When cooler weather sets in and the aspen groves shimmer with golden leaves, it’s time to visit Vail. From fall festivals and outdoor activities to shopping in Tyrolean-inspired villages and famers’ markets, Vail’s autumn energy will take your trip to the next level.
- Raise a Stein at Oktoberfest
- Forage at the Farmers’ Market
- Pack a Fall Picnic
- Feel the Rush on a Bike Trail
- Connect with Nature on a Hike
- Take a Jeep Tour
- Saddle Up for a Horseback Ride
- Soar Up a Scenic Gondola
- Peep Golden Aspen Leaves
- Cruise the Rockies on an Autumn Drive
1. Raise a Stein at Oktoberfest
Vail Oktoberfest is the top fall festival you don’t want to miss. This signature autumn celebration runs for two weekends in September and treats you to all things Bavarian — from authentic food to music and beer — all with a yodel-worthy mountain backdrop. So, don your lederhosen and get ready to perform the chicken dance.
2. Forage at the Famers’ Market
Whether you’re looking for the perfect pumpkin or your new favorite cozy sweater, the Vail Farmers’ Market & Art Show has you covered this fall. The market is in full swing every Sunday from mid-June through the first weekend in October. Sample roasted pumpkin seeds and fresh jellies and jams or find the perfect souvenir by browsing clothing, handcrafted jewelry and artworks. Hailed as the largest farmers’ market in the state and boasting more than 140 vendors, you can’t go wrong putting this event on your autumn bucket list.
3. Pack a Fall Picnic
The best way to enjoy Vail’s fall flavors? A relaxing picnic surrounded by crisp mountain air and the rustle of golden leaves. Lay out a blanket, unwrap your favorite treats from a local sandwich shop (you can’t go wrong with a mortadella-filled Italian sub from Joe’s Famous Deli), and bundle up in a warm sweater as you settle into one of Vail’s many peaceful spots. Want to elevate the experience? Let Picnic Vail do the work. They’ll craft a meal tailored to your taste, setting up everything from the charcuterie spread to cozy pillows and games. When you’re done, they even handle the cleanup — so all you have to do is show up, sit back and dig in.
4. Feel the Rush on a Bike Trail
Whether you’re chasing thrills or enjoying a laid-back ride, Vail has a fall bike trail to match your mood. To get your adrenaline pumping, take on Vail Mountain’s rugged treks — where a gondola ride to the top lets you zoom down the slopes. If you prefer a more relaxed pedal, the smooth paths along Gore Creek Trail go through family-friendly parks and kaleidoscopic aspen groves that will have you reaching for your camera.
Pro tip: Renting a bike in Vail is as easy as pumpkin pie, with dozens of bike-rental shops offering bike options for any age or style of rider.
5. Connect with Nature on a Hike
Hear the soft crunch of leaves below your feet on a tree-lined hiking trail in Vail. For maximum foliage, the Lost Lake Trail is a 7-mile out-and-back that meanders through glowing aspen groves that practically shimmer in the crisp air. The gentle ascent takes you through rows of golden leaves until it unveils the sparkling surface of Lost Lake, framed by sharp peaks. As you stroll, keep an eye out for wandering moose and other wildlife — making sure to always keep your distance and follow Leave No Trace Principles.
6. Take a Jeep Tour
Want to explore the Rockies at a faster pace? Rumble out into the high-alpine environments with outlooks of jagged mountain ranges and lush hillsides on a Vail ATV tour. Outfitters like Sage Outdoor Adventures and Nova Guides can lead you along stunning tree-lined trails, whizzing through pine-scented forests, alpine meadows and all the best views in the valley.
7. Saddle Up for a Horseback Ride
Horseback riding is another must for your autumn bucket list in Vail. Horses are synonymous with the west, and you’ll find a number of ranches and riding options for all skill levels across the board. Saddle up for a guided trail ride on which you and your horse can meander through the stunning fall foliage at a pace that suits you best. Riding options range from a short trek through the Rocky Mountains to a longer stroll along the Colorado River.
8. Soar Up a Scenic Gondola
If you’ve already taken to the trails by foot or bike, it’s time to hop on a scenic gondola to get an elevated perspective on those poplars. Vail has two gondolas running through the warmer months, both of which serve up breathtaking bird’s-eye views of the fall foliage peppered on and around Vail Mountain. Gondola One runs from the Vail Village area to mid-Vail, while the Eagle Bahn Gondola runs from Lionshead Village to atop Vail Mountain. For even more fun for the kiddos, get a ticket to Epic Discovery — open until early October via the Eagle Bahn — to learn about alpine ecosystems at the Nature Discovery Center and whiz through the trees aboard the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster.
9. Peep Golden Aspen Leaves
When it comes to glorious fall foliage, New York has the Hudson Valley and Colorado has Vail. And finding the best groves has become something of a sport in the Centennial State. Leaf peeping refers to the art of basking in the beauty of the fall foliage, and once the leaves start changing around mid-September, there’s not a place in town you can go where you won’t catch a glimpse of the spectacular show. Berry Picker Trail is a classic leaf-peeping trek that crosses trickling streams and wanders through stands of quaking aspens.
10. Cruise the Rockies on an Autum Drive
If a scenic drive is calling your name, the Top of the Rockies scenic byway delivers a stunning display of autumn’s finest hues against alpine backdrops. For a bite-sized adventure with a big impact, head to the Camp Hale-Continental Divide Monument, passing through charming towns like Minturn and Red Cliff. Take a moment at the monument, where the 10th Mountain Division soldiers honed their skills for high-altitude warfare during World War II, learning to survive, climb, ski and fight in the toughest conditions.