Your Mid-Summer Adventure Checklist: Festivals, Full Moons & Fire Lookouts
Explore Colorado with Purpose, Play, and Pre-Loved Gear
Mid-Summer in Colorado doesn’t wait for you to make plans—it calls for spontaneity, sun-soaked hikes, and nights under the full moon. Whether you’re chasing wildflowers, dancing at a mountain festival, or spending the day hiking to a fire lookout tower, this is your sign to soak it all in.
At Mountain Equipment Recyclers, we believe adventure doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag or an environmental footprint. So here’s your July + August adventure checklist—with experiences that make the most of the season, and gear you can grab used, local, and ready to roam.
🌕 Catch the Full Buck Moon – July 10th
There’s nothing quite like hiking under a full moon in Colorado. This month’s Buck Moon is a perfect excuse to lace up your boots, grab a headlamp, and hit the trail just before sunset.
Try: Red Rock Canyon Open Space or Cheyenne Mountain trails for a not-too-remote moonlit trek.
Gear Tip: Pick up a used headlamp or lightweight windbreaker before you head out—it gets chilly after dark, even in July.
🌼 Wildflower Wandering
July is peak bloom season in the high country. Think meadows bursting with columbine, Indian paintbrush, and lupine. It’s like walking through a living postcard.
Try: Yankee Boy Basin near Ouray or American Basin outside Lake City—both are worth the drive.
Gear Tip: Shop gently-used hiking shoes or moisture-wicking base layers. The elevation gain is no joke—dress smart and dry.
🏔️ Hike to a Fire Lookout Tower
There’s something magical about standing where rangers once kept watch over Colorado’s wild landscapes. Fire lookout towers offer sweeping views, a glimpse into history, and a solid summit goal without the crowds of a typical 14er.
Try:
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Devil’s Head Lookout – Near Sedalia, this 2.8-mile out-and-back trail leads to the only active fire lookout tower still in use in Colorado. Climb the 143 stairs at the top for panoramic Front Range views.
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Mestaa’Ėhehe Mountain Fire Lookout – Located near Idaho Springs, this moderately challenging 2.8-mile round-trip hike rewards you with panoramic vistas and a chance to explore a beautifully restored historic tower named in honor of a respected Cheyenne translator and peace advocate.
👉 MER Tip: Used trekking poles and a breathable daypack make the uphill climb a lot more enjoyable—and sustainable, too.
🎶 Get Outside and Get Down: Festivals to Catch This Season
Whether you’re dancing under the stars, wandering mountain-town art markets, or soaking up bluegrass next to a river, Colorado’s summer festival scene is unmatched. Here are three you don’t want to miss:
🎻 RockyGrass Festival – Lyons, CO
📅 July 25–27
Bluegrass lovers unite along the St. Vrain River for a weekend of music, floating, and foot-stomping good vibes.
👉 MER Tip: Grab a used camp chair, daypack, or sun hat—festival gear is always better secondhand.
🧘 Telluride Jazz Festival – Telluride, CO
📅 August 8-10
Jazz meets mountain magic. Between sets, explore alpine trails, ride the gondola, or just chill in the shade with views that feel like a painting.
👉 MER Tip: Pack a pre-loved picnic blanket, hydration pack, and some layers—it’s Telluride, and the weather likes to keep things interesting.
🎨 Commonwheel Arts & Crafts Festival – Manitou Springs, CO
📅 August 30 – September 2
A local favorite to wrap up summer, this artsy, outdoorsy fest has something for everyone—live music, handmade goods, and creekside vibes right in MER’s backyard.
👉 MER Tip: Bring a lightweight used backpack to carry your day’s treasures.
The Mountains Are Calling (and They’re On a Budget)
July and August are two of the best months to get outside, try something new, and take it all in. If you’re looking for a reliable mid-summer adventure checklist to make the most of Colorado’s great outdoors, start with Mountain Equipment Recyclers. Whether you need a trail-ready pack, a tent, a festival chair, or just a solid pair of hiking pants—we’ve got what you need, and it won’t cost you the full-price guilt.