As the school year comes to a close, many parents are starting to think about what they will do with their kids during the summer. If you're looking for some ideas, visiting Aspen is a great idea for summer family fun. There are plenty of activities to keep everyone busy, including hiking, biking, and swimming. You can visit some of the local museums and parks, or go for a ride up the gondola. Aspen is a great place to spend summer with your family!
Summer Hiking in Aspen with Kids
Hiking is a great way to explore Aspen with your family. There are plenty of trails to choose from, and you can even pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at one of the many scenic spots. One of our favorite kid-friendly hikes is a six-mile hike that starts right in downtown Aspen along the Hunter Creek Trail. Just outside of town up Independence Pass, you’ll find another kid-friendly favorite called the Grottos. This short .6-mile loop is described as a beginner trail, and kids will love playing in the creek next to the parking area, and finding waterfalls, pools, and an ice cave to explore.
Summer Biking in Aspen with Kids
Biking is another great option for summer fun. Aspen has some great mountain biking trails, or you can take a leisurely ride around town. If you haven’t brought your own bikes, there are numerous bike shops from which to rent bicycles, whether you’re looking for mountain bikes, e-bikes, or road bikes. A family bike ride on the paved Rio Grande Trail shows off the splendor of Aspen in summer, with plenty of stopping spots for picnics and cooling off along the river. Or take the family to Snowmass Bike Park for lift-served downhill singletrack trails that alternate between the shade and the sun.
Summer Swimming in Aspen with Kids
Swimming is a great way to cool off on a hot summer day. Between the ARC (Aspen Recreation Center), Basalt Pool, and Snowmass Recreation Center, you'll discover diving boards, lazy rivers, and slides. Or you can wade into the Roaring Fork River at Northstar Nature Preserve or the John Denver Sanctuary for a refreshing dip. If you head downvalley to Glenwood Springs, kids will be thrilled by Sopris Splash Zone and Shoshone Chutes. The Sp[lash Zone is a new children's play area featuring three mini-water slides, interactive water elements, shallow play spaces, and sun protection shelters. Shoshone Chutes is an open air tube ride with plenty of twists and turns.
Summer Culture in Aspen for Kids
Aspen is also home to several museums and parks. The Aspen Art Museum is a great place to spend an afternoon, and shows at the Wheeler Opera House are a must-see. Story Art, a free program that combines learning to read with art-making and visual literacy, is offered monthly by the Aspen Art Museum in collaboration with the Pitkin County Library, the Basalt Regional Library, and the Carbondale Branch Library. The Aspen Art Museum and Aspen Center for Environmental Studies are also collaborating on Summer Workshops to learn and create artwork about birds, bugs, animals, trees, and flowers.
Summer Day Camps in Aspen for Kids
The Aspen Recreation Center offers a number of state-licensed summer programs that allow children ages 5–10 (children must have previously attended kindergarten) to enjoy a variety of entertaining and instructive activities such as swimming, skating, hiking, and more. Ajax Adventure Camp is based out of Aspen Middle School and offers full-day summer adventure options such as rafting, paintball, and zip n' slip, from which kids get to choose daily. Camp Aspen Snowmass at Snowmass Base Village offers geocaching, downhill bike camps, rock climbing, mountain skills, fishing, rocket building, and more. No one will be bored; we can guarantee it!
Kid-Friendly Summer Lodging in Aspen
Aspen is a great place to enjoy summer with your family. There are plenty of activities to keep everyone busy and happy. And in-between adventures, you’ll feel right at home relaxing in one of our Aspen vacation rentals. Vacation rentals generally offer more comfort than hotels; they become gathering spots for sharing memories of the day's highlights while recharging for the next family activity. Contact Alpine Property to secure your spot, then pack your bags and meet us in Aspen for a summer family vacation you'll never forget!
