Summer Activities

From mountain biking and hiking to horseback riding, golf, and white water rafting — Summit County comes alive all summer long.

Located at the Peak 8 Base Area, Breckenridge Epic Discovery is the resort's premier summer adventure destination. Operating from mid-June through mid-September, this family-friendly attraction offers exciting outdoor activities for all ages, with convenient access via the free BreckConnect Gondola.

📍 1599 County Road 3, Breckenridge, CO 80424

Featured Attractions

  • Gold Runner Alpine Coaster — Colorado's only alpine coaster; race through the forest on over 2,500 feet of elevated track with twists, turns, and scenic mountain views.
  • Alpine SuperSlide — One of the longest alpine slides in the state; more than 2,600 feet of downhill excitement with banked turns and rolling terrain.
  • TenMile Flyer Zipline — Soar above the treetops at speeds up to 50 mph on this thrilling two-stage zipline adventure.
  • SuperPutt Mini Golf — Challenge family and friends with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

Additional Activities

  • Climbing walls & bungee trampolines
  • Mineshaft maze & gem panning
  • Scenic chairlift rides
  • Downhill mountain biking
  • Children's play areas and family attractions

Tickets & Passes

PassDescriptionPrice
Adventure PassUnlimited access to most rides and attractions all day$100–$120/person
Explorer PassDesigned for younger children and families focused on lower-mountain activitiesVaries
Free ActivitiesBreckConnect Gondola & select scenic chairlift ridesFree

Location & Parking

Parking is not available at the Peak 8 Base Area. Park free at the North or South Gondola Lots in Breckenridge and ride the complimentary BreckConnect Gondola to the resort.

Helpful Tips

  • Closed-toe and closed-heel shoes are required for activities such as the Alpine Slide.
  • Some attractions may close during lightning, heavy rain, or adverse weather. Rainchecks may be available.
  • Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended, especially during peak summer weekends and holidays.
📍 22101 US Highway 6, Keystone

Conveniently located near the Keystone Lodge at 22101 US Highway 6, the Keystone Adventure Center offers a variety of outdoor activities and family-friendly recreation throughout the summer season. Guests can easily access the center via the pedestrian tunnel connecting Keystone Lodge to Lakeside Village on the southwest side of Keystone Lake.

Hours of Operation

  • March 24 – June 27: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Daily
  • June 28 – August 17: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Daily
  • August 18 – October 5: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Daily
  • Labor Day Weekend: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Daily

Bike Rentals

Explore Keystone's scenic bike paths and mountain trails with rental options available for all ages.

Bike Type1 Hour2 HoursHalf DayFull Day
Adult Cross-Country Bike$20$25$30$36
Children's Bike$14$18$21$23

Helmets are included free with all bike rentals.

Boat Rentals

Spend time on Keystone Lake with a variety of watercraft available for rent. Rates are per half hour:

🚣 Paddleboats — $16 🛶 Kayaks — $16 ⛵ Canoes — $16 🏄 Stand-Up Paddleboards — $25

Additional Family Activities

The Keystone Adventure Center also offers:

  • Free Wii game rentals with interactive gaming stations
  • Indoor arcade
  • Food and snack facilities
  • Access to Decatur Field featuring sand volleyball courts, children's tree house, and playground area

Whether you're looking for outdoor adventure, family fun, or a relaxing afternoon on the lake, the Keystone Adventure Center provides activities for guests of all ages.

Summit County is one of Colorado's premier mountain biking destinations, offering hundreds of miles of trails for riders of all abilities. From family-friendly paths and scenic cross-country routes to lift-served downhill parks and challenging alpine singletrack, there's something for every type of rider.

Breckenridge

  • Peaks Trail — One of Summit County's most popular rides; an approximately 8-mile route connecting Breckenridge and Frisco with spectacular mountain views, flowing singletrack, and a mix of technical and beginner-friendly terrain.
  • Carter Park Switchbacks — A favorite among experienced riders with a demanding climb followed by a fast, exciting descent into downtown Breckenridge.
  • Sawmill & Prospector Trails — Perfect for families and beginner to intermediate riders; scenic trails with gentler grades and beautiful forest scenery.

Frisco Peninsula & Bike Park

  • Frisco Peninsula Trail System — An extensive cross-country network suitable for beginners through advanced riders; forested trails, lake views, and connections to other Summit County trail systems.
  • Frisco Adventure Park Bike Park — Free public bike park with a pump track, slopestyle course, dirt jump area, and dual slalom course. Excellent for riders looking to improve skills in a controlled environment.

Keystone Resort

Keystone is renowned for its lift-served mountain biking, featuring some of Colorado's best downhill and freeride terrain — technical rock gardens, jumps, berms, and machine-built flow trails. Bike rentals, lessons, and lift tickets are available at the resort.

Copper Mountain

Copper offers a more relaxed mountain biking experience with scenic trails through pine forests, meadows, and mountain streams. It also serves as a gateway to several high-alpine adventures, including sections of the famous Colorado Trail.

Helpful Resources

Before heading out, check trail conditions, closures, and difficulty ratings. Summit County's trail network includes both dirt singletrack and paved recreation paths connecting many of the area's towns and resorts.

🗓️ May – October ⛰️ Max altitude 9,600 ft

A 16-person human-powered vehicle with 10 pedalers, 5 non-pedaling seats, and 1 biketender/server. Cruises at a leisurely 5–7 mph down Breckenridge's famous Main Street.

Breckenridge BikeBus — official site & booking

Features

  • Coolers for beverages and cupholders
  • Bose SoundDock for music
  • On-board snacks and beverages for purchase
  • Local area discounts
  • Safety lighting system

Route

North end of Main Street (near City Market) down the entire one-mile Main Street and back. Custom routes available with permits.

Perfect For

Town tours, progressive dinners, pub crawls, family reunions, corporate events, bachelorette parties, weddings, charity events, field trips, sporting events, and more.

Cancellation Policy

  • 30+ days before: 50% refund or rain check for rest of season
  • 15–30 days before: Rain check valid for rest of season
  • Less than 15 days before: No refund

Just one mile from Main Street Frisco, the Frisco Adventure Park packs a ton of free, family-friendly summer fun into the Peninsula Recreation Area, surrounded by the Tenmile Range. Most summer activities are free.

Bike Park

Dirt jumps, a pump track, and slopestyle and dual-slalom courses for BMX and stunt bikes — with beginner, intermediate, and expert terrain.

Peak One Disc Golf

A premier 27-hole disc golf course — bring your own discs or buy them at the Adventure Park Day Lodge.

More Summer Fun

  • Skate park
  • Peninsula trails — miles of hiking and biking
  • Ball fields for team sports or a game of catch
  • Scenic overlooks of Lake Dillon & the Tenmile Range
  • Chuck Wagon Ride — one of the area's most unique summer experiences
📍 1 mile from Main Street Frisco 💵 Most activities free 🏕️ Day Lodge on-site

Copper Mountain — Copper Creek

Pete and Perry Dye design with a 3.5-star Golf Digest rating. Front nine winds through alpine terrain with lakes and streams; back nine cuts through forest with historic mining town remains. A beautiful mix of links and mountain-style holes.

Breckenridge Golf Club

27-hole Jack Nicklaus design opened in 1985, with the Elk nine added in 2001. Clubhouse elevation: 9,324 feet. Four sets of tees — from Nicklaus Tees (Elk/Beaver), plays 7,145 yards with a 73.5 rating and 151 slope. Golf Digest 4-Star Award Winner and Zagat rated. Summer temperatures typically 65–80°F.

Keystone — Keystone Ranch

Robert Trent Jones Jr. design; Par 72, 5,582–7,090 yards. Scottish links-style front nine; traditional mountain valley back nine through lodgepole pines and sage meadows with a nine-acre lake. Clubhouse with locker rooms, golf shop, and restaurant with back-nine views.

The Keystone Ranch Restaurant is the original 1930s ranch homestead — AAA Four Diamond rated, Wine Spectator DiRoNA winner, and Zagat Survey recognized as one of Colorado's best restaurants. Six-course dinner or four-course dinner for two at $99.

Keystone — The River Course

Hurdzan-Fry design; Par 71, 4,762–6,886 yards. Par-35 front nine follows the Snake River; par-36 back nine winds through lodgepole pine forest. The 16th hole features a dramatic 194-foot elevation drop and the 18th finishes with 12 bunkers and panoramic Lake Dillon views.

Silverthorne — Raven Golf Club

Rated the #1 golf course in Colorado, located in the Gore Mountain Range through Colorado pines, aspens, and crystal-clear creeks and trout-filled lakes.

TeesYardageRatingSlope
Black7,41373.8135
Silver6,80671.4133
White6,38669.7123
Gold5,23569.0129

Colorado is home to some of the best whitewater rafting in North America, offering everything from scenic family-friendly floats to adrenaline-filled Class V rapids. Whether you're a first-time rafter or an experienced paddler, you'll find an unforgettable adventure on one of the state's many rivers.

Arkansas River

One of Colorado's most famous rafting destinations near Buena Vista, Salida, and Cañon City.

  • Browns Canyon (Class III–IV) — Family and beginner-friendly; beautiful canyon scenery; half-day and full-day trips available
  • Royal Gorge (Class IV–V) — Advanced rapids and thrilling drops; spectacular canyon walls towering 1,100 feet overhead
  • The Numbers (Class IV–V) — Technical rapids for experienced rafters; fast-paced and highly challenging

Colorado River

  • Upper Colorado (Class II–III) — Ideal for beginners and families; calm stretches mixed with exciting rapids; beautiful canyon scenery near Kremmling
  • Gore Canyon (Class V) — Expert-only whitewater; one of Colorado's most challenging rafting runs

Blue River

Located just minutes from Breckenridge and Summit County, the Blue River offers convenient rafting close to many vacation rentals.

  • Class III rapids with scenic Gore Range views
  • Excellent option for beginners and intermediate rafters
  • Popular half-day excursions

Clear Creek

  • Beginner Sections (Class II–III) — Great introduction to whitewater rafting; less than an hour from Denver
  • Advanced Sections (Class IV–V) — Steep, continuous rapids popular with thrill-seekers

Animas River

  • Lower Animas (Class II–III) — Family-friendly rafting with convenient access from downtown Durango
  • Upper Animas (Class IV–V) — Remote wilderness rafting; advanced skill level required

Multi-Day Adventures

For guests seeking a true wilderness experience, Colorado also offers multi-day expeditions on the Yampa, Dolores, San Juan, and Piedra Rivers — featuring riverside camping, wildlife viewing, and remote canyon landscapes.

Planning Your Trip

  • Peak rafting season: late May through early September
  • June typically offers the highest water levels due to spring snowmelt
  • Most outfitters provide life jackets, helmets, wetsuits, and safety equipment
  • Bring quick-dry clothing, sunscreen, and sunglasses with a retainer strap

Recommended Outfitters

Our team can help match you with the best trip based on your group's age, skill level, and desired adventure.

All skill levels & ages welcome

Experience Colorado's mountain scenery the way early settlers and ranchers did — on horseback. Summit County offers a variety of guided trail rides and authentic Western ranch experiences, allowing visitors to explore alpine meadows, aspen groves, mountain streams, and breathtaking Rocky Mountain landscapes.

Gore Range Outfitters – Breckenridge

Enjoy a semi-private horseback riding experience through scenic mountain terrain featuring wildflower-filled meadows, evergreen forests, and crystal-clear streams.

  • Stunning views of the Gore Range and Ten Mile Range
  • Overlooks of Lake Dillon with opportunities to spot local wildlife
  • Approximately 1.5-hour guided rides; small-group experience
  • Suitable for beginner and intermediate riders; minimum age 8 years
  • Helmets, rain gear, and transportation included
  • Meeting Location: Red Buffalo Coffee Shop, 358 Blue River Parkway, Silverthorne

Breckenridge Stables

One of Summit County's most popular riding destinations, offering trail rides tailored to each rider's experience level and comfort.

  • Custom horse matching based on age and ability
  • Scenic river crossings, beaver ponds, and mountain meadows
  • Panoramic views of the Ten Mile Range
  • Educational guides sharing local history and wildlife information
  • Summer trail rides and winter sleigh rides available

Keystone Stables

Guided horseback rides through beautiful mountain landscapes for riders of all experience levels, with one- and two-hour trail rides, knowledgeable guides, and opportunities to see native wildlife and wildflowers.

Rusty Spurr Ranch – Kremmling

For a more authentic Western ranch experience just outside Summit County, Rusty Spurr Ranch offers private and group trail rides, working cattle drives, team-building events, saddle-and-paddle adventure packages, and a family-owned ranch atmosphere.

Self-Guided Riding Opportunities

The White River National Forest provides hundreds of miles of trails open to horseback riding. Popular areas include:

  • Gore Range Trails — high alpine scenery and expansive mountain views
  • Ten Mile Range — challenging terrain and wilderness experiences
  • Lake Dillon Area — scenic forest trails with lake views
  • Willow Creek Falls & Mohawk Lakes — historic mining routes and alpine lake scenery

Helpful Riding Tips

  • Many high-elevation trails are only accessible during summer and early fall
  • Stay on designated trails; respect wildlife and seasonal closures
  • Wear long pants, closed-toe shoes or boots, and layers for changing mountain weather
  • Guided rides are highly recommended for visitors unfamiliar with the area

Summit County is a hiker's paradise, offering hundreds of miles of trails that range from easy lakeside strolls to challenging alpine adventures. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly nature walk, a scenic mountain lake, or a high-elevation summit, you'll find trails suited to every ability level.

Popular Hiking Trails

  • Moderate Mayflower Lake & Lower Continental Falls — 5.1 miles round trip. Follows Spruce Creek through historic mining ruins to a beautiful alpine lake and waterfall. Wildflowers and excellent photo opportunities.
  • Easy Lily Pad Trail — 3.4 miles round trip; Eagles Nest Wilderness. Winds through pine forests to a peaceful lake beneath Buffalo Mountain. Great for families and beginner hikers.
  • Moderate Shrine Mountain via Shrine Ridge Trail — 4.2 miles round trip; White River National Forest. Stunning mountain vistas, wildflower meadows, and forested landscapes. Especially beautiful in summer and fall.
  • Easy Lake Dillon Loop — 0.6 miles. Outstanding views of Lake Dillon and surrounding peaks. Dog-friendly. Perfect for families and casual walkers.
  • Moderate Meadow Creek Trail — 3–4 miles; Frisco area. Gradual climb through aspen groves and pine forests to scenic alpine meadows with connections to longer backcountry routes.
  • Easy Aspen & Pine Forest Loops — ~1.5 miles; Frisco area. Gentle trails through dense forest with access to picturesque mountain lakes. Ideal for families with young children.
  • Easy Dillon Reservoir Trails — ~1.7 miles. Lakeside trails with breathtaking views of Dillon Reservoir and surrounding peaks. Stunning during wildflower season and fall color.
  • Advanced Lincoln and Bross — 7+ miles to twin 14,000 ft peaks
  • Advanced Radical Hill Trail — 5–6 miles, 1,400 ft gain
  • Advanced Mosquito Gulch — 6.6 miles, 1,500 ft gain

Summit County's Trail Network

Summit County maintains hundreds of miles of trails and more than 100 trailheads, including family-friendly walking paths, alpine lake hikes, historic mining routes, wilderness trails, and challenging high-elevation adventures — many within the White River National Forest.

Helpful Hiking Tips

  • Check conditions before you go — Snow may remain on higher trails well into summer
  • Arrive early — Popular trailheads fill quickly on weekends and holidays
  • Prepare for mountain weather — Bring water, sunscreen, layers, and rain gear
  • Practice Leave No Trace — Stay on designated trails and pack out all trash
Trail conditions vary by season

Dillon Reservoir (Lake Dillon) is the centerpiece of a Summit County summer — a stunning high-alpine lake ringed by peaks, with two full-service marinas for paddling, sailing, and boating. Note: swimming and water-skiing aren't allowed (the water is simply too cold), and the season typically runs early June through mid-September.

Marinas & Rentals

  • Frisco Bay Marina — Steps from downtown Frisco; rents pontoon & fishing boats, kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, stand-up paddleboards, sailboats, and even fishing poles. Scenic boat tours, guided fishing, and SUP/kayak/sailing lessons available; Adventure Paddle Tours runs 1.5- and 4-hour guided kayak tours from here.
  • Dillon Marina — A full-service marina with pontoon and sailboat rentals, sailing courses, lessons, and tours; SUP & kayak rentals via Stand Up Paddle Colorado; and weekend racing regattas with the Dillon Yacht Club.
📍 Frisco & Dillon 🛶 SUP · kayak · canoe · sailboat · pontoon ⚠️ No swimming/water-skiing · season ~Jun–Sep

Summit County and the Vail Valley sit within an hour of five major rivers, including world-renowned Gold Medal waters. Wade or float for wild rainbows and browns with a local guide, or fish the public access on your own.

Top Rivers

  • Blue River — The tailwater below Dillon Dam through Silverthorne is famous for big, well-fed rainbows (often 6–10 lb). The Blue rises near Quandary Peak in the Tenmile Range.
  • Eagle River — Gold Medal water from Vail down to the Colorado River confluence, with 2,500+ trout per mile and an average fish around 15 inches.
  • Colorado River — Big-water floats and wade fishing in the Middle Park section, a short drive north and west.

Guides & Fly Shops

  • Mountain Angler — Summit County's most experienced fly shop & guide service (Breckenridge, est. 1985), within an hour of five major rivers.
  • Cutthroat Anglers — Silverthorne shop on the banks of the Blue River; guided wade and float trips.
  • Fly Fishing Outfitters — Orvis-endorsed, serving the Vail Valley (Avon) since 1992; Eagle River, Gore Creek & the Colorado.
  • Eagle River Outfitter — Vail-area guide service specializing in the Eagle River.
🎣 Gold Medal waters 📍 Blue · Eagle · Colorado rivers 🪪 Colorado fishing license required

Just west of Summit County over Vail Pass, Eagle County's resorts deliver a full summer lineup — mountain coasters, gondola sightseeing, alpine gardens, and miles of trails.

Vail

  • Epic Discovery at Eagle's Nest — Ride the Eagle Bahn Gondola up to the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster (3,400 ft of track), Eagle's Nest tubing, the Paramount Peak climbing wall, and a bungee trampoline. Open roughly June–September.
  • Betty Ford Alpine Gardens — The world's highest botanical garden; free to visit, with alpine plants, programs, and events all summer.
  • Gondola-served hiking & mountain biking (with bike haul) from Eagle's Nest and Lionshead.

Beaver Creek

  • Scenic chairlift rides and 110+ miles of hiking and mountain-bike trails.
  • 4x4 tours, horseback riding, golf, and tennis.
  • Live music, culinary events, and family-friendly festivals in the village.
📍 Eagle County · Vail & Beaver Creek 🚠 Gondola sightseeing 🎢 Forest Flyer mountain coaster

Explore historic mining roads and high mountain passes by Jeep, ATV, or side-by-side. Choose a guided tour that shares the area's gold-rush history, or rent and ride well-marked trails on your own.

Outfitters

  • High Country Tours — Guided and self-guided ATV & side-by-side rides around historic Camp Hale and Vail Pass (Silverthorne-based).
  • Colorado Outdoor Fun — guided tours and unguided ATV/side-by-side rentals across the Summit County & Vail area.
  • Fun for You Rentals — ATV and Jeep rentals to explore the backcountry around Frisco and Breckenridge.

Popular Trails

  • Boreas Pass, Webster Pass & Georgia Pass — scenic high-country routes
  • Peru Creek & Montezuma — historic mining district near Keystone
  • Camp Hale & Vail Pass — WWII history and alpine meadows
🚙 Guided & self-guided 📍 Breckenridge · Frisco · Vail Pass ⛏️ Historic mining roads

Summit County doesn't have its own hot springs, but several soothing soaks are within an easy drive — the perfect way to relax after a day on the trails.

  • Hot Sulphur Springs Resort — Roughly 90 minutes from Breckenridge (under an hour from Silverthorne via the Lower Blue); 20+ all-natural mineral pools with no added chemicals.
  • Glenwood Hot Springs Resort — About 1.5–2 hours west on I-70; home to the world's largest hot-springs pool.
  • Iron Mountain Hot Springs — In Glenwood Springs; dozens of mineral pools right beside the Colorado River.
♨️ Natural mineral pools 📍 Hot Sulphur · Glenwood Springs 🚗 ~1–2 hour drive

Summit County packs an impressive craft-beverage scene into a few mountain towns — tasting rooms, brewpubs, and an award-winning distillery, all easy to string together into a self-guided tour.

  • Breckenridge Distillery — "The World's Highest Distillery," famous for its highly awarded blended bourbon; tastings, tours & a popular restaurant.
  • Broken Compass Brewing — A laid-back Breckenridge favorite with a brewery on the north end and a Main Street taproom.
  • HighSide Brewing — 15 taps of signature brews in Breckenridge (Frisco Gold, Trip Leader IPA).
  • Outer Range Brewing Co. — A Frisco brewery renowned across Colorado for its hazy IPAs and Belgians.
  • Dillon Dam Brewery — One of the largest brewpubs in the Rockies, with around 20 beers on tap in Dillon.
🍺 Breweries & tasting rooms 🥃 Breckenridge Distillery 📍 Breckenridge · Frisco · Dillon

Ride to the top for big mountain views — no hiking required. Three Summit County resorts make it easy to sightsee by gondola or scenic chairlift all summer long.

Breckenridge — BreckConnect Gondola

The free BreckConnect Gondola links downtown Breckenridge to the Peak 8 base and Epic Discovery, with sweeping views of the Tenmile Range along the way. No ticket required to ride.

Copper Mountain — American Eagle

Copper's American Eagle is a modern combination lift (6-person chairs and 8-person gondola cabins) out of Center Village. Scenic rides climb above the tree line for panoramic views — each way is roughly 15 minutes, and you can ride back down or hike. Operating hours depend on weather, so check the latest lift status before you go.

Keystone — River Run & Outpost Gondolas

Keystone is the only Summit County resort with two gondolas. The River Run Gondola carries sightseers from River Run Village (9,280 ft) to the top of Dercum Mountain (11,640 ft) in about 11 minutes, where you'll find dining at Summit House and access to hiking and biking trails. From there, the Outpost Gondola continues another ~8 minutes over to North Peak. Summer scenic rides typically run Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (last ride up at 4:30 p.m.); a ticket is required unless you have a reservation at a mountaintop restaurant such as Alpenglow Stube or Der Fondue Chessel.

📍 Breckenridge · Copper · Keystone 💵 BreckConnect Gondola free 🕘 Keystone scenic Wed–Sun 10a–5p 📸 Scenic mountain views

Ready for Your Summer Adventure?

Book your Summit County vacation rental and explore everything Colorado summer has to offer.