• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
    • Year-round
      • Brewery Tours
      • Casinos & Gaming
      • Colorado Brands
      • Federal Lands
      • Food & Dining
      • Ghost Towns
      • Gondola & Chairlifts
      • Hot Springs
      • Mine Tours
      • Museums
      • Paintball
      • Public Parks
      • Scenic Drives
      • Shopping
      • Sports Teams
      • State Parks
      • Train Rides
      • Transportation
      • Wildlife
      • Zip Lines & Aerial Parks
    • Spring, Summer & Fall
      • Amusement Parks
      • ATV Rentals
      • Biking
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Drive-In Theaters
      • Fishing
      • Golf Courses
      • Hiking
      • Horseback Riding
      • Rock Climbing
      • Tubing & Paddling
      • Waterfalls
      • Whitewater Rafting
    • Winter
      • Cross Country Skiing
      • Dog Sledding
      • Ice Climbing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Ice Skating
      • Skiing & Snowboarding
      • Sleigh Rides
      • Snow Tubing
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Events
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
  • Lodging
    • Budget Hotels
    • Historic Hotels
    • Luxury Hotels
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Cabins & Glamping
    • Casinos with Lodging
    • Dude Ranches
    • Hot Spring with Lodging
    • Wineries with Lodging
    • Campgrounds
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Lodging
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
Mohawk Lake Blue River Colorado
Mohawk Lake west of Blue River. Photo: Adam Baker

Blue River, Colorado

2
SHARES
FacebookTwitter

Aptly named Blue River, this riverside community is nearly an extension of Breckenridge. It’s situated just south of town on CO-9 heading toward Fairplay. The town places an emphasis on conserving its natural beauty and great quality of life.

In 2020 the population was 918. The town is home to a mix of permanent residences and vacation homes. It is located close to 14,270-foot Quandary Peak and the headwaters of the Blue River. It sits at an elevation of 10,036 feet in Summit Countyย and was incorporated in 1964.

Main Attractions

Alpine lake
Lower Mohawk Lake, near Blue River, CO. Photo by: Brendan Bombaci

Mohawk Lakes Trail – Soak in the views of these beautiful alpine lakes, located west of town. It is a moderately difficult 4.2-mile hike to the lakes and the trail gets busy in the warmer months, so be sure to start early.

Blue River –ย This 65-mile high-elevation river is a beautiful place for all types of outdoor recreation. There are plenty of public access points to take advantage of the great trout fishing. Rafting, kayaking, and paddleboarding have also become popular activities in the warmer months.

Recreation

Blue tent on a green field in the mountains
Camping near Kite Lake Trail. Photo by: OakleyOriginals

Camping – Kite Lake Campground is 35 minutes from Blue River and offers great access to Kite Lake Trail which summits 4 14ers in one loop. There are only 5 official tent sites here, each with a picnic table and fire pit.

Fishing – Prize trout fishing can be found on the Blue River, which flows from Breckenridge to the north. Mohawk Lake offers high-altitude fishing as well but requires quite a hike to get there.

Hiking –ย Lower McCollough Gulch trailhead is near the south end of town, and is about 6 miles roundtrip. Once the snow melts, there is a beautiful waterfall at the end of the trail and plenty of scenic vistas to enjoy. It can be technically challenging though so be prepared.

Accommodations

Blue River Colorado Welcome Sign
Welcome to Blue River, CO! Photo by: Jeffrey Beall



Booking.com

Blue River only has individual rentals for accommodation. However, Breckenridge has plenty of hotels and luxury options only a short drive away.

Activities near Blue River

Federal Lands:

  • Lake Dillon (16mi)
  • Pike National Forest
  • White River National Forest

Landmarks:

  • Blue River

Towns:

  • Alma (11mi)
  • Breckenridge (5mi)
  • Fairplay (17mi)
  • Frisco (13mi)

Latest in Blue River

Autumn Afternoon Lake Dillon Frisco CO Camping Summit County

Camping near Breck, Dillon, Frisco, and Silverthorne, all around Summit County

Summit County is probably the most popular weekend destination for the millions living on the plains…

Camping near Breck, Dillon, Frisco, and Silverthorne, all around Summit CountyRead More

View more Blue River articles

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. โ€”and never miss out again.

Summit County

  • All Towns
  • Summit County
  • Blue River
  • Breckenridge
  • Copper Mountain
  • Dillon
  • Frisco
  • Heeney
  • Keystone
  • Montezuma
  • Silverthorne

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Disclaimer
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Cheers! Mile High Happy Hour shares showcases Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Federal Lands
  • Ghost Towns
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Ski Resorts
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks
  • Train Rides

Copyright © 2023 ยท Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise