I’m a Colorado native and on this information, I share my picks for the very best issues to do in Crested Butte.
We are going to cowl year-round Crested Butte actions, together with outside recreation, interactive historical past, and day journeys. With these insights, you’ll perceive why Crested Butte is my favourite mountain city and one among Journey Lemming’s prime locations to journey in 2023.
👉 Soar To: Finest Issues | Crested Butte in Winter | Crested Butte in Summer time
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26 Finest Issues to Do in Crested Butte
Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Hit the slopes in “the final nice Colorado ski city”
📍 Google Maps | Cellphone: (970) 251-7021 | Website | Hours: Seasonal, 9 am – 4 pm day by day | Carry Ticket Value: Varies by date | 👉 Guide Crested Butte Mountain Resort
With greater than 1,500 skiable acres, Crested Butte Mountain Resort ranks as probably the greatest ski resorts in Colorado. Guests will discover groomed trails for all ability ranges, although the bulk are finest fitted to superior skiers and riders. Two terrain parks and uphill entry routes add even higher selection.
Non-public and group classes can be found at Crested Butte Ski Resort, as are gear leases. For ski-in, and ski-out entry, ebook one among their luxurious on-site properties.
Crested Butte Wildflower Competition
Hike numerous trails in “Colorado’s Wildflower Capital”
📍 Google Maps | Cellphone: (970) 349-2571 | Website | Dates: Estimated July 6-17, 2023 | Entrance: Varies by exercise
Considered “Colorado’s Wildflower Capital,” Crested Butte is a really common Colorado vacation spot within the mid to late summer season. Each July, the city hosts a 10-day Wildflower Competition that options guided hikes, plus varied workshops and artwork courses. Be taught firsthand in regards to the area’s botany, birding, geology, and extra at this beloved group occasion.
Paddleboarding
Float alongside peaceable shores simply outdoors of city
📍 Google Maps | Cellphone: (970) 309-1491 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 6 pm day by day | Rental Value: Varies by size, beginning at $47 for 4 hours
Paddleboarding is among the finest Crested Butte summer season actions, and Meridian Lake is a chief location. After accumulating your gear leases on the town, you’ll attain this stunning lake through a 10-minute drive and a half-mile hike. Although brief, the path is steep with a large elevation achieve of 280 ft.
As soon as there, you’ll be handled to peaceable surroundings and a day of enjoyable. Pack a picnic, take a cool dip, and seize maintain of the rope swing for a splashy thrill. Apart from Meridian Lake, different close by paddle locations embody the Slate River, Emerald Lake, and Lake Irwin.
Downtown Crested Butte
Pop into artwork galleries, boutiques, bookshops, and breweries
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Browse Crested Butte Motels on Reserving.com
Filled with charming sights, a stroll down Elk Avenue is a should when visiting Crested Butte, CO. Right here, you’ll discover quite a lot of native retailers and eateries, every held in colourful and historic buildings.
A number of native artwork galleries are additionally discovered on Elk Avenue, all of that are a part of the Crested Butte Inventive District. On this most important road, you’ll additionally discover the Nationwide Historic District, a distinction acquired in 1974. As you wander, take within the Victorian structure that displays the mining city’s previous.
Mountain Biking
Cycle singletrack within the city that birthed the game
📍 Google Maps | Cellphone: (970) 251-9169 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 6 pm day by day | Rental Value: Varies by mannequin, beginning at $30 | 👉 Browse Biking Gear on REI
Crested Butte, Colorado is taken into account by many as one of many birthplaces of mountain biking. Because the ‘70s, mountain bikers have been using the world’s singletrack. A few of these early fans got here collectively to type the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Affiliation. It’s now the world’s oldest mountain bike membership.
Right this moment, followers of the sports activities dream of using in Crested Butte, house to 750 miles of biking trails. New and seasoned riders will discover loads of scenic locations to discover. For route suggestions and leases, head to Handlebar Bike & Board.
Kebler Move
Take a scenic drive to Colorado wine nation
Kebler Move is a portion of the West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway. It connects Crested Butte with Paonia, an japanese mountain city recognized for its agriculture and culinary scene. A number of wineries and farm-to-table eating places draw summer season guests to the vacation spot.
The scenic drive is accessible from Might to November and is a well-liked leaf-peeping spot within the autumn months. Be aware that it’s largely a packed dust street, although 4WD isn’t required. A number of primitive campsites are discovered alongside Kebler Move, good for pitching a tent or parking a camper van.
Our Outdoorsy van rental made this probably the greatest Colorado street journeys!
Black Canyon of the Gunnison Nationwide Park
Marvel on the sky above and the dramatic panorama under
📍 Google Maps | Cellphone: (970) 641-2337 | Website | Entrance: $30 7-Day Automobile Move | 👉 Purchase an Annual Nationwide Parks Move
Present in Gunnison County, Black Canyon of the Gunnison Nationwide Park makes for an ideal day journey from Crested Butte. It’s situated roughly two hours from the mountain city and is among the finest nationwide parks in Colorado.
The park is famed for its steep, deep, and slender canyon, offering beautiful views. Issues to do embody mountaineering, mountain climbing, rafting, and stargazing from one of many Colorado’s most scenic campgrounds.
👉 Don’t miss: In your solution to the nationwide park, cease at Curecanti Nationwide Recreation Space for much more outside enjoyable.
Gothic
Discover a former mining city, now inhabited by a scientific group
Twenty minutes north of Crested Butte lies the well-known ghost city of Gothic. In the course of the mining growth of the late 1800s, the city had an estimated thousand residents, plus 200 buildings. Right this moment, a number of of the unique constructions stay.
In Gothic, you’ll additionally discover the Rocky Mountain Organic Lab. Each summer season, the analysis heart attracts discipline biologists and college students from across the nation. These scientists examine historic information and evolutionary processes discovered within the native ecosystems.
Although set alongside a mud street, Gothic is accessible year-round. Beginning in June, the customer heart on the Rocky Mountain Organic Lab is open to the general public, too.
Crested Butte Journey Park
Work out youngsters’ vitality at this thrilling summer season attraction
📍 Google Maps | Cellphone: (970) 251-7021 | Website | Hours: Seasonal, 10 am – 5 pm Wednesday – Sunday, Closed Monday – Tuesday | Entrance: $29 adults and kids 5+, $20 below 5 | 👉 Guide Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Crested Butte Journey Park is among the finest summer season actions at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Kids will love these sights, together with a bungee leap trampoline and mountain climbing wall. There’s additionally Tin Cup Mining Co., an interactive gem panning expertise. Limitless play is accessible with a full-day ticket.
Crested Butte Museum
Look at artifacts that share native historical past and city delight
📍 Google Maps | Cellphone: (970) 349-1880 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Sunday – Wednesday, 10 am – 6 pm Thursday – Saturday | Entrance: $5 adults, free below 13
Situated alongside Elk Avenue, the Crested Butte Museum is about inside the city’s previous normal retailer. Artifacts lie inside instances and alongside the partitions, depicting all that made Crested Butte the place it’s at present. Mining historical past and Wild West days are mentioned, as are the mountain bike and ski industries.
The city’s long-time residents are highlighted, too, pictured in a sequence of black and white portraits. The charming, miniature show of Crested Butte additionally exemplifies the city’s delight.
Issues to Do in Crested Butte in Winter
Camp 4 Espresso
Choose up a pastry and cup of joe from both cozy location
📍 Google Maps | Cellphone: (970) 349-5258 | Website | Hours: 6 am – 6 pm day by day
Begin your snow day adventures with a go to to Camp 4 Espresso. This native cafe has two areas, one within the more-so residential Crested Butte South, and one other off downtown’s Elk Avenue.
The southern location has a small indoor seating space, full with stocked bookshelves. The Elk Ave. store provides grab-and-go service, although, on a heat winter day, it’s beautiful to hang around on the patio. Be sure you order their house-made baked items, that are simply as common as their espresso.
Guide a Mattress & Breakfast
Keep in a renovated, historic suite whereas in your ski getaway
📍 Google Maps | Cellphone: (970) 237-5985 | Website | 👉 Guide Purple Mountain Mattress and Breakfast
What may very well be extra charming than a mattress and breakfast keep in a snowy mountain city? On this Coloradoan’s ebook, nothing competes.
You’ll discover a number of native mattress and breakfasts in Crested Butte, together with Scarp Ridge Lodge. The blue boutique resort seems rustic from the skin, sustaining its former saloon façade. Inside, you’ll discover a saltwater pool, steam room and sauna, a full gymnasium (Peloton included), and a personalised in-room bar. Discuss a luxurious ski getaway!
Purple Mountain Mattress and Breakfast is one other stable selection. The adults-only keep is about inside the earlier Huge Mine mining workplace. Now renovated, it options six comfy rooms, an outside scorching tub, a scorching chocolate bar, and day by day craft beer tastings.
Crested Butte Nordic Middle
Expertise the “nordic ski capital of Colorado”
📍 Google Maps | Cellphone: (970) 349-1707 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 5 pm day by day | Path Move: $20 adults, $10 kids below 17, $16 seniors ages 65-69, free 70+ | 👉 Browse Ski Gear on REI
Along with the “final nice ski city” and “wildflower capital,” Crested Butte claims yet one more grand title: the nordic ski capital of Colorado. That is as a result of Crested Butte Nordic Middle, a premier nordic snowboarding vacation spot that includes greater than 30 miles of groomed trails.
Ski gear leases, classes, and backcountry excursions can be found on-site. After a day of shuffling by snow, take pleasure in a five-course dinner with a view on the Magic Meadows Yurt. The comfortable, heated house can seat as much as 40, although reservations are required.
Fats Biking
Cycle throughout groomed trails within the Gunnison Valley
📍 Google Maps | Cellphone: (970) 349-1707 | Website | Entrance: free | 👉 Browse Biking Gear on REI
Along with snowboarding, the Crested Butte Nordic Middle permits you to expertise fats biking. Get your fats bike rental from The Alpineer, then discover its 6 miles of groomed, beginner-friendly trails. You’ll discover these at City Ranch, the Recreation Path, Riverbend Connector, and Teocalli Connector.
The Crested Butte Mountain Bike Affiliation additionally grooms trails all through the Gunnison Valley. These embody Gothic Street, Cement Creek Street, Snodgrass Mountain, and The Membership at Crested Butte. The perfect half? Accessing each organizations’ trails is totally free!
Sea Degree Spa
Rejuvenate with quite a lot of conventional and distinctive companies
📍 Google Maps | Cellphone: (970) 642-3334 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 8 pm day by day
You’ve seemingly observed a pattern: Crested Butte is all about outside recreation. However even the best of fans want a break occasionally. Situated on Elk Avenue, Sea Degree Spa is the proper place to relaxation and rejuvenate.
Companies embody varied kinds of therapeutic massage, reflexology, and oxygen bar periods. The spa additionally provides distinctive energetic therapeutic therapies through Shamanic and electromagnetic methods.
The Secret Stash
Social gathering with the locals at this après ski vacation spot
📍 Google Maps | Cellphone: (970) 349-6245 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 9 pm day by day
One other solution to calm down? Clearly, with a chilly one in hand. The Secret Stash, an Elk Ave. mainstay, is a guests’ and locals’ après ski vacation spot. The vigorous ambiance makes for an ideal place for a beer and a slice.
The strong menu additionally consists of cocktails, salads, pasta, wings, and extra. True followers go for the “Booty & Bling” order, that includes a 16” booty name pizza, piled excessive with meat and cheese, plus a bottle of Cristal and a 420 bling hat. Sure, that’s the vibe — and also you’re going to adore it.
Middle for the Arts Crested Butte
Attend quite a lot of occasions at this visible and performing arts venue
📍 Google Maps | Cellphone: (970) 349-7487 | Website | Entrance: Varies by occasion
Maybe artwork, tradition, and literary lectures are your most popular post-ski ambiance. On the Middle for the Arts Crested Butte, a visible and performing arts venue, occasions happen year-round.
Its calendar ranges from movie screenings to live shows, writing workshops, and knitting circles. If you happen to’re a fan of the finer issues and a little bit of booze, there are “drawing and drinks” periods, in addition to “watercolor and wine” nights. Absolutely, you’ll discover one thing that piques your curiosity.
Fantasy Ranch
Take a horseback experience by a winter wonderland
📍 Google Maps | Cellphone: (970) 349-5425 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 8 pm day by day | Entrance: $95 per individual
Fantasy Ranch hosts horseback rides in all seasons, however there’s one thing additional particular about clopping by the snow. One-hour winter excursions enable guests to experience round Almont, a small group discovered 20 minutes south of Crested Butte.
Soak up canyon, river, and valley views whereas retaining an eye fixed out for native wildlife. Usually, guests will see elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and bald eagles on their experience. If you happen to’re nervous in regards to the chilly, word that the halfway relaxation cease options scorching chocolate round a heat fire.
🧳 Want packing ideas? Don’t arrive at Crested Butte with out winter necessities, like layers, ski goggles, insulated boots, and extra. See my Colorado packing record for an area’s suggestions.
Issues to Do in Crested Butte in Summer time
West Elk Loop
Drive alongside the Elk Mountains, stopping in mountain cities and scenic parks
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Rental Automobiles
The West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway run alongside the Elk Mountain vary, forming a lasso-shaped route that connects a number of Colorado mountain cities.
Farthest north, you’ll discover Carbondale, adopted by Paonia, Gunnison, and Crested Butte when heading clockwise. The byway additionally passes by the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Curecanti Nationwide Recreation Space, and two of Colorado’s finest state parks.
👉 Love street journeys? Take a look at my 10-day Colorado itinerary!
Farmers Market
Pattern native flavors and store for artisan items
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 9 am – 2 pm Sunday (Seasonal, Might – October)
From late Might to early October, the Crested Butte farmers market pops up on Elk Avenue. Cease by on Sundays to pattern items from native farmers and artisans. Distributors embody Buckel Household Wine, Ellen’s Pickled Merchandise, and Bees Firm jams and preserves.
Companies from Paonia, the agricultural neighbor of Crested Butte, add to the market choice. Cease by cubicles from Mountain Oven Bakery, Huge B’s/Scrumptious Orchards, Twisted Root Natural Farm, and extra.
Fishing
Forged a line into alpine lakes and Gold Medal waters
Crested Butte options a number of stocked rivers and reservoirs, plus among the finest fishing lakes in Colorado. A few of the native’s favourite locations to forged a line embody the Taylor River, Blue Mesa Reservoir, and Peanut Lake.
The close by Gunnison River is an particularly fortunate fishing spot, recognized for the United States’ largest Kokanee salmon. The migration happens each September, although year-round, you’ll be able to benefit from the river’s Gold Medal waters.
This title is designated to locations that produce 60 kilos of trout per acre. And, no less than a dozen trout should measure fourteen inches or higher — sufficient to feed a household!
West Maroon Move
Trek to Aspen, a famed Colorado vacation spot with lots to do
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Climbing Gear on REI
A preferred summer season backpacking route, West Maroon Move connects Aspen to Crested Butte. The strenuous 8-mile path positive factors 2,165 ft in elevation, passing by wildflower fields and aspen groves. Views of the Colorado Rockies amaze, and also you’ll seemingly spot wildlife, too.
The path is finest accessed from June by October. Take pleasure in among the enjoyable issues to do in Aspen earlier than venturing again to the path. Palms down, it’s one of many prime hikes in Colorado.
Schofield Move
Journey to Marble through an notorious, but scenic mountain pas
Becoming a member of Marble and Crested Butte, Schofield Move is called essentially the most lethal cross in Colorado. However don’t let that deter you from visiting! This warning is directed at off-road automobile drivers, who ought to be extremely skilled if trying this route.
These much less accustomed to backcountry terrain ought to take into account biking or mountaineering the 14-mile cross. Backpackers are welcome, too, as dispersed campsites can be found all through. The troublesome path rewards guests with beautiful views of Emerald Lake, Devils Punch Bowl, and the enduring Crystal Mill.
Snodgrass Path
Hike this seasonal path for summer season wildflowers and autumn colours
To not be confused with Snodgrass Mountain, Snodgrass Path is 7.2 miles in size and positive factors simply over 800 ft in elevation. Its lengthy, winding descents make it a well-liked decide amongst mountain bikers, too.
Please adhere to seasonal path closures, as the trail is simply accessible from late spring by fall. These seasons are the very best occasions to go to regardless, as you’ll hike previous wildflower meadows and dense aspen forests.
Walrod Loop
Be amazed by the blankets of wildflowers
The Walrod Loop Path is a average 4.5-mile route that positive factors 1,020 ft in elevation. It’s probably the greatest wildflower hikes in Crested Butte, drawing crowds in the course of the Crested Butte Wildflower Competition. Vibrant fields of flowers and mountain views make for spectacular pictures. Caves and a creekside descent add to the surroundings.
Judd Falls Path
Enterprise to a scenic waterfall on this easy-going hike
A family-friendly trek, Judd Falls Path is simply 2.2 miles in size and positive factors 462 ft in elevation. It takes hikers previous pines and aspens, resulting in a beautiful waterfall and mountain overlooks. Native herds of cows and the occasional hiker will maintain you firm on the summer season path.
FAQs About What to Do in Crested Butte, CO
What’s Crested Butte recognized for?
Crested Butte is understood for its outside recreation, together with alpine and nordic snowboarding, mountain biking, and mountaineering. It’s additionally beloved for its historical past, downtown district, and central location. Different close by mountain cities embody Aspen and Paonia.
Is Crested Butte price visiting in the summertime?
Crested Butte is price visiting in summer season. In July, the city hosts the annual Crested Butte Wildflower Competition, that includes artwork courses, workshops, and guided hikes. Mountain biking can also be extremely common in the summertime months, as is fishing and paddle boarding.
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I hope this information has helped you discover loads of issues to do in Crested Butte, CO!
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