The Best Summer Activities in BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO
Breckenridge, Colorado is known for its proximity to outdoor adventures of all types, while still offering the charm and relaxing vibe of shops and restaurants downtown.
With Gravity Haus Breckenridge as your basecamp, you’re sure to embark on adventures for everyone in the group!
Here’s where we recommend exploring in and around Breckenridge, Colorado – and what gear to use while doing so!
BIKING IN SUMMIT COUNTY
We demo Rossignol, Specialized, and Spot mountain bikes, and premium, full suspension, awesome bikes with varying travel. Come give them a try! We also carry path bikes by Specialized and Giant if commuting along the paved bike paths is more your thing.
Intermediate, 1.3 miles Singletrack): This is a true Breckenrdridge classic! From the Boreas Pass winter trailhead, go south past the gate and look for a singletrack on the west side of the road. The trail features numerous flowy switchbacks through a beautiful aspen grove. Catch this in the fall when the Aspens are changing colors and it is an all-time ride! The trail terminates at a gravel driveway on the lower section of Boreas Pass Road (paved). Take a right on the driveway back to Boreas Pass Road and climb back to the trailhead. Utilize Illinois Gulch Road to short-cut the climb back to the trailhead.
(Intermediate/Difficult, 16.1 miles, 80% Singletrack): Easily accessed from the Dredge parking lot, the Galena Ditch Trail provides a great start to this singletrack adventure and minimizes road riding to the Colorado Trail (CT). A steady climb up the CT peaks with full views of the 10 mile range and gives way to a ripping descent!
(Intermediate, 11.2 Miles, 50% Singletrack): This is a super easy, fun climb with lots of mellow, flowy downhill. Access via the Boreas Pass Winter Trailhead head up Boreas Pass Road to Baker’s Tank, then go back to the trailhead via the Baker’s Tank Trail.
(Beginner/Intermediate, 3.9 Miles, Singletrack): This can be ridden as an out and back or turned into a loop via the bike path.Access this trail from Summit County Road 51 in Dillon. The trailhead is above a water tank on the south side of the road.
At 2 miles from the trailhead, there is a four-way intersection. Oro Grande continues straight ahead (east). The Cemetery Hill Trail descends south, and climbs north. After a climb and descent there is a fork in the trail. Take the left fork towards a climbing switchback. Top out and descend to the landfill road near the Summit Shooting Range.
*Parking: Tenderfoot Trail Rd, Dillon, CO 80435* –
There is parking at both the beginning and end of the trail. After turning onto Tenderfoot Trail Rd the parking lot for the beginning of the trail will be on your right.
(Beginner/Intermediate, 10.8 Miles, 65% Singletrack): It’s not often you’ll find this much easy beginner singletrack way up in the Rockies! This is a great ride for beginners ready to leave the bike path and try out “real” mountain biking. And everyone else should have a blast too!
TAKE THESE BIKES OUT ON THE TRAILS & PATHS:
- Specialized Stumpjumper Alloy
- Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Alloy
- Rossignol Mandate XT
- Rossignol Mandate Deore
- Spot Ryve 115
- Commencal Meta TR Origin
- Specialized Sirrus 2.0
- Giant Escape 3
PADDLEBOARDING
There’s plenty of water to charter in Summit County – and we have the standup paddle boards to help you do so! We have PFD’s, paddles, pumps, leashes, and helmets as well!
Located right behind Gravity Haus Breckenridge in Peak 9 village, this is a great way to get out and practice a short walk away. With views of Breckenridge Ski Resort, and the Blue River flowing in and out, there is plenty of beauty close by.
*Follow the river along the side of our building off of Park Ave; the walkway leads to the pond in just a minute or two*
There is no better place to start paddle boarding in Summit County, CO than on Lake Dillon. Pick a calm evening, and explore the numerous tranquil coves, or pull up to an island to relax. Be careful! When the wind pick up, the middle of the lake can get choppy, and the water is very cold (so cold, it is illegal to swim!) We recommend staying close to shore to stay in the calmer water.
*Frisco Marina: 267 Marina Rd, Frisco, CO 80424*
*Dillon Marina: 150 Marina Dr, Dillon, CO 80435*
North of Silverthorne in the town of Heeney, CO, the Green Mountain Reservoir offers some great paddling opportunities. With slightly warmer water, you can swim here as well! The lake is smaller than Lake Dillon, but has great views of the Gore Range and can be a great day trip up from Breckenridge.
COLORADO RIVER OR LOWER BLUE RIVER
If you want to take your SUP adventures to the river, the Colorado (near Kremmling, CO) and the Lower Blue (Near Heeney, CO) are great places to start. Both rivers have class III rapids and should not be taken on without experience and/or a guide. SUPing in rapids is a completely different beast, and should not be taken lightly!
TAKE THESE SUPS OUT FOR A PADDLE:
- Bote Breeze Aero, 10’8” – Very stable but still lightweight
- High Society Northstar, 10’6” – Our most durable board
- Hala Carbon Hoss, 11’ – The most rigid inflatable SUP on the market, with the best glide
HIKING
Try our Mountain Hardwear rain gear! We carry the exposure line in both Men’s and Women’s, jackets and pants. We also demo Leki Makalu Lite trekking poles, and hiking backpacks.
SPRUCE CREEK TRAIL TO MOHAWK LAKES TRAIL (8.4 miles out & back): This is one of the most heavily trafficked hikes in the area, but you will see why when you get to the lakes. Accessed just south of Breckenridge in Blue River, this parking area can fill up quickly, so make sure to arrive early and carpool. With over 2000 feet of elevation gain, this is no easy walk in the woods, but there are numerous high alpine lakes to explore at the top, all above treeline, with jagged peaks surrounding them.
MCCULLOUGH GULCH TRAIL (6.4 miles out & back): Also accessed just south of Breckenridge in Blue River, this trailhead requires either a parking reservation or a shuttle to and from the trailhead. The hike is about 1600 feet of elevation gain, with high alpine lakes and streams throughout. It is located just north of Quandary, with massive mountains all around.
*McCullough Gulch Rd, located about a mile past Quandary Peak Trailhead. Shuttles from Airport Lot in Breckenridge run every half hour from 5:00am to 6:00pm, or reserve your parking in advance online.*
QUANDARY PEAK TRAIL (6.6 miles out & back):
You can’t talk about hiking in Summit County without mentioning Quandary Peak. It is one of Colorado’s most accessible 14ers, but don’t be fooled by how many people do the hike; it is more than 3300 feet of elevation gain and a good challenge! Located off of McCullough Gulch Road in Blue River, this also requires either a parking reservation or a shuttle. Start early and keep your eye on the sky for weather moving in!
*McCullough Gulch Rd, located shortly after you turn onto the road, on your left. Shuttles from Airport Lot in Breckenridge run every half hour from 5:00am to 6:00pm, or reserve your parking in advance online.*
HOOSIER PASS LOOP (2.8 miles): Park at the top of Hoosier Pass between Breckenridge and Alma to access this more mellow 2.8 mile loop. This is a great way to get a taste of beautiful high alpine terrain without climbing thousands of feet and many miles to see it!
*Put in Hoosier Pass on your GPS, it will take you right to the parking area by the trailhead*
RAINBOW LAKE VIA PEAKS TRAIL (1.5 miles out & back): Enjoy this easy walk through the woods with very little elevation gain. Rainbow Lake is a pretty little mountain lake in the woods. This is only a few blocks from Main Street in Frisco.
PEAK 1 TRAIL (21 miles out & back): There is no better place to start hiking in the 10 mile range than summiting Peak 1. Though just shy of 13,000 feet, Peak 1 is still a very challenging climb, with over 3,600 feet of elevation gain. Start right in Frisco at the Mt. Royal Trailhead. You can stop at Mt. Royal for a shorter hike with a nice view (3.9 mile out and back), continue on to Mt. Victoria for a bigger view (5.7 mile out and back), go all the way to the summit of Peak 1 at 7.2 miles, or, for the most adventurous, try to do the whole 10-mile traverse, continuing past Peak 1 and traversing all 10 peaks of the 10 mile range and walking down into Breckenridge. This is a 21 mile, 7,000 elevation gain endeavor that requires scrambling along some fine edges and a pre-sunrise start!
FLY FISHING
Try out our Tenkara Fly rods. Tenkara is a simple form of fly fishing that originated in the mountains of Japan and has become a modern pastime. It has a fixed line length, no real, and single fly impersonations with especially long rods. We carry the Tenkara Hane Rod in in 10’10”, and a kit that comes with all you need to get our there and fish.
BLUE RIVER | SILVERTHORNE
No angler in Summit County should miss wetting his or her line in the catch-and-release Gold Medal waters of the Blue River in Silverthorne, just below Dillon Reservoir near the factory outlet (troutlet) stores. Not exactly the most scenic fly fishing in Colorado, the Blue River meanders through town and underneath I-70, but the size of the trout make up for the lack of remoteness. If you are looking for a more scenic Blue River experience, head north on highway 6 toward Kremmling and stop at any of the numerous pull-offs to try your luck.
BLUE RIVER | BRECKENRIDGE
While the fish aren’t as big as they are below Lake Dillon in Silverthorne, don’t be surprised to come across the occasional giant. The river runs parallel to highway 9 from the town of Breckenridge until it flows into the lake south of Frisco. Any pull-off will have hungry fish! You will find rainbow, brown, and brook trout!
WHEELER LAKES | COPPER MOUNTAIN
If you like to combine fishing with a little hike, then Wheeler Lakes might be the spot for you. This popular trail starts right at the Copper Mountain exit from I-70 and leads up to an idyllic set of mountain lakes with stunning views of Copper Mountain ski area and the southern end of the Gore Range. The lakes are full of brook trout, some which grow surprisingly large in the relatively shallow (and thus warmer) waters of the lakes.
TENMILE CREEK & PONDS
The best fishing on Tenmile creek runs from Copper to Lake Dillon in Frisco. Anywhere along the bike path will give you access to great fishing along the River. Park at the end of Frisco Main Street and walk up the bike path, or start in Copper and fish the ponds you see on the east side of I-70. Most summer evenings you will see fish rising to dry flies on the ponds. Be careful, fish tend to spook easily on the Tenmile.
CAMPING
Haus Quiver gear rentals at Gravity Haus offer Mountain Hardwear Lamina Sleeping bags (15 degree, men’s and women’s) for rent, as well as Nemo foam sleeping pads, Mountain Hardwear Aspect 2 and 3 person tents, and a variety of camp chef cooking options for both frontcountry campgrounds and backcountry cooking!
FRONTCOUNTRY CAMPGROUNDS
There are five established campgrounds all right around Lake Dillon. Pine Cove Campground and Peak 1 Campground are both located in Frisco on the Frisco peninsula. Both give great access to the lake. On the Dillon side, off of Swan Mountain Road, you can find Prospector Campground and Windy Point Campground. Windy Point is meant for larger groups camping, whereas Prospector is a bit quieter, but both have great access to the Lake. Also off of Swan Mountain Road, but on the other side of the road, not the lake side, is Lowry Campground. Not as close to the lake but higher up on the hill, Lowry offers great views overlooking the both Lake Dillon and Gore Range beyond the lake.
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING (BACKPACKING)
Backpacking in and around Summit County is an awesome way to get away from the crowds and enjoy these mountains in solitude. Try any of these backpacking options!
Colorado Trail (Segments 7 and 8): Segment 7 (13.4 miles) starts at Gold Hill just north of Breckenridge, and wanders up and over the tenmile range between peaks 5 and 6, and then down into Copper. From there, you can tackle segment 8, which will be even more remote and peaceful. This 24.1 mile section takes you all the way to Tennessee Pass Trailhead in Leadville, and includes over 4,400 ft of elevation gain. The best way to do these segments would be to carve out a long weekend, leave a car in Leadville, shuttle back to Breckenridge, and enjoy 3 amazing days.
Gore Range Trail: The Gore Range Trail spans from Frisco all the way North near the town of Heeney, for 45.2 miles, running along the eastern side of the spectacular Gore Range. You can really plan a backpacking trip in the Gore Range however you want, but we highly recommend checking out some of the amazing high alpine lake cutoff trails along the way. A few of the best are Willow Lakes, Salmon Lake, and Lower Cataract Lake.
GET OUT AND CAMP WITH RENTALS FROM GRAVITY HAUS!
- Mountain Hardwear Tents
- Mountain Hardwear Sleeping Bags
- Nemo Sleeping Pads
- Camp Chef Stoves
- ENO Hammocks
DISC GOLF
We rent Drivers, Midrange Discs, and Putters, either individually or in complete sets with a carrying bag all made by Dynamic Discs. They are fantastic options for getting out to play these beautiful mountain courses.
Located off highway 6 between the town of Dillon and Summit Cove, this moderately challenging course has beautiful views overlooking Lake Dillon. It has a mix of wooded and open shots with some great elevation changes. There is also a shorter, family-friendly 12-hole course affectionately known as the “dirty dozen”. This is a great place to bring your dog!
Located at the Frisco Adventure Park, this moderately challenging course has a bit less elevation change than Dillon, but it is located closer to the lake with views of the Tenmile Range making for an equally scenic experience. There are a mix of narrow, wooded and more open shots, and holes 6-10 are right along Lake Dillon. In 2018, a new 9-hole loop was added in addition to the existing 18 holes. This is also a great place to bring your dog!
ARAPAHOE BASIN DISC GOLF COURSE
This is the most challenging hike of the courses, located on the ski resort with over 1000 feet of vertical gain. It’s also the most challenging course, and is known for making discs disappear with the thick trees and ground cover. It is highly recommended to have a disc spotter on some of the blind throws. Make sure to bring water and sunscreen, as this 20-hole course covers 3 miles of walking, hiking, and scrambling on some steep hills. The views are amazing. Restrooms, food, and drinks are available Thursday-Sunday. Dogs allowed!
GET OUT AND DISC GOLF WITH RENTALS FROM GRAVITY HAUS!
- Dynamic Discs Custom Gravity Haus Dynamic Discs Cadet Disc Golf Set
- Dynamic Discs Custom Gravity Haus Burst Escape – Driver
- Dynamic Discs Custom Gravity Haus Burst Emac Truth – Mid
- Dynamic Discs Custom Gravity Haus Prime Judge – Putter
