If you plan on spending some vacation time in the mountains, you can experience many different unique attractions & Crested Butte events. Though Crested Butte is well-known for being a great place to go skiing in the winter, there are plenty of exciting summer activities, such as hiking or mountain biking through the scenic landscape. One of our favorite things about summer here is the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival! This festival is not just a one-day or one-week event. The festival runs throughout the entire summer, with various events you can attend. This gives you more to see and do while staying in Crested Butte.
If you are vacationing and lodging in Crested Butte, we recommend experiencing all the Wildflower Festival has to offer.
About The Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
This Crested Butte flower Festival first started in 1986. Located in one of the most picturesque valleys in the state of Colorado, many locals of Crested Butte envisioned a magnificent celebration of the wildflowers of the valley and chose to start an annual festival to show off the natural beauty of the valley.
While the festival was originally a short celebration, it has now grown to become an event that lasts throughout the summer season but primarily takes place during the month of July, and it is one of the most popular things to do in Crested Butte during the summer. The festival itself consists of around 300 events that are offered by tour guides, instructors, and volunteers.
When attending the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, it is important to be aware of the three main rules that the festival has. The first of these rules is not to pick, cut, or walk on any of the wildflowers or other plants. This can harm these plants and their pollinators, and there will be fewer beautiful flowers to admire during the festival.
The second rule is to stay on the trail. This ensures that everyone stays together and that no one is harming any of the flowers or other plants. This also prevents many lines from forming along the path at the same time. This is crucial in preventing overcrowding of people on the trail.
The third and final rule when visiting the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival is to protect any pollinators you may see. Pollinators are crucial in plant growth and development, so it is important that these creatures are not disturbed when they are doing their job. While you can watch the pollinators you see, it is important that you do not interrupt their work.
You will find that the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival is designed to allow you to learn more about the nature of the area as well as how you can observe the beauty of the natural world without harming or interfering with any wildlife or plants that you wish to admire.
Festival Events
Admiring the beautiful wildflowers is one of many activities you can participate in when you attend the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival. There are some activities and events that are held before the festival begins, but the majority of activities and events will occur during the days of the festival. These events include activities like watercolor workshops, walks, and travel journaling.
All of the events of the festival allow you to have fun as you learn about the beautiful flora of the valley. You may find some activities you enjoy and learn more about the flowers as you go. The festival events can be separated into two main categories: workshops and hikes/tours. You can choose to only participate in workshops, only participate in hikes/tours, or do a combination of activities.
Plan Your Visit
Discover a range of Crested Butte lodging in town that will make your stay in this picturesque Colorado town unforgettable during your time experiencing the best Crested Butte festivals. Book your Crested Butte rentals with us today!
Workshops
Many of the events held during the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival are workshops you can attend. These workshops involve many different topics, such as art, photography, and botany. It is important to note that you will need to pay to attend each workshop. Some workshops are also different levels, so some may be for those who are more advanced in certain skills compared to others.
With each workshop, you can admire the wildflowers of the valley and learn from an experienced instructor or volunteer. There are also some workshops where you will need to reserve your spot beforehand in order to participate.
If you do not know what workshops you wish to attend, some great ones include Capturing Wildflowers with Colored Pencils, Butterflies of Lily Lake, Lavender Fest, Wild Crafted Cocktails, and Geology of Paradise. It is best to look at the festival’s program guide in order to pick the right workshops for you.
Hikes & Tours
If the workshops are not what you are looking for, you can participate in one or more of the many hikes and tours that are held during the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival.
When it comes to the various hikes held during this Crested Butte festival, you want to choose a Crested Butte hike that is just right for you. The four main types of hikes are beginner hikes, intermediate hikes, advanced hikes, and expert hikes.
The difficulty levels between each of the hikes primarily depend on the type of terrain you will encounter. For example, a beginner hike mainly has level, rolling terrain, while an expert hike has very steep, rocky, and uneven terrain. It is best to take this into consideration when deciding which hike to participate in.
While going on one of the hikes offered during the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, you can learn about many different topics that relate to the wildflowers, such as the relationship between flowers and bees, how geology can affect the distribution of plants, or the defensive and offensive strategies that different plants employ in order to survive.
You can also choose to go on a tour during the festival. These tours will take you through around two miles of walking on ground that is leveled and paved. You can choose to go on a tour that explores the history of Crested Butte, a tour that focuses more on the gardens in and around Crested Butte, or a ghost tour that will tell you about the local ghost stories.
These hikes and tours are just some of the fun you can experience with the various events in Crested Butte during the Wildflower Festival.
Book Your Crested Butte Lodging With Crested Butte Property Management
The Crested Butte Wildflower Festival can be a great event to experience on your own or with your family. There are so many events in Crested Butte you can experience during the festival. While you’re planning your trip, book your lodging with Crested Butte Property Management! We have the perfect Crested Butte rental with many enjoyable features, such as hot tubs and stunning views. While staying in any of our Crested Butte vacation rentals, you can explore our town and take part in some of the most breathtaking hikes around the area.
