Telluride, Colorado, is a historic mountain town nestled in a box canyon of the San Juan Mountains. Telluride sits at 8,750 feet of elevation, making it a year-round destination for outdoor recreational opportunities.
It is not hard to fill a full day in Telluride. You can hike to the tallest waterfall in Colorado, take the free gondola to Mountain Village, walk around historic downtown Telluride, and eat delicious meals. They also have museums, lots of history, and they host awesome festivals.
I have been traveling to southwest Colorado for many years, and Telluride is my favorite town in the area. From the charm and hospitality of the community to the food to the hiking, Telluride has a lot to offer. Plus, the views are incredible no matter where you go in the area. Keep reading to find out why I love this town so much and how I would spend one perfect day in Telluride.
This itinerary is for new visitors to Telluride, looking to fill a full day exploring. Most of the items on this list can be completed by anyone. I’ve included all of my favorite things to do, plus some additional activities that may require a bit more planning.
Telluride was originally the land of the Ute Indians until the 1800s, when gold was found in the area. It became a gold mining town for many years. After the gold rush ended, the town was left nearly deserted until the 1970s, when Telluride Ski Resort opened. Now, Telluride is a major winter destination for skiers all over the world to experience the towering, snow-covered peaks of the San Juan Mountains.
The season you choose to visit is going to depend on the types of activities you want to do. Telluride is mostly known for its summers and winters.
Summers bring warmer weather and sunnier days. This is the perfect season to visit Telluride if you are looking to hike and explore the backcountry of the San Juan Mountains without having to deal with snow. Highs are typically in the 70s, but it can feel much warmer because of the elevation of Telluride.
Telluride gets most of its visitors in winter. They are known for their world-class skiing and snow conditions. The average winter temperatures hover around freezing, so it isn’t as bone-chilling as other parts of Colorado. Because this is the busiest season, prices tend to be higher and there are more crowds.
My favorite season to travel will always be fall. On my last visit to Telluride, in September, there were hardly any crowds, the fall leaves were already changing, and elk were very active, plus, it’s the ideal time to hike because it isn’t as warm as the summer.
Visiting in the spring can be a little more challenging. This time of year is known as the mud season, when the snow starts melting and making a mess on the trails. This is also the period right after ski season, when the gondola isn’t running, many stores and restaurants close for a few weeks, and there just isn’t a whole lot happening.
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Bridal Veil Falls is the tallest waterfall in Colorado, with the cascade plummeting 365 feet down a cliffside. There are two ways of reaching the falls. If you have a 4×4 vehicle, you can drive straight to Bridal Veil Falls via a dirt road. Or, you can park at the trailhead and walk. Most visitors choose to park and hike to the falls.
Bridal Veil Falls is a 2-mile round-trip hike with 859 feet of elevation gain; this hike typically takes 1.5-2 hours. The trail features two additional waterfalls that are equally as beautiful as the Bridal Veil. When I hiked this trail, I didn’t realize there were three waterfalls in total, and I was perfectly content with the first falls. Luckily, some other hikers told me that wasn’t the end. If you are a waterfall lover like I am, you will absolutely love this hike.
The trail itself is quite rocky, and the elevation gain exhausts you, but it’s a beautiful hike. Each of the waterfalls is surrounded by rocks, allowing you to sit and rest between each section of the trail. I will say, this is one of my favorite hikes I’ve done. I definitely recommend bringing lots of snacks and water for this one.
Telluride offers a free seasonal gondola that takes you up the mountain to San Sofia and Mountain Village. San Sofia offers hiking trails, mountain biking, and ski slopes. Mountain Village is a resort-style village with a picturesque mountainscape in the background.
The gondola ride from Telluride to Mountain Village takes 12 minutes. The gondola offers an incredible 360° view of the San Juan Mountains. I recommend trying to plan your ride around sunset. Also, they allow dogs on the gondola.
The gondola has a summer season and a winter season. During the summer, it is open from mid-May through mid-October. The winter season is from late November to April. The gondola is usually open 7 days a week during these seasons, from 6:30 am to midnight. The gondola typically runs until 2:30 am on the weekends. Find out more information on their website.
Mountain Village is a European-style village built on an old mining town. Mountain Village is known for the views. Surrounded by mountain peaks over 13,000 feet, this area makes for a dreamy backdrop.
Mountain Village feels a little resorty, but it’s a cool place to experience. There are a lot of different hotels here, some delicious restaurants, shopping, and public art everywhere. It’s the perfect place to sit on an outdoor patio and watch the world go by. There are also a variety of hiking trails in the area, ranging from beginner to expert hikes.
Mountain Village can be accessed year-round. You can reach this area by driving or by taking the free gondola from Telluride.
Town Park is Telluride’s main park. Here, you’ll find a playground, skatepark, and soccer fields. There is a paved trail leading you through the park to downtown Telluride. It’s very dog-friendly and even has a puppy parking station. There is a public pool open in the summer, and they offer ice skating in the winter.
The San Miguel River runs along the park and is a popular place to go fly fishing. Town Park also hosts different events, festivals, and markets throughout the year.
Downtown Telluride is a National Historic Landmark District. Many of the historic buildings have been renovated into storefronts. This area is filled with boutique shops, art galleries, cafes, and upscale restaurants.
Be sure to stop by the visitor center to find out about any upcoming events, grab a map, or get more information about hiking trails and other things to do in the area. Besides all of the shopping and restaurants, downtown Telluride also has a self-guided historical walking tour.
The Telluride Historical Museum teaches about every aspect of Telluride’s history. From the Ute Indians, to the gold mining era, to ski culture. They display hands-on, interactive exhibits as well as rotating exhibits that make it a unique experience at every visit.
The Historical Museum hosts a variety of tours and events, like a lantern-lit cemetery tour, hiking history tours, and ghost tours. They are closed for the months of November and May. The museum typically takes an hour to explore.
FUN FACT: The Telluride Historical Museum is an old hospital that was built in 1896.
Telluride hosts many amazing events throughout the year that bring out the fun, quirky people of Colorado. They have over 14 festivals a year, with something happening almost every month. The most popular events are the bluegrass festivals, but they also have comedy, film, and yoga festivals. I’ll list some of my favorite events below, but see their website for a list of the main festivals happening in Telluride each year.
Typically taking place around the summer solstice, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival is a gathering celebrating music, community, and nature. There is live music, dancing, food trucks, and local art vendors. They are striving to be a sustainable festival by limiting trash, using reusable dishware, and offsetting their carbon footprint. This is a 4-day festival, typically taking place at Town Park. They also have an option to add camping to your daily ticket. Check out their website for more information.
During the Telluride Balloon Festival, you can watch hot air balloons rise to the sky over Telluride and the surrounding mountains. The balloons take off from Town Park, but can be viewed anywhere in Telluride. This is a 2-day festival taking place at the beginning of June, weather permitting. Check out their website for more information.
I want to mention this festival because it seems like such a fun time! The Mushroom Festival is a celebration of all things fungi. They have workshops on cooking with, identifying, and foraging for mushrooms. There is live music, dancing, and vendors. There is a mushroom parade that goes through downtown Telluride to Town Park, where 1,000s of people dress up as mushrooms and dance around town before ending with a drumming circle in the park. Some of the events at the festival require a ticket, while others are free to attend. This takes place on the third weekend of August. Check out their website for more information.
PRO TIP: If you have no desire to attend a festival or deal with large crowds, you should plan your visit accordingly, because often they shut down the streets of Downtown Telluride, making it difficult to get around.
Telluride comes alive in the winter. There are many different activities that you can do during this season.
Telluride receives an average of 200 inches of snow each year, making it the perfect place for skiing and snowboarding. The Telluride Ski Resort claims to be the #1 ski resort in North America. The resort offers over 2,000 acres of skiable terrain, with runs for beginners and experts.
There are two ice skating rinks around Telluride. Volleyball Ice Rink is located at Town Park, where they have open skate daily during the winter. The Mountain Village Ice Rink is located at the Mountain Village Center. They offer free, open skate and have rentals available for ~$15. From Telluride, you can take the free gondola to reach Mountain Village.
There are two companies in Telluride that offer winter sleigh rides. Telluride Sleigh and Wagons has afternoon rides and private dinner rides. The afternoon rides are around ~$125 per person for the 2-hour experience. You will ride from Telluride to their farm, where you’ll enjoy hot cocoa around a campfire before returning.
The Telluride Wranglers offer private sleigh rides. This is a 1-hour experience, taking you from Telluride to a historic working ranch. Tickets start at ~$85; however, since it is a private experience, there is a minimum cost requirement for the tour. This would be a great option for groups of 3 or more.
When to Start Your Day: When to start your day will depend on your itinerary.
If you are doing any tours or hiking, starting your day early
will allow you to get the most out of your one day in Telluride.
What to Wear: Layers are always recommended for visiting Colorado. The morning can be a bit chilly, while the afternoon sun can be a bit unforgiving.
Check out our recommended gear page or our Amazon shop for our favorites.
What to Bring: If you’re visiting in the summer, sunscreen is a must! Also, a good pair of hiking shoes if you’re attempting to hike Bridal Veil Falls.
Cell Phone Service: There is consistent cell phone coverage in Telluride and Mountain Village. However, outside of town, cell service may be nonexistent.
It’s always a good idea to download offline maps of the area.
Should You Bring Your Dog? Telluride is one of the most dog-friendly towns I’ve visited. Many dogs roam the streets with their owners. You’ll even see dogs
tied to the posts outside of stores while their owners shop.
Services Within Telluride: There are no gas stations in the main area of Telluride. There are a couple of options a few miles down the road, like a Shell about a
4-minute drive away. There are, however, several EV charging stations
within Telluride. There are also two grocery stores in town:
Clarks Market and The Market at Telluride.
Elevation Factors: Telluride sits at 8,754 feet of elevation. If you are not used to the elevation, it can make you feel fatigued, out of breath, and lightheaded.
It’s recommended to drink lots of water and bring snacks with you.
RV restrictions: Driving the side streets of Telluride isn’t recommended in an RV because the streets are quite narrow. I’d recommend using the free
Carhenge Parking Lot and taking the shuttle or walking into town.
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Telluride is filled with many amazing boutique hotels, lodges, and B&Bs. One thing that is harder to find, though, is campgrounds. I will usually prefer to camp, so I’ll list a couple of options for camping in the area. If you are visiting in the winter, plan to book lodging instead.
Mary E Campground is always my go-to when visiting Telluride. It’s a heavily wooded area, nestled right along a stream. This is mostly a primitive campground, with only pit toilets and a dumpster available. This is a first-come, first-served campground and is open from July to October. There are 20 sites available, with most being able to accommodate up to 22 ft. It is located 7 miles from Telluride, or a 14-minute drive.
PRO TIP: As you’re driving to Telluride from camp, look in the meadows for Elk. I’ve seen hundreds of them grazing in the mornings and evenings.
Town Park Campground is the only place where overnight camping is allowed within Telluride city limits. They offer walk-in tent sites, non-electric camp sites, or full hook-ups. There is a coin-operated shower and dishwashing sink. Reservations are required, and many dates throughout the summer are blacked out for festivals. They are open from May to October. They require a reservation and have four booking windows throughout the year. Sites start at ~$30.
This is a great option if you want to stay a walkable distance from town, but I imagine there wouldn’t be much solitude here.
Telluride is known for its locally owned restaurants. This town has no chain restaurants, which is almost unheard of in today’s world. Because of this, the cuisine is amazing, and the hospitality here is unparalleled. While I’m sure you can’t go wrong with any of the food options in Telluride, I’ll just list a couple of places that I have personally been to.
This highly rated, local pizza shop is one you’ve got to try! They offer Detroit-style or traditional crust pizza. I ordered the Old Chicago stuffed-crust pizza, and it was amazing! They stuff the crust with Italian sausage and ricotta cheese. They also have subs, burgers, calzones, salads, and desserts. Plus, they offer gluten-free pizzas. They have a laid-back atmosphere, with TVs and signed jerseys lining the walls.
Red Dog Pizza is located right in the shopping district of Telluride. Check out their menu.
The Brew Pub for Telluride Brewing Company is located in Mountain Village. The Telluride Brew Pub offers a wide range of dishes like chicken pozole, a wagyu burger, a Mexican Philly, and nachos with house-made potato chips. They also have local beer and specialty cocktails.
Telluride Brew Pub is the perfect place to hang out. They have an outdoor patio with a fireplace and couches in the restaurant if you don’t want to sit at a table for a full meal. Check out their menu.
The Coffee Cowboy started as a coffee cart in Telluride and has transformed into something even better. The owners strive to create community through coffee and intention. They even have a pay-it-forward system, where you can gift a free coffee to a stranger. They offer locally roasted organic coffee, espresso drinks, and smoothies.
The Coffee Cowboy has two locations: The Cart (a coffee trailer located next to the gondola in town) and The General Store (located in downtown Telluride). Check out their menu.
Parking in the heart of Telluride can be a challenge. Many of the street parking areas and parking garages charge per hour, which can really add up. Luckily, there are two free parking options in Telluride. The Carhenge Parking Lot is about a 10-minute walk to downtown and is completely free all day. They do not allow any overnight parking. I also saw free 4-hour parking at Town Park.
Telluride has a free shuttle called the Galloping Goose. This shuttle makes loops around town, with a shuttle arriving every 20 minutes or so. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a driver who talks about the history of Telluride while you enjoy the ride. They make stops at the Carhenge parking lot and the gondola. Find out more information about the shuttle on the town website.
You have a few different options for driving to Telluride. Many people come from Durango or drive to Telluride as an addition to the Million Dollar Highway. If you’re arriving from Durango, it is a 111-mile drive, which takes about 2 hours to complete. You’ll take US-160 from Durango to Dolores, then you’ll take HWY 145 all the way up to Telluride.
If you’re arriving from northern Colorado, you’ll likely come through Montrose and Ridgway. The drive from Ridgway to Telluride is 40 miles, or about a 50-minute drive. In Ridgway, you’ll take a right onto State Hwy 62 and follow it until Placerville, then you’ll take a left onto HWY 145.
If you’re coming from Utah, Moab is a common starting point. Moab to Telluride is 132 miles, and the drive takes about 2.5 hours to complete.
There are two airports near Telluride: Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) or Montrose Regional Airport. The Telluride Airport is only 10 minutes from downtown Telluride. This airport has 5 direct flights available in the summer and 13 direct flights in the winter. The Montrose Airport is located 65 miles away from Telluride and doesn’t have as many direct flights. They do have daily flights to and from Denver, though. From here, you can book a shuttle to Telluride.
Telluride is just the beginning of cool things you can do in Colorado. You can go on an Epic Colorado Road Trip in just 7-14 days. Colorado has four national parks, including Rocky Mountain, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Sand Dunes, and Mesa Verde. Plus, there are amazing mountain towns like Aspen, Vail, and Ouray (just to name a few), and stunning train rides too! Check out our articles and YouTube videos for tips on how to make this trip happen for yourself. If you really want to make planning your trip easy, check out our travel guides! Hope you make it to Colorado soon.
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