Crested Butte Vacation Travel Blog

Crested Butte is known for its diverse geology and great hiking. One thing that can be enjoyed is combining the two on a Crystal Hunting Hike. Locals know all the good spots and we are more than happy to share that knowledge with you. Today I was only out for an hour or so and this was my booty.

One of the many great things to do in Crested Butte is to enjoy some great music in an incredible outdoor setting. And to make it even better, it’s free. Every Wednesday afternoon in July and August, a free concert is offered at the base of the ski area in an open grass venue. A free shuttle runs from up the block here in town directly to the base area for the music making there no need to drive. Food and Beer are sold at these shows.

For more on local Crested Butte Festival and Events visit our Crested Butte Events Calendar.

An awesome way to spend a sunny day in Crested Butte is to go on a float down the Gunnison River fly fishing. Whether you are a seasoned fly fisherman or a beginner the guides will show you what you need to know and put in into great areas offering you your best chances. If you are not interested in a float trip, they also offer wading trips. Crested Butte area rivers and lakes offer rainbow, brown, cutthroat, and brook trout. You can even catch a Salmon run if you time it right. For some incredible fishing and great days on the river, give us a call and we will happily help you set up your next fishing trip.

One of the beautiful things about Crested Butte is the early morning walks. With cloud layers floating through town and burning off as the sun comes up, you need to be sure to have your camera handy. This shot was taken at the end of my block looking back at town across one of our parks with Mount Emmons in the background.

Crested Butte is surrounded by almost two million acres of pristine wilderness in southwest Colorado. There are wonderful trails to take that allow you to explore so many areas. However, you are also able to strike out on your own to discover areas in which there are no trails. With some good map skills and/or a GPS one can just pick an area on a map and go. This is what I was doing the day I headed up into Virginia Basin on Mount Avery north of Crested Butte. The hike rewarded me with a discovery of an old abandoned mine and great views of Gothic Mountain.

For more information on Crested Butte Trails click here.

Crested Butte is such an incredible place. Most people who live were just like you. They came here first on vacation and then just had to figure out a way to live here. The saying goes, "People come for the winters, but stay for the summers." I have found this so true. Winter is quite a magical experience. However, there is something even more magical about the summers. All of town is easily walkable, making staying in town the choice of returning vacationers, summer and winter. There is a great selection of truly creative and delicious restaurants to try out. We have that great Colorado mountain weather where if a front does come in it moves on quickly. And we have an endless supply of activities to enjoy. All this being said Crested Butte offers something more that is just hard to put into words. Whether it's the relax and creative atmosphere that this town emanates or the natural upbeat welcoming friendliness of the locals to all who visit, I just can’t say. But come and experience it yourself and you will know why people have made Crested Butte their vacation of choice, or for many their permanent home.

This picture was taken from out front of the bed and breakfast looking at Crested Butte Mountain. Our weather here is incredible. I grew up on the east coast and it was not until I moved out here did I realize how nice life, in regards to weather (and a lot more), can be. We get sun almost every day and when weather does come in, it usually just sticks around for a few hours. This shot was taken in the morning. A few moments after I put my camera up it turned into a double rainbow. In the end, this storm passed south of us and we were out riding mountain bikes all afternoon.

To view more Frequently Asked Questions about Crested Butte click here.

The Arts Festival Weekend in Crested Butte is always a very big weekend here. Artists from all over the United States come to display and sell their works. This event always falls on the first weekend in August and runs all weekend. Elk Avenue in downtown Crested Butte is closed for the booths to be set up. There is music and food for all the visitors as they wonder around outside from booth to booth. If you enjoy pottery, photography, paintings, metal work, stain glass and lots more, this event might just be what you are looking for.

For more information on The Crested Butte Art Festival click here.