Outbound Collective logo

Vail, Colorado

Top Spots in and near Vail

  • Vail, Colorado

    Ski the Minturn Mile

    The Minturn Mile is best accessed after spending the day at Vail, but can be done so with skins and skis from the base.  This description will assume you have access to the lifts at Vail by parking at one of the many resort/town parking areas.  From either the top of Game Creek Express or Wildwoo...
    Read more
  • Vail, Colorado

    Sunset Hike on the West Vail Trail

    3.0
    2 mi / 300 ft gain
    Starting in Lionshead, Vail, CO take the Gondola 19 up to the top of the mountain and head west straight out past Chair 26 and towards the Vail Mountain Wedding deck. Past the deck there will be a trail that you can follow out onto the edge of the mountain called the W Vail Trail. This trail will...
    Read more
  • Vail, Colorado

    Hike the Upper Piney River Trail

    4.0
    5.6 mi / 350 ft gain
    Beginning at an elevation of 9,397 feet, this hike provides an easy 2.8 mile (one way) trip through the gorgeous meadows against the distant aspens and alpines. Wildflowers and wildlife are abundant, which make this trip a fantastic education and play experience for kids.Coordinates for the trail...
    Read more
  • Vail, Colorado

    Backpack to Bubble Lake

    3.0
    13 mi / 3600 ft gain
    The Gore's are a rough and remote section of the Eagle's Nest Wilderness.  What this trip may lack in overall miles, it more than makes up for in elevation gain, scrambling, boulder hopping, and overall hard miles on the trail.  Every trip I have had the pleasure of taking into the Gore Range has...
    Read more
  • Vail, Colorado

    Ice Climb Pumphouse Falls in Vail

    To get to Pumphouse Falls take Interstate 70 toward East Vail, Colorado, get off at exit 176 S. Frontage Road headed east. At the traffic circle take the third exit and continue on South Frontage Rd. for 2.5 miles, turn right into the small parking lot next to the Nordic ski track. Follow the sig...
    Read more
  • Vail, Colorado

    Hike to Booth Falls and Booth Lake, CO

    5.0
    10 mi / 3000 ft gain
    This day hike begins as a steady climb through aspen trees for the first mile. The trail then flattens out a bit, and you reach Booth Falls at mile two. This is a beautiful 60 ft waterfall that allows for easy rock climbing and hiking through the stream upstream of the falls. This is also a popul...
    Read more
  • Minturn, Colorado

    Ski Notch Mountain

    10 mi / 3000 ft gain
    What's not to love - you'll be skiing in the off season! We did this hike/ski in late June, our skis, boots, and avi gear packed with our hiking shoes on our feet. May could potentially be the most opportune time for this adventure. The hike you will take is the traditional Notch Mountain Hike. T...
    Read more
  • Minturn, Colorado

    Climb Mount of the Holy Cross, North Ridge

    4.5
    Just a few miles South Minturn, Colorado, turn onto Tigiwon Road (dirt) and take it about 5 miles to the Half Moon trailhead at . Tigiwon Road is easily accessed by 2WD vehicles and the trailhead should be reachable in the Summer months after the snows have melted.Start early as, at 12 miles, thi...
    Read more
  • Minturn, Colorado

    Scramble the Halo Ridge on Mt. Holy Cross

    5.0
    15 mi / 5210 ft gain
    The Halo Ridge is by no means the easiest route to the summit of Mt. Holy Cross, but it is definitely the most interesting and scenic. You'll begin at the Half Moon (Tigiwon) trailhead, but instead of the popular Halfmoon Trail, you will start on the Fall Creek Trail as it leaves the campground.T...
    Read more
  • Minturn, Colorado

    Hike to Tuhare Lakes

    12 mi / 3000 ft gain
    Overview: About a 12 mile hike, with 3 alpine lakes, a significant climb and views worthwhile Photos: See all photos here. Getting There: The hike is accessed from the Half Moon pass parking lot - from the Fall Creek trailhead. The parking lot and trailhead are accessed at the end of Tigiwon Rd. ...
    Read more
  • Silverthorne, Colorado

    Backpack to Upper Slate Lake

    5.0
    28 mi / 1386 ft gain
    Starting from the Rock Creek Trailhead parking lot, it is an up and down trek to Upper Slate Lake. The trail map states 10 miles each way, but accounting for switchbacks it ends up being closer to 14 long, hard miles.You will be among aspens and pines for the first half as you have a few moderate...
    Read more
  • Red Cliff, Colorado

    Ski to Fowler-Hilliard Hut

    6.5 mi / 2500 ft gain
    Fowler-Hilliard hut sits at 11,500 ft on a forested ridge of Resolution Mountain, with easy access to intermediate and expert backcountry skiing right out the door. This newer hut was built in 2010 after the original hut burned down from a lightning strike. The hut comes stocked with padded mattr...
    Read more
  • Silverthorne, Colorado

    Hike Cataract Lake and Falls

    4.7
    2.1 mi / 200 ft gain
    My husband and I heard about this hike while we were at a marriage retreat in nearby Dillon. This is the perfect casual day hike for a couple, small groups, or families with children. While we were there in May, just before the aspens were fully leafed out, it was easy to see that this location w...
    Read more
  • Silverthorne, Colorado

    Lily Pad Lake Trail

    4.7
    3.27 mi / 531 ft gain
    Lily Pad Lake is a well known destination just outside of Silverthorne and in the Eagle's Nest Wilderness. The trail may be heavily trafficked on the weekends, but solitude can still be found in the early mornings or during the weekdays. The trail starts at the Lily Pad Lake Trailhead, just to t...
    Read more
  • Summit County, Colorado

    Camp at Blue River Campground

    There are 24 sites at the Blue River Campground that have access to well maintained vault toilets, fire pits, and picnic tables. The campsites range in size, from single tent to multi-tent use (however no RV hookups).This campground is popular in the summer and can fill up every weekend, so I rec...
    Read more
  • Frisco, Colorado

    Mount Royal Trail

    3.98 mi / 1391 ft gain
    Mount Royal Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Frisco, Colorado.
    Read more

Camping and Lodging in Vail

The Cache
Frisco, Colorado

The Cache

From $125 / night

Telemark Lodge
Frisco, Colorado

Telemark Lodge

From $125 / night

The Cirque
Frisco, Colorado

The Cirque

From $206 / night

Union Creek Townhomes
Frisco, Colorado

Union Creek Townhomes

From $202 / night

Copper One Lodge
Frisco, Colorado

Copper One Lodge

From $154 / night

Passage Point
Frisco, Colorado

Passage Point

From $145 / night

Guides, Insights and Stories from Vail

An Unexpected Trail to Myself at Herman Gulch, CO

An Unexpected Trail to Myself at Herman Gulch, CO

Kalli Hawkins

The Ultimate Winter Getaway to Winter Park, Colorado

The Ultimate Winter Getaway to Winter Park, Colorado

Chelsea Brinkley

5 Hikes to See Fall Foliage in Aspen

5 Hikes to See Fall Foliage in Aspen

The Outbound Collective

The Ultimate Adventure Bucket List for Aspen, Colorado

The Ultimate Adventure Bucket List for Aspen, Colorado

The Outbound Collective

3 Adventures in Aspen with Beautiful Autumn Leaves

3 Adventures in Aspen with Beautiful Autumn Leaves

The Outbound Collective