Adventures with Kids

The beauty of Crested Butte is in its simplicity. CB has the benefit of easy access to open spaces, a calmer pace and an inviting atmosphere for people of all ages to slow down and enjoy being in the moment. When you have some free time to enjoy in CB with little ones it doesn’t have to be complicated. The first step is to dial back the pressure to do everything and remember that everything you do will be in paradise, and it can be magical. Just bring water, snacks, sunscreen and extra clothing layers—and you’re prepared for adventures great and small.

—Katherine Nettles

Trails in every direction

It’s true—there really are trails in almost every direction from town. And most can be followed even for half a mile or so and satisfy little legs and big imaginations. You don’t have to do a complete out-and-back or long loop to have a great time, and as kids get older and more acclimated to the elevation, you can always go farther. Consider the recreation path from the town of Crested Butte to Mt. Crested Butte, with benches, a bridge and river crossing along the way.

Other great trails to explore on foot or by bike include the Woods Walk, Lower Loop and Tony’s Trail to the Fairy Forest at the top. In a short drive you can reach Baxter Gulch, Brush Creek trail, Cement Creek trail, Washington Gulch, Gothic townsite with hikes such as Judd Falls or trails up Kebler Pass near Irwin. Each of these has stunning scenery and the wonder of nature right at your feet.

Water sports

River banks are a thing here in CB, and it’s not hard to see why when you explore the various locations to enjoy the gentle riffles of the crystal clear Slate River that are great for skipping stones, wading in ankle deep and splashing around on a hot day. The Oh-Be Joyful campground, Gunsight Bridge, the town’s rec path bridge and the Lower Loop are great places to enjoy the river banks and relax in the sun.

Looking for deeper waters? Lake Irwin, Lost Lake and even the Slate River between Aperture in town and Brush Creek Road offer great opportunities to stand up paddle board (SUP), fish or paddle other small watercraft. For more adventurous options there are also guide services that can take you rafting or fishing on the class 2, 3 and 4 rapids of the Taylor and Gunnison Rivers.

Lake Irwin and Lost Lake also have short hiking loops and plenty of options for swimming, fishing, paddling and picnicking.

Parks/Playgrounds

Crested Butte can feel like one big playground, but there are some dedicated play spaces for kids too.

Henderson Park is a newer toddler-age pocket park at Third and Whiterock Avenue, and Three Ladies Park on Butte Avenue near First Street is also a pocket-sized spot good for toddlers on the way to Peanut Lake, with a short trail behind it and great views of Paradise Divide. For larger playgrounds with adjacent ball fields try Pirate Park on Seventh behind the Center for the Arts or Rainbow Park at Eighth and Gothic Avenue.

Mt. Crested Butte’s Ted Scheske Park is north of the ski area on Gothic Road and has a small playground and ample space for walking.

The Crested Butte Bike Park is a pump track in town with a range of features from small balance bike loops to bigger obstacles and jumps to help kids of any age sharpen their skills. Located behind the Crested Butte Community School.

The newly renovated Big Mine Skate Park on Belleview and Third Street has routes for scootering and skateboarding at all levels.

You can head up the mountain to the resort’s Adventure Park where kids can bounce away on the bungee jump trampoline or scale up the rock climbing wall.

Step inside…

For days when the weather isn’t sunny or you want to mix things up, The Trailhead Children’s Museum has both indoor and outdoor activities to capture the imaginations of kids with arts and crafts, STEM activities, make believe and more. Drop in or sign your child up for a day camp while you go out on your own adventure.

The Old Rock Library is only a block away from the Trailhead Children’s Museum and aside from books, puzzles and games, there are backpacks available to check out with a full kit of activities to take home with you for a few days at a time. Check the schedule for library and park story times, crafting events and check out the library’s Storywalk along the Lower Loop to read a life-sized book along the trail while you hike.

Take a step back in to time with the kids at the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum. Kids of all ages will love the model train, depicting Crested Butte in its early days.

Camps

If you are looking for day camps for a day or two during your stay, check out the Trailhead Children’s Museum (trailheadkids.org) for art and outdoor exploration camps, or try Crested Butte Mountain Resort (skicb.com) for adventures and bike programs for children starting at ages five and up.

Sidebar: Family rides

Bikes add another layer of fun to getting around in town or trying out some trails together. Even if mountain biking is new to you or your family, you can get set up with all you need at any of the bike shops in town or on the mountain.

Warm up

The Crested Butte Bike Park (behind the school) helps with balance, skills and learning (or remembering) the ropes. A handy bike tool station has air, tools and a bike stand. It’s also a fun place to spectate and cheer on your kids.

Beginner

The Woods Walk, accessed by taking Whiterock Avenue west to the top of Treasury Hill (there’s a small parking area on the left across from the Trapper’s Crossing entrance-be sure to cross the road carefully to get to the trailhead, vehicles sometimes come fast around the corner) is a fairly short, easy downhill with very few rocks and just enough pitch to get used to a little low-consequence speed. If you like it, continue on where it intersects with the Lower Loop.

The Lower Cement Creek trail is a beginner-friendly out and back trail, and a great alternative to the Lower Loop. Access from Cement Creek Road south of town past the CB South neighborhood, and follow the dirt road to one of the small parking areas near the Walrod trailhead or find a pull off space along the road. Parents can take turns splitting off for a ride on Middle Cement, an intermediate/advanced trail.

Intermediate

If you want to level up, try the short (one mile) intermediate Budd trail from the Lower Loop, and it connects back to the Upper Lower Loop if you want to add on a couple extra miles.

Lupine is a longer, four-mile ride that requires a bit of a climb from the rec path in town and through the Saddle Ridge neighborhood. There is no shuttling or parking allowed to access this trailhead, so you have to commit to taking the uphill climb to get there. From the rec path, veer left to access Saddle Ridge Ranch Road off Gothic Road (there is a trail from the rec path to the road), then cross Gothic Road (mind the traffic) and the trailhead starts at the end of the cul de sac. Another initial singletrack climb pays off with breezy downhills, aspen groves and a few switchbacks allow you to test your skills (or just hop off). There are plentiful wildflowers, especially the lupines and larkspur in early summer. A short add-on of Lupine 2 takes you up a section of old wagon road before dropping back into more flowy singletrack; either ends at Slate River Road. Turn left and a few miles of pedaling gets you back to town on pavement.

For more information and maps, visit crestedbuttemountainbike.com