Crested Butte Wildflower Festival:

A celebration of color, community and care

Crested Butte is ready to bloom again! From July 11-20, the Wildflower Capital of Colorado invites participants from near and far to immerse themselves in the annual Crested Butte Wildflower Festival.

Since its founding in 1986, the Wildflower Festival has grown from a humble weekend gathering into a vibrant 10-day celebration featuring over 150 events. Each summer, guided hikes, photography workshops, art classes and culinary experiences draw nature enthusiasts and creatives alike to this extraordinary corner of the Gunnison Valley. Led by more than 40 passionate experts, many of them local, these events offer a chance to learn about everything from pollination to plein air painting, all against a backdrop of dazzling wildflower displays.

It’s no wonder that in 1990, the State of Colorado formally recognized the uniqueness of this place by naming Crested Butte the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado.” That distinction still shines brightly today, thanks in part to the Wildflower Festival’s mission: to advocate for the preservation and appreciation of wildflowers. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Wildflower Festival’s success also supports local conservation efforts, helping to ensure these meadows continue to thrive for generations to come. We work diligently to teach Leave No Trace principles in every event. 

According to the Chamber of Commerce, July is Crested Butte’s busiest month, with more than 120,000 guest nights. That likely comes as no surprise to those who call this valley home. What might be surprising, though, is that the Wildflower Festival itself welcomes only about 700 visitors, along with another 150 local participants. Even so, the arrival of so many summer guests gently shifts the daily rhythms of our small town. We’re truly delighted to share this stunning season with visitors, and we simply ask that everyone tread lightly, honor private lands and trails and keep in mind that for those who live here year-round, Crested Butte is more than a breathtaking destination; it’s home. Your care and consideration help protect not only our fragile landscape but also the close-knit spirit that makes this place so special.

Poster artist

This year, the Wildflower Festival finds vivid expression through the work of local oil painter Susan Marrion, chosen as the official 2025 Wildflower Festival poster artist. A Crested Butte resident whose artistic journey began under the mentorship of local painter John Ingham, Susan’s work radiates her profound connection to nature. “It’s about expressing and sharing the awe, wonder, beauty, appreciation and gratitude I feel when I’m out in the natural world,” she says.

Her artwork, “Splendor on the Lupine Trail,” captures a brilliant tapestry of wildflowers along one of Crested Butte’s most beloved paths. Through her art, Susan offers us not just a glimpse of color, but an invitation to see deeper, to notice the subtle interplay of light and shadow that makes our landscapes inspiring.

So, whether you come to hike, paint, photograph or simply stand in wonder, we welcome you to join us. Let’s celebrate these fleeting, fragile wildflowers together, and do our part to keep Crested Butte blooming beautifully, year after year.

For a full schedule and to register for events, visit: CrestedButteWildflowerFestival.org