Welcome to the wildflower capital of the United States. Crested Butte will leave you speechless; imagine fields of colorful wildflowers as far as the eye can see. I prefer camping in Crested Butte, there are numerous amazing options for dispersed and established campgrounds. The best time to visit for peak wildflower bloom is June-July, although the exact timing changes every year. But you really can't go wrong. Any time of year is beautiful in Crested Butte.
Day 1 — Ease in & get comfortable
Description: You arrive in Crested Butte. Grab coffee on Elk Avenue, and explore an easy riverside warm-up trail along the Lower Loop. Followed by a short, dense wildflower meadow at Woods Walk in the afternoon. You close the day on Elk Avenue with the town's famous pizza.
8:30 AM — Camp 4 Coffee: breakfast and a pastry, grab it to go
9:30 AM — Lower Loop: easy riverside trail along the Slate River, early wildflowers
12:30 PM — Elk Avenue: grab lunch and wander down the historic main street
2:00 PM — Crested Butte Museum, learn about this beautiful and historic mountain mining town
Option: 2:30-3:00 PM - Check into Oh-Be-Joyful Campground to claim your spot
4:00 PM — Woods Walk Trail Head: a short dense and meadow loop, go during golden hour for soft light and dramatic wildflower colors
7:00 PM — The Secret Stash: dinner, the legendary pizza
Overnight: Oh-Be-Joyful Campground or Slate River Campground
Day 2 — The big bloom day
Description: Up early for Snodgrass trail, the classic Crested Butte hike with peak wildflowers. Midday you chase peak color on the Lupine Trail, then drive Kebler Pass to the alpine reflection at Lake Irwin. Dinner is a quiet, candle-lit table back in town.
6:30 AM — Butte Bagels: breakfast and trail food (they pack well; closed Tuesdays). This is my FAVORITE breakfast in town.
7:30 AM — Snodgrass Trailhead: sunrise wildflower fields under Mt. Crested Butte. You do not have to do the entire trail to enjoy the incredible views. I often only hike the first 2 mile to enjoy the wildflowers, then turn around.
11:00 AM — Lupine Trail 1: one of the densest blooms near town
2:00 PM — Kebler Pass: a scenic drive west through the aspen corridor
5:00 PM — Stop by Lake Irwin: an alpine lake. Swim or paddleboard if it's warm. You are welcome to disperse camp here. Set up camp if you have dinner or camp food available and enjoy the evening/night at the lake.
If you're not staying at Lake Irwin, try heading to Two Twelve in town for dinner. It's an open fire kitchen (dinner only)
Overnight: Lake Irwin or Mt Crested Butte campground to camp amidst wildflower fields (tents only at this first come and first serve location)
Day 3 — Reward hike, then roll out
Description: The deeper hike. Judd Falls up toward Copper Creek runs wildflowers all the way to the water. If you want a guided line into harder alpine terrain, Irwin Guides runs from here. You drive out over Gothic Road, the prettiest way to leave town.
7:30 AM — Rumors Coffee and Tea House: get breakfast in the bookstore café
8:30 AM — Judd Falls/Copper Creek Trailhead: a waterfall hike through meadows.
1:00 PM — Thai Chili 78 for a late lunch (love their pad thai dish)
2:00 PM — Gothic Road: a stunning gravel road drive. If you want one more hike, swing by Rustler's Gulch. It's a stunning wildflower hike with water crossings. The wildflowers can be seen 1-2 miles into the hike.
Option: Bring your camp chair and a picnic to sit along the river on Gothic Road for dinner or a late lunch.
6:00 PM - Head home or back Denver International Airport
