The state of Colorado is best known for it’s breathtaking mountains and the ski towns that surround them. With dozens of destinations within a close proximity to Boulder, the summer is the perfect time to drive out and explore these unique cities while the sun is out and the crowds are low. Each Colorado mountain town provides a different experience that you can’t find during the winter. We’ve narrowed down our top five picks for Colorado mountain weekends, whether you’re looking to relax in a hot spring or zip-line near the side of a cliff. Why not take advantage of the 300 days of sunshine we’re spoiled with year-round?

  1. Crested Butte: Just over four hours out from central Boulder, Crested Butte offers dozens of activities for any thrill-seeker. Ziplining, rafting, and archery are just a few exciting excursions you can partake in while in Crested Butte. Crested Butte is also full of hiking trails, both easy and strenuous. 
  2. Breckenridge: Located only two hours away from Boulder, Breckenridge is a hidden gem at the base of the Rocky Mountains. With an array of things to do, you can either jam-pack your weekend with things like biking or fly-fishing, or you can chill out by attending a symphony performance and taking a segway tour. Aside from all of the high-energy amusement, Breckenridge has multiple luxury spas for a more relaxing getaway. 
  3. Keystone: Keystone is a tiny town in Summit County, just over two hours out from Boulder. In Keystone, you can find an abundance of fun summer activities, such as river tubing and ATV tours. Keystone is also well-known for having fantastic, up-to-date yoga studios that offer a wide range of classes, for either beginners or experts. 
  4. Glenwood Springs: Located just about three hours from Boulder, Glenwood Springs is a small town on the way to Aspen with many unique adventures you can’t find anywhere else. Glenwood is famous for the giant hot springs located in the middle of town, which happens to be the world’s largest mineral hot springs pool. Glenwood Springs is also home to a rare kind of amusement park: The Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. The park features roller coasters and giant swings that are sure to satisfy any thrill-seeker. 
  5. Telluride: Telluride is the furthest from Boulder (about six and a half hours away) but is definitely a top destination, if you’re willing to make the drive. Telluride, back in it’s day, was a Victorian mining town nestled in the Rocky Mountains. Telluride is the perfect place for pitching a tent and camping in the woods, backpacker-style. With outdoor activities like fly fishing, off-roading and hiking, Telluride is ideal for the quintessential “Colorado” weekend. 

Hanae Reith
Hanae is a senior at the University of Colorado Boulder studying strategic communications and business administration. She is passionate about creativity in conjunction with business, which is what led her to her field of study. She grew up in Seattle, Washington, where she gained a love for the West Coast and the water. In 2014, she traded in the ocean for the mountains when she moved out to Boulder to pursue her degree. Hanae’s biggest passion is travel, and she recently studied abroad in Florence, Italy, where she spent fifteen weeks traveling to dozens of cities across Western Europe, immersing herself in exciting new cultures and atmospheres. You can find Hanae riding around town on her yellow vespa, sitting at rooftop bars with friends, or cheering on the Buffs at Folsom.
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