Are you planning a trip to Beaver Creek, Colorado this summer?
Beaver Creek is a stunning Colorado mountain town nestled in the Vail Valley with lots of activities, gorgeous views, no humidity, and plenty of sunshine to enjoy!
From boutique shopping in the Beaver Creek Village to hiking up gorgeous trails, there are so many things to do in Beaver Creek in the summer months.
You can start the day with a breathtaking day of horseback riding through peaceful Colorado meadows, enjoy a concert at the Vilar Performing Arts Center, and then have a mountainside dinner at the Vail Chophouse.
Or, you can sit by the lovely pool at your hotel after a spa day at Spa Anjali inside the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa. Your experience is up to you, and Beaver Creek has all the fun options to choose from below. My hope is that this epic list of things to do in Beaver Creek in the summer will help you plan your Colorado vacation!
In This Article
How to Get to Beaver Creek, Colorado
Beaver Creek is located in Eagle County, Colorado, just a short 20-minute drive from Vail, Colorado. From Denver, Beaver Creek is 120 miles west, taking about 2 hours to drive.
Vail Eagle Airport (EGE)
The Vail Eagle Airport is located in Eagle County, 30 minutes west of Beaver Creek. During the summer months, American Airlines and United Airlines have non-flight flights from Dallas and Denver.
You can fly into Denver from your major city and then take a quick, short flight into Vail Eagle – it’s super convenient! Learn more about the Vail Eagle Airport schedules here.
Denver International Airport (DEN)
You can also fly into Denver International Airport, and make the beautiful drive up to Beaver Creek, Colorado! This drive will take you about 2 and 1/2 hours.
courtesy of Epic Mountain Express
Ground Transportation Options
From Denver, you can rent a car and enjoy the stunning drive up to the mountains on your own time. Or, you can also hire a ground transportation service. There are shared or private transportation options. Epic Mountain Express is a fantastic shared shuttle option for getting from Denver to Beaver Creek. You can book a shuttle or learn more about their schedules here.
Epic Mountain Express also offers private transportation on SUVs and Vans from Premier Mountain Express Service. Read more and schedule your car here.
Getting Around Once You’re in Beaver Creek
Transportation within Beaver Creek is easy!
If you’re staying in Beaver Creek Village, you’ll find restaurants, shopping, bars, and access to hiking trails on Beaver Creek mountain very accessible by walking out your door.
Beaver Creek Village Transportation: There is complimentary Village Transportation that can take you anywhere in Beaver Creek and Bachelor Gulch you’d like to go. This is complimentary.
There’s also a taxi service called High Mountain Taxi that is available to take you between Beaver Creek, Vail, Cordillera, Eagle Airport, and Aspen. The Eagle County Bus System is also available and you can read more here.
This post is all about Beaver Creek, Colorado summer.
Best Time to Visit Beaver Creek
The summer in Beaver Creek, Colorado kicks off in mid-June once the weather starts getting warm and the snow is melted. You can travel to Beaver Creek earlier than mid-June but some restaurants might not be open and the weather may still be a little chilly.
The summer season in Beaver Creek officially runs from mid-June to early September.
As Colorado locals, we call the time between the end of the ski season (mid-April) and the summer season “mud season”. This is when the snow is melting and the ground is hardening up so we can enjoy the hiking trails starting in mid-June! If you come to Colorado too early, you won’t be able to hike or bike because it will still be muddy and soft.
After September 4th some businesses close for the fall season. Many stay open through September, especially on the weekends because the weather can still be lovely! Through September, people still come to the mountains for weddings and group trips to Colorado during September because the pricing can be really great and the weather is still nice, just chilly at night. It’s a bit of a “best-kept secret”. So, if you’re looking to visit Beaver Creek in September, definitely consider it!
Weather in the Summer in Beaver Creek
The weather in Beaver Creek, Colorado is extremely pleasant in the summer. This makes it a perfect place to visit for a summer vacation, especially if you love the outdoors. Visit Beaver Creek to enjoy the fresh mountain air and nice pleasant temperatures!
Typically, in June, July, and August, Beaver Creek averages around 70 to 75 in the daytime and mid 40’s in the evenings. It can be chilly in the evenings so be sure to pack a sweater, jacket, or sweatshirt to stay warm and comfortable.
This post is all about Beaver Creek, Colorado summer.
Things To Do in Beaver Creek, Colorado
Take a Hiking Trip
Hiking is one of the most popular things to do in Beaver Creek in the summer! And there are many options in the area for an easy hike, something more moderate, or even a challenging hike.
A great hike to try while in Beaver Creek is Beaver Lake Trail. There’s a nice, easy, family-friendly section of this trail to start. Here’s a great list of popular hiking trails in Beaver Creek, Colorado with difficulty ratings and directions to the trailheads.
Mountain Biking
There are plenty of fun mountain biking trails on Beaver Creek Mountain to enjoy! From Beaver Creek Village, you can ride up Lost Buck, a gravel road, and connect with the Village to Village Trail. This popular trail will provide you with 7 miles of fun, easy riding along the bottom of Grouse Mountain. Or, you can ride up the Centennial lift to access more challenging terrain in the area.
Stop into High Gear Cycerly to chat about what the current conditions are on the trails and which ones they recommend! Or, in Beaver Creek Village, you can stroll over and chat with the team there. Mountain biking is one of the best things to do in Beaver Creek in the summer. Beaver Creek Sports is also a terrific resource for mountain bike rentals and advice!
Another great option for mountain biking is to head over to Vail for the day! Ride up in Gondola One with your bike for an array of mountain bike trail options!
Horseback Riding
If you haven’t tried horseback riding in the Colorado Rockies, you should put it on your list! It’s a perfect outdoor adventure to experience the beauty of the trails and gorgeous views. You can choose from one or two-hour rides to get out and about.
You can also opt for a longer trip that includes a picnic or a luxurious sunset ride to Beano’s Cabin on Beaver Creek Mountain! The best outfitter for horseback riding in the area is Beaver Creek Stables. Read about their riding options and book your horseback riding adventure here.
This post is all about Beaver Creek, Colorado summer.
Jeep Tours
Taking a jeep tour through scenic mountain vistas is an adventurous way to spend time outdoors and take in the mountain scenery! In Beaver Creek, you can reserve a jeep tour with an experienced team of guides that will show you all there is to see in the high country of Colorado. You’ll have the chance to explore wildlife, wildflowers, and historic places in the Colorado Rockies!
Timberline Tours is the leading jeep tour guide service in Vail and Beaver Creek. You can choose from mild-smooth terrain, moderate-mixed terrain, or wild and more rugged terrain! The guides at Timberline Tours will discuss the options with you and help you decide. Read about all of their tour options here.
Whitewater Rafting
Whitewater Rafting is a great bucket list adventure when you’re in the Vail and Beaver Creek area! There are so many places to whitewater raft in the Vail Valley, and lots of options when it comes to skill level and difficulty. If you’re looking for an easy float with gorgeous scenery, you’ll find that on the Upper Colorado River.
The whitewater rafting outfitters in Beaver Creek are seasoned rafting professionals who can recommend the best place for you to start.
Whitewater rafting is the perfect summer activity for families with young children. Whether you’re brand new to the sport and it’s your first adventure, or you’re very experienced it’s a special thing to do in Beaver Creek!
For the adrenaline seeker, there are plenty of spots on the Arkansas River and the Colorado River to try out. The Lower Eagle River is perfect for the moderate group that’s looking for a little bit of everything.
Timberline Tours is your go-to guide team for Whitewater Rafting too! You can read about their plentiful rafting options here.
Fly Fishing
Fly Fishing in Beaver Creek is an unforgettable Rocky Mountain outdoor experience. If you’ve never done it before, this is a perfect place to learn. Newbies are welcome and encouraged! You’ll be fly fishing in the Colorado River, the Roaring Fork, Gore Creek, or the Eagle River.
The fly fishing guides share their fishing knowledge and personalities with you so you go home with a super memorable time on the river in the Colorado Rockies.
The top choice for fly fishing in Beaver Creek is Gore Creek Fly Fisherman. Read all about their fly fishing experiences and top-notch guides here. This is one of the most requested things to do in Beaver Creek!
Take a Llama to Lunch
Going on a hike with your family and llamas is a super fun way to get out and see the wilderness!
Llamas are friendly and make wonderful companions. They’re pack animals so they will carry your lunch while you enjoy a leisurely hike through winding beautiful trails.
Paragon Sports offers different lunch and hike options depending on how long you’d like to go and the area you want to experience. You can read about all of the options here!
Golf in Beaver Creek
In Beaver Creek, there are extraordinary golf courses with incredible mountain views! To play golf in Beaver Creek in the summer is a special treat. The experience is like nothing else when you can see mountain vistas and even wildlife on the course as you make your way through the day. Here are some top recommended courses.
The Beaver Creek Golf Club has been in Beaver Creek since 1982, as one of the very first golf courses in the area. This golf course was designed by course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. with narrow, challenging fairways and spectacular views.
The golf course is located along Village Road which leads up to Beaver Creek Village. After your day of golf, stop into the Rendezvous Restaurant for a great meal!
The Eagle-Vail Golf Club is only five minutes from Vail or Beaver Creek and offers a stunning mountain setting in the Gore Range. You’ll golf through greens that are alongside rivers, ponds, forests, and creeks. Golfing here is such a beautiful and high-altitude experience at 7,650 feet above sea level. To learn more or set a tee time, go here.
Vail Golf Club is a public 18-hole golf course that offers a driving range, practice area, and full-service pro shop. Just like the other golf courses mentioned, Vail Golf Club is at the base of the Gore Mountain Range with breathtaking mountain views. Close to the White River Nationals Forest, you’ll love golfing so close to Rocky Mountain nature. Set up a tee time and read more about Vail Golf Club here. Golf is one of the most popular things to do in Beaver Creek because it’s so beautiful and unique!
Shopping in Beaver Creek
In Beaver Creek Village, there’s a wonderful array of shops, galleries, mountain gear stores, jewelry shops, and more! If you’re staying in the village, you can simply step out of your hotel with your morning coffee and make a day out of window shopping or pick up something to remind you of your time in Beaver Creek!
If you’re looking for any mountain gear for hikes, bike rides, or a logo shirt, you’ll find it in Beaver Creek Village. Here’s a great directory of the shopping in Beaver Creek in the summer.
Culinary Experiences in Beaver Creek
There are so many great dining choices in Beaver Creek! Here are some top restaurant recommendations in the area to check out.
Grouse Mountain Grill
Grouse Mountain Grill is a very popular, best restaurant in Beaver Creek! They serve Colorado cuisine in a beautiful rustic mountain setting with panoramic views. Try the Pan Seared Alaskan Halibut or the Pretzel Crusted Park Chop with charred broccoli and enjoy a very Colorado dining experience. Learn more here. Grouse Mountain Grill is a top choice in Beaver Creek for dining.
Splendido at the Chateau
With a stellar Colorado menu of Chilean Sea Bass and Prime New York, Splendido is an exquisite dining option in Beaver Creek. It’s a perfect restaurant for a special evening out or to celebrate an occasion! You’ll find mountain ambiance, views, and upscale service at Splendido at the Chateau. Read more and make reservations here.
Beano’s Cabin
Beano’s Cabin is an extra special experience on Beaver Creek mountain. During the summer, you’ll be brought to the cabin by a tractor-pulled wagon or a van. In the winter months, it’s a snowcat-drawn sleigh that will take you up! The cabin is a lodge that sits in an aspen grove with big windows so you can enjoy the lovely mountain views.
You’ll enjoy rustic Colorado cuisine which includes Elk Foie Sausage, Beef Tenderloin, and Rocky Mountain Trout. Be sure to order the Flourless Chocolate Cake for a delicious dessert on the mountain! Check out more information and you can make reservations here.
Beaver Creek Chophouse sits at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain, providing nice views of the ski and hiking trails. Easy access to walk to the slopeside location in Beaver Creek village.
The dinner menu includes Marinated Atlantic Salmon or Crispy Chophouse Chicken accompanied by whipped yukon potatoes and vegetables. Oysters or a Seafood Stack are popular and add on Lobster Mac N’ Cheese for a fun side dish. Make your reservations here and see photos of all the Vail Beaver Creek Chophouse locations.
Vin 48
Vin 48 has been a local’s favorite restaurant since 2007 and is located in Avon, Colorado. Vin 48 in Beaver Creek serves seasonal, creative small, and large plates of modern cuisine. You can enjoy seafood, poultry, and wood-fired steaks at this beautiful restaurant.
Locally owned, Vin 48 has created an amazing, cozy restaurant with a menu created from locally sourced and fresh ingredients. In the summer months, you can enjoy open-air dining and views of Beaver Creek from the patio. Review Vin 48’s delicious menu here.
Beaver Creek Village also has fun casual bars and restaurants such as the Dusty Boot, Blue Moose Pizza, and Coyote Cafe. (Coyote Cafe is under renovation until Fall 2022) Stop in for a casual meal and beer to enjoy the mountain vibe and local flavor!
Take a Day Trip to Vail
Hop in the car and head over to Vail Village for the day! It’s about a twenty-minute drive from Beaver Creek to Vail and you’ll love strolling the shops, galleries, and restaurants there! You could start with an early hike in the morning followed by lunch by the Gore Creek in Vail and boutique shopping.
Vail Village is just as vibrant in the summer as it is during the winter. Eagle County Transit offers bus service between Vail, Beaver Creek, Avon, and Edwards also. Exploring Vail Village is one of the best things to do in summer in Colorado.
In Conclusion
Beaver Creek is a gorgeous mountain town in Colorado with so much to offer in the summer. My hope is that this guide helps you plan an epic summer vacation to Beaver Creek with your family and friends!
If you need help knowing what to pack for a summer trip to Colorado, check out the Ultimate Colorado Packing List for Summer here!
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