Mud Season in Summit County: What It Is, What to Expect, and What to Do

You've planned your trip to Summit County for late April or May, you've told everyone you're heading to the mountains, and then someone, probably a local, says the words: "Oh, you're coming during mud season."

Don't panic. Mud season gets a bad reputation it doesn't fully deserve. Yes, it's real. Yes, the trails can be sloppy. Yes, a handful of businesses close for a few weeks to give their staff a break. But mud season also means fewer crowds, lower prices, and a version of Summit County that most visitors never get to see. With the right expectations and a little planning, it can be one of the best times of year to visit.

Here's everything you need to know before you go.

 

What Is Mud Season and When Does It Happen?

Mud season is the period between the end of ski season and the start of summer. In a typical year it runs early May through early June, but the exact timing shifts every year depending on snowpack and temperatures and 2026 is shaping up to be anything but typical. With a lower-than-average snowpack this year, some of the telltale signs of mud season have already arrived earlier than usual. Pay attention to local conditions as your trip approaches rather than assuming a fixed window.

What triggers it: when the winter snowpack starts melting in earnest, the trails turn soft and sloppy, the dirt roads get slick, and the rivers swell with runoff. The ski resorts are mostly closed, summer hiking and biking season hasn't fully kicked in yet, and the county exhales after months of peak season energy.

In Summit County specifically, mud season kicks off once the major resorts close. Keystone usually wraps up in early April, Breckenridge and Copper follow in late April or early May. Arapahoe Basin runs the longest and often stays open well into June, which means if you time it right you can still ski in the morning and enjoy a quiet mountain town afternoon.

The weather during mud season is genuinely unpredictable regardless of snowpack. A bluebird 60-degree day can be followed by six inches of fresh snow. Pack layers. Pack waterproof boots. And don't make any plans that depend entirely on sunshine.

 

What to Expect — Honestly

Before we get to what you can do, here's an honest picture of what you're walking into.

The trails are a mess. Most hiking and mountain biking trails in Summit County are either still snow-covered at elevation or soft and muddy at lower elevations during mud season. Hiking through mud doesn't just ruin your boots — it causes real erosion damage to the trails. Local trail managers ask visitors to stay off soft trails entirely and turn back if conditions deteriorate. If trail hiking is the main reason you're coming, late May to early June is a safer bet.

Some businesses close. A handful of restaurants, shops, and services take their annual break during mud season. It's not a ghost town most businesses stay open but you may find your first choice is closed. Call ahead before making any special trip.

The crowds are gone. This is the flip side and it's significant. Summit County in mud season looks nothing like Summit County in February or July. You can get a table at a restaurant without a wait. You can browse a shop without bumping into anyone. You can drive through Breckenridge and actually find parking. For some visitors this is exactly the point.

Prices drop considerably. Lodging discounts during mud season can run 30 to 50 percent off peak rates. If you're flexible on timing, mud season is one of the most affordable times of year to stay in Summit County.

 

What to Do During Mud Season

Just because the trails are muddy doesn't mean there's nothing to do. Here's what actually works well this time of year.

Ski Arapahoe Basin

A-Basin is the great mud season secret. While every other resort in Summit County has closed, A-Basin keeps spinning its lifts sometimes all the way into June. Spring skiing at A-Basin is its own experience: corn snow, sunshine, the legendary Beach tailgating scene in the parking lot, and free Saturday concerts through the Shakin' at the Basin spring series. If you can only do one thing during mud season, this is it.

Ride the Rec Path

The Summit County paved recreational path system is one of the best in Colorado and it clears of snow well before the mountain trails do. The path connects Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne, and Keystone through a network of paved routes that works beautifully for walking, running, and road or hybrid cycling. The Dillon Reservoir Loop is particularly good this time of year with the lake thawing out and the mountains still snow-capped above.

Fly Fishing

Mud season is actually an excellent time to fish. Spring runoff keeps the rivers high and cold, but rainbow trout and cutthroat trout are actively feeding as the bugs start to hatch. The Blue River through Silverthorne and Breckenridge is one of the best fisheries in Colorado. Local outfitters Cutthroat Anglers and The Colorado Angler, both in Silverthorne, offer guided trips, rentals, and all the local knowledge you need. Wear waders the water is cold.

Eat and Drink Your Way Through the County

With fewer people in town, the restaurants that stay open are relaxed and genuinely happy to see you. Many offer mud season specials and locals' discounts that disappear the moment summer hits. This is a great time to explore the dining scene without the wait times. Hit the Dillon Dam Brewery, Outer Range Brewing in Frisco, Timberline Craft Kitchen in Silverthorne, or wherever has caught your eye on previous visits. Reservations often aren't necessary, which is its own kind of luxury in Summit County.

Shop the End-of-Season Sales

Ski and snowboard shops are clearing out last season's gear before the summer inventory arrives. If you've been eyeing new skis, boots, a snowboard, or outerwear, mud season is the best time to buy. Prices get marked down significantly and the selection is still good early in the shoulder season.

Visit an Escape Room

When the weather turns unpredictable and it will indoor activities become suddenly very appealing. Escape Room Breckenridge on Main Street has been voted Best Indoor Activity in Summit County and is genuinely fun for groups of all ages. Good for a rainy afternoon, a snowy afternoon, or any afternoon when the mountain is not cooperating.

Take a Day Trip

Mud season is a great excuse to explore the wider region. The Front Range trails dry out faster than Summit County's, making a day trip to Boulder, Golden, or Clear Creek Canyon a good option for hiking. Hot springs are another excellent mud season move. Glenwood Springs is about 90 minutes away and has the world's largest hot springs pool. The drive on I-70 through Glenwood Canyon alone is worth the trip.

 

Gear Up Before You Go

Mud season requires a little more preparation than summer or winter visits. Here's what to pack.

Waterproof hiking boots not trail runners, not sneakers. The real thing. You will need them even if you're not hiking trails, because parking lots, paths, and sidewalks can be wet and slick. A full set of layers including a waterproof shell, because weather changes fast. Warm mid-layers for cold evenings and sudden storms. A spare pair of shoes to change into after any outdoor activity. Sunscreen, spring sun at 9,000 feet is no joke even when it's cold.

 

A Note on Trail Etiquette

This is worth saying directly: please stay off soft trails during mud season. When trails are wet and muddy, hiking or biking through them causes erosion that takes years to repair. The local trail management community works hard to maintain Summit County's incredible trail system, and hiking through mud or around it, which widens the trail and causes its own damage — undermines that work. If you encounter a muddy trail, turn back. Check AllTrails for current conditions before you head out, and stick to paved paths and south-facing lower-elevation routes that dry out faster.

 

The Bottom Line

Mud season in Summit County is not for everyone. If you need blue-sky hiking days on dry trails, wait until mid-June. If you need every restaurant and shop to be open, come in summer or winter. But if you want a quieter, more affordable, more authentic version of Summit County; with A-Basin still running, the rec path opening up, the rivers running high, and the locals finally breathing again after ski season mud season delivers something the peak crowds never get to experience.

Just pack the right boots.