What to Do in Telluride, Colorado, This Summer
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Ever since I can remember, my family’s preferred vacation spot has always been Telluride, Colorado. My parents started going there to ski when they were dating. I’m told that my first visit to the quaint mountain town was when my mom went snowmobiling there while pregnant with me.
The town is a snowglobe-worthy dream during the winter and skiing the stellar slopes is massive fun, it’s true. But it’s just as beautiful in the summer, and there are actually far more activity choices in the warmer months.
1. Picnic at an Alpine Lake
Is there anything more idyllic than a summer day spent by a peaceful alpine lake? Only if you add a picnic.
There are several great hikes to lakes in Telluride (Hope Lake and Silver Lake, for example), but if you want to pack up the car with provisions and drive straight to the water, head to Alta Lakes – about a 10-mile drive from Telluride. You’ll pass a cool ghost town on your way to the windy dirt road.
2. Horseback Trail Ride
Hiking is always great, but if you ever want to hit the trails in a unique manner, try exploring the mountain by horseback. Roudy – a local Telluride legend – hosts excellent rides for people of all skill sets through his company, Ride with Roudy.
3. Via Ferrata
Telluride’s Via Ferrata trail is perfect for adventurous spirits. A technical hike along Telluride’s box canyon edge, the experience culminates in a stretch where hikers use iron staples in the cliffside to traverse a cliffside at 500 feet.
4. Drive Last Dollar Road
This is the perfect Jeeping experience for those who want to experience nature through offroading but without the fear of plummeting to their doom over a cliff face at any given moment. Last Dollar Road is a scenic unpaved road that links Telluride to Ridgway.
5. Eat Local, Seasonal Food
You’d be hard-pressed to find a hard town with as many exceptional eateries as Telluride, Colorado. Even better, Telluride’s summer dining scene is known to utilize local, seasonal ingredients. You’ll see what I mean with one bite at places like 221 South Oak, The National, or Sidework.
6. Telluride Town Park
Telluride Town Park is a center of the community in Telluride. Music festivals, baseball games, theater performances, and barbeques are all common happenings here – I’ve even seen a fun game of slip-n-slide kickball in session. My favorite section of the park is towards the far end close to the campgrounds where a small waterfall can be found in the trees.
