Visiting Telluride in Summer (dog friendly)
Bear Creek Falls Hike
Telluride, Colorado is set in a box canyon and was once a big mining town. Rich in history, now the town has historic charm and is a quaint dog friendly place with numerous activities to do in any season.
Telluride can be reached by car from Denver in 6 hr 30 mins. You can also fly into Montrose, Colorado which is 1hr 20mins from Telluride. Once you are in Telluride the town is incredibly walkable and you should only need a car to get to hikes or places outside the main town area. Here are some of my favorite things I have done in Telluride!
Accommodation
Whether you like camping, rustic stays, or fancy accommodation, Telluride has it all! In my opinion, the best deals on lodging can be found through Airbnb/VRBO or other rental companies. I have been able to stay at condos directly downtown and rustic off-the-grid cabins. There are tons of short-term rental options in Telluride that are dog-friendly. I love going this route since each place can be unique.
I have personally never stayed at The Hotel Telluride, but have heard great things and the cost is lower compared to other places. It is also very central. If camping is your thing, there are campsites right in town at the Telluride Town Park Campground. Camping season runs until early October. There are also a lot of rental properties and hotels in Mountain Village which is on the other side of the ski mountain. If you decide to stay over in this area but want to visit the town of Telluride you can ride the gondola as it runs back & forth between the locations and is free.
Things To Do
Ride the Gondola to the Mountain Top & Mountain Village:
The Gondola in Telluride is free and runs late into the evening. This is such a fun thing to do and you can bring your dog! The views from the top are spectacular. There is a restaurant called Allred’s Restaurant that takes reservations for dinner or you can stop in for a drink at the bar. In the summer months, you may get lucky to see a wedding taking place at the top! After you enjoy the views at the top you can take the gondola to the other side of the mountain and explore Mountain Village. There are shops, bars, and restaurants over there to enjoy!
Off-Roading:
If going off-roading is something that excites you or an activity you have always wanted to do, Telluride is a great place for it! The road to Bridal Veil is rocky and a fun road to experience. The road can get pretty busy during weekends, so go early!
There is also a 17.5-mile journey that connects from Telluride to Ouray called Imogen Pass. Make sure you have a high-clearance, four-wheel drive car and past experience off-roading before tackling this route yourself. If going on your own is not something you want to do, there are plenty of tour companies that will take you off-roading! This is a great option as the drivers are very experienced! I recommend using Telluride Adventures.
Hit the trails- my favorite hikes:
Bear Creek Falls - This is a 4.5-mile hike with a trailhead right in town. You can grab a cup of coffee in town then walk straight to the start! At the end of the trail, there is a beautiful waterfall with streams running all around. Dogs allowed!
Telluride River Trail - This is a flat walking trail that goes through Telluride. It is a great place to walk your dog or just enjoy a stroll next to the creek. This trail is great for those who face difficulty on more strenuous hikes.
Bridal Veil Falls Trail - Bridal Veil Falls is a beautiful destination whether you hike or drive up. It is a 2-mile hike to the bottom of the falls. The Bridal Veil Power Station is at the top of the waterfall and is a beautiful building that is seemingly hanging onto the side of the mountain. You can also keep going to make the hike longer and end at Blue Lake which is a beautiful clear lake. You will also hike through old mining equipment that is neat to view. This hike would extend the mileage to 5.7.
Shop ‘til you drop:
There are so many cute shops along the main road in downtown Telluride. There are several art galleries, outdoor shops, jewelry, pet stores, and home goods. If you come to Telluride with your dog make sure to pick them up a cute treat at PET Telluride. Most stores allow dogs in them as well. My absolute favorite store in Telluride is Hook which is a boutique that has great gifts and Telluride-specific goods.
Attend a Festival:
Each year Telluride hosts a ton of festivals. It is an exciting time to be in Telluride. If you want to attend a festival in Telluride make sure to plan far in advance. Tickets sell out very fast (sometimes within minutes of them going on sale!) and it is hard to find accommodation. Some of the most popular festivals are the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, the Telluride Jazz Festival, and the Telluride Film Festival. I was lucky enough to attend 2 days of the Jazz Festival, and highly recommend checking it out! The city of Telluride posts all the other festival information on the town’s website.
Food & Drink
Places for all the foodies:
The Butcher & The Baker - Hands down the best breakfast place in Telluride! They have tons of baked goods, classic breakfast items & dog-friendly seating areas.
Baked in Telluride - Another great breakfast spot for grab-and-go items. They have baked goods, egg sandwiches, pizza, coffee, and other options to enjoy before an active day! Dog-friendly patio.
Siam - One of my favorite places we ate! Yummy Thai food at 8, 750 ft. I highly recommend the seaweed salad and yellow curry!
Brown Dog Pizza - This is a classic place for great pizza and drinks. If you need a place to watch sports, this is it!
Cheers! Best places for drinks:
The Coffee Cowboy- A perfect little coffee place at the base of the gondola!
Smuggler Union Brewery - They have so many great beers on draft! Also, a dog-friendly patio with amazing food.
The Alibi- Awesome place for cocktails! Their cocktails are all named after famous people who needed alibis. They have great beer on tap too. They have a lot of live music, especially on the weekends.
Last Dollar Saloon - Best rooftop views in Telluride! This historic bar is a really fun place late at night.
New Sheridan Historic Bar - A great historic bar with pool & foosball!
Telluride can be a great place to spend a weekend during any season! I hope you get the chance to experience it and make your own memories.
Comment below- I would love to hear your favorite things to do in Telluride if you have been!
