The Crested Butte Wildflower Festival will open general registration April 8

Article Summary:

From July 12-21, the 38th annual Crested Butte Wildflower Festival will host more than 50 tours, guided hikes, and workshops in celebration of the town’s abundant blooms.
Events quickly fill up and registration is currently only open to members, but the general public can purchase tickets as early as Monday, April 8.
The festival’s executive director recommends booking promptly and shares other visitor insights, like what’s new this year and where to take free self-guided hikes.

On Monday, April 8, the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival will open registration to the general public. Member registration is currently available and, according to its executive director Dr. David Kish, certain programs, particularly Jeep tours, are already filling up.

Still, plenty of opportunities remain.

From July 12-21, the Colorado festival will host 52 unique events including guided hikes and expert-led workshops.

Topics cover botany, geology, and wildflowers’ culinary and medical uses; as well as a range of art mediums from watercolor painting to photography.

Established in 1986, the celebration draws approximately 1,200 guests to the mountain town each summer. Typically, 90% of tickets are sold.

If you hope to attend particular events, sign up promptly. Or, as Kish recommends, gain early registration by becoming a member for as low as $25.

Here’s What to Expect at the 2024 Crested Butte Wildflower Festival

A field of yellow wildflowers around the trail in Crested Butte with mountain view in the background — *Crested Butte, the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado” (photo: Abigail Bliss)*

The Crested Butte Wildflower Festival features extensive programming. Some events are recurring favorites, while others will premiere in 2024.

“The Denver Botanic Gardens [will] be offering some events this year. Those are particularly new offerings that we’re very excited about,” comments Kish.

The festival’s program guide details all offerings and their pertinent information, like materials or abilities required to participate, as well as when and where events take place. Many begin at the historic train depot located at 716 Elk Avenue in downtown Crested Butte.

“[Attendees] meet their leader there. Then, they head out to the trailhead or begin walking downtown,” explains Kish. He adds that the depot also sells last-minute tickets to events when spaces are available.

Many programs are limited to fewer than 15 guests, allowing for an intimate experience with local experts. These include award-winning artists, scientists in various fields, and professional tour guides.

Get a feel for the festival with this truncated list of opportunities:

Garden and Jeep Tours

A jeep near the field of wildflowers in Colorado — *Jeep tours are one of the festival’s most popular programs*

Garden Tours:

Gardens & Ghosts – Hear stories of the town’s friendly spirits while strolling downtown alleys and gardens on Saturday, July 13 from 5-7:30 pm or Friday, July 19 from 3-5:30 pm.
Historic Garden Tour – Explore the historic town of Crested Butte on Friday, July 12 from 1-3:30 pm; Sunday, July 14 or Saturday, July 20 from 12:30-3 pm; or Sunday, July 21 from 10:30 am-1 pm.

Jeep Tours:

Wildflower Adventure Jeep Tour – Ride in an open-top Wrangler while learning about the area’s wildflowers and wildlife on Saturday, July 13; Wednesday, July 17; Friday, July 19; or Sunday, July 21 from 8:30 am-12:30 pm.
Wildflower Geolo-Jeep Tour – Witness and learn about the geology of the Elk Mountains on this new tour, available on Monday, July 15 from 8:30 am-12:30 pm.

Guided Hikes

Closeup look of the variety of wildflowers at Walrod Loop — *Wildflowers along the Walrod Loop (photo: Abigail Bliss)*

Beginner Hikes and Walks:

Splendor on Snodgrass – Hike 3+ miles through Snodgrass Mountain’s incredible wildflower fields on Saturday, July 13 from 8 am-12:30 pm.
Wildflowers & Yoga in the Morning Light – Start your day with a 2 to 3-mile walk and restorative yoga on Friday, July 12; Saturday, July 13; Friday, July 19; or Sunday, July 21 from 7:30-10:30 am.

Intermediate Hikes:

Walrod’s Wildflowers & Caves – Explore hidden caves on a 4-mile trail set among lupine and sunflowers on Monday, July 15 from 8:30 am-1 pm or Friday, July 19 from 9 am-1:30 pm.
Three Lakes Hike – Admire wildflowers, waterfalls, and maybe even mushrooms along a moderate 3-mile loop on Friday, July 12 or Tuesday, July 16 from 8 am-1 pm.

Advanced & Expert Hikes:

Hike to Aspen – Trek 11-13 miles to Aspen, enjoy dinner, then return to Crested Butte via shuttle on Tuesday, July 16 from 6 am-10 pm.
Scarp Ridge – Hike above Lake Irwin to witness alpine sunflowers and views of six Colorado 14ers on Tuesday, July 16, or Friday, July 19 from 7:30 am-2 pm.

Wildflower Workshops

A hummingbird sipping the nectar on the orange flower — *Pollinators are one of several topics discussed*

Botany Workshops:

Aquatic & Carnivorous Plants of Crested Butte – Discover carnivorous Bladderwort and other plant species on a 2 to 3-mile beginner hike, available on Tuesday, July 16, and Saturday, July 20 from 8:30 am-12:30 pm.
Identifying Wildflowers Using Mobile Apps – Name wildflower species on an easy 2 to 3-mile hike with the help of your smartphone and a Denver Botanic Gardens curator on Sunday, July 14 from 9:30 am-12 pm.

Popular Pollinators Workshops:

A-Bee-Cs of Wildflower Pollination – Join an ecologist on an easy 1 to 2-mile hike to learn about wildflowers and native bees, available Saturday, July 13, and Thursday, July 18 from 9:30 am-12:30 pm.
Birding Among the Upper Loop Wildflowers – Discern birds by sight and sound on this 3-mile intermediate hike hosted on Saturday, July 14; Tuesday, July 16; and Friday, July 19 from 7:30-11:30 am.
Butterflies of Brush Creek – Explore various butterfly habitats along a family-friendly, 2-mile hike on Tuesday, July 16 from 10 am-1 pm.

Culinary & Medicinal Workshops:

Medicinal Plants of the Mountains – Identify edible, medicinal, and toxic wildflowers along a 3 to 4-mile beginner trail on Friday, July 12; Tuesday, July 16; or Thursday, July 18 from 8:30 am-1:30 pm.

Geology & Geobotany Workshops:

Geology of Paradise – Find out how the Gunnison Valley was formed while hiking along a 3-mile intermediate trail on Friday, July 12 from 8:30 am-12:30 pm or Friday, July 19 from 9 am-1 pm.

Panoramic view of the filed of wildflowers with mountain views at sunset — *Photography classes cater to varying interests and skill levels*

Art Workshops:

Denver Botanic Gardens Presents: Pressed Flower Printing – Lean how to transfer natural flower pigments onto paper and fabric on Monday, July 15 from 10 am-1 pm.
Wildflower Watercolor & Wine – Sip wine spritzers with friends during this beginner-friendly painting class on Tuesday, July 16 from 4:30-7 pm.
Mountain Wildflower Needle-Felting – Create wildflower scenes using just a needle and felted wool on Thursday, July 18 and Friday, July 19 from 9-11 am.

Photography Workshops:

Sunrise Photography at Peanut Lake – Capture golden hour images of lupine, sunflowers, and possibly wildlife on Sunday, July 14 from 5-9 am.
Rustler’s Gulch Photography – Take images of wildflowers along a challenging 9-mile hike in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness on Thursday, July 18 from 10 am-5 pm.
Wildflower Sunset Adventure – Photograph wildflowers and the alpenglow at sunset while hiking Snodgrass Mountain on Tuesday, July 16 from 5-9 pm.

Closeup look at the colorful and various species of wildflower — *A close-up of a few wildflower species in Crested Butte*

Last year, Kish received first place in the festival’s annual photo contest. He jokes, “I was not the executive director when I won so there wasn’t anything nefarious going on there.”

“In Crested Butte, almost every turn is a pretty picture,” says Kish. “You can get a great photo with anything from your phone to the most expensive mirrorless cameras.”

He’ll focus on the former while hosting the Cell Phone Photography workshop on Sunday, July 14, and Saturday, July 20 from 12-3 pm. Learn about composition, exposure, editing, and more tricks of the trade — like waiting for cloud coverage and the wind to pause to get the best shot.

More Tips for Experiencing the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival

Field of white and lavender wildflowers around the trail — *Admire blooms from trails, in town, and even on the roadsides*

Consider Becoming a Member

In addition to advanced registration, Crested Butte Wildflower Festival members receive access to exclusive events. These include a variety of tours and workshops, as well as an appreciation party and happy hour with wildflower scientists.

Kish adds, “Most of our levels get a free poster included in their membership, which is a hot item. We have a local artist who does a [commission] piece for us each year. They’re collectors’ items for some people and I love them.”

Engage in Free Wildflower Experiences

“We have our handy dandy wildflower guide available on our website so folks can learn about the flowers on their own,” says Kish. The free resource features dozens of wildflower photos to help novices identify local species.

There’s also a self-guided hike pamphlet. It highlights several trails where wildflowers are prolific, including the easy 4.3-mile Brush Creek Trail and the intermediate 6.4-mile Lower Loop.

Mountain slope full of wildflowers — *The festival educates and encourages wildflower preservation (photo: Abigail Bliss)*

Follow Outdoor Etiquette

Appreciate wildlife from a distance, stay on trails, and leave no trace — which also means you should always leave what you find.

Kish affirms, “Never pick the wildflowers. We love them and we want the pollinators to be able to find them. Please just enjoy them and leave them for others to also enjoy.”

Book Lodging Promptly

There are several places to stay in Crested Butte, but hotels and rentals quickly book up around the 10-day festival. Get the best selection by booking shortly after registering for your preferred events.

Experience More Activities in Crested Butte

From mountain biking and paddleboarding to live music and local dining, there are an endless number of things to do in Crested Butte. Make the most of your trip by including several of these activities on your July itinerary.