9 Fun Breckenridge Summer Activities

Breckenridge is one of the most beautiful mountain towns in Colorado, sitting at 9,600 feet, and should be on every bucket list! It is one of the most popular areas to visit in winter because it is near nine incredible ski resorts and has some of the best skiing in the state.

Although winter is a great time to visit, Breckenridge offers things to do year-round! Summer is one of my favorite times to visit because it has endless fun activities for the entire family. We visited in the summer and fell in love with the mountain town and its endless activities! Trust me, it is an underrate place to visit in the summer.

Whether you want to enjoy a scenic gondola ride, hike beautiful trails, go on an ATV tour, or simply enjoy the mountain views from walking downtown, Breckenridge has a summer activity for everyone! This guide has everything you need to know about visiting in summer, including the best Breckenridge summer activities!

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Tips for Visiting Breckenridge in the Summer

Breckenridge sits at over 9,000 feet. If you are not acclimated to the elevation, you may experience some symptoms of elevation sickness. I recommend taking it slow and let your body get acclimated. I felt a little sick when we arrived, but after the first day, I was acclimated.
Take it slow. If you want to hike, I recommend taking it slow to ensure you get used to the altitude. Make sure to hike slowly and pack plenty of water and snacks.
Many hiking trails have snow through the beginning of summer. One of the best things to do in Breckenridge in summer is hike! Breckenridge has many beautiful trails for all levels, but some, especially the ones at higher elevations, will have snow through early summer. If you plan on hiking at higher elevations, I recommend researching trail conditions and renting the appropriate gear if needed.
Breckenridge has a lot of wildlife. Even in residential or populated areas, you are likely to see wildlife. Make sure to keep an eye out, be careful, and do not approach or feed the wildlife. We saw bears, moose, and elk while driving around.
Pack layers. The weather in Breckenridge is unpredictable. I recommend packing layers to accommodate any weather you may run into on the trip. Snow can also linger on some trails through June, and you should research trail conditions to ensure you have the correct hiking gear.
Wear sunscreen. Because you are at a higher elevation in Breckenridge and closer to the sun, it is easy to get a sunburn. We learned this the hard way on our first day! Make sure to apply plenty of sunscreen before heading out to adventure.
Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they do not have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

Closest Airport to Breckenridge

The biggest and most convenient airport to fly into is Denver International Airport. It has the most direct flights and is two hours from Breckenridge. We flew into Denver when we visited Breckenridge in the summer and loved how quick of a drive it was from the airport.

The Denver International Airport will also have the most car rental options. You could also rent a campervan for the trip.

Where to Stay in Breckenridge

Breckenridge has many beautiful accommodations for all budgets! The downtown area also has many shops and restaurants to enjoy during your stay. We stayed in a condo near the downtown and loved how easy it was to walk to the shops, resetaurants, and some trails.

You can also stay in Silverthorne or Frisco, just north of Breckenridge. No matter where you stay in this area, you will quickly fall in love with it!

Here are some of the best places to stay in Breckenridge:

What to Pack for Summers in Breckenridge

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!

The Best Breckenridge Summer Activities

Breckenridge Summer Scenic Gondola

Although Breckenridge Ski Resort is known for its winter activities, it does not lack things to do in the summer! Once the snow has melted, the ski resort opens its doors, offering fun summer activities for the entire family, including rock climbing, bungee trampolines, and a ropes course.

One of my favorite things to do is enjoy a scenic gondola ride! The gondola takes you above 11,000 feet to Alpine Camp on Peak 8 while providing breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The views from the top are unmatched and will take your breath away! The scenic gondola ride is one of the best Breckenridge summer activities to enjoy incredible mountain views without hiking.

Breckenridge GoldRunner Coaster

Have you ever wanted to speed down the side of a mountain on a roller coaster? If you answered yes, you are in luck! Breckenridge Ski Resort has a mountain coaster that brings you down 2,500 feet of elevated track, and it is a blast! It is an adrenaline-pumping activity but is perfect for the entire family.

And do not worry! You can control your speed while you ride down the mountain. If you want to enjoy views while having an adrenaline-pumping adventure, the Breckenridge GoldRunner Coaster is the perfect summer activity!

Mountain Biking

One of my other favorite summer activities in Breckenridge is mountain biking! With over 800 miles of trails, it is easily one of the best mountain biking destinations in Colorado! And the best part? There are trails for all levels. Whether you want to enjoy an easy trail with beautiful views or a strenuous trail that will challenge you, you will love mountain biking in Breckenridge.

Spruce Creek Road, Lower Flume, and Boreas Pass are some of the best beginner trails. If you want a challenging trail, you can enjoy Section 6 of the Colorado Trail and Peaks Trail. You can also enjoy well-maintained mountain biking trails at Breckenridge Ski Resort. You will quickly fall in love with all the mountain biking trails Breckenridge offers.

Hiking in Breckenridge

If you visit Breckenridge in the summer, hiking is one of the best activities! Breckenridge has miles of hiking trails for all levels, so you can choose the perfect one for what you want to do. And honestly, no matter what trail you choose, you will be in awe of the views. Every trail we hiked in Breckenridge was beautiful, so I know you will quickly fall in love. Here are a few of my favorite hikes near Breckenridge to enjoy in the summer!

Sapphire Point is one of the most popular places to enjoy an easy hike, offering views of Dillon Reservoir and the surrounding mountains. The 0.6-mile loop is easy and offers stunning views along the entire trail. The trail has multiple viewpoints to stop and get some photos. Sapphire Point is a wonderful place to enjoy for the entire family!
Sawmill Reservoir Trail is a fantastic hike that you can access right from downtown Breckenridge. The 1.3-mile trail loops around Sawmill Reservoir while providing mountain views along the entire hike.
Hoosier Pass Loop is one of my favorite hikes in the area! The 2.8-mile trail begins south of Breckenridge and brings you up over 12,000 feet, providing stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
If you want to hike longer and more strenuous trails, you are in luck! Breckenridge has countless trails for you to enjoy. Two of my favorite hikes are McCullough Gulch Trail (6.4 miles) and Spruce Creek to Mohawk Lakes Trail (8.4 miles). Both trails offer waterfalls, lakes, and mountain views. They make you work for the views, but the effort is worth it!
If you are interested and prepared to hike a 14,000-foot mountain, Quandary Peak is right outside Breckenridge. The 6.6-mile trail is very strenuous, and you should only hike it if you have the proper experience and gear. The views from the top are unmatched since it is one of the tallest mountains in the area!

Boreas Pass Road

One of the best scenic drives near Breckenridge is Boreas Pass Road. The 22-mile road connects Como and Breckenridge, providing some of the most beautiful views in the area, especially at the highest point (over 11,400 feet!).

It is one of the best things to do in Breckenridge in summer because it is only open half the year. It is not maintained in the winter, so it is closed until the snow melts. Boreas Pass Road is unpaved and okay for most vehicles, although it does get bumpy.

You can enjoy stopping at various overlooks along the drive or hiking along its many trails. If you want to hike, some of the best trails are Black Powder Pass, Boreas Pass Loop, Aspen Valley, and Baker’s Tank. Driving Boreas Pass will quickly become one of your favorite things to do in summer in Breckenridge!

ATV Tour

Looking for an adrenaline-pumping adventure with mountain views? ATVing is one of the best summer activities in Breckenridge because it has miles of beautiful trails to enjoy. If you do not own an ATV, you can enjoy a tour or rent one from a local company.

Most tours are two hours, and the guides are great at taking you to some of the best trails in the area. If you want to go on your own adventure, there are plenty of trails to choose from! One of the best near Breckenridge is Georgia Pass Trail. The beautiful 20-mile trail connects Breckenridge and Jefferson, offering gorgeous mountain views and fun terrain to explore.

Lake Dillon

Lake Dillon (also known as Dillon Reservoir) is one of my favorite places to visit in the summer in Breckenridge. The bright blue lake is incredibly scenic, with 26 miles of shoreline and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. And the best part? There are many summer activities to enjoy here!

One of my favorite things to do is hike the Lakeshore Perimeter Trail. The 6.3-mile loop is easy and offers stunning views of the lake and mountains. You also can mountain bike along these trails!

If you would rather spend time on the water, you can rent a boat, paddleboards, and kayaks from Dillon Marina (the highest deep-water marina in North America!) or go on a boat tour. Once you visit Lake Dillon, you will quickly realize why it is one of the best places to visit near Breckenridge in summer!

Loveland Pass

Loveland Pass is arguably my favorite place near Breckenridge. From Breckenridge, I recommend taking Swan Mountain Road to Route 6 to get to Loveland Pass because the entire drive is breathtaking! The mountain pass is about 11,990 feet high and offers some of the best views in the area.

And the best part? You do not need to hike to enjoy the views! You can enjoy them from the overlook or hike the nearby trails. You will quickly fall in love with Loveland Pass when you visit!

Downtown Breckenridge

And last but certainly not least, one of the best things to do in Breckenridge in summer is take a stroll through its downtown. Downtown Breckenridge has many cute shops, cafes, and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. We loved taking the afternoon to enjoy walking downtown through the cute shops.

Even though Breckenridge is mainly a winter town, almost everything is open year-round! Also, many accommodations are within walking distance from downtown, so you do not have to drive, which is nice.

If you want a beautiful view overlooking downtown Breckenridge, I recommend visiting the Breckenridge Overlook. The overlook is a short drive from downtown off Ski Hill Road and offers breathtaking views of downtown and the surrounding mountains. It is a fantastic place to watch sunrise or sunset as well.

If you want to visit Breckenridge in the summer, this guide is the perfect place to start planning your trip! It has everything you need to know, including the best Breckenridge summer activities.