The American West is home to some of the most stunning mountain towns, where sprawling wilderness, rugged peaks, crystal-clear lakes, charming towns, and endless outdoor activities converge. It makes for the perfect mountain getaway for outdoor adventure lovers who want to escape to the mountains. While many of these destinations are covered in snow during the winter, they really come to life during the summer, offering a plethora of outdoor activities, beautiful landscapes, and fun events. Not to mention that they’re often a great place to cool off during those scorching hot summer days. From charming alpine villages to adventurous mountain escapes, here are some of the best mountain towns to visit out West on your next summer vacation.
The Best Mountain Towns Out West to Visit in Summer
Aspen, Colorado
Aspen is synonymous with winter, and it’s for good reason, since it’s home to four of the most iconic ski mountains in North America. However, Aspen is just as special during the summer. Surrounded by the stunning Elk Mountains, Aspen offers visitors a plethora of outdoor adventures, world-class dining, patios with stunning views, shopping, entertainment, and more. Outdoor adventure is at your fingertips, like hiking the Maroon Bells, biking Aspen Snowmass Bike Park, and taking in the beauty of the town’s many parks and gardens. It’s also home to great cultural events that are unique to Aspen, such as the Aspen Music Festival and the Aspen Ideas Festival.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better mountain town for dining with places like the Michelin-guide recommended Element 47 and The Wild Fig, which is inspired by the brasseries of Europe. What’s more, you won’t find a mountain town that has more luxury hotels than Aspen. Aspen is an unparalleled mountain town experience.
Crested Butte, Colorado
Crested Butte is a charming mountain town known in the summer for its laid-back vibe, stunning wildflower fields, and exciting outdoor activities. Nestled in the Elk Mountains, Crested Butte is known as the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado,” filled during the summer months with vibrant blooms. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike or mountain bike through the area’s extensive trail network, explore the picturesque Kebler Pass, or try kayaking or paddleboarding on nearby lakes. Crested Butte also has a great local dining scene, with spots like Secret Stash, known for its delicious pizza, and Soupçon, which serves up a French-inspired fine dining experience. The Crested Butte Arts Festival, held every summer, highlights the cultural scene, showcasing local artisans and performers. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of some of Colorado’s more popular mountain towns, look no further than Crested Butte.
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Park City, Utah
A vibrant mountain town known for its world-class ski slopes in the winter, Park City transforms into a playground for outdoor enthusiasts during the summer. Less than a 45-minute drive from Salt Lake City, Park City offers an abundance of activities, including hiking, lift-served mountain biking at Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley, scenic chairlift rides, hot air balloon rides, fly fishing, golf, and much more.
Park City’s historic Main Street is lined with shops, art galleries, and excellent dining options, such as Riverhorse on Main, known for its fine dining experience, and the more casual Red Banjo Pizza. High West, known as the only ski-in, ski-out distillery in the world, is a can’t-miss Park City destination for post-adventure drinks. Park City is also home to a rich cultural scene with events like the Park City Kimball Arts Festival, featuring local artists and performers every summer.
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Mammoth Lakes, California
Mammoth Lakes, located in the Eastern Sierra of California, is a year-round outdoor playground that really comes alive in the summer. Surrounded by the Inyo National Forest and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Mammoth Lakes overflows with fun outdoor activities. Hike the extraordinary Devils Postpile National Monument or any number of beautiful lakes, go mountain biking on Mammoth Mountain’s trails, or enjoy fishing on quiet rivers. Visitors can also enjoy exploring the area’s natural hot springs or relaxing by the shores of Lake Mary and Lake George.
Mammoth Lakes has a lively dining scene with options like the Lakefront Restaurant, offering lakeside fine dining, and the more casual Mammoth Brewing Company. Among the most popular new restaurants is Vulcania, by the Voltaggio brothers, in the Village at Mammoth. Mammoth Lakes hosts a full lineup of fun summer events like the Mammoth JazzFest and the Mammoth Lakes Film Festival.
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Tahoe City, California
There are too many great towns dotting Lake Tahoe to mention. However, Tahoe City, located on the western shore of Lake Tahoe, just south of Palisades Tahoe, makes a great basecamp with its stunning lakefront views and proximity to some of the best of Lake Tahoe. Start with a morning of kayaking, paddleboarding, or boating on the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe and then spend the afternoon hitting the area’s extensive hiking and biking trails that wind through the surrounding forests and along the shoreline. There are a number of nearby trailheads along the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail, considered one of the best trail networks in California.
Tahoe City also has a lively business district with a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes. Local favorites like The Bridgetender and Christy Hill offer delicious food along Lake Tahoe. Headlining summer events include the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, which boasts extraordinary entertainment in an exceptional setting. Palisades Tahoe, just 10 minutes away, is home to a bustling village, beautiful gondola ride, and tons of activities.
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Bend, Oregon
Bend tops many lists of the top mountain towns in North America and it’s for good reason. It’s an outdoor lover’s dream, home to stunning landscapes and an overabundance of activities that include hundreds of miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, Mt. Bachelor Bike Park, tons of lakes and rivers for paddling or floating, golf courses, and much more. Some of the area’s most extraordinary natural wonders include, Smith Rock State Park, which is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most popular rock climbing destinations, and Lava River Cave, a mile-long lava tube that visitors can explore.
After a day of adventure, head into town to explore Bend’s popular craft beer scene, with more than 30 breweries in the area. Bend is also known for its happening arts scene, which includes summer events like the Bend Summer Festival.
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Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth is a charming Bavarian village in Central Washington, located 35 miles southeast of Stevens Pass. During the summer, Leavenworth transforms into a Pacific Northwest hotspot, known for great access to hiking and backpacking trails, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and more. Nearby, the Enchantments is one of the most popular Pacific Northwest thru-hike destinations. While overnight backpacking requires a permit, most of which are allocated through a pre-season lottery in February, visitors can get a day-use permit at any of the three Enchantments trailheads. Among the area’s other headlining adventures is tubing and whitewater rafting. Enjoy a lazy float on the Icicle or Wenatchee River, or if you want to get the adrenaline pumping, go whitewater rafting on the Wenatchee, home to Class II to Class IV rapids.
What really makes Leavenworth stand out is its Bavarian-style architecture, culture, and lively arts scene. Enjoy Bavarian-inspired fare at some of the town’s most popular restaurants like München Haus and Andreas Keller. Fun summer events include the Leavenworth Farmers Market and Village Art in the Park, both of which happen all summer long. Leavenworth is truly a one-of-a-kind mountain town.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole, home to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, is one of the best four-season mountain towns in North America, thanks in part to its convenience to two of America’s greatest national parks, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Grand Teton National Park is just minutes from the town of Jackson, while Yellowstone is just a couple hours north. The outdoor adventures are endless, from hiking around Jenny Lake at Grand Teton National Park to exploring Yellowstone’s geysers to rafting down the Snake River to horseback riding through wilderness and much more. Additionally, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is a destination in and of itself during the summer, home to a bike park, beautiful gondola and tram rides, hiking trails, climbing, and more.
The town of Jackson is bustling during the summer with busy patios, delicious restaurants, fun bars, and more. Highlights include Wyoming’s oldest and America’s most award-winning small craft brewery, Snake River Brewery, Wild Sage Restaurant at the Rusty Parrot Lodge, Gun Barrel Steak & Game House, and Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. Jackson Hole hosts a number of great summer events, including the famous Jackson Hole Rodeo.
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Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman is also a gateway to Yellowstone National Park, except it’s on the other side of Yellowstone, a couple hours north of the West Entrance. Its location near the Gallatin River and the Bridger Mountains makes Bozeman a great basecamp for exploring the region’s wide-range of summer activities, including fly fishing, whitewater rafting, hiking, biking, tubing, ziplining, horseback riding, and a lot more. Cut out the time researching and planning outdoor adventures by booking a trip with Montana Whitewater, which offers tours for just about every outdoor adventure you can think of around Bozeman. Visitors will also find a lot to do at nearby Big Sky Resort, which is open during the summer for hiking, biking, golf, and other activities.
Bozeman has a lively downtown area with unique shops, local restaurants, and craft breweries, making it a great place to relax after a day outdoors. Among Bozeman’s can’t-miss events is Music on Main, which takes place on Thursday evenings in July and early August. The region is also home to a number of great rodeos; this is Montana after all.
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Whitefish, Montana
Whitefish, like Bozeman and Jackson, benefits from its location near a national park, conveniently located about 30 miles from Glacier National Park. Popular Glacier National Park destinations like the Going-to-the-Sun Road and Lake McDonald are all doable on a day trip from Whitefish. Outdoor adventures abound in and around the town of Whitefish, too. While the lifts stop spinning at Whitefish Mountain Resort, the adventures continue all summer long with scenic lift rides, mountain biking, hiking, and more. Whitefish Mountain Resort’s Aerial Adventure Park is arguably the most unique summer activity, featuring 60 obstacles, including rope ladders, cable bridges, and a trapeze, for adults and kids alike to experience. While you’re in Whitefish, check out the Whitefish Trail, a community-driven trail network with 47 miles of trails for hiking, dog walking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
After a day of exploring the region, come back to Downtown Whitefish, which is dotted with cool art galleries, great restaurants, fun bars, craft breweries, and much more. Thirty Eight Whitefish is one of the town’s most unique food and drink destinations, with food trucks and live music all summer long. The Tiki Bar, at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, is another popular summer destination, featuring good food and drinks to the backdrop of Whitefish Lake.
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Taos, New Mexico
Taos is a culturally rich mountain town blending history, art, and outdoor adventure. Located near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos is a haven for hikers, mountain bikers, and history buffs alike. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the nearby Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, or go on a hike in Carson National Forest, featuring dramatic views and access to the stunning Wheeler Peak. Art lovers in your group can spend time at the Taos Art Museum and the Harwood Museum of Art. Many locals end the day at The Love Apple, which serves seasonal New Mexican fare in an old church. Corner Office Natural Wine we named one of the best ski town wine bars.
Located 30 minutes north of town, Taos Ski Valley has a number of things happening throughout the summer. Play pickleball at what’s considered one of the highest pickleball courts in the country, play lawn games on the Eis Haus Lawn, go for a hike, or rent a bike or take at lesson at Taos Bike Park.
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Header image ©Aspen Music Festival And School/Elle Logan
April 15, 2025
