If you are looking for the best Breckenridge summer activities, you are in the right place!

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 has things to do year-round! Summer is one of my favorite times to visit because of its endless fun activities and fewer crowds.

Whether you want to enjoy a scenic gondola ride, hike beautiful trails, go on an ATV tour, or simply enjoy the mountain views while walking downtown, Breckenridge has a summer activity for everyone!

I created this guide to include everything you need to know about the best things to do in Breckenridge in the summer. Trust me, it is an underrated summer destination!

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Why You Should Visit Breckenridge in Summer

Before we dive into the best summer activities in Breckenridge, let me convince you to visit in the summer!

Breckenridge is one of the top winter destinations because of its proximity to many ski resorts. And it has ski-in/ski-out accommodations, making it easy to enjoy the fresh powder!

But did you know it is also one of the best summer destinations? We visited in the summer and fell in love. I am not a huge skier, but I love hiking, so I knew I wanted to visit during the warmer months, and it did not disappoint.

Beautiful Summer Weather

You really cannot beat the summer weather in Breckenridge. Because it sits at a high elevation, it never gets too hot during the day (usually mid-70s) or too cold at night (usually mid-50s). It gives you the perfect balance, especially for enjoying fun summer activities!

We visited in early summer and had gorgeous weather. It was in the 60s during the day and low 50s at night, which was perfect for hiking and exploring.

The only downside is the afternoon thunderstorms, so if you plan to hike or enjoy any other outdoor activity, I recommend starting early to be off the mountain before they roll in.

As always, you must check the weather before you head out for a summer adventure. The weather changes quickly in the mountains, so I recommend packing layers for any weather you may run into on the trails. You should have hiking boots, moisture-wicking clothes, sunscreen, a hiking backpack with food and plenty of water, and a rain jacket or insulated jacket as needed.

Note: Many hiking trails have snow during the beginning of summer. Some, especially the ones at higher elevations, will have snow through early summer. I recommend researching trail conditions and renting the appropriate gear if needed.

Fewer Crowds

One of the best things about visiting Breckenridge in the summer is the lack of crowds. Even though it is a popular destination for mountain biking, the town does not have as many visitors as in the winter.

When we visited in June, it felt as if we were among only a handful of people in Breckenridge. We had trails and activities to ourselves, which was quite peaceful!

The only downside is that some restaurants and shops close in the summer. But enough are open that you will not even notice! We enjoyed walking around the open shops downtown and had some delicious meals during our trip.

Endless Outdoor Activities

Because Breckenridge is in the mountains, it offers endless outdoor activities in the summer.

From downtown, you have access to a few trails, a scenic gondola ride, mountain biking trails, a mountain coaster, and a few tours. And if you are up for a quick drive, you can hike even more trails and enjoy scenic drives.

How You Can Get Around Breckenridge

Flying 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 and loved how quick the drive felt.

Car Rental

Denver International Airport also has the most car rental options. If you plan to explore outside downtown, I recommend renting a car to have flexibility during your trip.

Free Shuttle

If you do not want to rent a car, you can take a bus from Denver to Breckenridge. Breckenridge has a great free shuttle system once you are downtown. If you do not plan to explore outside Breckenridge, you can get away without a car rental.

Where You Should Stay in Breckenridge During Summer

Breckenridge has many beautiful accommodations for all budgets! We stayed in a condo near downtown and loved how easy it was to walk to the shops, restaurants, and some trails.

The great thing about visiting in the summer is the accommodation prices. Our friends told us how expensive it can be to stay in Breckenridge in the winter, but we did not have that problem in the summer. We had plenty of accommodations within our budget!

Breckenridge Hotels:

Breckenridge Campgrounds:

The Best Things to Do in Breckenridge in Summer

One of my favorite things about visiting Breckenridge in summer is its endless activities! Whether you want to hike, enjoy a scenic drive, mountain bike, or ride a scenic gondola, you will not be disappointed!

Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash behind. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw away your trash. Otherwise, you should pack out your trash and dispose of it once you find a barrel.

Breckenridge Summer Scenic Gondola

Although Breckenridge Ski Resort is known for its winter activities, it has fun things to do in the summer! Once the snow melts, the resort offers fun summer activities, including rock climbing, bungee trampolines, and a ropes course.

One of my favorite things we did was ride the scenic gondola! The gondola took us above 11,000 feet to Alpine Camp on Peak 8, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Seriously, I was in awe of the views because they were unmatched.

If you do not want to hike but still want to enjoy mountain views, I highly recommend riding the scenic gondola!

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. I definitely went slower than others while going around some corners, haha.

Mountain Biking

One of my husband's 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.

Some of my favorite beginner trails are Spruce Creek Road, Lower Flume, and Boreas Pass. If you are looking for a challenging trail, I recommend Section 6 of the Colorado Trail and Peaks Trail.

You can also enjoy well-maintained mountain biking trails at Breckenridge Ski Resort.

Hiking in Breckenridge

Hiking is, in my opinion, one of the best summer activities! Breckenridge has miles of hiking trails for all levels, and you can choose the perfect one for you.

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:

Sapphire Point is one of my favorite easy hikes in the area. The 0.6-mile loop offers stunning views of Dillon Reservoir and the surrounding mountains.
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 brings you to over 12,000 feet, providing stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
If you want a longer, strenuous hike, you have countless trails to pick from. Two of my favorite hikes are McCullough Gulch Trail (6.4 miles) and Spruce Creek to Mohawk Lakes Trail (8.4 miles). Both trails have 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 and offers some of the most beautiful views in the area, especially at the highest point (over 11,400 feet!).

It is not maintained in the winter, so it is closed until the snow melts. It opened right before we visited Breckenridge, so we were able to drive it, and let me tell you, the views did not disappoint!

I highly recommend stopping at every overlook along the drive or hiking along its trails. If you want to hike, I recommend Black Powder Pass, Boreas Pass Loop, Aspen Valley, and Baker’s Tank.

Keep in mind that Boreas Pass Road is unpaved. While it is okay for most vehicles, it does get bumpy, so larger vehicles like 4x4s are better suited for driving it.

ATV Tour

If you want an adrenaline-pumping adventure with mountain views, I highly recommend ATVing. Breckenridge has miles of beautiful trails you can ATV on, and there are plenty of tours you can join or local companies you can rent one from.

Most tours are about two hours, and the guides are great at taking you to some of the best trails in the area. I honestly felt more comfortable going on a tour than going on our own.

If you want to go on your own adventure, there are plenty of trails to choose from, but I recommend the Georgia Pass Trail. The 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. The bright blue lake is incredibly scenic, with 26 miles of shoreline and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.

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 can also mountain bike along these trails!

If you would rather spend time on the water, I recommend renting a boat, paddleboard, or kayak from Dillon Marina (the highest deep-water marina in North America!). You can also go on a boat tour to explore the lake.

sapphire point overlooking lake dillon near breckenridge

Loveland Pass

Loveland Pass is arguably my favorite place near Breckenridge, so I think everyone should add it to their bucket list!

From Breckenridge, I recommend taking Swan Mountain Road to Route 6 because the entire drive is breathtaking! Loveland Pass is at about 11,990 feet and offers some of the best views in the area.

One of my favorite things about Loveland Pass is that you do not need to hike to enjoy the views. You can, of course, hike some of the nearby trails, but the overlook offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

Downtown Breckenridge

And last but certainly not least, one of the best things to do in Breckenridge in summer is to take a stroll through downtown.

Downtown Breckenridge has many cute shops, cafes, and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. We loved taking an afternoon to explore downtown and its cute shops.

Even though Breckenridge is mainly a winter town, many shops and restaurants are open year-round. Many accommodations are within walking distance of downtown, which is nice.

If you want to enjoy 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 was one of our favorite places to watch sunrise and sunset.

Breckenridge FAQs

Is Breckenridge worth visiting in summer?

Breckenridge is absolutely worth visiting in the summer!

Although many people visit in the winter because it is a top ski destination, summer offers many fun activities for the entire family. Because it has fewer crowds in the summer, you can enjoy the summer activities with fewer people, which is always nice!

What is the weather like in Breckenridge in summer?

Breckenridge in summer is beautiful, with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s, making it a great time to hike and enjoy other outdoor activities.

Thunderstorms usually make an appearance in the afternoon, but you can easily avoid them by starting your adventure in the morning.

Can I visit Breckenridge in summer if I do not want to hike?

Breckenridge offers many fun activities other than hiking. You can enjoy a scenic gondola ride, ride a mountain coaster, go ATVing, and drive a scenic road!

Do I need a car to visit Breckenridge in the summer?

If you plan to visit places outside of downtown, I recommend having a car. We rented a car for our trip and enjoyed having the flexibility to visit anywhere we wanted.

But if you plan to enjoy activities near downtown, you can get away with just using their public transportation system. Breckenridge has a free bus service, making it easy for you to get around.

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 summer activities.