Crested Butte Wildflower Festival

The Wild Flower Festival (Festival de Flores silvestres de Crested Butte) has been held in Colorado's wildflower capital of Crested Butte every July since 1986 during the peak blooming season. Thousands of people from across the globe flock to the town tucked in the Rocky Mountains to enjoy ten days of pure beauty.

Festival activities

Experience diverse activities at the festival, including wildflower hikes, birding excursions, gardening workshops, photography sessions, and art workshops. Additionally, indulge in delectable food options, enjoy jeep tours and various entertainment offerings. The Program Guide for this year categorizes events into several themes, such as Art, Botany, Culinary and medicinal, Geology and geobotany, Members Only, Photography, Popular Pollinators, Garden Tours, Jeep Tours, and Guided Hikes.

Crested Butte wildflowers

Season

The early wildflower season in Crested Butte falls in May and June, yet peak flowering is seen between late June and July. The week around the 4th of July is the most vibrant in terms of flowers. By August, the blooms are not gone yet, but the species you encounter will be different and less impressive in numbers.

Hikes

Explore the abundant wildflower hiking trails in the Crested Butte area, boasting diverse difficulty levels and picturesque names like Daisy Pass and Lupine Trail. For instance, Lupine Trail showcases an array of corn lilies and lupines, while Rustlers Gulch Trail is renowned for its stunning sunflowers. Intermediate hikers can enjoy trails such as Beckwith Pass Hike, Three Lakes Hike, and Lily Lake Wildflower, while advanced adventurers may opt for challenges like Baxter Gulch and Hike to Aspen. In total, visitors can encounter approximately 50 species flourishing in this area.

How to get to Crested Butte?

If you're traveling from far away, the easiest way to get there is via Gunnison/Crested Butte Airport (GUC), situated 30 minutes from Crested Butte. You can fly with both American Airlines and United Airlines. However, a road trip is also a nice option. By July, you can count on the open mountain roads. Besides, that's a great chance to discover a couple of scenic drives on your way to or from Crested Butte. If you're coming from Denver, take your time to enjoy the views unveiling from the Cottonwood Pass Road.

Crested Butte weather in July

July weather in Crested Butte is quite favorable for enjoying the outdoors. It's the warmest month here, with the average temps fluctuating between 20 °C (68 °F) and 0 °C (32 °F). Besides, July is also the wettest season, with 22 rainy days and 62% relative humidity. So wear layers to be ready for warm days and cool nights. Be sure to pack a raincoat and waterproof shoes too.

Registration

Public registration begins on April 8 at 10 am MTN time via the Festival Program Guide page on the official website. All event sign-ups occur online, except for Members Only Events, which require email confirmation from organizers. Availability for all events is on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, visitors can explore numerous hiking options in Crested Butte without Festival registration. The official website offers a self-guided hike guide featuring popular trails with detailed maps and instructions for easy access.

Rules & Recomendations

Visitors joining outdoor events are advised to bring rain gear, warm layers, hats, gloves, hiking shoes or boots (preferably broken-in), snacks, and water. Events suitable for children under 16 are specified in the event description in the Program Guide. Since outdoor events are typically a few hours long, young children may become bored or need more stamina to complete the hike. However, a couple of events are suitable for younger children, such as the Tour of Crested Butte Gardens and Wildflower ID Walk, which offer opportunities to peel off from the group if needed.