When you think Summit County, you generally think winter and skiing but you would be surprised at the Summit County summertime activities that you'll have available to you and your family when you come here to vacation.
The resorts and towns of Summit County, offer some of the best summertime values to vacationers in the entire Colorado Rocky Mountains. With a nearly limitless supply of lodging options there is a resort, condo, hotel, motel, lodge, inn, bed and breakfast, campground or private home rental to fit everyone's desires and budget needs. Stay in a luxury mountain-view chateaux on the one extreme or camp out in one of the many campgrounds and RV parks.
There are fourteen traditional campgrounds in the area offering campsites reserved for both tents and RV's. Most camping spaces are along the shores of Lake Dillon in the two well maintained campgrounds. For the more adventurous campers there are lots of trails that lead to a private campsites in the Colorado backcountry.
The Colorado backcountry ski hut system can be found between Aspen, Leadville and Vail. 22 huts are situated between 9,700 and 11,700 feet in elevation and are linked with over 300 miles of trails. The huts provide shelter for experienced backcountry enthusiasts that reserve them.
The Summit County area also offers a full range of services and activities such as night spots, child care, lodging, shopping, and dining experiences. Experience the ultimate Colorado adventure on a whitewater rafting trip, hot air ballooning, horseback riding, spend the day fly fishing, or experience the Western tradition and adventure on a 10,000 acre dude ranch. Off road Jeep and ATV tours are other Summit County summertime activities that can be found for your adventures.
You'll find quaint coffee shops and breweries to elegant dining during your stay in Summit County. Numerous specialty shops and boutiques provide shopping opportunities for finding gifts and souvenirs. It's not just during the day that you'll find adventure and things to do in the local towns and resorts. Fun abounds in the many restaurants, bars and nightclubs with live music and dancing. Many of Summit County's towns and resorts also have festivals to attend throughout the summer.
Experience the historical side of Summit County by sliding down a 35-foot ore chute and exploring the original workings of a 100-year old mine. Take the kids to pan for gold in Eureka Creek, and take your "booty" home with you as a great souvenir of your Summit County adventures. Explore the local museums or take a historical tour. Discover Summit County summertime activities that the whole family will enjoy. You'll find everything from day long adventures to quick stops that will keep your kids entertained.
Four excellent golf courses can be found in Summit County, with another seven courses in the Vail Valley. Your golfing experiences in the county will provide you with magnificent scenery and plenty of challenging holes as you would expect in this high alpine environment. Golfers enjoy seeing their ball fly great distances from the reduced air resistance found at course elevations that range from 7,500ft to 9,600 ft.
Hiking and mountain biking the many trails in the area tops the list Summit County summertime activities. You'll find alpine lakes, waterfalls, wildflower meadows, and jagged peaks while high country hiking in this beautiful Colorado setting. The elevation spread from a low point of 7,000 feet to a high 14,270 feet provides a variety of flower ecosystems you can enjoy as you and your family hike through the county.
Expect temperature swings throughout the day while hiking and be prepared for any kind of weather with wind/water resistant jacket, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle, high-energy snacks and adequate hiking footwear. You'll find hiking trail information and topo maps at the United States Forest Service office in Silverthorne as well as in many of the local sporting shops and bookstores.
River rafting has become very popular in Summit County and the Vail Valley. Three rivers are available for your rafting fun: the Arkansas river, the Blue river and the Colorado River. The wildest river rafting you'll find is on the Arkansas river while the Blue River and Colorado River are more popular for float trips and more mild whitewater rafting. Be sure to bring a camera and to enjoy the scenery while on the river.
Summit County offers as much fishing as anywhere in Colorado. A vacation here would not be complete without a fly fishing expedition. The beauty of fly fishing in the Colorado Rocky Mountains is that there just isn't a bad place to fish. The Blue River is one of the most accessible, and most scenic rivers in the Summit County area. The Blue River is known throughout the County as one of the finest fishing rivers, and it has been designated a Gold Medal fishery due to its high quality fly fishing.
Summit county provides some of the best summer vacation opportunities in Colorado. One nice thing about vacationing in this area is that Summit County is central to all the Colorado Rocky Mountain summer adventures. When planning your next trip to Colorado, think Summit County. There's so much to experience here in the Rocky Mountains.
