Summer in Telluride

Summertime is amazing and bustling in Telluride, and officially kicks off with the Telluride Bluegrass Festival the third weekend of June, which brings over 10,000 visitors to our little Telluride valley!  June is cloudless and sunny, and the rest of the summer brings afternoon rain showers to cool the hot days. There are festivals each weekend of the summer in Telluride, from the large-scale such as Bluegrass,  Wine Festival, Mushroom Festival, Jazz Fest, world renowned Telluride Film Festival, and Blues and Brews, to smaller events such as the WOW festival (wellness weekend), Yoga Festival, Chamber Music Festival and even the “Nothing Festival”, Telluride has something for everyone! Book lodging far in advance for the big festival weekends, and be sure to get out into the amazing hiking and biking areas abounding in Telluride.  The array of things to do in Telluride in the summer is vast; here are some of my favorite activities:

  • Climbing Peaks *(know before you go; dress appropriately, be prepared- visit local outdoor stores or the bookstore for hiking guides, maps and info) Telluride is home to 3 extreme 14,000’ peaks in the Wilson range.  Experience necessary.
  • Sneffles Highline Loop Hike (allow at least 8 hours - difficult)
  • Wasatch Loop Hike out of Bear Creek in Telluride (allow at least 8 hours - difficult)
  • Lake Hope - a 30 minute drive from Telluride to a 6 mile round-trip hike to a beautiful alpine lake surrounded by wild flowers
  • Hike up Bear Creek to the falls from Telluride (allow a few hours - moderate)
  • Jud Weibe Loop Hike from Telluride (allow 2 hours - moderate but steep)
  • Bridal Veil Basin, perched around the corner and above Telluride, offers a vast array of hiking and sightseeing opportunities including Silver Lake, Blue Lake, the Lewis Mill, and Colorado’s tallest free-flowing waterfall, Bridal Veil Falls.
  • Rent a Paddleboard and drive to Trout Lake (Jagged Edge outdoor store)
  • Mountain biking opportunities about, from easy trails across the Telluride Valley Floor, to extreme mountain riding.
  • Take a Jeep tour over Telluride’s high surrounding passes and visit old mining towns
  • Go on a rafting trip (prime season is June to mid -July)
  • Play in Telluride Town Park:  swimming, volleyball, horseshoes, skate park, ball fields, playgrounds and a kids’ fishing pond!
  • Go for a free gondola ride and check out the sunset to the west at the top, at San Sophia Station.
  • Free Wednesday concerts: Sunset Concert Series in Mountain Village


After all of your playtime and outdoor adventures, get a soothing massage with Alessandra Massage, where arnica and cannabis salves can be incorporated with or without hot stones to relax your hard-working body.