Crested Butte is a charming mountain town nestled in the Elk Mountains of Colorado. With breathtaking scenery, wildflowers in bloom, and crisp mountain air, it’s a delightful place to visit with kids and make lasting family memories. This high alpine paradise offers a variety of family friendly activities from mild to wild. In this article we talk about Family-Friendly Activities for Summer in Crested Butte In 2024.
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ToggleTake a Scenic Lift Ride
The Silver Queen Gondola at the Crested Butte Mountain Resort whisks you up to over 11,000 feet for panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. In the base area, kids will enjoy the bunny slope and Adventure Park which has a climbing wall, mini golf, a zipline and more. Pack a picnic lunch or dine at the Umbrella Bar at the top. Catch the gondola early to beat the afternoon crowds.
Ride the Alpine Slide
An old school concrete alpine slide winds down the front side of Crested Butte Mountain. Kids as young as 5 can ride with an adult or solo if they are taller than 36 inches. Bring your own sled or rent one onsite along with elbow/knee pads. Race family members down the mountain and see who gets the best time!
Explore Downtown Crested Butte
Elk Avenue is the main street through downtown Crested Butte lined with colorful Victorian buildings housing shops, restaurants and galleries. Stop for ice cream at the Secret Stash or enjoy a family friendly meal on the deck at Montanya Grill. Check out the unique merchandise at Dragonfly Dry Goods or find some Western wear booties for the kids at Kemo Sabe. Don’t forget to pose by the famous Crested Butte sign next to the visitor’s center surrounded by vibrant flowers.
Take a Mountain Bike Ride
Crested Butte is known as the birthplace of mountain biking and the Evolution Bike Park at the resort has miles of trails perfect for kids. Take the Pitchfork or Peanut trails going out and Uley’s or Lower Loop coming back. Make sure to do the Bunny Slope and Skill Builders area as well. Novice riders can also try out the paved path from Mt. Crested Butte to Crested Butte on family bikes.
Visit the Trailhead Children’s Museum
The Trailhead Children’s Museum near Mt. Crested Butte is designed for families to explore and learn together. Kids can pretend to be pilots in the cockpit exhibit, make pizza in the culinary corner, build structures with giant blue blocks and experiment with water play. Outside there is a mining sluice, music garden and playground. Check their website for special events and programs offered throughout the summer.
Pan for Gems
A unique family activity is gem panning at the Crystal Mill Gem Mine just north of Crested Butte. Kids will love sifting through dirt and gravel to uncover treasures like crystals, fossils, arrowheads and more. Each miner gets to keep their gemstone finds. Make a stop here before or after exploring the historic town of Marble.
Ride the Silver Queen Express Train
All aboard the Silver Queen Express, a replica 1880s steam train that winds through the Gunnison National Forest on a 2 hour roundtrip ride. Kids can pretend they are cowboys and outlaws as the train passes lakes, creeks, and abandoned mines on its way to the ghost town of Quartz. Make sure to visit the petting zoo and mining camp at the depot.
Take a Wildflower Tour
Crested Butte is ablaze with colorful wildflowers every summer. For gorgeous views without a big hike, drive the 16 mile Schofield Pass Scenic Byway east of town. Or book a wildflower tour with a local guide who can identify all the flowers and tell tales about the old mining days. Easy kid-friendly hikes to see flowers include Paradise Divide, Copper Creek Trail and the River Trail.
Go Whitewater Rafting
Families with adventurous kids ages 7 and up can get their adrenaline pumping on a whitewater rafting trip down the nearby Gunnison River. Start off with some calm water and then hold on tight as you plunge over exciting rapids with names like Dragon’s Tail and Maneater. Half day or full day trips can be booked with one of the local outfitters.
Attend a Summer Event
Crested Butte has nonstop events, festivals and concerts happening in the peak summer months. Don’t miss the Wildflower Festival in July with nature walks, arts fairs and a kid’s parade. Also in July is the Bacon and Bourbon Festival with pig races, contests and bacon inspired cuisine. Wrap up summer at the end of August with the Bluegrass Festival featuring family friendly bluegrass performances.
Relax at the Town Park
When you just want to take it easy and let the kids play, head over to the Crested Butte Town Park. There are huge fields for running around, playground equipment, a basketball court, skate park, sand volleyball pit and more. Bring a blanket and snacks to picnic under the shade while the kids make new friends. End the day relaxing by the ponds and watching the ducks.
With epic scenery, fresh mountain air and a charming small town vibe, Crested Butte is an idyllic summer vacation spot for families. The array of outdoor activities from scenic lift rides to mountain biking will delight kids of all ages. Round out the days with good eats, unique local shops, and musical events for memories to last a lifetime. I sincerely hope you find this “Family-Friendly Activities for Summer in Crested Butte In 2024” article helpful.