Summer Escape in Aspen
- Kelli Hunter
- Apr 28
- 6 min read
Aspen in summer? It's not just a destination—it’s a feeling. One of freedom, inspiration, and fresh mountain air. Whether you’re hiking through wildflower meadows, lingering over a long lunch, or stargazing from a rooftop bar, Aspen invites you to embrace the season in full bloom.
By: Kelli Hunter, TravelAnne Staff Writer
Whether it's a 2-week escape or a 2-day weekend getaway, TravelAnne is here to make it happen.
Aspen Snowmass is famous in winter for 5,700+ acres of skiable and ridable terrain spread across four mountains. But by summer, snowy slopes are replaced with meadows of wildflowers, and activities shift to mountain biking, hiking, sightseeing, ziplines, ropes courses, and more, all concentrated on Snowmass and Aspen Mountain.
Summers in Aspen, Colorado, are magical. The skies are sparkling blue, temperatures hover in the high 70s to low 80s, and the meadows are filled with wildflowers. In other words, it’s perfect. If you’re doing a 3-4 night couples getaway, Aspen is a perfect single destination. If you’re looking for a week or more to escape, we recommend adding 3-4 nights in Colorado Springs, then driving to Aspen on the historic Independence Pass.
When the snow melts and the ski crowds disperse, Aspen transforms into a high-altitude paradise teeming with color, culture, and adventure. Summer here is nothing short of spectacular. Think sapphire skies (Aspen boasts 300 days of sunshine a year), temperatures in the blissful 70s and 80s, and meadows bursting with wildflowers like Indian paintbrush and bluebells. The scent of the season—fresh, floral, and unmistakably alpine—is carried on every breeze.
Mountains shed their winter coats to reveal biking and hiking trails, wildflower-dusted meadows, and rivers ready for paddleboarding, kayaking, and fly fishing. Aspen in summer is a celebration of outdoor life, elevated dining, and world-class arts. It’s no wonder the Food & Wine Classic each June draws crowds from around the globe.
What to Do
Explore the Trails: The Maroon Bells Scenic Trail is Aspen’s most iconic hike—for good reason. Crystalline alpine lakes, fields of wildflowers, and the twin peaks of Maroon and North Maroon are showstoppers. Add on the more rigorous Crater Lake Trail if you're up for a scenic challenge. For a quieter thrill, try the switchback-heavy Cathedral Lake trail, or the in-town Little Nell Trail, which starts at the base of the Silver Queen Gondola and ends with a refreshing spritz at Ajax Tavern.
Bike to Burgers: Rent a cruiser and ride the Rio Grande Trail to Woody Creek Tavern. It’s a seven-mile trip peppered with mountain views and riverside serenity, rewarded with burgers, margaritas, and a little Hunter S. Thompson lore.
Paddle, Cast, and Cruise: The Stillwater stretch of the Roaring Fork River is ideal for leisurely paddleboarding. Fly fishing more your speed? Book a guided trip with Wild Willow Outfitters—they’ll even bring e-bikes to help you reach remote casting spots.
Shop and Stroll: Aspen’s boutiques range from global icons like Ralph Lauren and Bottega Veneta to local gems like Kemo Sabe, Little Bird, and Pitkin Country Dry Goods. The Aspen Saturday Market (June to October) is a lively blend of farm-fresh produce, artisan wares, and irresistible bites.
Catch a Show: Live music lovers have two excellent venues—the intimate, big-name Belly Up and The Summer Lodge at the St. Regis, where the courtyard turns into an alfresco concert space.
Where to Stay
Hotel Jerome: Aspen’s Summer Sanctuary
At the foot of Aspen Mountain, in the heart of the picturesque town, the recently opened Hotel Jerome is a testament to a bygone era of old-school elegance and modern luxury. Built in 1889, this historic destination perfectly combines rich history with today's modern conveniences and amenities, resulting in a perfect summer getaway.
Summer at Hotel Jerome calls for a new adventure. Surrounded by more than 120 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, Julie Campagnoli is editor of Elevation Outdoors. For something curated, the hotel’s Wild Willow Outfitters also provides guided fly-fishing trips and e-bike tours along the Roaring Fork River — a great way to bond with Aspen’s wild side.
Culture vultures, meanwhile, will appreciate that the Theatre Aspen Summer Cabaret Series is being hosted exclusively at Hotel Jerome. With chef-driven menus and wine pairings, these private shows provide a sampling of the town’s lively arts scene while never having to leave the hotel.
After a day in the high country, unwind at one of the hotel’s Yarrow Spa’s treatment rooms, indulge in elevated American fare at Prospect, or sip cocktails in the historic J-Bar, a local favorite for more than 100 years. The outdoor pool and hot tubs, with views of Aspen Mountain, are a blissful way to wind down at the end of the day.
Hotel Jerome An Aspen Summer Holiday Exceptional location, handpicked experiences, warm Western hospitality – an Aspen Summer holiday doesn’t get better than this.
The Little Nell: Aspen's Ultimate Alpine Summer Escape
Perched at the base of Aspen Mountain, The Little Nell is Aspen’s only Five-Star, Five-Diamond hotel—and a crown jewel for summer travelers seeking both luxury and adventure. With direct access to the Silver Queen Gondola, guests can launch into alpine hikes or guided off-road tours that reveal panoramic mountain views few ever get to see. Prefer fly fishing? The hotel’s expert guides will take you to pristine Gold Medal Waters for a serene, world-class angling experience.
The Nell’s celebrated Ride + Dine series blends cycling with gourmet picnicking in wildflower-filled meadows, while back at the hotel, guests unwind at The Spa at The Little Nell or sip fine wine on the terrace of Element 47, the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant and wine bar.
With its elegant suites, intuitive service, and curated adventures, The Little Nell turns an Aspen summer into something unforgettable, where refined relaxation and high-country thrills meet under endlessly blue skies. Whether you’re here for mountain biking, mountaintop yoga, or simply a chilled glass of rosé by the fire pit, summer at The Nell is the definition of elevated escape.
St. Regis Aspen Resort: Summer in Style
Tucked at the base of Aspen Mountain, The St. Regis Aspen Resort is where summer adventure meets five-star sophistication. With its prime downtown location, the resort offers effortless access to Aspen’s boutiques, art galleries, and open-air cafes—while also serving as a luxurious launchpad for warm-weather pursuits like hiking, fly-fishing, mountain biking, and even sunrise hot air ballooning.
After a day immersed in Colorado’s crisp alpine air, guests can unwind at the resort’s world-renowned Remède Spa, featuring oxygen lounges, herbal steam rooms, and the kind of pampering that turns recovery into a ritual. Outdoors, the heated pool and hot tubs are framed by pine-dotted peaks, offering a postcard-perfect setting for a late afternoon soak.
Dining is an experience in itself. Velvet Buck brings modern mountain cuisine to the table—think grilled elk, roasted local vegetables, and hearty grain bowls—while Mountain Social Bar & Lounge serves up artisanal cocktails in a fireside setting. Daily champagne sabering ceremonies and the signature Alpine Afternoon Tea lend timeless elegance to the mountain escape.
Whether you're adventuring by day or stargazing by night, The St. Regis Aspen blends rustic beauty with refined indulgence—making it one of the most coveted summer stays in the Rockies.
MOLLIE Aspen: A Chic Summer Retreat in the Rockies
Tucked away in downtown Aspen, MOLLIE Aspen is a 68-room boutique hotel featuring a mix of Scandinavian and Japanese design elements — the ideal low-key yet luxe summer getaway. The hotel’s minimalist interiors, featuring natural wood, warm neutrals and organic textures, set a serene tone, reminiscent of the otherworldly mountain environment.
Guests can relax in a rooftop terrace on the third floor, which has a spa pool and lounge seating with views of Aspen Mountain. For the spiritually minded, the Naturopathica Spa Suite offers a lavish array of botanical treatments promising to relax body and soul. Fitness enthusiasts can work out at the hotel’s wellness-minded gym, filled with Peloton bikes and TechnoGym equipment.
Mouths are watered with fanfare for culinary adventures. A lobby-level restaurant and bar offer seasonal small plates and artfully conceived cocktails, while an all-day café is a relaxed spot for everything from espresso to aperitivo. Nights at the rooftop bar translate to an intimate, sky-lit affair featuring craft drinks and mountain air.
MOLLIE’S Location Enjoy easy access to the heart of Aspen’s arts and culture, with the Aspen Art Museum and Wheeler Opera House steps away, as well as trailheads and cycling routes. Subtle, design-forward, refreshingly personal, MOLLIE Asheville is the ideal summer basecamp for contemporary mountain travelers.
Whether it's a 2-week escape or a 2-day weekend getaway, TravelAnne is here to make it happen.
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