Kiddin' Around

For families, summertime in Telluride means sun-drenched, fun-filled days spent exploring together

HIKE

In-town hikes like the River Trail in Telluride and the Ridge Trail in Mountain Village give families lots of options for exploration. Remember to consult hike descriptions, check the weather forecast and be prepared with appropriate clothing, water and snacks.

BIKE

Grab a bike and recommendations from a local outfitter and soon you’ll be giggling louder than your kids. In Telluride, start with the River Trail and then head one of two ways: east to the bottom of Bridal Veil Falls, or west to the Valley Floor. In Mountain Village, a wealth of family-friendly trails or the Telluride Ski Resort’s bike park guarantee twowheeled fun.

SPLASH

These mountains are home to crystal-clear alpine lakes where families can add fishing, rafting or stand-up paddleboarding to their outdoor adventure mix. For more fun, kids can take their parents tubing on the San Miguel River or head to the fab swimming complex at Telluride Town Park.

Family Fun is Easy

BEST LIBRARY... ANYWHERE ... EVER - Looking for a kid-friendly spot where you can be in the mountains, but not on the mountain? Go no further than the Wilkinson Public Library. Our award-winning library embraces Telluride’s kids (and vice versa) with opportunities to play, explore and learn. The library offers a variety of activities for all ages, including story times, after-school programs, events for teens and more.

TOUR THROUGH TIME - The Telluride Historical Museum brings history to life through family-friendly exhibits and programs. Sitting at the top of North Fir Street, housed in Telluride’s original community hospital, the museum has 10 rooms of permanent collections each with its own theme and a large gallery with an annual exhibit. More than history under glass, the museum offers interactive displays like the popular mining sluice, outdoor mining exhibit and a scavenger hunt for kids. History buffs can enjoy historical and architectural tours.

ADVENTURE TIME - The Telluride Ski Resort’s Adventure Center offers an abundant selection of kids’ camps and summer experiences for adventurers of all ages. Run, don’t walk, to the Adventure Center, located in the ski resort’s ticket office in Mountain Village, adjacent to Heritage Plaza.

Happy Campers

ADVENTURES FOR ALL

Since 1981, Telluride Academy has been sharing its love for exploration and adventure with kids ages 5 to 17. Founded by a long-time local as an option for working parents, this Telluride institution has grown from humble backyard beginnings to a leader in outdoor and adventure programming for kids.

HAVE AN AH HAA MOMENT

Telluride’s beloved arts education hub has now settled into its cool new digs at Pacific and Fir and is preparing for a summer of inspiring programming for youth and teens, including bookmaking, ceramics, jewelry making, painting, mixed media, nature exploration and more.

ROCK ON

Have a budding Joan Jett or Dave Grohl? If so, check out the Rock and Roll Academy’s Summer Rock Camp. Weeklong sessions guide students through the process of being in a band, from choosing music and instruments to giving a concert.

BE RAD

At the Drop Boardshop’s Telluride Skate Camp, experienced instructors not only teach young people how to skate in a safe, supportive and totally rad environment, they also emphasize patience, perseverance, focus and respect, qualities that come in handy in real life too.

SCIENCE IS COOL

The Pinhead Institute makes science cool with exciting summer programming that brings STEM to life. Kids can learn about regional archaeology in Dig It, explore local flora and fauna in Nature Detectives or engineer some clean power in Energy Exploration.