From east to west, the United States has some of the best mountain ranges around. And as we see the Great American Roadtrip making a massive comeback these days, boutique mountain hotels and destinations are one of the most popular places people are going.
There’s something purely magical about going up a windy switchback road, summiting a peak, and arriving at those mountain adventure hotels nestled in the arms of a majestic mountain. Without a doubt, this beauty is evident during the winter months (as we’ve written about countless times).
However, there’s an entirely different side to mountains that comes alive in the summer. Flowers bloom wildly, animals move freely, and warm breezes blow swiftly in the evening sunset. Not to mention, mountain roads are much more clear and considerably easier to drive in the summer.
Most importantly, boutique mountain adventure hotels offer entirely different excursions and experiences based on what time of year it is. In the winter you can snowmobile, ski, and snowboard, but in the summer you can access hidden hiking trails, go horseback riding, and fish pristine rivers.
As the weather changes, the world of adventure on a mountain changes with it. There’s plenty of time left in this year’s season to book a stay at any of the properties below and get in on the unforgettable summer action. These are 10 of our absolute favorite options in America.
1. Gravity Haus
Gravity Haus is built for those with an adventurous spirit, and it stands as a beacon of light in the Rocky Mountains for thrill-seeking pilgrims. They have two different locations, one in Breckenridge (their “home base” first operation) and the second in Vail.
These are no normal hotels though. You’ll have countless options to push your physical limits both indoors and outdoors when you’re lodging here for the summer months. Both locations have top tier training facilities: Dryland Sports Breck and the Vail Athletic Club.
Each has a tailored regimen and schedule to help improve your flexibility, strength, and peace of mind. You’re going to need all three of those before hitting the supertramp, a massive trampoline on the roof built to help hone snowsports maneuvers in the summertime offseason.
Both Breckenridge and Vail Gravity Haus options are prime locations from which to explore the bounty of the Rocky Mountains in the summer as well. Signup for a guided trip that takes you mountain biking, trail running, hiking, or rafting through the Colorado wilderness.
And when you’re done hit the recovery spas, dry sauna, and the Japanese-inspired mountainside onsen.
“I recently stayed at Gravity Haus Breckenridge, and it was literally a second home. Best way to do it is hike in the early AM, work out of their coffee shop ‘Unraveled,’ hit the supertramp for some fun, and explore the town by night.” Patrick Burkhardt, CEO and Founder of Luxpitality
No matter which Gravity Haus you visit, you’ll become part of a globally conscious community made up of people who embody the hotel’s mission to create a healthy planet and foster personal growth (while staying at one of the most kickass hotels in the Rockies).
2. Dunton Hot Springs
Dunton Hot Springs, part of the Dunton Destinations family, was built in the San Juan Mountains back in the 1800s. The rich history behind this property is what makes it one of our personal favorites: it served as a mining outpost where the miners, beaten down by long days prospecting the hills, creatively diverted the naturally occurring hot springs for a nice, long soak.
It was later abandoned by the miners and became a ghost town, but was fully restored by Dunton Destinations and turned into a modern masterpiece of balance between old and new. It kept the ghost town vibe, but has been outfitted with WiFi, luxurious beds, and stylish decor.
Of course, the hot springs themselves have remained fully intact and ready for weary travelers looking to relax after days spent exploring the vast surrounding wilderness. You’ll find the summer experiences they offer rival that of any great winter adventure:
- Horseback Riding in the high Rockies
- Fly Fishing on the Dolores – private waters
- Hiking in the high San Juans
- Mountaineering in the higher San Juans
- Mountain Biking
- Rock Climbing
- Trail Rides into the San Juans
- Rafting on the Animas Rivers and Dolores Rivers
- Photography & Fine Art instruction
- Archeological Day Tours to the Desert
Did we mention they also have an on-site spa, yoga classes, and a rustic saloon you can dine in? This is one of the hottest summer mountain adventure hotels if you’re in or near Denver, but easily accessible from most places.
3. Dunton River Camp
Dunton River Camp, another property within the Dunton Destinations portfolio, offers all the same summer activities for their guests, but the location is a far cry from the ghost town-y hot springs. It’s still private, secluded, and intimate, but it’s a former cattle ranch that sits on 500 acres of land. Fun fact: a lot of the land is still used for free-range cattle grazing.
It’s not hard to see why this is a fan favorite: the landscape opens to a gentle meadow with a picturesque river running through it, and forested land surrounding the valley. What’s more, a sizable portion of this land gets set up as a summer-only tent camp that features eight different tents outfitted with everything you’d expect to find in a luxury resort.
Each tent also comes with two private mountain bikes for you to head out and experience the San Juan Mountains, the West Fork of the Dolores River, or something off the map. When you return to Dunton River Camp, you’ll be greeted by an on-site sauna, a nice cocktail, and a freshly prepared organic meal from the land.
4. Dunton Town House
Straight up: Dunton Destinations are some of the best and we can’t get enough of them. It’s why we’re following up with one final option in the Dunton Town House. Like its siblings in the portfolio, there’s an ambient cowboy-prospector vibe that permeates every corner of the Dunton Town House, however it has a much more distinct bed and breakfast feeling as well.
This quaint house has stood in Telluride since 1860 and offers guests five different rooms to choose from. Its location gives summer wanderers the best of both worlds: city and mountain.
If you’re looking to hit some shops, grab a bite, and explore the town you’re embedded right in the mix of it. However, if you’re looking through our mountain adventure hotels for a great escape, Dunton Town House is only a short trip up the slopes before you can bomb back down them on a mountain bike or get happily lost exploring the hiking trails at sunset. Everything is just minutes outside the front door.
5. Taylor River Lodge
Taylor River Lodge was built for the fly fishing enthusiasts. In fact, before it was set as one of the top mountain adventure hotels in Colorado, it stood as a general store for fishing bait and tackle. The aesthetic has remained constant with the property’s redesign into an eight-cabin private retreat that’s only open from May through October: prime summer months for fishing.
Literally steps from the cabins is a fully stocked trout pond and a solid mile of pristine river just waiting for you. If you’re not into fishing, don’t count this one though. There are dozens of other summer activities you can enjoy, like float trips down the Gunnison River, hiking, rock climbing, and even archery and hatchet throwing.
There’s something magical about the true essence of Colorado at Taylor River Lodge. You get azure skies, verdant pine trees, dark granite cliffs, and absolute zero light pollution at night for perfect star gazing. Plus, Taylor River Lodge is buried in Colorado’s Taylor Canyon—truly off the grid—which makes getting there a fun adventure all to itself.
6. Basecamp Hotels
Basecamp Hotels operates on a singular mission to bring exploration back to your hotel stay, which makes them a perfect fit for anyone looking for blazing hot summer mountain adventure hotels. They take under-appreciated buildings in prime destinations and throw away the bland hotel experience with a strong infusion of soul and style.
Similar to the way Gravity Haus is set up, they have multiple locations around Tahoe. The first hotel they brought to life is Basecamp South Lake Tahoe and serves as a gateway for adventurers to explore the lakes, trails, and mountains in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
The accommodations are only a five-minute walk to the lake and only four minutes to the Heavenly Gondola, which will take you up into the mountains and provide an epic view of the surrounding area. It’s a must-ride anytime of the year, seriously.
Basecamp Tahoe City is the newest addition to their family of properties, built as a boutique hotel that still offers the same level of exciting access to explore the basin. With this property though, you’ll get better access to Downtown Tahoe City—it’s still only a 5-minute walk to the lake though.
At either Basecamp option, you’ll be able to lockdown water skiing, fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and whatever other outdoor activity gets you amped up. As they say, let this be the springboard for your perfect Tahoe adventure.
7. Eastwind
Let’s hop over to the East Coast to visit our friends at Eastwind, a boutique hotel that’s located in Windham, New York. It’s situated right in the breathtaking landscape of the Catskill Mountains and the rooms are built so you can take it all in with one of their signature cocktails (you have to hit up the bar while you’re there, you won’t be disappointed).
They have a unique setup for rooms, which they would describe as “almost camping.” The moniker is perfect, as their rooms are built to offer the much-loved glamping experiences taking the nation by storm right now. Each option has direct access to nature, but offers all the touches of a normal, luxurious hotel room.
When you’re ready to head out and explore, you won’t be disappointed by the Kaaterskill Falls hiking trail, views from the slopes of Windham Mountain, or a day trip to the Saugerties Lighthouse. It’s one of the area’s favorite year-round retreats, and we see why.
Photo Credit: Lawrence Braun
8. Amangani
The Teton Mountain range is gorgeous in the winter when blanketed by fresh snow, but it’s just as beautiful in the summer splashed with lush greenery and vivid colors of life everywhere. Amagani, located in Jackson Hole, is the perfect place from which to enjoy this summer view.
It’s designed as a secluded hilltop hideaway on the outskirts of Grand Teton National Park, and offers ways for you to fully immerse yourself in wildlife experiences. They have a team of in-house naturalists who can lead you through a private tour of the nearby Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, where you’ll see elk, wolves, moose, and bears.
You can also saddle up a horse and head out trail riding through the valley through the adjacent National Elk Refuge state park. It’s a true embodiment of their name: peaceful home. You’ll feel the serenity, breathing deeply, as you overlook the Snake River Valley from your room’s terrace.
9. Caldera House
Another phenomenal option for those who want to experience the Grand Teton National Park, Caldera House is situated in the very heart of Teton Village. It’s only a short drive to the entrance of the park, and it offers direct access to nature in a setting that you won’t soon forget.
Perhaps the best part is that whatever adventure you choose to have at Caldera House, their in-house team will fully customize it to suit your personal style and tastes. It’s literally their job to ensure you’re able to take full advantage of the various experiences at your fingertips.
You might want to go horseback riding one day, and then fly fishing the next. Or perhaps you’d like to go on a professional photo safari with a resident expert, ride ATVs across the open plains, go whitewater rafting, or run mountain trails. Hell, if you’re up for it they’ll even put together an excursion for you to summit the Grand Teton mountain itself.
There is no bad adventure here, and you’ll only be limited by yourself. So, let your mind run wild and let Caldera House put together something that unleashes your creativity and soul.
10. The Lodge at Blue Sky
If you’re a dedicated reader of our blog (thank you readers and fans!), you know how obsessed we are with Auberge. We’re saving the best for last here with the Lodge at Blue Sky, by Auberge. You’ll find this private, 35,000-acre mountain retreat about 30 minutes from the Salt Lake City airport in the Wasatch Mountain Range.
The soft sounds of nature will surround you here, whether it’s the footfall of horses over the ground, the flow of the Alexander Creek, or a soft breeze singing over the land. And the hotel provides countless options for you to get out and experience this natural beauty.
You can fish for trout on secluded streams, take high alpine helicopter rides, perform outdoor yoga sessions, and so much more. They have specially curated itineraries for guests, all you have to do is pick one and go. Not to mention, the property itself is absolute stunning, as only Auberge Resorts can deliver.
The summer season often runs from May through October, so there’s plenty of time left to book your stay. If any of these options spoke to your personality and lifestyle, reach out to Luxpitality today and we’ll get you set up with one of these epic mountain adventure hotels. Check out our sister blog post about the best winter mountain hotels too!