Vail is one of the top winter destinations, but did you know it offers fun summer activities?!

Although many people visit Vail to ski, it offers fun summer activities for the entire family! You can go hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, or take a scenic gondola ride.

I visited Vail at the end of June, which was perfect because the summer activities were endless and it was not overly crowded. I enjoyed hiking, horseback riding, biking to Vail Pass, and exploring Vail Village. Trust me when I say it is an incredible summer destination!

If you are looking for the best things to do in Vail in summer, you are in the right place! I created this guide to include everything you need to know to plan the best summer trip to Vail.

Disclaimers:

(1) This post is in collaboration with Discover Vail. As always, all opinions are my own and honest.

(2) This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, my blog may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.

Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Vail in Summer

Although Vail is typically a winter destination, it offers things to do in other seasons. And when you visit in summer, you will quickly realize why Vail is one of my favorite summer destinations in Colorado!

Summer is one of the best times to visit if you want to enjoy scenic gondola rides, biking, hiking, and horseback riding, and it has fewer crowds than winter, making it peaceful. Trust me, you will love visiting in the summer!

Before you plan your trip, here are a few things you should keep in mind:

Use the free Vail shuttle. The free public transportation system is one of the best things in Vail. Although I recommend walking around Lionshead and Vail Village because the town is super cute, Vail makes it easy to take a bus back and forth between your destinations. I used it during my entire stay, and it was great!
If you are hiking, use the Bus It to Hike It shuttle. If you plan to hike the beautiful trails in East Vail, I recommend using the free shuttle to the trailheads. Most trailheads have small parking lots that fill up quickly, so taking the shuttle is a better way to get to and from the trailheads. The shuttle runs all day, allowing you to enjoy beautiful day hikes in Vail!
Start your day early. Because Vail sits at over 8,000 feet, thunderstorms tend to develop in the afternoons. I recommend starting your day early so you can make the most of the day before the storms move in.
Take it slow. Vail sits at over 8,000 feet, and if you are not acclimated, you may get altitude sickness. I recommend taking it slow to ensure you get used to the altitude. Since I am not used to the higher elevations, I always hike slower to make sure I am not overexerting myself.
Pack layers and wear sunscreen. Vail has unpredictable weather, so I recommend packing layers to accommodate any weather you may run into. You should have hiking boots, moisture-wicking clothes, sunscreen, a hiking backpack with food and plenty of water, and a rain jacket or insulated jacket as needed. Snow can also linger on some trails through June, so you must research trail conditions and pack the correct hiking gear. I visited at the end of June, and most trails still had snow.
Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash behind. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw away your trash. Otherwise, you should pack out your trash and dispose of it once you find a barrel.

Where You Should Stay in Vail

Although Vail is a popular winter destination, most hotels offer accommodations year-round. You can stay anywhere in Lionshead or Vail Village since both areas offer accommodations for every budget and provide access to most summer activities. Staying in the heart of town also makes it easy to use its free shuttle.

We stayed at the Antlers at Vail and loved our time there! The stunning property has everything from studios to four-bedroom apartments, making it easy to stay in the same place with your entire family. They also have pet-friendly rooms, so you do not have to leave your fur babies at home!

The Antlers at Vail is in Lionshead, which I loved because it is quieter than Vail Village but still close to many attractions. Lionshead has many delicious restaurants and cute stores to explore, and the scenic gondola ride is right behind the property.

Best Summer Activities in Vail

Whether you want to hike to an alpine lake, enjoy a scenic gondola ride, or explore the cute downtown, Vail offers something for everyone in the summer!

Scenic Gondola Ride

One of the best things to do in Vail in summer is to explore Vail Mountain. The scenic gondola ride provides breathtaking 360-degree views from the top of the resort without hiking.

Two gondolas are open in the summer: Gondola One and the Eagle Bahn Gondola. Gondola One is in Vail Village, and Eagle Bahn Gondola is in Lionshead, and both take you to over 9,000 feet. We took Eagle Bahn Gondola up and hiked to Gondola One to ride it down.

Eagle Bahn Gondola has Epic Discovery Activities and the Holy Cross deck, offering incredible views of the surrounding mountains, including the 14,000-foot Mount of the Holy Cross.

Once at the top, I recommend hiking from Eagle Bahn Gondola to Gondola One so you can experience both parts of the resort. From Gondola One, I recommend hiking the Meadows Loop through beautiful meadows with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Vail Epic Discovery Activities

Did you know Vail Ski Resort has a mountain coaster, ziplining, rock climbing, and other fun summer activities?! They are perfect for the entire family to enjoy!

One of my favorite activities is the mountain coaster, which travels 3,400 feet around the mountain. It is an exhilarating experience with beautiful mountain views.

If you do not want to ride the mountain coaster, I recommend tubing 550 feet down the side of the mountain. Trust me, it is so much fun!

If you are visiting Vail with kids, they can enjoy mini golf, bungee trampolines, and ziplining.

If you plan to do a few activities, I highly recommend getting an Adventure Pass because it gives you three mountain coaster rides and unlimited access to the other activities. It is a fun way to spend an afternoon in Vail in summer!

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is easily one of the most popular summer activities in Vail.

Vail Mountain offers 50 miles of trails for all skill levels, so whether you are a beginner or an expert rider, you will love the mountain biking trails here. And, of course, you can enjoy the stunning mountain views while exploring the trails!

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is one of my favorite things to do in Vail in summer. Vail Stables offers a variety of one- to four-hour horseback riding experiences through their stunning trail system.

I had an incredible half-day ride with Vail Stables, and honestly, it was one of the best horseback riding experiences I have ever had. My guide, Newnew, was incredible at helping me feel comfortable, and she was so knowledgeable about the area and its history.

During the four-hour ride, we rode through stunning aspen forests, creeks, and meadows with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. It was one of the most beautiful trail systems, and it did not even feel like we were on the horse for four hours. I highly recommend booking a ride with Vail Stables when you visit!

Bonus summer activity:

Vail Stables also offers Goat Yoga and G.O.A.T. Happy Hour. It was so fun to play with their goats!

Biking Vail Pass

Whether you are an avid biker or someone who likes to coast, I highly recommend biking Vail Pass. From Vail Village, it is about 15 miles one way with over 3,000 feet of elevation, and the entire recreation path offers incredible views.

If you do not want to bike up 3,000 feet (like me), do not worry! You can take a shuttle with Venture Sports to the top of Vail Pass and coast down the recreation path back to Vail Village. They have guides who can take you along the recreation path, or you can do a self-guided tour.

I had so much fun on my self-guided tour from Vail Pass. Venture Sports dropped me off at the top of Vail Pass and provided a map with instructions on the entire recreation path so I could enjoy a fun 15-mile ride down to Vail Village.

I took my time going down the path to enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains, and it took me about two hours to get back to Vail Village.

Even though most of the path is gradual, you can easily pick up speed while biking downhill, so I recommend taking it slow to enjoy the ride and views. Trust me, you will want to stop a few times to take photos.

Hiking in Vail

Hiking is one of my favorite things to do in Vail in the summer! Whether you want a short trail to a waterfall or a long, strenuous trail to an alpine lake, Vail has a hiking trail for everyone!

Although the summer is a great time to hike in Vail, the trail conditions vary. Snow can linger on the trails through June, making it crucial to read recent trail reviews and pack proper hiking gear. When I visited in late June, most trails to the alpine lakes still had a lot of snow, making some impassable.

The closest trails are in East Vail leading to waterfalls, alpine lakes, and creeks. I recommend taking the free Bus It to Hike It shuttle in the morning from Vail Village to the trailheads so you have plenty of time to hike before the afternoon thunderstorms roll in.

If you want a guided hike, I highly recommend Paragon Guides. Paragon Guides have been guiding in Vail since 1978 and have the most extensive permits in the area. They also have llama lunches where you can hike with llamas, and yes, it is as fun as it sounds!

Here are some of my favorite hiking trails in Vail:

Pitkin Lake Trail - 9.5 miles round trip
East Vail Falls - 1 mile round trip
Bighorn Creek Trail - 7.1 miles round trip
Gore Lake Trail - 12 miles round trip
Deluge Lake Trail - 9 miles round trip
Shrine Ridge Trail - 4.3 miles round trip
Lost Lake Trail - 7 miles round trip

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

Did you know Vail is home to the highest botanical gardens in the United States?! The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens sits at 8,250 feet near Vail Village and is the only botanical garden that focuses on alpine plant preservation.

I recommend walking along its easy trails to explore the beautiful flowers and waterfalls and learn about the high-elevation plants.

I visited the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens after having dinner in Vail Village, and it was the perfect way to spend the evening. I loved learning about the alpine plants while enjoying the beautiful trails. It is the perfect summer activity in Vail for the entire family!

Nature Trails and Vail Nature Center

After you visit the alpine gardens, I recommend exploring the Nature Trails across the creek. These trails wander along Gore Creek and through beautiful wildflower meadows.

I hiked the 5 Senses Trail along Gore Creek to the Vail Nature Center, and it was beautiful! It was peaceful hiking along the creek while enjoying the wildflowers beginning to bloom next to the trail.

The 5 Senses Trail brought me to the Vail Nature Center, which had a stunning wildflower meadow and mountain views. If you time it right, you can enjoy some of the most beautiful wildflowers along these trails in the summer!

You can also visit the Vail Nature Center and enjoy one of their programs! You can speak with their knowledgeable staff, visit exhibits, and sign up for programs like guided hikes, birding tours, and stargazing.

Whitewater Rafting

If you are looking for an adrenaline-pumping summer activity in Vail, I have the perfect one for you!

Vail offers a variety of whitewater rafting opportunities, from Class I to Class IV. The best time to raft is just after the snow melts when the waters are raging!

Some of the best rafting guides in Vail are Lakota Guides and Timberline Tours. Both offer rafting adventures for families and adrenaline seekers throughout Vail.

Explore Vail Village and Lionshead

Vail Village and Lionshead are stunning areas with shops, delicious restaurants, and beautiful mountain views. They look like European mountain villages, so trust me when I say they are super cute!

I loved spending an afternoon exploring the shops and the Art Walk. The Art Walk is a self-guided tour through Vail with over 70 art installations by Colorado Artists, and each piece of art is beautiful! It was a fun way to spend an afternoon in Vail.

Walk the Recreation Path

When you are exploring Vail Village, I recommend walking or biking along the 15-mile paved Vail Recreation Path connecting East Vail and West Vail. If you are not up for the Vail Pass Bike Tour, the Vail Recreation Path is a great alternative for biking in Vail.

Every night after dinner, I walked along the Recreation Path through Vail, which was incredibly peaceful. I loved going on a sunset walk along it because the views of Gore Creek were stunning!

Dinner with a View

Every restaurant I ate at in Vail Village and Lionshead did not disappoint. I had everything from steak to Italian food and German-Austrian cuisine, and each dish was delicious. And because I visited in the summer, I sat outside at every restaurant to enjoy the beautiful views.

Here are some of my favorite restaurants in Vail:

Alpenrose - German-Austrian cuisine
Vail Chophouse - delicious steak
The Fitz Bar + Bites - in-season American dishes
The Little Diner - great breakfast spot
Bart + Yeti's - fun atmosphere

If Vail is on your summer bucket list, you will not be disappointed! I made sure this guide has everything you need to know about the best things to do in Vail in summer.