers and Telluride Horseback adventures offer trips, while Sleighs and Wagons offers scenic rides (and dinner at a historic sheep ranch!).
Calling all daredevils! Telluride’s via ferrata is one of the scariest looking adventures, but it’s actually accessible for any levels – as long as you have the right gear.
The via ferrata is free and open to the public, but due to its high risk, there are no gear rentals in town. If you have your own gear, you’re free to go, but most people opt to take a guided trip with Mountain Trip, with all the gear (and guidance) provided!
There’s also a new via ferrata in Ouray, which traverses through the Uncompahgre Gorge.
If you’re not feeling up for hiking 8 hours a day or simply want to relax and enjoy the scenery, jeeping is a great way to go! There are so many mountain passes in the area that offer some thrills with great views.
Ophir Pass is typically considered the easiest in the area. It tops out at 11,789 feet and connects the towns of Ophir and Silverton. If you’re unsure about your driving abilities in the mountains, the shelf on the Ophir side is probably a good place to start! Click here for more information about Ophir Pass.
Imogene Pass is a great option that leaves right from the town of Telluride! This pass starts on Tomboy Road on the north side of town and traverses on some very steep old mining roads for 17.5 miles before connecting with Ouray. This route will feature the Tomboy Townsite and Camp Bird, as well as some unbeatable views. Click here for more information about Imogene Pass.
For the expert drivers, Black Bear Pass is certainly a badge of honor! Trust us, you don’t want to try this if you doubt yourself for even one second. Also, no rental vehicles are permitted down this road, so don’t even think about it unless you’re in your own car! Click here for more info about Black Bear Pass.
If you want to do the passes yourself, Jeep rentals are available from Mountain Adventure Equipment or Colorado 145. For anyone looking for someone else to do the driving, Telluride Offroad Adventures and Telluride Outside offer great guided 1/2 day and full-day tour.
Festivals & Events
May 26-30, 2022
Kick off festival season in Telluride with Mountainfilm! This documentary film festival uses the power of film, art and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better world. Held every Memorial Day, it celebrates adventure, activism, social justice, culture, environment and indomitable spirit.
The first event is a free movie at the Base Camp theater on Thursday, May 26 at 8:30 p.m. Click here for more information about the 2022 lineup and schedule.
June 3-5, 2022
The Telluride Balloon Festival is one of the most scenic festivals in Telluride, but the entire weekend hinges on the weather and wind blowing the correct direction. Head to Town Park on Friday for a static display at 8 am. The fun really starts Saturday with a mass ascension at 6 am followed by the fan-favorite Main Street glow at 7 pm. There will be another ascension at 6 am Sunday as well.
Click here for more information about the 2022 Balloon Festival.
June 16-19, 2022
Things are back to normal for the 2022 Telluride Bluegrass Festival! For the 49th annual festival, expect great vibes and even better music!
Headliners for the 2022 Telluride Bluegrass Festival include Tenacious D, Bela Fleck, Watchhouse, Greensky Bluegrass, Tyler Childers, the Infamous Stringdusters, Sam Bush Band, Phil Lesh, Elephant Revival and SO many more.
Click here for a full list of artists and ticket information.
June 23-26, 2022
The Telluride Yoga Festival is back for the 14th annual event! It is a 4-day event featuring over 100 offerings including yoga, meditation, music, hiking, a 5k fun run, SUP yoga, wellness & wisdom talks, climbing, social gatherings, and more. For 2022, the main event is moving to the Mountain Village core, but will still feature many of the same teachers, artists, and outdoor activities. The lineup includes Janet Stone, Krishna Das, Faith Hunter, Kia Miller and so many more.
Click here for more information about the 2022 Telluride Yoga Festival.
June 23-26, 2022
The Telluride Wine Festival is back for the 41st year! This weekend festival features wine tasting from wineries all over the country, delicious food, and of course, views.
Click here for more information about the 2022 Telluride Wine Festival.
July 6-10, 2022
Get ready to have your face melted off for five straight days at the Ride Festival. Held at intimate venues around Telluride, the 2022 festival will feature the Arc Angels, Black Pistol Fire, Big Something, and so many more.
Click here for band information or to snag your tickets now.
August 12-14, 2022
Since 1977, the Telluride Jazz Fest has brought Grammy award winners, innovators, super groups and more to Telluride’s box canyon. Not only is Town Park jammin’, but fest goers will also enjoy Jazz After Dark, a New Orleans parade, yoga sessions, historical tours and so much more.
The 2022 Jazz Festival features Yola, The Motet, Cory Wong, Terence Blanchard, The McCarthy Trio, and plenty of others. Click here for full lineup information or to purchase a ticket.
September 2-5, 2022
A Telluride staple, the Telluride Film Festival brings the best and the brightest in the film world to our small box canyon. Many cinephiles flock to the area to try to catch a glimpse of their favorite actors and directors at some of the local coffee shops and restaurants!
Films are shown throughout the weekend at 11 different venues all over Telluride and Mountain Village. For more information or ticket details, click here. But just be aware – they’re not easy to get your hands on!
September 16-18, 2022
Blues & Brews is one festival you don’t want to miss! This jammin’ good time is set against the colorful backdrop of Telluride’s box canyon in the fall. With three stages, five late night venues, over thirty artists and a Brewers Showcase, if you like music and beer, this festival is for you.
The 2022 Blues & Brews lineup features Buddy Guy, Gov’t Mule, Ceelo Green, Anders Osborne, John Hiatt & The Goners, The War and Treaty and so many more! Click here for details.
October 14-16, 2022
For a frighteningly good time, head to Telluride for the 13th annual Horror Show this October! The festival features films & short films from new and established talent, special programs, guests, and events.
For more information or to purchase passes, which are now on sale, click here.
Getting Here
Telluride isn’t the easiest place to get to in the world, but that’s part of what makes it so special!
Thanks to commercial flights into Montrose and Telluride’s Regional Airport, Telluride is easier to get to than ever before! Plus, Montrose is expanding so we expect to see more service from other areas around the country there soon. This summer, catch a direct flight from Chicago, Denver, Houston or Phoenix!
Book a flight and learn more about the summer flight schedule here, or check out the details below!
Where to Stay
The Town of Telluride is the place to be in the summertime. Situated at 8,750 feet, this former mining town was founded in 1878 and it shows – many of the historic mining buildings are still around. If you stay in the Town of Telluride, it’s possible to walk everywhere, including to hiking, dining, biking, shopping and so much more. A quick trip on the gondola will get you to Mountain Village as well.
With our extensive knowledge of the area, we know all of the best vacation rentals and who you should stay with when in town. Reach out if you have any questions about staying in the Town of Telluride!
Mountain Village offers two totally different vibes for vacation rentals in a newer setting: Condos in the heart of the core or larger homes on some land.
For anyone looking for easy access to the bike park or gondola to Telluride, the core is the best option. You can park your car and walk everywhere or hop on the gondola for a quick trip to town. It’s an ideal spot for anyone looking to shop, eat, hike out the door or cruise the bike park.
If you’re looking for more privacy or space, Mountain Village homes are a great option. They’re spread out throughout the area and typically offer massive views, but do require a car for most adventures. Dial-a-Ride (a free shuttle service) is always an option as well. Be prepared to see wildlife!
If you need a vacation rental in Mountain Village, simply ask. Our team can connect you with locals or vacation rental companies looking to rent their properties for the summer.
Ridgway is a great affordable option for anyone looking to save a few bucks on their lodging while exploring the San Juans. Centrally located between Ouray and Telluride, this quaint town still offers great views (and Taco Del Gnar!) and easy access to hot springs, hiking, and so many more outdoor activities.
Ouray is a sweet box canyon on the other side of the mountain range from Telluride that offers a similar small-town vibe. During the summer, you’ll find it’s a hub for off-roading vehicles, so expect a bit more traffic than in the winter. It is known for having multiple hot springs resorts, the Ouray Hot Springs and Orvis Hot Springs), so if you’re into kicking back in a natural hot spring, Ouray is a great option!
We know not everyone is into sleeping outside on the ground (ANNA!) but if camping is your thing, you’ve come to the right place! There is an abundance of designated camping in the Telluride region, including the Town Park Campground, Priest Lake, Woods Lake, Sunshine, and so many more. For those who prefer to spend time in the woods away from people, dispersed camping is plentiful throughout the region. Please pack everything in and out – and don’t forget to drown your fire! Wildfires are all too common in our enclave, and we’d like to keep our community safe.
We’d love to show you around this summer, so if you’re in town, be sure to reach out to our team! From hiking and paddleboarding to dancing the night away at festivals, we’ll definitely show you a great time in Telluride.
