Guide: Crested Butte Wildflower FestivalCrested Butte is known as the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, and each year they host the Wildflower Festival which offers guided hikes, photography tours, and lots of fun festivities in town. Come on down to Crested Butte in July to experience the magic of a Colorado summer! Authorskatherinebeard
DestinationsCrested ButteItinerary

Stays

Crested Butte Hostel Laundry
A more affordable option with dorms and private rooms right in the downtown area of Crested Butte.
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Eleven Scarp Ridge Lodge
Just off of Elk, this spot is right downtown (if we can call Crested Butte downtown 😅). Close access to the free buses taking people up and down the mountain, shops, and restaurants!
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Westwall Lodge
Luxurious accommodations amidst the Rocky Mountains scenery. A perfect retreat for those seeking both comfort and adventure during the wildflower festival.
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Elk Mountain Lodge
A clean, simple, and easy stay right on Crested Butte’s main street with access to restaurants, shops, and local trails.
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Oh Be Joyful Recreation Area
A great, riverside camping spot just outside of downtown CB.
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Lake Irwin Campground
Surround youself in the wildflower blooms at this alpine lake campsite, just outside of CB up Kebler Pass. Watch as the sun sets over the sparkling lake in the evenings. Note that there is minimal (if any) cell service up here!
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Wildflower Hikes & Hot Spots

Judd Falls
This short, easy hike takes you to a beautiful lookout over Judd Falls. Come snap some photos and look for the colorful wildflowers dotting the trail along the way. It can get busy, so make sure to get up there early! Length: ~2 miles rountrip, out and back trail, ~300 ft. elevation gain Difficulty: Easy Time: ~0.5 to 1 hours
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Lake Irwin
Located 7 miles west, up Kebler Pass Road, this is lake is more of a viewpoint than a hike. During the festival, visitors can participate in guided wildflower hikes around the lake, photography workshops, and educational programs. Take a dip on a hot day!
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Woods Walk Trail Head
Just outside of downtown Crested Butte, try and spot lupines, larkspurs, columbines, and more on this easy trail walk. It is a great spot for a trail run, walk, hike, or ride! The views of Mount Crested Butte are unparalleled. Length: ~4-5 miles, loop or out and back trail, ~150 ft. elevation gain Difficulty: Easy Time: ~1 to 3 hours
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Rustler Gulch
Known for having blooms in its meadows, this trail becomes covered in flowers as wildflower season begins. Length: 8 miles rountrip, out and back trail, ~1,300 ft. elevation gain Difficulty: Moderate Time: ~2 to 3 hours
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Poverty Gulch
Length: 6 miles rountrip, out and back trail, ~500-700 ft. elevation gain Difficulty: Moderate Time: ~3 to 4 hours
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Three Lakes Trail #843
Highlights include views of 3 beautiful alpine lakes: Lost Lake, Dollar Lake, + Lost Lake Slough. During wildflower season their shores are dotted with a mix of colors and the meadows are painted by the wildflower growths. Length: 10 miles, loop trail, ~1,000-1,500 ft. elevation gain Difficulty: Moderate Time: ~5 to 7 hours
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Emerald Lake
Drive up to Emerald Lake to admire the wildflower blooms along the shorelines of magical, turquoise waters! Note that you will need a 4x4 to get up there.
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West Maroon Pass
Hike from Crested Butte to Aspen on this trail with views of the Maroon Bells, alpine valleys filled with wildflowers, and go over the scenic Maroon Pass offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape. Length: 11 miles one way, out and back trail, ~2,300 ft. elevation gain Difficulty: Strenuous Time: ~6 to 8 hours
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Lupine Trail Trailhead
One of the best trails to see wildflowers bloom early in the season, and namely, lots of Lupines fill the fields. Length: 2.5 miles, 500-600 ft. elevation gain Difficulty: Moderate Time: ~1.5 to 2 hours
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Lost Lake Slough
Highlights include views of 3 beautiful alpine lakes: Lost Lake, Dollar Lake, + Lost Lake Slough. During wildflower season their shores are dotted with a mix of colors and the meadows are painted by the wildflower growths. Length: 4 miles, loop trail, ~600 ft. elevation gain Difficulty: Moderate Time: ~1 to 3 hours
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Eats & Drinks

Butte Bagels
Head in here to fuel up before exploring the wildflower trails or going on a guided excursion. I dream of the bagels here! Try their Hippy between an everything bagel 🤤
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A Daily Dose
Pop in for a morning pick me up or one of their masterfully blended smoothies. They sell my favorite cinnamon buns from Mountain Oven here too!
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Ryce Asian Bistro
A popular spot for large portions. The orange chicken here is super popular, but I also love their Drunken Noodles 🍜
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Camp 4 Coffee
One of the cutest and best coffee spots right in downtown. Sit out on the patio as you grab a cup before heading out for a day of adventure in the mountains ☕️
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The Slogar
Stop in when you're hungry and get massive portions of delicious fried chicken just off of Main St.
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The Secret Stash
The yummiest pizzas that will fill you right up! The the Buddha's Belly and Asher's Pie are my two favorites here. Make sure to ask for hot honey to dip your crusts into! The Secret Marg pairs perfectly with the pizza.
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Thai Chili 78 (Crested Butte Location)
A great place for quick takeout or a fast service during a sit-down meal after hiking all morning and afternoon. Their pad thai is delicious.
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Bonez
For delicious Mexican food accompanied by refreshing margaritas, stop in here! Order their tacos and pick 3 different ones to try.
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The Hideout
A restaurant with indoor-outdoor seating that is open until 10:30 (in season)... on the later side. Order their delicious pork bao buns or cold noodle salad.
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The Dogwood
A great spot to wind down and grab an appetizer or cocktail after a day exploring the colorful wildflowers 🍹 Try their Sexy Mama or Beesting cocktails! Their hibiscus mint mocktail is also so refreshing.
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Tin Cup Ice Cream & Desserts
Grab a cup or cone here after being out in the sun hiking all day. They have 500 flavors on rotation here! I love their Blueberry Bergamot, but you really can't go wrong.
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