12 Things to Do in Vail in Summer: Fun Vail Summer Activities
Vail is one of the top winter destinations in the world, but did you know it offers fun summer activities? Although many people only visit Vail to ski, it has many things to do in summer for the entire family to enjoy! You can hike, mountain bike, horseback ride, or enjoy a scenic gondola ride. No matter what you want to do, Vail has an activity for everyone.
I visited Vail at the end of June, which was perfect because the summer activities were endless, and it was not overly crowded. I enjoyed hiking, horseback riding, biking to Vail Pass, and exploring Vail Village. Trust me when I say it is an incredible summer destination!
If you are looking for the best things to do in Vail in summer, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know to plan the best trip to Vail in summer.
Disclaimers:
(1) This post is in collaboration with Discover Vail. As always, all opinions are my own and honest.
(2) This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, my blog may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
Tips for Visiting Vail in Summer
Although Vail is typically a winter destination, it does not lack things to do in other seasons. Summer is one of the best times to visit if you want to enjoy scenic gondola rides, biking, hiking, and horseback riding.
Vail is one of my new favorite summer destinations in Colorado! The summer activities are endless, and it has fewer crowds than winter, making it peaceful. Trust me, you will love visiting in the summer!
Important Things to KNow
- Use the free Vail shuttle. The free public transportation system is one of the best things in Vail. The town offers a shuttle connecting Lionshead and Vail Village. Although I recommend walking around Lionshead and Vail Village because the town is super cute, Vail makes it easy to take a bus back and forth between your destinations. I used it during my entire stay, and it was great!
- If you are hiking, use the Bus It to Hike It shuttle. If you plan to hike the beautiful trails in East Vail, I recommend using the free shuttle to the trailheads. Most trailheads have small parking lots and fill up quickly, so taking the shuttle is a better way to get to and from the trailheads. The shuttle runs all day, allowing you to enjoy beautiful day hikes in Vail!
- Start your day early. Because Vail sits at over 8,000 feet, thunderstorms tend to develop in the afternoons. Starting your day early in the morning allows you to make the most of your day before the storms move in.
- Take it slow. Vail sits at over 8,000 feet, and if you are not acclimated, there is a chance you could get altitude sickness. I recommend taking it slow to ensure you get used to the altitude. Since I am not used to the higher elevations, I always hike slower to make sure I am not over-exerting myself.
- Pack layers and wear sunscreen. Vail has unpredictable weather, and I recommend packing layers to accommodate any weather you may run into. Snow can also linger on some trails through June, and you should research trail conditions to ensure you have the correct hiking gear. I visited at the end of June, and most trails still had snow. You should have supportive shoes with good traction, like hiking boots, layers for the time of year you are hiking, and a backpack with water, snacks, and layers. And last but not least, make sure to pack the Ten Essentials. Also, it is easy to get a sunburn because you are at a higher elevation and closer to the sun, so make sure to wear sunscreen!
- 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.
Where to Stay in Vail
Although Vail is a popular winter destination, most hotels offer accommodations year-round. You can stay anywhere in Lionshead or Vail Village since both areas have accommodations for every budget and are near many must-see summer activities in Vail. Staying in the heart of the town also makes it easy to use the free shuttle throughout Vail.
We stayed at the Antlers at Vail and loved our time there! The stunning property has everything from studios to four-bedroom apartments, making it easy to stay in the same place with your entire family. They also have pet-friendly rooms, so you do not have to leave your fur babies at home!
The Antlers at Vail is in Lionshead, which I loved because it is quieter than Vail Village but still close to many attractions. Lionshead has many delicious restaurants and cute stores to explore, and the scenic gondola ride is right behind the property.
The Best Things to Do in Vail in Summer
Whether you want to hike to an alpine lake, enjoy a scenic gondola ride, or explore the cute downtown, Vail offers something for everyone in the summer!
Scenic Gondola Ride
One of the best things to do in Vail in summer is explore Vail Mountain. The scenic gondola ride allows you to experience the breathtaking 360-degree views from the top of the resort without hiking.
Two gondolas are open in the summer: Gondola One and the Eagle Bahn Gondola. Gondola One is in Vail Village, and Eagle Bahn Gondola is in Lionshead, and both take you to over 9,000 feet. We took Eagle Bahn Gondola up and hiked to Gondola One to ride it down.
Eagle Bahn Gondola has Epic Discovery Activities and the Holy Cross deck, offering incredible views of the surrounding mountains including the 14,000-foot Mt of the Holy Cross. Once at the top, you can also explore the trails, including the one that brings you to Gondola One. The views along the trail are stunning!
I recommend hiking from Eagle Bahn Gondola to Gondola One so you can experience both parts of the resort. Once at Gondola One, you hike the Meadows Loop through beautiful meadows with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Vail Epic Discovery Activities
Did you know Vail Mountain has a mountain coaster, ziplining, rock climbing, and other fun summer activities?! Epic Discovery activities are perfect for the entire family to enjoy!
One of the best activities is the mountain coaster, which travels 3,400 feet around the mountain, offering an exhilarating experience with beautiful mountain views. If you do not want to travel on the mountain coaster, you can tube 550 feet down the side of the mountain. If you are visiting Vail with kids, they can enjoy mini golf, bungee trampolines, and ziplining.
And the best part? You can get an Adventure Pass, which allows you to ride the mountain coaster three times and have unlimited access to the other activities. It is a fun way to spend an afternoon in Vail in summer!
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking is one of the most popular summer activities in Vail for good reason! Vail Mountain offers 50 miles of trails for all skill levels, so whether you are a beginner or an expert rider, you will love the mountain biking trails here. And you can enjoy the stunning mountain views while exploring the trails! Once you bike Vail Mountain, you will see why it is one of the best summer activities in Vail.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is one of my favorite things to do in Vail in summer. Vail Stables offers a variety of horseback riding experiences between one and four hours long through their stunning trail system.
I had an incredible half-day ride with Vail Stables, and honestly, it was one of the best horseback riding experiences I have ever had. My guide, Newnew, was incredible at helping me feel comfortable, and she was so knowledgeable about the area and its history.
During the four-hour ride, we rode through stunning aspen forests, creeks, and meadows with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. It was one of the most beautiful trail systems! It did not even feel like we were on the horse for four hours. I highly recommend booking a ride with Vail Stables when you visit!
Bonus summer activity:
Vail Stables also offers Goat Yoga and G.O.A.T. Happy Hour. It was so fun to play with their goats!
Biking Vail Pass
Whether you are an avid biker or someone who likes to coast, I highly recommend biking Vail Pass. From Vail Village, it is about 15 miles one way with over 3,000 feet of elevation, and the entire recreation path offers incredible views.
If you do not want to bike up 3,000 feet, do not worry! You can take a shuttle with Venture Sports to the top of Vail Pass and coast down the recreation path back to Vail Village. They have guides who can take you along the recreation path, or you can do a self-guided tour.
I had so much fun on my self-guided tour from Vail Pass. Venture Sports dropped me off at the top of Vail Pass and provided a map with instructions on the entire recreation path so I could enjoy a fun 15-mile ride down to Vail Village.
I took my time going down the path to enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains, and it took me about two hours to get back to Vail Village. Even though most of the path is gradual, you can easily pick up speed while riding your bike downhill, so I recommend taking it slow.
Hiking in Vail
Hiking is one of my favorite things to do in Vail in the summer. Whether you want to hike a short trail to a waterfall or a long and strenuous trail to an alpine lake, Vail has a hiking trail for everyone to enjoy!
Although the summer is a great time to hike in Vail, the trail conditions vary. Snow can linger on the trails through June, making it crucial to check recent trail reviews to ensure you have the proper hiking equipment. When I visited in late June, most of the trails to the alpine lakes still had a lot of snow, making some of the trails impassable.
The closest trails are in East Vail, and they bring you to waterfalls, alpine lakes, and creeks. I recommend taking the free Bus It to Hike It shuttle early from Vail Village to the trailheads so you have plenty of time to hike before the afternoon thunderstorms roll in.
If you want to go on a guided hike, I highly recommend Paragon Guides. Paragon Guides have been guiding in Vail since 1978 and have the most extensive permits in the area. Not only do they offer guided hikes, but they also have llama lunches where you can hike with llamas. And yes, it is as fun as it sounds!
Here are some of the best hiking trails in Vail:
Pitkin Lake Trail - 9.5 miles round trip
East Vail Falls - 1 mile round trip
Bighorn Creek Trail - 7.1 miles round trip
Gore Lake Trail - 12 miles round trip
Deluge Lake Trail - 9 miles round trip
Shrine Ridge Trail - 4.3 miles round trip
Upper Piney River Falls Trail - 6 miles round trip
Lost Lake Trail - 7 miles round trip
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
Did you know Vail is home to the highest botanical gardens in the United States? The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens sits 8,250 feet near Vail Village and is the only botanical garden that focuses on alpine plant preservation. You can walk along its easy trails to explore the beautiful flowers and waterfalls and learn about the high-elevation plants.
I visited the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens after having dinner in Vail Village, and it was the perfect way to enjoy the evening. I loved learning about the alpine plants while enjoying the beautiful trails. It is the perfect summer activity in Vail for the entire family!
Nature Trails and Vail Nature Center
After you visit the alpine gardens, I recommend exploring the Nature Trails across the creek. These trails wander along Gore Creek and through beautiful wildflower meadows. Each trail is easy to follow and perfect for everyone to enjoy.
I hiked the 5 Senses Trail along Gore Creek to the Vail Nature Center, and it was beautiful! It was peaceful hiking along the creek while enjoying the wildflowers beginning to bloom next to the trail. The 5 Sense Trail brought me to the Vail Nature Center, which had a stunning wildflower meadow and mountain views. If you time it right, you can enjoy some of the most beautiful wildflowers along these trails in the summer!
You can also explore the Vail Nature Center or enjoy one of their programs! Not only can you talk with their knowledge staff and explore its exhibits at the nature center, but you can also sign up for their programs, including guided hikes, birding tours, and stargazing.
Whitewater Rafting
If you are looking for an adrenaline-pumping summer activity in Vail, look no further! Vail offers a variety of whitewater rafting opportunities for everything from Class I to Class IV. The best time to whitewater raft is just after the snow melts when the waters are raging!
Some of the best rafting guides in Vail are Lakota Guides and Timberline Tours. Both offer rafting adventures for families and adrenaline seekers throughout Vail. If you love whitewater rafting, you will not be disappointed with rafting in Vail!
Explore Vail Village and Lionshead
Vail Village and Lionshead are stunning areas with shops, delicious restaurants, and beautiful mountain views. Vail has many cute shops with everything from clothes to souvenirs and jewelry.
I loved spending an afternoon exploring the shops and the Art Walk. The Art Walk is a self-guided tour through Vail with over 70 art installations by Colorado Artists, and each piece of art is beautiful! It was a fun way to spend an afternoon in Vail.
Walk the Recreation Path
When you are exploring Vail Village, I recommend walking or biking along the 15-mile paved Vail Recreation Path connecting East Vail and West Vail. If you are not up for the Vail Pass Bike Tour, the Vail Recreation Path is a great alternative for biking in Vail.
Every night after dinner, I walked along the Recreation Path through Vail, which was incredibly peaceful. I loved going on a sunset walk along it because the views of Gore Creek were stunning!
Dinner with a View
I ate at restaurants in Vail Village and Lionshead, and they did not disappoint. I enjoyed steak, Italian food, and German-Austrian cuisine, which was delicious. And because I visited in the summer, I sat outside at every restaurant to enjoy the beautiful views.
I ate at restaurants in Vail Village and Lionshead, and all of them did not disappoint. I enjoyed steak, Italian food, and German-Austrian cuisine, which was delicious. And because I visited in the summer, I sat outside at every restaurant to enjoy the beautiful views.
Here are some of my favorite restaurants in Vail:
Alpenrose - German-Austrian cuisine
Vail Chophouse - delicious steak
The Fitz Bar + Bites - in-season American dishes
The Little Diner - great breakfast spot
Bart + Yeti's - fun atmosphere
If you want to plan a trip to Vail in the summer, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know about the best things to do in Vail in summer.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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