When most people picture a Colorado summer vacation, they imagine towering peaks, fields of wildflowers, crystal-clear mountain lakes, and endless mountain views. What many visitors don’t realize is that some of the best scenery in Summit County and Vail can’t be seen from Interstate 70, a hiking trail, or even a scenic drive. If you’re looking for one of the most exciting things to do in Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne, Keystone, Copper Mountain, or Vail this summer, an ATV or side-by-side rental from Colorado Outdoor Fun is your ticket to exploring the Colorado backcountry. Whether you choose a guided tour or an unguided rental, you’ll have access to miles of historic mining roads, high-alpine terrain, and spectacular mountain scenery that most visitors never experience.

A Different Kind of Colorado Summer Adventure

This summer is shaping up to be a challenging season for whitewater rafting enthusiasts. Lower snowpack in many areas means river conditions may not deliver the big-water rafting experience visitors often expect from Colorado. The good news is that the mountains are still calling. ATV and side-by-side adventures offer a completely different way to experience the Rockies—instead of spending a few hours on the river, you can spend an entire day exploring mountain passes, winding through aspen groves, climbing above treeline, and discovering hidden viewpoints overlooking some of Colorado’s most iconic landscapes.

See Colorado’s Wildflower Season Up Close

One of the biggest reasons visitors love renting side-by-sides and ATVs during the summer is the opportunity to experience Colorado’s incredible wildflower season. By mid-summer, the mountains surrounding Summit County and Vail come alive with vibrant colors, and hillsides are covered in lupine, paintbrush, sunflowers, columbine, and countless other alpine wildflowers. Many of the best wildflower viewing areas are located far beyond the paved roads, and with an ATV or side-by-side rental you can access remote mountain areas where breathtaking scenery seems to stretch forever. Every turn reveals something new—a rushing creek, a historic mining cabin, a meadow bursting with color, or a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks.

Guided Tours or Explore on Your Own

Colorado Outdoor Fun offers both guided and unguided ATV and side-by-side rentals, giving visitors the flexibility to choose the experience that fits their group. Want a local expert to lead the way and share the area’s history and hidden gems? A guided tour is the perfect option. Prefer to create your own adventure? An unguided rental gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, stop whenever you find the perfect photo opportunity, and spend as much time as you’d like soaking in the scenery. Either way, you’ll experience parts of the Colorado high country that most visitors never get to see.

The Perfect Family Activity Near Breckenridge and Vail

Families often tell us that their ATV or side-by-side adventure ends up being the highlight of their Colorado vacation. Unlike activities that last an hour or two, exploring the backcountry creates an entire day of adventure. Kids love spotting wildlife, crossing mountain streams, and climbing higher into the mountains, while adults appreciate the incredible scenery and the chance to unplug and enjoy the outdoors together. It’s the perfect combination of adventure, sightseeing, and family fun.

Discover Historic Colorado

Long before Summit County became a world-famous destination for skiing and outdoor recreation, these mountains were home to booming mining communities. Many of today’s off-road trails follow historic mining roads that wind deep into the backcountry, and along the way you’ll find remnants of Colorado’s mining past, including old cabins, equipment, and abandoned structures that tell the story of the region’s rich history. It’s like stepping back in time while surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the Rocky Mountains.

Looking for Things to Do in Summit County This Summer?

If you’re visiting Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne, Keystone, Copper Mountain, or Vail, don’t spend your entire vacation sitting in traffic or searching for crowded trailheads. Get out into the mountains and experience alpine wildflowers, breathtaking views, historic mining roads, wildlife sightings, and unforgettable Colorado scenery with a guided or unguided ATV or side-by-side rental from Colorado Outdoor Fun. Summer in the Rockies only lasts a few short months, so make the most of it by exploring the mountains the way they were meant to be explored. Reserve your ride with us today.