Crested Butte Is the Colorado Mountain Town for People Who Prefer Summer

Let’s get this out of the way: Is Crested Butte the most convenient town to get to in Colorado? No, but that’s precisely what makes it so special. CB has all the beauty of better-known Rocky Mountain towns (say, Aspen or Vail), yet as any local will proudly tell you, it’s quieter and less pretentious.

The historic downtown is filled with mom-and-pop shops, beloved restaurants, and picture-perfect Victorian buildings. And while CB is best known as a ski destination, it’s — dare we say — even more spectacular in warmer months, when “the Wildflower Capital of Colorado” bursts with color, and residents and guests alike take advantage of every outdoor adventure imaginable.

⛰️ In what should be a surprise to no one, Crested Butte is paradise for people who love the outdoors. Hop on a chairlift at Mt. Crested Butte and relish the unparalleled views as you hike or mountain bike down the various trails. Or, head farther north on Gothic Road to the 5.8-mile Snodgrass Mountain Trail — another popular spot that winds through lush aspen groves and wildflower meadows.

Feeling even more adventurous? Push deeper into the mountains, past the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town of Gothic (home to a shockingly good coffee shop and the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory), and you’ll eventually reach Emerald Lake, where swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking in the bright turquoise water are well worth the (very rugged) drive.