Summer Fun in Breckenridge / Summit County
Summer recreation in Breckenridge and the rest of Summit County has exploded in the last decade, and it is no wonder. The scenery is stunning in every direction with mountains (often still snow-capped for much of the summer), and easily accessed lakes and forests that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and all fitness levels.
The weather is wonderful, with the Summit County boasting an average of 300 days of beautiful sunshine. The temperatures are cooler at the altitude, and there is very little humidity. It is a great place to escape the hot weather in much of the rest of the country.
The flower-covered patios on Main Street in Breckenridge & Frisco are in full swing at the excellent restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. And there is a constant stream of festivals and markets.
The best way to enjoy the area is… well there is no wrong answer! There are a plethora of activities to amuse and enthrall nearly anyone. What are you in the mood for?
For a quick introduction to the area, read Beautiful Breckenridge – Overview
Table of Contents
Hiking
This is the biggest reason we keep returning to the area in the summer. There are hundreds of hikes in and around Breck, ranging from easy strolls to extremely challenging climbs up 14K feet mountains, and everything in between. Though the views from the town of Breckenridge are beautiful, there is absolutely no substitute for lacing on your hiking boots and getting on a trail. You’ll find treasures at every turn, including hidden lakes, waterfalls, meadows bursting with wildflowers, historic mines, and views that will leave you speechless as you soak in the wonder of nature.
Each summer month brings a special joy in Summit County. Hikes in June need to be in the lower altitudes, as the higher areas are still covered in snow in ice. But June brings spontaneous waterfalls (even just driving up I-70!) and very few crowds.
July is the opening of high season, and the weather is nearly always perfect. Pretty much all hikes are open at every altitude.
Late July and early August bring the height of wildflower season, which is a hard season to beat. Hiking along a trail, turning around a curve, and encountering a breathtaking vista filled with tens of thousands of wildflowers of a dozen different varieties… well it is nothing less than spectacular.
Late August sees a bit more rain, a good number of remaining wildflowers, and blissfully few crowds.
Hiking in the fall, particularly between mid-September and the first few days of October, is just as spectacular and might even be a tiny smidgen better, if that is possible. You get the added bonus of seeing the aspen and cottonwoods and other trees turn bright red, yellow and orange. It is a sight to behold.
Here are more details about some of our favorite hikes in the area: Favorite Hikes OR Fabulous Fall Hikes
Biking
For those of you hearty souls who enjoy mountain biking – you’ll be in heaven. Like hiking trails, biking trails abound for every skill level and offer spectacular scenic rewards. If you like mountain biking but don’t like going uphill, you can even go to Peak 8 Adventure Park and ride a ski lift the mountain, then ride a mountain bike (rentals available) down a variety of trails!
Jeff & I aren’t quite that brave, and we stick to the extensive paved biking paths in the area. For a great day, try renting bikes at Elevation Bikes or any of the numerous other rental options. Ride 9 miles along the lovely Blue River Rec Path to the cute town of Frisco. (It’s ever-so-slightly downhill most of the way, except for a substantial hill at the end.) There you can have brunch or lunch at a variety of excellent restaurants.
Or, if you still have some energy left, continue on the mostly flat trail and ride around Lake Dillon. There are many places to stop, take a break, and admire the view. From there, you can bike back to Breck, OR if you don’t want the slightly uphill ride back, you can load your bikes onto the Free Ride shuttle and ride back in comfort! Better yet, you can leave your bikes in Frisco and Elevation Bikes will come pick them up for a nominal charge.
White Water Rafting
If you have an adventurous spirit, consider white water rafting. A great way to experience it for the first time is to take a half-day trip in Brown’s Canyon, which has been designated a national monument due to its jaw-dropping beauty. After a quick lesson on how to raft and a safety talk, you will set out in small groups with a guide and take an exhilarating trip down the Arkansas River, through a series of rapids with relaxing areas between the rapids to take in the extraordinary scenery.
The earlier in the summer it is, the more heart-pounding the trip will be. Tours run out of Buena Vista, about a 90-minute drive from Breck. Our favorite tour company is Wilderness Aware but there are plenty of other reputable ones. Some even offer a shuttle from Breck if you don’t want to drive. There are also lots of other rafting trips to choose from including full-day tours with lunch, and even multi-day tours.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
For a relaxing day trip while your feet recover from your most recent hike, the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail are a great choice. Vail is a very famous mountain town and ski resort, and worth an afternoon in its own right. (Though, in my very biased opinion, it is not as charming as Breck.)
Vail is actually in Eagle County, but it is just a 30-minute drive west from Frisco. It will be tough for the driver, because there is so much panoramic scenery along the way.
The expansive Betty Ford Gardens are free (donations accepted) and open year-round. The beautifully landscaped grounds include paths, bridges, an education center, and a gift shop. We’ve been there with young children, and they love running along the pathways.
The gardens showcase plants that thrive in the harsh conditions of alpine environments and are captivating even to those of us without a “green thumb”.
When you’re done at the gardens, take some time to enjoy pedestrian-friendly Vail Village before you head back. With its Bavarian-inspired architecture, it is a delight to wander through the streets filled with restaurants, shops, fountains, statues, and, of course, to admire that fabulous Colorado scenery.
Gondola and Peak 8 Adventure Park
If you’re traveling with kids, teens, 20-somethings, or kids at heart, spending at least a half day at the Peak 8 Adventure Park is a must. The adventure starts even before you arrive, as you ride the free gondola from the parking lot in town, up the mountain, to the base of Peak 8.
The Adventure Park has a host of activities such as a 40′ rock climbing wall, (and also a little one for young kids), zip-lining, mini golf, panning for gold, and a bounce house. There is even a roller coaster.
One adventure in which even the adults should partake is the 2600-foot alpine slides. Riders take a ski lift up, and then are given a cart (with a brake!) to ride down the mountain. Younger kids can ride in a cart with an adult. It is a blast!
Shopping
Craving a shopping spree? You’ve come to the right place! Downtown Breck has tons of shopping options, but that’s just the beginning. Frisco, just nine miles north, also has a vibrant downtown with many independently owned shops and boutiques.
Then, head a few miles east to Silverthorne and you find the Silverthorne Outlet Mall. It’s laid out in three “villages” with cute walking paths along the Blue River to travel from one village to the other. Shops include Columbia, Eddie Bauer, Le Creuset, J. Crew, Pearl Izumi, Under Armor, and Williams Sonoma, to name just a few.
Other Activities
Still looking for more to do? Maybe fly-fishing is your jam – this is the place to do it. Do you love horses? You could explore the mountains on horseback or even take part in a cattle drive. Are you interested in spending some time on the water? Head to the Frisco Bay Marina on Lake Dillon. There you can rent stand-up paddleboards, canoes, and pontoon boats, along with fishing boats complete with rods. You can even take sailing lessons. You could be looking for some seriously heart-pounding excitement. If so, you can tour the mountains in an ATV or 4×4, either on your own or with a group tour.
The list of things to do in the Breck area each summer is almost endless. One thing is certain: you won’t get bored.
Perhaps you’ve fallen in love and are ready to return for winter adventures. If so, take a look at our article, Winter’s Wonder in Breckenridge.
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