Summer Activities & Things to Do in Telluride
Colorado is the best known state for adventure year round. There is a summer activity for everyone in and around Telluride. Some fun ways to explore the surrounding mountains are mountain biking, hiking and climbing, just to name a few. The region offers unique destinations such as Mesa Verde National Park and the Ouray Hot Springs. All of us at Lumière with Inspirato are dedicated to creating the most unforgettable and fun experience for you and your family. We pride ourselves on providing the ultimate hassle-free Telluride luxury vacation for everyone in an intimate, relaxed, fun, upbeat, contemporary and luxury environment.
Here are some of our favorite things to do during the summer months!
Many activities and excursions require a minimum of two guests.
Please check with our Destination Concierge for more information: concierge@lumieretelluride.com
We can’t wait to hear from you.
GUIDED 4×4 TOURS
Telluride Outside’s 4-WD Tours provide an unparalleled opportunity to experience Telluride’s fabulous high country while learning the history of one of the world’s most famous and notorious gold rush towns.
The tours emphasize scenery and mining history. The routes are inherently “4-WD” in nature, as you’ll be traveling on old mining roads that were etched in the San Juan Mountains a hundred years ago, but the emphasis does not fall on “rock crawling” and technical maneuvering as it commonly does on desert country red rock tours.
Fly fishing
The San Miguel, Dolores, Uncompahgre and Gunnison are among the finest trout streams in the Rocky Mountains. Each offers unique fly-fishing opportunities, from the San Miguel’s freestone pocket water to the glassy runs of the Lower Dolores.
Lakes, ponds and alpine creeks offer even more choices. The quality of our fly-fishing is matched only by the beauty of our surroundings.
Telluride is an angler’s paradise. Telluride Outside began guiding the area in 1984 and have assembled a spectacular menu of public and private fly-fishing water, including private leases on each river.
After a day in the river you’ll have seen some unparalleled natural beauty, have been taught some technique, shared experiences and have fully enjoyed this wonderful sport.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Pedal a mountain bike through spectacular high country along the historic route of the Galloping Goose railway. The beginner-friendly guided tour begins on Lizard Head Pass, at over 10,000 ft. The trail winds around two subalpine lakes and descends into the magnificent South Fork Valley of the San Miguel River, traveling 17 miles of downhill and level terrain. A snack and drinks are provided at tour’s end. ½ day trips available every morning and afternoon.
Custom half-day and full-day routes are available for more advanced riders. The mountains of Telluride are laced with adventuresome trails guaranteed to thrill any rider. Our guides love to get off the beaten path with customers who seek greater adventure.
PRIVATE ROCK CLIMBING
Designed for all ages and abilities, from 4 year olds to seasoned mountaineers, these trips give you the chance to try out your spider skills on real rock. Even if you’ve never entertained the idea of getting vertical, consider this – we offer comfortable first-time climbing experiences for even our most timid guests. Using harnesses, ropes and technical climbing equipment, you can explore the vertical realm with the assistance of a qualified and supportive guide.
Our full-day rock climbing adventures begin with a pick up at Lumière and a quick drive to an incredible San Juan climbing area where we will embark upon a short hike up to a stone face. You will learn how to climb, belay and appropriately use technical equipment.
A picnic lunch will be served at the base of the crag.
PRIVATE VIA FERRATA
A via ferrata (Italian for “road of iron”) or klettersteig (German for “climbing path”) is a mountain route which is equipped with fixed cables, stemples, ladders, and/ or bridges. The use of these added elements allows otherwise isolated routes to be joined to create longer routes which are accessible to people with a wide range of climbing abilities.
The Telluride’s Via Ferrata is a thrilling technical hike along the east end of the Telluride canyon, offering spectacular views of Bridal Veil Falls and the Telluride Valley. This is a unique adventure and our guide service supplies you with knowledgeable Guides and top of the line equipment. If you want a new and exciting trip, this offering is for you.
HIKING
Hiking around Telluride and the beautiful San Juan Mountains is the quintessential wilderness experience. You’ll walk through exquisite high alpine basins blanketed in wildflowers amidst high summits and crystal clear streams. You can select from a short mellow walk to a full day active adventure in the mountains.
The concierge will provide you with a detailed map of the area and the various hiking options. We’ll be more than glad to provide you with bottled water.
Want to learn more about the region, the wildlife, plants, trees and life zones? San Juan Outdoor School has the most knowledgeable guides in the area!
ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE TOURS
Tour the un-crowded dirt roads of Telluride’s backcountry; and relax with a picnic lunch by a cool mountain stream or at a scenic overlook. Explore the highland meadows and stop to smell the wildflowers. View Rocky Mountain wildlife in its natural habitat and learn Colorado’s colorful history from experienced local guides.
The half day excursion will cover around 20 miles whereas on the full day tour you’ll be travelling approximately 40 miles going through some stunning Rocky Mountain terrain!
RIDE WIth Roudy
Few activities embody the West like a good old-fashioned horseback ride through Colorado’s prairie or mountain settings. Somehow, wildlife viewing, sightseeing and simply enjoying the outdoors are just a bit different when sitting astride a saddle.
Horseback rides require a little planning and foresight to make your time in the saddle comfortable.
KAYAK TOURS
Telluride and the greater San Miguel County region are home to several rivers with great kayaking and rafting potential. Single or multi-day trips can be enjoyed along the San Miguel, Gunnison and Dolores Rivers, and all can hold unique conditions depending on the time of the year and the strength of the winter runoff.
The San Miguel River has 40 miles of uninterrupted Class III kayaking, and can be accessed just five miles west of Telluride. The river’s intermediate strength and path through the beautiful Norwood Canyon makes it an ideal setting for overnight trips.
STAND-UP PADDLE BOARDING
SUP’ing (stand up paddle boarding) is a great way to get out on the water and offers a new way to enjoy the outdoors. The activity benefits as a great “core” workout and increases skills of balance and agility. SUP’ing allows a wide range of athletic types to get involved and offers a short learning curve amid the most spectacular views around.
The focus for beginners is balance and proper paddling technique. Once the stillwater has been conquered, paddle boarders can move onto our local San Miguel River on the Valley Floor. Skills on the river include reading the current and getting the feel for eddy lines and smaller waves. This is an excellent adventure for individuals, families or groups.
RAFTING
Splashy, fast and fun, the San Miguel offers terrific rafting for guests of any experience level. Running the San Miguel requires constant maneuvering and excellent teamwork. Grab a paddle and jump in the raft!
The San Miguel River offers excellent rafting just a few minutes from Telluride. Both half day and full day trips are available. Half- day trips cover approximately 9 miles of class II-III whitewater in about 2 hours, and full day trips run through almost 20 miles of the San Miguel’s Norwood Canyon.
Paragliding
Take a tandem flight with Telluride Paragliding and experience unforgettable views overlooking the town of Telluride. Taking off from the San Sophia Ridge by the top of the Gondola, you will have an amazing flight gliding into the old town of Telluride with 14,000 foot peaks all around you.
Mountaineering
Join San Juan Outdoor Adventures for VIA-ups to technical snow/couloir/rock climbs. Your summit photo will look great on your wall and be a fabulous reminder of your Telluride Adventure!
Scenic Drives
With over 25 scenic drives, each part of Colorado boasts beautiful landscapes. Captivating scenic drives wind drivers through the jagged and rocky mountainous regions surrounding Telluride including Lizard Head, Million Dollar Highway…
Road Biking
Colorado is home to some of the world’s most scenic high-altitude drives and scenic byways, which provides the avid road biker an abundance of amazing rides to explore. Telluride has been a part of the USA Pro Challenge held each summer on some of Colorado’s most difficult terrain.
Mesa Verde
Mesa Verde, Spanish for green table, offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from AD 600 to 1300. Today the park protects nearly 5,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States.
Dunton Hot Springs
Just across the mountain from Telluride, Dunton Hot Springs Resort is a romantic ghost town, set in an extraordinary alpine valley. An 18th century mining town turned uber resort. Treat yourself to an amazing lunch and hot spring or dinner and soak.
Art Walk
The Telluride Art Walk is a festive celebration of the arts in downtown Telluride for art lovers, community and friends. Eighteen venues host receptions from 5pm-8pm on the first Thursday of the month to introduce their new exhibitions and artists. A free gallery guide offers a self-guided tour that can be used at any time to find galleries that are open most days. Gallery guides are available at participating venues.
Trail Running
Cruiser bikes
PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS
Iconic picturescapes, such as Wilson Peak, Bear Creek and the view from Imogene Pass, are so numerous that they obscure the endless secrets of these mountains that unfold for the exploring photographer. Our mission, as a guide service, is to reveal both the known and the unknown, to capture moments and places that occur uniquely, to guide photography enthusiasts on an unforgettable journey with knowledge that can come only from living in the mountains themselves.
Mortorcycle
