The Ultimate Fall Travel Guide: The Magic of Fall in Telluride
As the crisp mountain air begins to make its way through the enchanting town of Telluride, a vibrant transformation unfolds, turning this picturesque corner of Colorado into a canvas of autumnal wonder. Fall in Telluride is nothing short of magical, where the tapestry of golden aspen leaves contrasts sharply against the rugged peaks, creating a breathtaking backdrop for adventure and relaxation alike. Whether you’re a leaf peeper, an outdoor enthusiast, or simply someone seeking to enjoy Colorado’s natural beauty, Telluride in the fall offers the ultimate fall experience. In this fall travel guide, I’ll give you all the information you need to plan the perfect trip to explore the seasonal charm of this alpine gem and discover why fall in Telluride is the ultimate autumn escape.
Growing up in Texas, I never experienced a true fall until moving to Colorado and was determined to find the best fall colors in the state. After doing my research, I decided to make the 6 hour drive from Denver to Telluride for the weekend and was blown away by the vibrant sea of yellow aspens that covered the San Juan mountains. While you can experience fall in all of Colorado’s mountain towns, I truly believe Telluride is the best and needs to be on everyone’s bucket list. This has now become a yearly fall destination for me that I look forward to every September/October!
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How to get to Telluride
There are two options for getting to Telluride: flying or driving. Telluride does have an airport which you can fly into from most major airports with a layover in Denver, however, flights into Telluride are typically pretty expensive. For example to fly to Telluride from DFW, the prices range about $600 to $800 USD.
Another option if you are coming from out of state is to fly into Denver or Colorado Springs and drive to Telluride. The drive from Denver to Telluride is just at 6 hours and about 5 hours 45 minutes from Colorado Springs to Telluride. I recommend going with this option because you will most likely want to have a car anyway once you arrive in Telluride to make the most of your fall vacation!
CLICK HERE to book a rental car at Denver International Airport
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The Best Time to Visit Telluride for Fall Colors
The best time to travel to Telluride for fall colors is late September to early October. The exact time frame can vary each year so it is a plus if you can be flexible with your dates. I have previously visited Telluride the 1st and 2nd weekends of October and was able to see peak fall colors each year. The last two weeks of September and first two weeks of October are going to be your best bet for seeing the most color on the mountain.
I always check the fall foliage tracker from Visit Telluride to get updates and use that to try and plan my trip around the predicted time for peak colors!
Where to stay in Telluride
Telluride has many options for accommodations, but Telluride is NOT cheap. In fact, Telluride is one of the most expensive places in all of Colorado. During fall in Telluride, the prices are even more expensive due to the amount of tourists coming to experience the magic of fall in Telluride.
Luxury: Madeline Hotel & Resort – Madeline Hotel & Resort is a luxury hotel in Telluride’s Mountain Village. This hotel is located near the ski lifts of Telluride Ski Resort and offers amazing mountain views and an outdoor pool
Mid-Range/Luxury: The Peaks Resort & Spa – Another luxury hotel in Telluride, just a 10-minute walk to the ski resort. Like most hotels in Telluride, this is a luxury property but the rates are slightly lower than Madeline’s
Budget Friendly: Bivvi Hostel – If you’re looking for a more affordable option, just outside of Telluride is a hostel that offers shared and private rooms. They do tend to fill up pretty quickly!
For Groups: VRBO – Telluride has a wide range of vacation rentals which usually are just as much as the hotels. If you prefer to have your own space to cook or are going with a group, this may be the best option for you!
Camping: Ouray KOA – If you’re feeling extra outdoorsy, there is a KOA campground in Ouray, just 30 minutes outside of Telluride. They offer tent & RV campsites and cabins are also available to rent.
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Things to do in Telluride in the Fall
Telluride in the fall is full of activities! The town of Telluride is pretty small and surrounded by mountains and there is nothing quite like walking around the town and taking in all the fall views of Telluride.
Ride the free gondola – Riding the free gondola from Telluride town to Mountain Village is an absolute must on a fall trip to Telluride. From the gondola, you’ll get the best 360-degree views of Telluride and all the fall foliage. The best part is that the gondola is also dog-friendly!
Town Park – Town Park is a large park right in the middle of the town of Telluride. The park has several trails where you can hike up into the golden trees to surround yourself with the fall foliage. One of the trails even leads to a little waterfall!
San Miguel River – The San Miguel River runs through the town of Telluride near Main Street and is absolutely beautiful in the fall! Highly recommend grabbing a coffee or warm drink from the Coffee Cowboy truck near the gondola and taking a fall stroll along the San Miguel walking path surrounded by yellow trees and listening to the sounds of the river.
Millon Dollar Highway – If you have a car, it is worth it to drive the Million Dollar Highway outside of Telluride near Ouray. This highway offers a scenic drive with mountain and valley views and turns into a sea of golden aspens during the fall! This audio tour will be your guide through the dramatic landscapes of the Million Dollar Highway.
Bridal Veil Falls – If you’re looking to do some hiking, Bridal Veil Falls is one of the most popular trails in Telluride that leads to a large waterfall. The trail is 2 miles out and back and is also dog friendly! Make sure to wear proper hiking shoes as it is a moderately challenging trail.
What to Pack for Fall in Telluride
Colorado weather can be pretty unpredictable this time of year. The days can range from 50-70 degrees and nights can drop as low as the 20s and 30s. If you’re planning a fall trip to Telluride, it is best to be prepared with light and heavy layers as the temperatures can change drastically throughout the days.
Hiking Boots – If you’re planning to do some hiking while in Telluride, make sure you come prepared with proper hiking shoes. These hiking boots from Columbia are my favorite and have lasted me several years!
Warm Nighttime Shoes – Having warm and comfy shoes to wear on a chilly fall night is a must-have when visiting Telluride in the fall. These UGG Tazz Slippers are my favorite fall shoes to keep my feet warm in the cool Colorado weather.
Hydration Backpack – Another one of my hiking essentials is a hydration backpack because they make it so easy to stay hydrated while hiking and exploring. This backpack from Amazon is lightweight and easy to pack in your suitcase!
Beanies – Beanies are the #1 fall essential you need with every outfit on your trip to Telluride. It can be windy at the top of the mountains and beanies are the perfect accessory to keep your head and ears warm! I love Carhartt beanies because they are warm and have colors for every outfit!
