Colorado Summer Guide | Concerts, Hiking & Festivals (Jun-Aug)

Peak Adventure Season

When Colorado truly comes alive

Colorado summer is paradise for outdoor lovers. The high country finally sheds its snow, opening thousands of miles of hiking trails, whitewater rivers running at peak flow, and mountain passes revealing stunning scenic drives. It's the season everything Colorado is famous for becomes accessible.

Denver comes alive with festivals, patio dining, and the legendary Red Rocks concert season. Nearly every weekend brings a major event - Taste of Colorado, Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Denver PrideFest, and dozens more. The city buzzes with energy from May through September.

Afternoons bring dramatic thunderstorms to the mountains - spectacular light shows that pass quickly and leave behind stunning double rainbows. Locals know to start hiking early and be off exposed ridges by 1 PM. Mornings are reliably clear and perfect.

Summer Events & Festivals

Celebrating under Colorado's blue skies

ROCK

Red Rocks Concerts

The world's most famous outdoor amphitheatre hosts concerts nearly every night May through October. Sunrise yoga, Film on the Rocks, and legendary performances under the stars.

PRIDE

Denver PrideFest

One of the largest Pride celebrations in the country. Parade down Colfax, festival in Civic Center Park, and citywide celebrations. Mid-June weekend.

TASTE

Taste of Colorado

Denver's largest food festival over Labor Day weekend. 50+ restaurants, live music on multiple stages, and 500,000+ attendees. Free admission.

ART

Cherry Creek Arts Festival

Top-rated art festival in America. 250+ juried artists, live music, culinary arts, and family activities. July Fourth weekend in Cherry Creek North.

JAZZ

Telluride Festivals

Bluegrass, Jazz, Film, and Mushroom festivals in one of Colorado's most stunning settings. World-class performers in a box canyon at 8,750 feet.

FLOWER

Crested Butte Wildflower Festival

Week-long celebration of peak wildflower season in the "Wildflower Capital of Colorado." Guided hikes, photography workshops, and botanical walks. July.

Summer Activities

Endless outdoor adventures

HIKE

Fourteener Season

July through September is prime time for Colorado's 58 peaks over 14,000 feet. Snow melts, trails dry out, and summit fever takes hold. Start early to beat afternoon storms.

RAFT

Whitewater Rafting

Snowmelt swells rivers to peak flow in June. Arkansas, Colorado, and Clear Creek rivers offer everything from family floats to Class IV+ rapids.

BIKE

Mountain Biking

World-class trails from Fruita to Winter Park. Ski resorts become lift-served bike parks. Hundreds of miles of singletrack across the state.

CAMP

Camping

Reserve popular campgrounds months ahead - they fill fast. Dispersed camping on national forest land offers free alternatives. Higher elevations stay cool.

FISH

Fly Fishing

Gold Medal waters like the South Platte, Frying Pan, and Arkansas produce all summer. Morning and evening hatches bring trout to the surface.

DRIVE

Scenic Drives

Trail Ridge Road, Independence Pass, and the Million Dollar Highway finally open. Stunning alpine scenery accessible by car. Peak wildflowers in July.

Summer Travel FAQs

Planning your Colorado summer trip

How hot does it get?

Denver reaches the 90s regularly but low humidity makes it comfortable compared to eastern cities. Mountain towns stay cooler - 70s and 80s. Nights cool down everywhere, often into the 50s even after hot days. Air conditioning is less common than you'd expect.

What about afternoon thunderstorms?

Mountain thunderstorms are predictable - they build almost every afternoon in July and August. Lightning is the real danger. Hike early (start by 6 AM for fourteeners), summit by noon, and be below treeline by 1 PM. Storms usually clear by evening.

When do crowds peak?

July 4th week, Labor Day weekend, and any Saturday in the high country. Rocky Mountain National Park requires timed entry reservations. Popular trailheads fill by 7 AM. Consider weekdays or less-famous destinations for solitude.

What should I pack?

Layers for mountain elevation swings. Rain jacket for afternoon storms. Sunscreen and sunglasses - UV is intense at altitude. Good hiking boots if you're hitting trails. Denver is casual - shorts and t-shirts are fine almost everywhere.

Colorado Summer