Jones Guides is passionate about fly fishing in Crested Butte but is even more passionate about ensuring visitors have a fantastic time visiting this Colorado mountain mecca. This article briefly summarizes some of the best things to do when visiting Crested Butte in the summer.

NOTE: None of the businesses below are directly affiliated with Jones Guides. Jones Guides does not receive pay or commissions for making referrals.

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Nestled at the end of the East River Valley in Central Colorado, Crested Butte is a charming mountain town known for its outdoor recreation and picturesque beauty. In the winter, it is a snowglobe-like paradise with world-class skiing and other winter activities.

And during the summer, you’ll have opportunities to explore the alpine via hiking or biking, test your skills fly fishing for wild trout or eat at some excellent restaurants and enjoy the scenery from the valley floor.

Here are some of our favorite things to do in Crested Butte:

Mountain Biking, Hiking & Motorsports

With nearly 800 miles of trails in and around Crested Butte, this area of Colorado is truly an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Our extensive trail network includes popular routes such as the Snodgrass Trail, the 401 Trail, and the Hartman Rocks trail system.

For a short and beautiful hike, we recommend the Judd Falls Trail. It is under 1 mile each way and rewards you with a view of a beautiful waterfall fueled by Copper Creek.

Some trails are multi-use trails (biking, hiking, horse, and motorbikes are allowed), and others are limited to non-motorized travel. We advise trail users to seek out local regulations on each trail before embarking on an adventure. Many trailheads have a sign indicating which type of use is allowed in that area.

Contact me at daniel@jonesguides.com for more information and beta on the best trails in the valley. And for bike rentals or tune-ups, we recommend Crested Butte Sports, located in Mount Crested Butte.

Wildflower Viewing

Known as the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, you are sure to have your breath taken away by the sheer beauty of the wildflowers during mid-summer. Flowers typically begin their bloom in the lower elevations in May and creep up towards treeline as summer progresses. Most wildflowers will complete their bloom by August.

In some locations, you can expect wildflowers to be shoulder high!

In July each year, the Wildflower Festival takes place, offering workshops, hikes, and educational courses for any wildflower lover.

Scenic Drives

One of the best ways to get the lay of the land is via a drive through the West Elk Mountains or on Kebler Pass. For offroad adventurers, numerous 4x4 roads near Crested Butte take drivers into the alpine and over mountain tops! With the right vehicle and training, you can even drive to Aspen over Pearl Pass!

For the best experience, pack a lunch, plenty of water and fuel, and gather a few friends in a capable vehicle to hit the dirt roads.

If you are inexperienced with 4x4 travel, we recommend hiring a guide service or sticking to the more mellow roads. Alpenglow Rentals is an excellent resource for beta on the nearby dirt roads and Jeep rentals.

Festivals, Concerts & Markets

Aside from the Wildflower Festival, Crested Butte hosts various festivals and events throughout the year, including music, art, farmers markets, and culture.

Some of our favorite events include the outdoor music series hosting acts weekly in town and at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. During most weeks, you can find music downtown on Mondays at the Alpenglow Music Series and Wednesday nights on the CBMR mountain stage near For the Mt. Crested Butte Summer Music Series.

For a complete calendar of events, visit the Travel Crested Butte website.

One of our favorite bands to catch around town is Strand Hill. This dynamic duo is comprised of Crested Butte locals who spread their love for music and each other during every one of their shows. Check out Strand Hill’s upcoming music calendar here.

River Adventures

From fly fishing to running whitewater, Crested Butte has it all!

Beginner anglers can find solace in knowing there is a wealth of knowledge from guides in the valley to help put trout in the net.

Or, for veteran anglers, there are hundreds of miles of Colorado trout streams at your fingertips to explore on your own. Our main watersheds include the East River, the Taylor River, and the Gunnison River.

During high water/peak runoff, fly fishing is generally best found on smaller trout streams such as Spring Creek, Tomichi Creek, or Willow Creek.

Please visit our Fishing Report page to learn more about the current fishing conditions in Crested Butte.

And if adrenaline is what you crave, you can book a whitewater rafting trip on the Taylor River with one of the guide outfits in the Crested Butte area.

Feel free to contact Jones Guides at trout@jonesguides.com for more information on how we can help you have the best Colorado fly fishing vacation ever!  

Or for running whitewater, we recommend booking with Scenic River Tours. The people at Scenic River Tours are experienced whitewater enthusiasts and ensure all guests have a fun and safe experience running rivers near Crested Butte.

Top Tier Restaurants

Crested Butte is home to some of the best restaurant experiences in the state. While many restaurants have been closed and shuttered over the past two years, we still have some excellent places to eat!

You won’t want to miss eating at the Secret Stash when you're in the mood for pizza.

This restaurant is justly described as a Crested Butte gem with gourmet pies, excellent service, and a fun environment. Secret Stash does not accept reservations, but we assure you it’s worth the wait during the busy months.

And it is very family-friendly!

For a great burger, visit the Wooden Spoon in CB South. This small, general-store burger joint has great local energy and outstanding burgers and sandwiches. After a long mountain bike ride or a day fly fishing near Crested Butte, we love enjoying a beer or soda on their patio to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown Crested Butte.

And for a top-tier cup of coffee, don’t miss Camp 4 Coffee. With locations in Crested Butte, CB South, and Gunnison, you won’t have an excuse to miss out on a great cup of joe.

Oh, and did we mention their pastries are to die for?

There are many other wonderful things to do in Crested Butte, and Jones Guides would love to provide honest advice and tips on anything that is not-to-miss!

Contact us at trout@jonesguides.com for more information on the area or simply for recommendations on how to best enjoy your visit to paradise.

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When It’s Time to Make Crested Butte Home…

After you’ve visited Crested Butte, it may cross your mind that it’s time to make this valley your home. As a former client, Jones Guides cannot speak highly enough about realtor Frank Konsella.

Frank is a long-time local of Crested Butte, an avid mountain adventurer, and one of the valley’s top real estate agents.

His knowledge and long tenure in the area allow Frank to keep a constant pulse on what’s going on in the real estate market, and he is passionate about helping clients find exactly what they’re looking for. Frank calls Crested Butte his home and takes great pride in assisting others to find their home here too.

Call Frank at 970-596-7990 for information on purchasing a Crested Butte home or to merely ask questions about the area.

Don’t forget to tell Frank that Jones Guides sent you!

Dan Jones of Jones Guides is a full-time fly fishing guide in Crested Butte, Colorado. He is the author of the Jones Guides project, which publishes blogs, Crested Butte fishing reports, and adventure tips for the mountain and river lover.