10 Epic Family-Friendly Things to Do in Breckenridge this Summer

Breckenridge, Colorado is well known for being a winter ski resort. In summer, Breckenridge continues to shine, with its rich gold mining history, stunning landscapes, and endless outdoor activities and events. Breckenridge has countless activities for you and your family to enjoy, ranging from hiking to biking, water sports to scenic drives, or simply relaxing. Our guide shares the top things to do in Breckenridge to make your summer visit fun and memorable.

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Table of Contents

• Is Breckenridge Worth Visiting in Summer?
• Is it Worth Visiting Breckenridge in Fall?
• What Are the Top Things to Do in Breckenridge in Summer?
• Where to Stay in Breckenridge
• How to Get to Breckenridge

Don’t have time to read the whole article? Here is the best Breckenridge day tour! Find the top Breckenridge hotels!

Is Breckenridge Worth Visiting in Summer?

Though Breckenridge is best known as a winter ski resort, the town continues to shine in summer and is definitely worth a visit! The town offers rich gold mining history, stunning landscapes, and endless outdoor activities and events. Breckenridge offers everything from hiking and mountain biking to local festivals, fishing, spas, and outdoor dining.

Is it Worth Visiting Breckenridge in Fall?

Breckenridge is undoubtedly worth visiting in the fall when the leaves are changing and the mountains look amber and gold. There are cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, making it an ideal time for hiking and biking on trails like Boreas Pass. The Breckenridge mountain activities typically close around Labor Day (early September), but many of the other activities listed here can be done in the fall. As an added bonus, lodging prices are typically lower than in summer. The town also hosts the Breckenridge Oktoberfest (Sept. 13-15, 2024), one of the largest in the Rockies. This features authentic German cuisine, music, and craft beers. Be aware that snow can arrive early in the mountains. It is always worth checking the forecast before you go. We’d argue that Breckenridge is one of the top places to see fall colors in Colorado.

What Are the Top Things to Do in Breckenridge in Summer?

• Hiking Adventures
• Water Fun!
• Summit County Biking
• Breckenridge Tours
• Breckenridge Mountain Activities
• Arts and Culture
• Scenic Rides and Drives
• Spas and Recreation Centers
• Fly Fishing
• Golfing

1. Hiking Adventures

Breckenridge has seemingly endless trails to explore, ranging from easy family-friendly hikes to very those that will challenge highly experienced hikers. If you are not an experienced hiker, consider taking a private tour, which can be customized depending on your group’s abilities. Some of the best trails to enjoy in summer are:

• Rainbow Lake Trail: This 1.6 mile easy and family friendly hike leaves from Frisco and takes you along a creek to a scenic lake. The trail runs along a stream, making this a favorite dog trail. Though the lake isn’t a stunning alpine lake, the hike itself (especially the way back) is incredible scenic.
• Sawmill Trail: This easy and family friendly 1.3 mile loop hike takes you past a scenic reservoir. This is a great one if you are looking for a hike to complete in well under an hour.
• Mohawk Lakes Hike: There are a number of routes to reach Mohawk Lakes. One option is a moderate 4.3 mile out and back, leading past the beautiful Mohawk Lakes.
• McCullough Gulch Trail: One of the most scenic hikes in Breckenridge, this 6.4 mile challenging trail offers stunning views of waterfalls, wildflower fields, and alpine lakes. It’s perfect for photographers and experienced hikers.
• Quandary Peak Loop Trail: This extremely challenging 6.3 mile hike gains 3333 ft. in elevation. There is a charge for parking at the trailhead, and the hike is tough. You’ll be rewarded with incredible views and, if you’re lucky, sightings of mountain goats.

2. Water Fun!

Breckenridge has a surprising number of water activities, both in Breckenridge and on neighboring Lake Dillon. The towns of Frisco and Dillon both have marinas, with many tours leaving from Frisco’s marina. Here are some of our top things to do in and around Breckenridge during the summer on the water.

• Paddleboarding on Maggie Pond: Spend a sunny afternoon paddleboarding or kayaking on Maggie Pond, located right in the heart of Breckenridge. This is a great option for first-timers.
• Enjoy a 2.5 hour kayak tour on Lake Dillon. The views are stunning as you explore the islands on your kayak.
• Paddleboarding on Lake Dillon is another fun way to explore the lake and its islands.
• Spend a half or full day rafting on the rivers surrounding Breckenridge.

Keep in mind that the winds tend to pick up in the afternoons and this change can happen rapidly. Mornings are often better for paddling on Lake Dillon. If you are not experienced with mountain lakes, going out with a guide is recommended. They are aware of the quick weather changes and also ensure that you stay in protected areas of the lake. Though this photo shows the lake wide open, there are islands on the north side of the lake that provide protected areas for paddling.

3. Summit County Biking

Breckenridge has a variety of biking options, ranging from paved paths to challenging mountain biking trails. It can be hard to find easy mountain bike trails in Breckenridge. If you prefer a gentler ride, you may want to stick to the recreation paths. You’ll find both bike rentals (including kids bikes and bike trailers) and bike tours available in town. Top rated trails in and around Breckenridge include:

• Blue River Recpath: This picturesque 7.3 mile paved trail runs along the Blue River. suitable for all levels.
• Dillon Reservoir Loop: This 18-mile paved trail has a decent amount of elevation gain around Swan Mountain Road. You may want to rent a Class 1 e-bike if you’re not used to the altitude or hills. The view from the Sapphire Point Overlook makes the effort worthwhile.
• Frisco-Copper Mountain-Vail: The paved path goes 7.1 miles from Frisco to Copper Mountain. Connect from there to the Vail rec path if desired. For a challenging climb, head over Vail Pass. Going from Copper Mountain to Vail is easier than the return trip.
• Boreas Pass: this dirt road is great for bikers looking for a less technical ride. The views are spectacular from around 11,000 feet in elevation.
• Peak Trail: this 9-mile moderate dirt trail runs from Breckenridge to Frisco (downhill starting at 10,500 ft. and ending at around 9,000 ft). For more of a challenge, ride from Frisco up to Breckenridge.
• Kenosha Pass to Breckenridge (expert mountain biking): this challenging 20 mile stretch of the Colorado Trail brings spectacular views, brutally hard climbs, and very challenging trail conditions.

Downhill biking at the resort is also an option, making use of the chair lifts for the ride to the top.

4. Breckenridge Tours

Tours that let you dive into its mining past are always high on the list of things to do in Breckenridge in summer. A few great options:

• Breckenridge History: Dive into the town’s gold mining history with a tour led by the Breckenridge History team. Explore old mines, historic homes, and hear tales that shaped this region.
• Country Boy Mine: Take a 1 hour tour of the Country Boy gold mine, explore historical exhibits, and go panning for gold in summer. This is great family activity on a hot day. The mines are cooler than the outdoors, and panning for gold along the creek is a great way to cool down as well.
• Outdoor escape room: This is a great family or small group activity, where you’ll have the opportunity to hike around an historic gold mine, using a metal detector to help solve clues.
• 2-hour Scavenger Hunt: you or your group will be working with a remote host who will send you clues digitally. This is a great way to explore more of this mining town.
• For a spooky twist, join a ghost tour in the evening. You’ll see a different side of Breckenridge during this tour. Learn about its haunted history and explore the paranormal side of this old mining town.

5. Breckenridge Mountain Activities

Spending a day or an afternoon at the mountain is a great addition to your vacation. Some of the main offerings at Breckenridge mountain include:

• Mini golf
• Alpine slides
• Mountain biking
• Mountain coaster
• Scenic chairlift rides
• Bungee trampolines
• Ropes course
• Climbing wall

Tip: If you have a season ski pass including Breckenridge, you are often eligible for discounted summer tickets.

6. Arts and Culture

You’ll find an amazing amount of art and cultural activities available in Breckenridge in the summer. Visit one of the many summer arts festivals, including:

• July 4-6, 2024: Breckenridge July Arts Festival
• August 1-3, 2024: Breckenridge August Arts Festival
• August 16-25, 2024: Breckenridge International Festival of Arts, or BIFA for short. You’ll find a mix of visual arts, film, music, and dance.
• August 31-September 2, 2024: Breckenridge Gathering at the Great Divide Art Festival

The RiverWalk hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year. These include concerts, films, performing arts, culinary arts, craft arts, and more. You’ll find unique performances, such as FINDING A LINE: SKATEBOARDING, MUSIC + MEDIA, which delves into the cross section of skateboarding and jazz music on Aug 16, 2024.

Breckenridge Arts District is a vibrant area where artists create and share their work. Participate in workshops, view galleries, and interact with local artists. You’ll find public art displayed in the downtown area, at the Historic Arts District Campus, and East and North of town (maps can be found here).

National Repertory Orchestra’s Summer Music Festival fills the air with classical tunes throughout the season. 32 of these concerts in 2024 are free to the public

Get hands on with BreckCreate, offering adult and children’s classes. Ready, Paint, Fire offers pottery and canvas painting, candle making, mosaic making, and glass fusing.

7. Scenic Rides and Drives

There are a number of scenic rides and drives in the Breckenridge area to enjoy.

• Breckenridge Connect Gondola: Take a free ride on the Breck Connect Gondola for breathtaking views of the town and surrounding mountains. This 13 minute ride is a great way to see the area from above and snap some memorable photos.
• Scenic Chairlift Rides: Enjoy a scenic chairlift up or down the mountain. Thursdays-Sundays at 11:30 am, meet at the top of the Colorado Chair for a complimentary hike with a National Forest Ranger on the Horseshoe Bowl hiking loop.
• Mountain Coaster: If you’d like a bit more excitement, consider taking a ride on the mountain coaster. In addition to some high speed fun, you’ll have spectacular views as you head down the mountain.
• Boreas Pass Road: Take in the stunning mountain views driving the 21.5 mile Boreas Pass Road between Breckenridge and Como, following the former railroad route. Be sure to stop at lookout points for great photos.
• Continental Divide Scenic Driving Tour: Leave the driving to someone else and explore Hoosier Pass, Montgomery Pass, and Boreas Pass Road, among others. This is a great opportunity to take home some unique photos from spots well off the beaten path.

8. Spas and Recreation Centers

Whether you’re looking for a break from the sun or would just like a day indoors, there is no shortage of spas and gyms in Breckenridge. Some of the top choices are:

• Breckenridge Recreation Center has a comprehensive set of facilities, including indoor turf field and playground, various fitness areas, racquetball court, climbing wall, and pools. The indoor pools include a lap and leisure pools, lazy river, slides, warming pool/tub, play features, and more. We’ve used this multiple times after a day of skiing or hiking before heading back towards Denver. It’s a great way to let traffic settle down before making the drive.
• One Ski Hill Place: Relax in luxury at the spa while enjoying massages and other spa services.
• Beaver Run Resort is located 325 yards from the chairlift. It has an indoor and outdoor pool, as well as separate fitness center and spa. The spa is incredibly relaxing after a day of skiing, hiking, or biking.
• Infinity Spa: relaxing and luxurious spa with exceptional service, independent from a hotel.

There are many more excellent spas to choose from in Breckenridge, too many to list here.

9. Fly Fishing

Fly fishing can be a wonderful way to get out in nature and maybe catch your dinner. Alpine Fishing Adventures, based in Dillon, offers fly fishing tours for all levels, providing all needed equipment, as well as on land and on water training.

10. Golfing

Golfing at the Breckenridge Golf Club is a unique experience. Rent golf clubs at the pro shop and enjoy one or more of the 3 9-hole courses with gorgeous mountain views. The restaurant is a great spot to enjoy lunch after your round of golf. In winter, the golf course is groomed for some amazing cross country skiing (Gold Run Nordic Center).

Breckenridge is a wonderful summer family playground. Visitors can find a range of outdoor adventures, a day at the spa, or simply peace and quiet. It’s a great day trip from Denver or even a week-long summer destination. With so many things to do for families, couple, and solo travelers, it’s easy to see why Breckenridge is a favorite summer destination for visitors from around the world. If you enjoy Breckenridge in summer, don’t miss a winter Breckenridge visit too!

Where to Stay in Breckenridge?

Deciding whether you want to stay right on the mountain or closer in to town depends on which activities you would like to do during your vacation. Check out our list of unique places to stay in Breckenridge that reflect the spirit of this incredible town.

How to Get to Breckenridge?

Breckenridge is an easy trip from Denver, making it accessible for both domestic and international travelers.

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