Adventures with Kids

The beauty of Crested Butte is in its easy access to trails and open spaces. People of all ages are invited to slow down and enjoy being in the moment. It would take a lifetime (or more) to experience everything you can do here in paradise, so dial back the pressure to pack your days full of ambitious outings and set out to find a few adventures your family members might enjoy during your stay. The rest of the magic will take care of itself, between the unexpected rainbow after a rainstorm, the superbloom of vibrant wildflowers down that hillside or simply the first sense of accomplishment for a child (or teenager, or middle-aged parent) who completed their first singletrack ride. Even if you think you’re only headed out for a quick playground session make sure to bring water, snacks, sunscreen and extra clothing layers—and you’ll be prepared for adventures great and small. 

—Katherine Nettles

Trails in every direction

There really are trails in almost every direction from town. Most can be satisfying even if you can’t complete them—so go at your own pace and your own distance. Little legs and big imaginations can marvel at a stream crossing or an aspen grove without caring whether they did four miles or half a mile. 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 along the way and a nicely rebuilt rec path bridge area perfect for picnicking. There are also small foot paths alongside the river.

Other great trails to explore on foot or by bike include the Woods Walk and Lower Loop out Peanut Lake Road, or Tony’s Trail. In a short drive you can reach Baxter Gulch, which has some nice forests for the first mile to offer shade on a sunny day. Brush Creek trail is relatively flat, and Cement Creek Road has short trail sections that can be easier on a family with kids of different ages and stamina. Teddy’s Trail is a gentler sloped trail that leaves from that Snodgrass parking lot up Gothic Road and winds through beautiful aspen forests before emerging at a bench that meets up with the Snodgress Trail and offers great views of the resort and town. 

There are several hikes near Gothic townsite such as Judd Falls, Copper Creek or Deer Creek trail. Each of these has easy parking, gentle slopes, stunning scenery and the wonders of nature right at your feet. Bring bug spray as there are sometimes horse flies in this area.

Water sports

The Slate River’s crystal-clear water is great for skipping stones, wading around and splashing on a hot day with easy access from town, Peanut Lake Road or Slate River Road. 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. 

You can also take a small watercraft down the Slate, with a put-in (and changing rooms) at Aperture and there are several stand up paddle board rental companies, some who even deliver to the river banks. 

For deeper water Lake Irwin and Lost Lake have room for bigger boats and canoes, and with easy hiking loops you can set a base camp and swim, fish, hike and paddle the day away. Get there early to get a nice “beach” spot. 

For more adventurous options there are outfitters that will guide you and your family on a half day or full day rafting or fishing trip on the Taylor and Gunnison Rivers.  

Parks/Playgrounds

For toddlers consider Henderson Park pocket park at Third and Whiterock Avenue, or Three Ladies Park on Butte Avenue near First Street on the way to Peanut Lake. There is a short trail behind it and great views of Paradise Divide. For kids of all ages try the larger playgrounds with adjacent ball fields like Pirate Park on Seventh behind the Center for the Arts, Rainbow Park at Eighth and Gothic Avenue or Red Mountain Park in CB South. 

Mt. Crested Butte’s Ted Scheske Park is north of the ski area on Gothic Road and has a small playground, beautiful gardens and connects right to the rec path. 

The Crested Butte Bike Park behind the Crested Butte Community School has a pump track in town with a balance bike loop plus graduated jumps and obstacles.

The Big Mine Skate Park on Belleview and Third Street has routes for scootering and skateboarding at all levels, and it is conveniently across the street from Mikey’s Pizza for a slice and a soda. 

Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s Adventure Park has gem panning, a bungee jump trampoline and other activities as well.

Indoor options

Trailhead Children’s Museum on Elk Avenue is a creative haven for kids with arts and crafts, STEM activities, make believe areas 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 activity kits you can take home with you for a few days. Check the schedule for summer storytime hours, often at a nearby park and for crafting events.  Visit the library’s Storywalk along the Lower Loop to read a life-sized book along the trail while you hike.

Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum can be a quick visit for the old-fashioned model train depicting Crested Butte in its early days, and there is also a small but well curated children’s gift shop.

The Gunnison Recreation Center is only 30 minutes away and offers an aquatic center with an indoor lap pool, kids’ pool and water slides. There is also a climbing wall, mat room and gymnasium. This is a great option for inclement weather or as a stop on the way to or from Hartman Rocks Recreation Area.  

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 confidence before you get out on the trails. 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. The Deli Trail departs directly from the bike park and is a great first single-track trail for new mountain bike riders.

Beginner 

The Woods Walk is 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. It 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

Budd trail adds one mile to the Lower Loop and connects back to the Upper Lower Loop.

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 take the uphill rec path climb from the rec path, take a trail to the left to cross Gothic Road and access Saddle Ridge Ranch Road. The trailhead starts at the end of the cul-de-sac. An initial singletrack climb pays off with breezy downhills, aspen groves and a few switchbacks to test your skills (or just hike your bike). There are plentiful wildflowers, especially the lupines and larkspur in early summer. 

For more information and maps, visit crestedbuttemountainbike.com