Telluride, Colorado is a town—more a retreat or sanctuary—that people immediately connect with any time of the year. From its quaint Victorian center, there are panoramic views of the towering San Juan Mountains, always making a statement regardless of the season. Snowcapped in winter; lush, green, and dotted with alpine flowers in the spring and summer; and sporting the earth tone colors of autumn, the mountains are the focus of Telluride. Because of their allure, they provide many options for things to do in Telluride.
We’ll take an in-depth look at this scenic getaway and the numerous activities available to guests who come to take advantage of Telluride’s natural beauty, outdoor activities, festivals, and events. Anytime you go to Telluride is a great time.
Spanish explorers in the 1700s named the San Juan Mountains, a range that the Ute Indians had frequented for centuries. The area was known to be rich with silver and gold, which lured fortune seekers by the mid-1800s. In the 1870s, visitors built the Sheridan Mine and a tent camp in the valley below—the rowdy mining settlement that would become Telluride in 1878.
Once the railroad made its way through Telluride in the 1890s, immigrants from all over began coming to find riches and a new home. The community soon grew to 5,000 settlers, but then silver prices crashed in 1893. World War I followed barely 13 years later, causing the mining boom to collapse.
It took a few decades, but in the 1970s Telluride reinvented itself. There was a new gold mine: skiing. The Telluride Ski Resort opened in 1972, and the town earned a reputation for world-class skiing and having a host of Telluride attractions in and around the town center. Much of that area, the downtown Historic District, is graced with landmarks from Telluride’s Victorian-era roots.
Families with children of all ages have loads of things to do in Telluride. Commune with nature on hiking trails, view the amazing scenery from above on a gondola ride, burn some excess energy on a trampoline, go biking, test your skills on a skateboard or snowboard, and try tubing or kayaking for a thrilling adventure. These are just a few of the activities and things to do in Telluride with kids.
It’s difficult to get a better view of the stunning scenery of Telluride than from a gondola gliding across the mountains. What’s even better is that the gondola is free! In addition to giving riders a bird’s-eye view of the town from a height of 10,500 feet and 360-degree views of the spectacular San Juan Mountains, the main gondola provides a 13-minute journey between the towns of Telluride and Mountain Village—a thrilling ride on the “G” for both kids and adults.
A second gondola offers a short trip from the Mountain Village core to the parking station below. Still a third version, a “chondola” that is a combination of a “gondola” and “chairlift”, takes visitors from the base of the Meadows ski run into Mountain Village to connect with the other two gondolas.
Telluride offers several hiking trails ranging in difficulty; many are ideal for families with young children. The kid-friendly trails are generally shorter than others and offer more even terrain that is better for tiny feet and even strollers. Among the fun things to do in Telluride, hiking to see local wildlife, birds and glistening waterfalls ranks high on the list.
The Bear Creek Trail is popular with bikers and hikers because of its accessibility. It’s a wide, easy trail that passes a gorgeous waterfall. Check it out in winter, too, if you’re a backcountry skier, fat biker, or snowshoer. Combine the Bear Creek trail with the Town Park Loop trail in the Uncompahgre National Forest and Bear Creek Preserve, and you can travel on both sides of the creek. Bring your kids and your dog, if it’s on a leash, and see beautiful scenery anytime plus vibrant colors in autumn.
An easy half-mile trail is the Cornet Creek Trail which concludes at the 80-foot Cornet Falls. There are beautiful views of the Telluride Ski Resort from this trail. Just be sure to wear sturdy shows because there’s some loose rock and soil.
Another family favorite is the year-round River Trail that follows the San Miguel River the entire length of the town. This one is dog-friendly, too, and if you’re traveling in the summer, stop for a swim in one of the many swimming holes.
If you want to choose from a variety of things to do in Telluride, Colorado, head to the Telluride Adventure Center.
Adjacent to the Telluride Ski & Snowboard School in Mountain Village, the center offers daily programs and winter activities for all ages. In the summer, kids’ camps teach fishing and archery and offer hiking, mountain biking, mining, and fun games for children 5–14. Winter activities include skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. Entire families can have fun on bungee trampolines, zip lines, and guided adventures.
Activities in Telluride in the winter range from skating, skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing to attending the Telluride Holiday Arts Bazaar or shopping the many boutiques and enjoying the nightlife.
The world-class Telluride Ski Resort offers the ideal place for skiing and snowboarding. The resort gets abundant snowfall each season, so visitors can count on being able to enjoy these activities from late November through early April. Taking ski lifts up the slopes provides a good way to appreciate the area’s beautiful mountain vistas.
Telluride Ski Resort has 148 trails covering over 2,000 acres. This includes diverse terrain for skiers of all levels, from beginners to experts. Family-friendly slopes include Prospect Bowl, Sunshine, Enchanted Forest, and The Meadows. Snowboarding is also available for all skill levels.
If you’re not so keen on taking to the slopes, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are viable options. The Telluride area offers seven venues for cross-country skiing. Multi-use trails are available at Priest Lake/Matterhorn and Trout Lake. The town of Telluride maintains trails on the Valley Floor, and Mountain Village also has trails. Additionally, Telluride Ski Resort maintains the Top-a-ten Nordic trails. Top-a-ten is a great spot for joining guided nature snowshoe treks.
One of the more thrilling things to do in Telluride, CO, in the winter is ice climbing. If you’re unfamiliar with it, ice climbing involves using special tools—double ice axes and crampons—to ascend heights of varying difficulty.
Telluride has some very challenging terrain to climb—frozen waterfalls and cliffs—such as the frozen Bridal Veil Falls, the tallest free-falling waterfall in Colorado.
Mountain Trip, the only guiding service in Telluride accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association, has an experienced team of ice-climbing guides who can lead groups on trips in the region. They also offer ice climbing courses and a learn-to-lead ice course. The trips will take you to such Telluride attractions as Lower and Upper Ames, Lower Bear Creek, Bridal Veil Falls, and the Ouray Ice Park.
Besides skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and ice climbing, there are several other things to do in Telluride in the winter. The famous Iditarod is held in Alaska, but there’s dog sledding in Telluride, too. Through Idarado Sled Dog Adventures, you can explore the snow-covered trails of the San Juan and Uncompahgre National Forests from a sled powered by a team of Alaskan huskies.
How about ice skating? The Hanley Ice Rink, Core Area Ice Rink, and Mountain Village Ice Rink are all options. If you need to rent hockey or figure skates, contact the Madeline Hotel and Residences.
Snowmobiling is another of the top things to do in Telluride. Telluride Outfitters offers several snowmobiling tours—to Dunton Hot Springs, the Alta ghost town, and Barlow Creek Backcountry.
Some people prefer less adventurous outings. You can do spirits tasting at Telluride Distilling Company, sit in front of the fire for a warm après ski drink at Gorrono Ranch, shop in the quaint boutiques, go for a sleigh ride, or attend a winter event or festival, or enjoy a theater performance.
After the snow melts, the wildflowers of spring make their appearance in Telluride. With mild weather, it’s a great time to visit.
Some of the best things to do in Telluride in March include watching a performance at the Telluride Theatre, attending the Spring Sing Concert, and putting on your dancing shoes for the KOTO Spring Street Dance.
If you’re visiting in May, a couple of events you won’t want to miss are the Telluride Literary Arts Festival and the Mountainfilm Festival.
In addition to these special events, there are other things to do in Telluride in the spring. You can explore the San Juan Mountains by hiking the trails or even going off-road on an ATV. Perhaps go mountain biking, birding, or fishing.
Hiking in the fresh spring air can be rejuvenating—especially when you also have the chance to admire the beautiful wildflowers and greenery of the season. Regardless of your hiking experience, Telluride offers many hiking trails of varying difficulty levels that visitors can enjoy throughout the spring.
Choose the Bear Creek Trail for well-groomed paths and a spectacular waterfall. You might want to bring trekking poles because some areas are rocky with elevation gain.
Bridal Veil Falls trails offer views of Colorado’s tallest free-falling waterfall that descends from a height of 365 feet. Hike either a 2-mile out-and-back trail that is moderately challenging or a 4.8-mile OHV trail with incredible scenery. A little longer and a bit more challenging, the Blue Lake via Bridal Veil Trail #636 is 5.9 miles out and back, but the reward is seeing a pristine alpine lake, along with wildflower-filled fields.
If spring has brought some rain and hiking trails are muddy, you can still get outside and enjoy the gorgeous scenery from a vehicle. How about going on a guided Jeep tour if you don’t want to drive your own car? A tour gives you the chance to sit back, relax, and take in the amazing attractions in Telluride while staying warm and dry. You can go on either a half-day or a full-day guided Jeep tour in Telluride. Dave’s Mountain Tours, Alpine Scenic Jeep Tours, Jeep Tours Telluride, and San Juan Scenic Jeep Tours offer a variety of tours. For those who want something with more of an adrenaline rush, check out companies that offer custom offroad adventures: Telluride Offroad, Telluride Outside, and Dave’s Mountain Tours.
Summer in Telluride offers warm temperatures and many opportunities to enjoy the water and trails throughout the area. This time of year is also known for being a busy time with festivals and events in and around Telluride. The following are a few of the best summer activities in Telluride.
When you’re looking for things to do in Telluride in the summer, consider attending one of the many unique festivals.
The Telluride Bluegrass Festival in June is one of the summer’s biggest events that features top artists from around the world.
Visitors also love the Telluride Balloon Festival, Food + Vine, Music Fest, Yoga Festival, Telluride Plein Air, Telluride Table, Americana Music Festival, Baseball Festival, Jazz Festival, and the Mushroom Festival.
In August, there’s the Telluride Mountain Run that challenges runners with altitude gains of more than 13,000 feet and three races—13 miles, 24 miles, and 40 miles—and the one-of-a-kind KOTO Duck Race, featuring little quackers “racing” down the San Miguel River.
Summer’s festival season ends with the iconic Telluride Blues & Brews Festival in September.
A full list of annual events is available via the Telluride Arts District.
Telluride may be best known for its mountains, but people can also enjoy water sports. For those who want to do something a bit more fast-paced or challenging than swimming or fishing, Telluride offers whitewater rafting on the San Miguel River. Some areas offer a calmer place for beginners to get used to the rapids, such as the Lower San Miguel. It’s best for families or beginner and intermediate rafters. The Upper San Miguel is more challenging, giving experts a chance to test their whitewater rafting skills.
Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours, 4 Corners Whitewater, and Telluride Outside all offer whitewater rafting trips.
The summer weather is perfect for hitting the trails on a mountain bike to explore the area. Some mountain biking trails may be busy because of summer crowds, but others are more secluded for a more relaxed biking experience.
Set out from town for the rugged beauty of the San Juan Mountains and follow trails with challenging terrain that offer rewarding views of old mining roads and box canyons. If you prefer an easier route, there are moderate trails that run longer lengths along old railroad tracks.
You may also want to consider the San Juan Skyway to go mountain biking.
Swimming, boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, and tubing are all fun things to do in Telluride in the summer because of the area’s abundant lakes and rivers. The San Miguel River, Down Valley Park, Alta Lakes, and Trout Lake are all excellent choices for engaging in water sports.
You can arrange kayak tours or equipment rentals in Telluride through 4 Corners Whitewater, Telluride Outside, Mountain Adventure Equipment, and Christy Sports.
If golf is your game, Telluride has the course—The Course, that is—among the highest-elevation golf courses in the world. Located at the private Telluride Golf Club atop Turkey Creek Mesa, The Course offers breathtaking views of peaks up to 14,000 feet. When you play golf at that height, the air creates less resistance to the ball during flight, which means it goes a lot longer without any swing or equipment changes. The challenge for the golfer is adjusting your swing for the elevation difference.
There are also some nearby public courses, including Divide Ranch Course, The Bridges Golf & Country Club in Montrose, and the semi-private course at the Links at Cobble Creek in Montrose.
Telluride is awash in color in the fall with deep hues of rust, orange, gold, and brown gracing the trees. Because the temperature is cooler and visitors fewer, it’s an ideal time to vacation in this quaint mountain town. There are so many things to do in Telluride in the fall.
Perhaps attend the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival in early September, the Telluride Autumn Classic car show in late September, the Original Thinkers Festival, or the KOTO Halloween Bash.
If you are fortunate to be in Telluride in the fall, you can view the spectacular fall foliage of the San Juan Mountains. Driving around the area gives visitors an opportunity to see groves of aspens and other local trees showing their autumn colors. Visitors can drive along the San Juan Skyway to see and take photos of Telluride’s fall foliage.
Guided 4x4 tours are also available for those who want to ride through tree-lined trails throughout the mountains. Contact Telluride Outside, Dave’s Mountain Tours, Telluride Offroad Adventures, or Telluride Outfitters for more details.
The Telluride Film Festival is a popular event that kicks off the fall season. Held annually over Labor Day weekend, the prestigious event gives audiences a chance to see a curated selection of films prior to their wider release and brings with it film enthusiasts, filmmakers, and celebrities. Visitors who attend the festival can see groundbreaking films and learn more about the filmmaking process in general. The festival also includes a Labor Day picnic, opening night events, and much more.
Why is photography among the top things to do in Telluride in the fall? Colorful fall foliage and rugged surroundings make this a great area to take tons of photos. Visitors with advanced photography skills can capture breathtaking images of Telluride and the San Juan Mountains. Those who just want some memorable photos during a fall vacation can also count on taking stunning shots of the area in all its seasonal glory.
Retail therapy in Telluride is a popular pastime. You can peruse the many boutiques for everything from sporting goods to clothing to handmade accessories and gourmet items. Downtown along Colorado Avenue, you’ll find some luxury shops that have been around for decades, as well as lovely art galleries.
For a change of perspective, take the free gondola up to Mountain Village to see what local artisans are selling.
After all that shopping, you’re bound to want to take a break for something to eat and drink. Telluride is the place to be. There are excellent restaurants for coffee, breweries to try local beers, casual restaurants for a salad or sandwich, and fine dining options for a gourmet celebration.
Whether you’ve always wanted a scenic outdoor wedding or an intimate spot for family and a few friends, Telluride is ideal for making your special day even more special. Can you imagine walking down the aisle with breathtaking snow-brushed mountain peaks as your backdrop? Or saying your vows in a vibrant yet laid-back town laced with colorful Victorian homes, renowned restaurants, impressive art galleries, and high-end boutiques? That’s what you can look forward to with Telluride weddings.
Choose a venue in downtown Telluride or Mountain Village (the gondola is free between the two towns). Downtown Telluride vacation rentals or home and condo rentals in Mountain Village can accommodate a bridal party of any size, and many can also double as wedding locations. Depending on the size of your wedding party, you may need to use several properties to accommodate guests.
It’s always a good idea to contact a local wedding planner who can help you stay within budget and make all arrangements. Local wedding planners understand the complexities of hosting an event in a seasonal town better than anyone else. They can take care of everything from sourcing permits to arranging special pre- or post-wedding events for guests.
You can also get some help from Telluride Rentals' concierge service once you choose accommodations. The most important piece of advice: Make sure you plan well in advance because Telluride can be a busy place.
Families with children, couples, grandparents, friends, and corporate groups can all find fun things to do in Telluride. It may be a small mountain town, but there are loads of events and adventures waiting for visitors throughout the year.
Thrill seekers can ski, snowboard, snowshoe or ice climb in the winter and hike, mountain bike, and tour by ATV in the spring, summer, and spring and fall.
Those who prefer a quieter pace can sample the delectable cuisine in local restaurants, shop the boutiques, photograph the wildlife and mountain splendor, or meander through the enchanting Victorian town.
Regardless of age or physical ability, there is something for everyone to do in Telluride, and countless options for accommodations. Look through the Telluride vacation rentals blog to see what others love about this fabulous mountain town.
Then once you’ve decided when you’re going to visit, the Telluride transportation guide tells you how to get here and how to get around once you’re here.
Retreat to Telluride, Colorado for the best vacation you’ll ever have.