“When the Weather is Warm”
Warm Weather Fun | Telluride Summer Activities
In addition to a thrilling variety of outdoor activities, Telluride hosts over 30 summer festivals. Learn more about the Great Summer Festival Rates or view the complete calendar of Telluride events.
Fly-Fishing
Try your luck on true wild trout streams with rainbows, cutthroat, brown and brook trout. Most fishing spots are within a half-hour of the Hotel Madeline. Half-day all-inclusive trips start at $230 (1 angler) $280 (2 anglers) and $380 (3 anglers) or more. Rod and reel rentals and beginner two-hour casting clinics are available. Trips to private waters. Elk's Pond in Mountain Village and Telluride Town Park Pond are stocked for children's fishing.
Mountain Biking
Rent a bike and ride to nearby beginner/expert alpine trails or take on the rugged trails of the ski mountain via free gondola. Take the easy way down with a tour from Lizard Head Pass down to the Telluride valley, featuring alpine lakes and historic sites starting at $90 per person. This trip includes professional guide, transportation, snack, bike and helmet. Custom guided trips to the backcountry are offered for experienced mountain bikers.
Hiking Adventures
Hiking among alpine wildlife, wildflowers, rushing waterfalls and experiencing the fresh mountain air is a cure-all for hectic, busy lives. Our concierge desk will be glad to give you directions for all types of hikes from easy to difficult. Half-day guided hikes start at $100 per person (4 or more persons) offer information on history of the area, flora and wildlife in addition to snacks and transportation arrangements. Free hikes are offered Monday through Friday on the Ridge Trail at the Nature Center, via gondola.
White-Water Rafting/Kayaking
The San Miguel River, one of the last un-dammed, wild rivers in the Southwest, offers splashy, fast-action rafting from May to July. Half-day trips:$70-$85 per person; full-day trips $130-$145 per person, including professional guide, transportation, splash jacket, splash pants, river booties, snack and gratuity. Overnight raft trips are available on the San Juan and Dolores Rivers. Black Canyon of the Gunnison provides the premier whitewater experience. Kayaking trips and lessons are available.
Walking Tours of the Telluride Historic District
A tour of the historic district will show you where Butch Cassidy carried out his first bank robbery and Telluride's "sporting district" where "ladies of the evening" entertained. You'll learn about a gun-slinging Town Marshall and a young town lawyer who changed the world by developing the first long-distance alternating current power plant in Telluride. 90 minute tours -$15 per person. Free self-guided walks can be found in the Telluride Visitor Guide.
Four-wheeling
4 x 4 tours to historic mining ruins, ghost towns and some of the most scenic vistas in North America area are offered by guides well versed in local lore. Half day tours are $80 per person and full day trips $145 per person. Tours to the top of Bridal Veil Falls at sunset feature spectacular views of Telluride's magnificent glacial canyon - $50 per person.
Glider Rides
For thrilling, adventurous, silent flight over the mountaintops and deep valleys of Telluride, glider rides are offered by experienced mountain pilots from the Telluride Regional Airport. Half-hour tours are $110. Instruction also available.
Horseback Riding
If you're looking for a real "wild west cowboy" experience, then horseback riding at Roudy's stables is the place for you. On a high mesa with jaw-dropping views of the Telluride valley and snow-covered peaks, Roudy offers guided two-hour trail rides,10 am - 3 pm daily at $80 per person ($40 for one-hour ride). Private rides are $75 for a one hour ride and $125 for a two hours. Transportation to Roudy's Stables may be arranged with your concierge.
Adventure Rock
Children and adults will enjoy beginner to expert routes on this man-made boulder in the center of Mountain Village. Adventure Rock is free and open to the public daily at 12:30 pm with supervision. Weekend competitions include climbing gear for competitors.
Educational Excursions
Those with interests in archaeology, geology and biology will learn much for local guides who have devoted their lifetimes to these passions. Herb Walks and Geology tours offer a wealth of in-depth knowledge about the Telluride area. Custom trips available.
National Parks, Scenic Byways, Native American Sites, Hot-Springs
Some of the nation's most spectacular National Parks are within 2 hours of Telluride including Mesa Verde in Cortez and Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Montrose. Canyon of the Ancients National Monument and Hovenweep ruins are located near Dolores. The San Juan Skyway and Unaweep Tabeguache By-ways are outstanding routes with remarkable scenery, historic and geologic sites. The Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, Ute Tribal Park and Crow Canyon Archeological Center offer educational digs, museum artifacts and tours. Several natural hot springs are located within an hour and a half from Telluride.
Telluride Historical Museum
The Telluride Historical Museum, located in old turn-of-the-century Telluride Hospital tells of the Ute Indians, who summered in this valley before the discovery of silver and gold and of Telluride's colorful mining era. Audio walking tours available. Open Tuesday - Sunday (12-5 pm),. Extended hours until 7 pm on Thursday & Sunday.
Wildlife Viewing
Elk herds and mule deer can be sighted from the golf course and grazing on the valley floor. Lynx, bobcats, black bear and mountain lions stay in the backcountry and are occasionally spotted from the gondola. Beaver, songbirds, tree frogs, badgers, ducks, geese and coyote are prevalent. Colorado bluebirds are especially vibrant in summer, and like to steal a crumb or two at lunch. Owls, wild turkeys and eagles are more shy but unmistakably present in more quiet surroundings.
Take a nature walk along the San Miguel River or visit the Nature Center at the top of the gondola. Our concierge staff will be glad to provide maps and trail information of the Telluride area. Tour books and maps are available at local book and sports stores.
Segway Tours
This is a great way to get around town by standing and steering a Segway Human transporter, a self-balancing personal transportation (maximum speed 12.5 mph) vehicle. Tours are available to those 12 years and older, weight range 90-250 lbs.30 minute tour is $30. 90 minute tour: $60.
Swimming
Telluride Town Park lap pool is open to adults ($4) and children ($2). Or, just steps away, visit the relaxing wade pool at Hotel Madeline.
Tennis
5 hard surfaced tennis courts and paddle tennis courts are conveniently located to the Telluride Golf Club near the Hotel Madeline. There is no charge to reserve courts.
Horseback Riding
Magnificent mountain vistas and snow-capped peaks surround the nearby Norwood ranch where cowboy outfitter Roudy Roudebush guides and rides on the high Colorado plateau, home to Colorado’s historic working ranches.
Paragliding/Soaring
Fly like a bird over the mountain tops….a life-time thrill for the adventurous at heart. Tandem paragliding flights by certified Advanced Tandem Instructor and glider flights by experienced pilots will provide you with memories for a lifetime.
NASTAR Race Course
Whether you're a first time racer or seasoned pro, you can race and rank yourself against nationally recorded times on equal courses. NASTAR is open daily, 10 am - 3 pm. Cash is needed to start the run: $3 per run, $5 per timed run and $14 for 5 racecourse runs.
