Although Telluride is thought of primarily as a winter vacation destination, summer in our mountain town is an exciting time of year, offering adventures that will thrill, activities that will entertain, and when you choose Accommodations in Telluride for your vacation accommodations, comfort, luxury, and a quiet peace that will be greatly appreciated. As a matter of fact, there are so many things to do when visiting Telluride in summer, you may wonder why we aren’t thought of as a summer vacation destination. This guide to all the reasons Telluride is a hidden gem for a summer vacation that will linger on in your heart for years to come will give you a little something amazing to look forward to in the days and weeks leading up to your summer getaway!
Outdoor Adventures
After the cold days and nights of winter, we are always ready for warmer days and because it is extremely rare for the temperatures to climb too high, we find ourselves spending more time outside playing than inside relaxing during summer. Cool nights plus warm days equals idyllic summer adventures, including the outdoor ones we have listed below!
Fly Fishing on the San Miguel River
The San Miguel River runs through the entire town of Telluride, adding an extra element of peace and serenity to your vacation adventures, and fly fishing is one of our favorite ways to enjoy time on the river. Fly fishing, as opposed to standard fishing, offers an active way to engage with nature while still retaining the relaxing vibe that fishermen and women crave, and if this is your first attempt at the sport, you may discover that it will become your new obsession. Telluride Angler, located at 221 W Colorado Avenue, offers an extensive selection of gear for rent for your solo adventures, and if you aren’t quite comfortable going it alone, they also offer guide services. Providing half-day and full-day fly fishing expeditions, knowledgeable guides will take you where the fish are biting the most and will also help you learn the casting that will lead to a very fulfilling catch of the day.
Hiking Through the Most Beautiful Landscape in the World
The trees will offer full canopies during your summer hikes, the lakes will be clear and calm, offering a reflection of the mountains on their watery surface, and the hiking trails that lead to waterfalls and babbling brooks will bring you close to nature in ways you never knew you needed. There are many premium trails that traverse the region, but the one that leads to Bridal Veil Falls is one that we think you should not miss out on. Park at the bottom of the falls and take one of two trails up to where the views will break your heart; the Bridal Veil Falls Trail will also bring you past two other waterfalls, offering plenty of photo ops and making memories you will never forget. The star attraction, Bridal Veil Falls, is the tallest free-falling waterfall in Colorado, climbing 365 feet into the air. If you forgot to pack boots, hydration packs, or other hiking gear, Jagged Edge Mountain Gear located at 223 E Colorado Avenue has everything you need.
Jeep and Other Off Road Adventures
Sometimes the best adventures are ones in which you simply get into your car, or in this case, jeep or ATV, and head out into the wilderness for a day of off road adventures. Telluride Off Road Adventures located at 200 S Tomboy Drive, understands this need for thrilling and rugged activities, offering Jeep tours of the region that last between two hours and the full day, ensuring you will find an adventure that fits the timeline of your Colorado vacation. Their Imogene Pass & Tomboy Ghost Town Tour is their most popular but is closed for the summer of 2025, so if this sounds interesting you may want to return in 2026 to experience this wonderful adventure. Telluride Outfitters offers jeep rentals if you want to try a solo adventure or their guided RZR half day tour never fails to please.
Summer Events
The best way to get to know the place you are visiting is by attending the events and festivals that residents attend every year, and in the summer, Telluride offers quite a few wonderful events. In fact, there’s so many that we can’t list them all here, so we have just created a list of some of our favorites, ensuring that you will receive an authentic peek into what makes our town special!
Mountainfilm Festival, Memorial Day Weekend, Various Venues
Memorial Day weekend has always been considered the kick-off to summer, so the Mountainfilm festival that takes place at that time seems to be the logical place to start. Celebrating documentaries with an environmental bent, the films being shown at various venues throughout town also celebrate change makers, justice fighters, and the spirit of all that try to change the world one documentary at a time.
Telluride Food & Vine, Mid-June, Oak Street Gondola Plaza
Our mouths begin watering as soon as the leaves on the trees begin to bud and the flowers begin to push through our dark and fertile soil, knowing that Telluride Food & Vine, a three-day food and wine festival, will be coming back to town. Offering individual events such as Butts, Legs & Sides, Grand Tasting, and a variety of seminars, this tasty event is sure to be your favorite as well. The Grillin’ & Chillin’ offers the opportunity to learn how to grill from the best, after which, a meal created from your lessons will be served and a mixologist will create custom backyard sippin’ cocktails, but for those who prefer the grape, rest assured, wine will be poured as well.
Red, White & Blues, 4th of July Fireworks, & 4th of July River Parade
We celebrate Independence Day with a bang (pun intended) offering a huge selection of patriotic events for guests to attend. Red, White, and Blues is a two-day family friendly festival offering ice cream, music, and parades, and of course, ending with a fireworks extravaganza that will light up the sky! And yes, there is a 4th of July Parade that runs through the streets of Telluride, the longest running event in our town’s history, but we can’t ignore the 4th of July RIVER Parade that takes place on the 4th as well. Guests can even be a part of the Mild to Wild’s 4th of July Rafting Parade, offering a half day trip down the San Miguel River, with participants dressed in their patriotic best. A prize will be awarded for best costume and kids participating will receive a 4th of July souvenir, so be sure to sign up at Milt to Wild today.
Telluride Jazz Festival, Early August, Telluride Town Park
For over 50 years the best jazz music in the world has rung out through the mountains during the Telluride Jazz Festival, a three-day celebration of music, food, and drink. Offering arts and craft vendors in addition to the huge selection of food vendors that will provide food to sate every craving, there really is no better way to celebrate summer than with this exciting festival!
Telluride Film Festival, Labor Day Weekend, Various Venues
You now know that summer begins and ends with a celebration of film, and the Telluride Film Festival held every Labor Day weekend features a glimpse into the world of past, present, and future of filmmaking. Nearly 60 films will be displayed during this weekend long event and the workshops, meet and greets, and award ceremony will make your inner star worshipper shiver with glee!
Summer Dining in Telluride
The best vacations all offer the best meals at their center and the culinary landscape of Telluride is sure to be where your most delicious vacation memories will be created. Offering an international selection of yum, the restaurants listed below are sure to haunt your dreams in the best of ways when you are dragged kicking and screaming back into real life!
The Telluride Company, 212 W Colorado Avenue, Open Daily Various Hours
Coffee and pastries enjoyed at the Telluride Company could be considered the breakfast of champions and because it is open until 5 PM on Sunday through Wednesday and 9ish (their words) on Thursday through Saturday, you can enjoy your caffeine and sugar pretty much any time of the day!
The Butcher & the Baker, 201 E Colorado Avenue, Open Daily Various Hours
Of course, your hiking, fishing, and off roading adventures may require more fuel than a java and a muffin and when you are in need of a hearty breakfast (or lunch or dinner) the Butcher & the Baker never fails to please. Also offering a selection of pastries, their Day Maker Sandwich, made with 2 eggs, white cheddar, Happy Hog breakfast sausage, house made pepper jam, arugula and a homemade English muffin will really make your day!
Crazy Elk, 562 Mountain Village Boulevard
Every day is the best day for pizza and Crazy Elk makes just about the best pizza around, which they sell at extremely reasonable prices! Offering a few tables on the patio outside, a summer day shines bright and smells amazing when the pie you are sharing with your family is this close to being in your mouth; their Buffy the Chicken Slayer pizza made with buffalo chicken, red onions, tomato, and blue cheese never fails to make us giggle and devour every delicious morsel.
Caravan Middle Eastern Food, 123 E Colorado Avenue
We have to pay homage to the food truck during our tour of taste, and Caravan Middle Eastern Food, served from a food truck to diners sitting at tables on the Cocina de Luz patio is one of our favorites. Offering a classic Middle Eastern menu that includes shish-kebabs, falafels, and creamy hummus, every bite will be your favorite!
Chop House Restaurant at New Sheridan, 231 W Colorado Avenue
Your summer vacation in Telluride may be celebrating a milestone birthday or anniversary, a family reunion (be sure to check out our Accommodations in Telluride larger homes that can fit large groups of travelers comfortably and luxuriously) or any other special occasion that made you think heading west was a good idea. And with that celebration you may want to add a meal at the Chop House Restaurant at New Sheridan to your vacation itinerary, offering the best steaks, mountain game, and seafood in the state. This restaurant really does know how to create an ambience that will make your special occasion feel even more special and although it isn’t a cheap adventure, one bite of their dry aged bison ribeye and you will know it is worth every penny!
Seasonal Adventures at Home with Accommodations in Telluride
Now that you have an idea of the fun you can have during your Telluride vacation, it is time to explore the seasonal adventures you can enjoy at home in our Accommodations in Telluride seasonal sanctuaries. You probably already know how comfortable and luxurious our escapes will be, but did you know that Telluride has a golf course and some of our luxury rentals in Telluride are located just a short distance away from the course? Telluride Golf Course, located at 136 Country Club Drive in Mountain Village, offers another wonderful summer activity, one that you won’t have to go far to enjoy when you choose one of our Mountain Village retreats, one fact that will thrill the golfer in your family!
Welcome Home
However you spend your daylight hours in Telluride, coming home to our Accommodations in Telluride escapes at the end of every day will be the one thing you look forward to more than any other. Offering all the comforts of home and a large selection of luxury amenities, including hot tubs on the decks and in our summer condos, community swimming pools that will be your kids’ favorite amenity, these spaces will offer your favorite way to end every day. Reserve your favorite Telluride vacation rental today!
