Summer in the Vail Valley
Hiking · Fly Fishing · Mountain Biking · Golf · Paddleboarding · Free Concerts
Your Base Camp for Summer Adventure
Avon, Colorado sits at the heart of the Vail Valley — minutes from world-class hiking trails, Gold Medal fly fishing on the Eagle River, Beaver Creek’s lift-served bike park, and Nottingham Lake’s beach and paddleboard rentals. Our two condos put you within walking distance of Nottingham Park and a short drive from everything else. Here’s what to expect when you visit in summer.
🥾 Hiking
The Vail Valley offers trails for every level — from easy lakeshore walks to challenging alpine routes above 10,000 feet. Summer temperatures stay comfortable in the mountains, making it a favorite escape from the heat of lower elevations.
- Nottingham Park Trail — An easy 1.25-mile loop around Nottingham Lake in downtown Avon. Flat, paved, and perfect for families with young kids. Walking distance from both condos.
- McCoy Park (Beaver Creek) — Gentle alpine meadow hiking at ~10,000 ft. Accessible via the Strawberry Park Express chairlift, which runs for free in summer. Wildflowers peak in July.
- Beaver Lake Trail — A moderate 4-mile out-and-back from Beaver Creek Village leading to a quiet alpine lake. Watch for elk and marmots along the way.
- Booth Falls Trail (Vail) — One of the most popular hikes in the valley. A 4.2-mile round trip to a stunning 60-foot waterfall. Moderate difficulty, with great views of the Gore Range.
- Vail Mountain Trails — Access via the free Eagle Bahn Gondola from Vail Village. Over 30 miles of hiking trails at the summit, including the iconic Vail Nature Center walks.
Tip: Trail conditions at elevation can change quickly. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August — plan to be off exposed ridgelines by noon.
🎣 Fly Fishing the Eagle River
The Eagle River runs right through Avon and is one of Colorado’s most accessible Gold Medal fisheries. The Gold Medal designation means exceptional brown trout and rainbow trout populations — anglers come from across the country to fish this stretch. Our River Condo sits steps from the riverbank, making it easy to wet a line before breakfast.
- Eagle River — Avon stretch — Public access along Highway 6 through Avon. Multiple pull-offs for wade fishing. Best for brown trout and rainbow trout May through October.
- Nottingham Lake — Stocked with rainbow trout and easy to fish from shore. Great for kids and beginners. No boat required.
- Eagle River — Minturn stretch — About 15 minutes west of Avon, the canyon below Minturn offers some of the most scenic and productive water on the river.
Fly Fishing Outfitters — Guided Trips from Right Across the Street
Fly Fishing Outfitters is located directly across the street from the Shuttle Condo at 1060 W Beaver Creek Blvd — and they’re the only Orvis-Endorsed guide service in the Vail Valley, a two-time winner of Orvis Outfitter of the Year, and have been at it since 1992.
- Half-day trips (4 hrs) — wade or float, morning or afternoon
- Full-day trips (8–12 hrs) — wade or float, streamside meal included
- All gear provided — Orvis rod, reel, waders, boots, flies, and tackle
- Rivers fished: Eagle, Colorado, Frying Pan, Blue, and Roaring Fork
A Colorado fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older. Licenses are available online at cpw.state.co.us or at local sporting goods stores in Avon.
🚵 Mountain Biking
Avon is one of the best mountain biking hubs in Colorado. A local flow trail network five minutes from the condo, beginner-friendly paved paths along the Eagle River, and two world-class lift-served parks (Beaver Creek and Vail) give every rider — from first-timers to seasoned shredders — somewhere great to go.
West Avon Preserve — Rideable from the Condo
The West Avon Preserve is a local favorite — a network of nine named trails in the hills just north of town, accessible directly from the condo on two wheels (no car needed). The trails range from a mellow 1-mile warm-up loop to fast flow trails with berms, rollers, and optional jump lines. Open April 15 through December 15.
- PB&J (Pumps, Berms & Jumps) — The preserve’s signature trail. Fast, flowing singletrack with berms, rollers, and optional jumps. Intermediate. Tons of fun.
- Our Backyard — An easy 1-mile loop, great for warming up or introducing newcomers to trail riding.
- Saddle Ridge Loop — A longer route combining ridge views with smooth flow sections.
- Wild West Ridge — More exposed terrain with open views across the Vail Valley.
- Lee’s Way Down, Wyse Way, Carroll’s Cutoff — Fun descent and connector options to customize your loop.
Elkhorn Trail + Village to Village — Beaver Creek
For a longer cross-country adventure without a lift ticket, combine the Elkhorn Trail with the Village to Village Trail at Beaver Creek — and you can pedal to the trailhead from the condo. Elkhorn starts near the Lower Beaver Creek Express lift base and climbs through beautiful aspen forest up to the Beaver Creek trail network (~2.4 miles, ~1,177 ft gain, intermediate difficulty). At the top, Village to Village is 5 miles of rolling singletrack that traverses across the ski mountain to Arrowhead and back — fun, scenic riding through the summer greens. Descend back down Elkhorn for a rewarding out-and-back.
Heads up: Elkhorn Trail is closed May 6–June 30 each year to protect deer and elk during calving season. Best window for this ride is July 1 through fall.
Beaver Creek Bike Park — Lift-Served
Skip the climb and let the Centennial Express chairlift do the work. Beaver Creek’s lift-served bike park offers 50 miles of trails for all ability levels — wide beginner flow trails, cruisy intermediate runs through aspen groves, and technical black diamond descents. Bike and helmet rentals are available at the Summer Adventure Center in Beaver Creek Village. The free Beaver Creek shuttle from just outside the Shuttle Condo gets you to the Village without driving. Open mid-June through late September.
Vail Mountain Bike Park — Gondola-Served
About 15 minutes east, Vail Mountain Bike Park is one of the largest lift-accessed bike parks in North America. Ride the free Eagle Bahn Gondola up from Vail Village and access 80+ miles of trails — from easy green cruisers to gnarly expert lines. Bike demos and rentals are available at the base.
Eagle Valley Trail — Paved & Family-Friendly
The paved Eagle Valley Trail runs along the Eagle River through Avon, connecting to Edwards and beyond. Perfect for a relaxed morning spin, a ride with younger kids, or just logging miles on a rest day without dealing with traffic.
Tip: Venture Sports on the main drag in Avon rents trail and full-suspension bikes by the day. Reserve ahead for summer weekends.
⛳ Golf
Mountain golf is in a category of its own — dramatic elevation changes, emerald fairways set against rocky peaks, and cool summer air make a round genuinely enjoyable even in July. The Vail Valley has several excellent public courses, all within a short drive of the condos.
EagleVail Golf Club — Closest to the Condos
A public 18-hole course right in Eagle-Vail (about a 5-minute drive), consistently rated one of the Vail Valley’s favorites. Set at 7,650 ft elevation with sweeping mountain views, designed by Devlin/Von Hagge. Well-maintained, great value, and easy to get tee times compared to the resort courses. Book at eaglevailgolfclub.com.
Vail Golf Club
A public championship course in Vail (~15 min east) with Gore Creek winding through the layout. Managed by the Vail Recreation District, open to all, with a full pro shop and the Grill on the Gore restaurant on-site. Book tee times at vailrec.com.
Eagle Ranch Golf Club — Arnold Palmer Signature Design
About 30 minutes west in the town of Eagle, this Arnold Palmer Signature Design 18-hole course sits in the scenic Brush Creek Valley. Worth the drive — great conditions, canyon views, and typically more relaxed tee availability than courses closer to Vail. Book at eagleranchgolf.com.
🛶 Nottingham Lake — Beach, Paddleboarding & More
Nottingham Lake in the center of Avon is a summer hub for the whole family. The sandy beach, paddleboard rentals, and open lawns make it the go-to afternoon spot — and it’s about a 10-minute walk from both of our condos.
- Stand-up paddleboard & kayak rentals — Available on-site during summer months.
- Swimming — The lake is open for swimming. No lifeguard on duty.
- Beach volleyball & open lawn — Great space for kids to run around.
- Fishing from shore — Stocked rainbow trout, easy access for all ages.
- AvonLIVE! concerts — Free Wednesday evening concerts on the lake shore, June through August. One of the best free events in the valley.
🌊 Day Trip: Glenwood Springs (~45 min west)
Glenwood Springs is about 45 minutes west on I-70 and makes an excellent full-day side trip. It’s home to the best hot springs in the region and one of the most iconic hikes in all of Colorado. Worth building a day around — or even two.
Hot Springs
Glenwood Springs has three distinct hot springs experiences — ranging from a massive family pool to intimate private soaking tubs to an underground steam cave. Pick your vibe:
- Glenwood Hot Springs Pool — The classic. The world’s largest natural mineral hot springs pool, open since 1888. Two pools (hot and cooler), waterslides, and a full resort facility. Great for families and the best value of the three. Always busy in summer — arrive early.
- Iron Mountain Hot Springs — The upscale option. Sixteen individual soaking pools on the banks of the Colorado River, each sized for a small group. Newer facility, beautiful riverfront setting, more of a spa atmosphere. Higher price but a genuinely different experience from the big pool.
- Yampah Spa & Vapor Caves — Something you won’t find anywhere else in North America. Natural geothermal steam rises through underground caves carved into the hillside — it’s a natural steam bath below street level. Mineral-rich, intensely relaxing, and totally unique. Often combined with a massage or spa treatment.
Hanging Lake — A Colorado Classic
About 10 miles east of Glenwood Springs in Glenwood Canyon, Hanging Lake is one of the most beautiful hikes in Colorado. A designated National Natural Landmark, the lake was formed by a geological fault that left a travertine shelf suspended partway up the canyon wall — fed by Bridal Veil Falls, which gives the water its famous turquoise color. It’s genuinely stunning.
- Distance: 2.76 miles round trip — short but steep. 1,200 ft of elevation gain in just over a mile. Strenuous.
- Time: Allow about 3 hours (roughly 2 hrs up, 1 hr down) plus time at the lake.
- Reservation required: A timed entry permit ($12/person, Apr 30–Oct 31) is required and must be booked in advance at hanginglake.com. It sells out weeks ahead in summer — book before you arrive.
Tip: Pair Hanging Lake in the morning (cooler temperatures, best light) with a hot springs soak at Iron Mountain or Glenwood in the afternoon for a perfect full day.
🎤 Summer Events Worth Planning Around
The Vail Valley packs a full calendar of free and ticketed events from June through September. Here are the highlights worth building your trip around:
- AvonLIVE! & SunsetLIVE! — Free outdoor concerts at Nottingham Lake, Wednesday evenings and select weekends, June–August. Bring a blanket and enjoy music with mountain views. Details at avon.org.
- Salute to the USA — July 3rd — Avon’s big fireworks show over Nottingham Lake. One of the largest Independence Day celebrations in Colorado. Get there early — the lakeside fills up fast.
- GoPro Mountain Games (Vail) — Typically held in June. Whitewater kayaking, mountain biking, trail running, and rock climbing competitions at Vail Village. Free to watch, great atmosphere.
- Bravo! Vail Music Festival — World-class classical music performances in late June through early August. A surprising highlight if you enjoy live music. See discovervail.com for dates.
- FreeFall Bluegrass & Arts Festival — Avon’s late-summer celebration, typically in August. Free entry, local food vendors, arts and crafts.
- Vail Dance Festival — Late July through early August. Contemporary dance performances at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail.
Ready to Plan Your Summer Trip?
Both condos sleep 6, include full kitchens, and are minutes from everything above. Check availability for your dates.
Or browse our properties: Shuttle Condo · River Condo