Published Updated 5 min readThings to do

Things to Do Near Telluride Rentals (Gondola, Trails, Town Park)

Quick answer

The Town of Mountain Village runs a free gondola between Telluride and Mountain Village, open 6:30 a.m. to midnight in season. Its last fall 2026 day is October 25, and it reopens for winter on November 20. The U.S. Forest Service (Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests) lists the Bear Creek Trail from the south end of Pine Street to Bear Creek Falls, and the Bridal Veil Trail into Bridal Veil Basin. The Town of Telluride's Town Park has a pool, a fishing pond, courts, a skatepark and a campground. Facts below come only from the official pages linked at the end. On BnB Search, the Telluride vacation rentals hub lists 191 places, 122 of them individual stays. Sources are linked at the end.

Telluride public options at a glance

For meals, see where to eat near Telluride rentals, which lists the restaurants Visit Telluride shows as closed for part of the fall off-season.

Why this matters for renters: the gondola is free transport between the two towns, so ask which station is nearest your rental. Check its dates against your stay, because it runs only in its summer and winter seasons and closes for maintenance in between.

Free gondola (Town of Mountain Village)

The Town of Mountain Village describes the gondola as the first and only free public transportation of its kind in the United States, opened in 1996. It runs seven days a week, 6:30 a.m. to midnight, during the summer and winter seasons.

Bear Creek Trail #635 (USFS)

The trail starts at the south end of Pine Street on the Town of Telluride's Bear Creek Preserve and climbs a wide dirt track through aspen and mixed conifer forest into Bear Creek Canyon. At about 2 miles it meets the Wasatch Trail #508, and about 0.2 miles farther it ends at the base of Bear Creek Falls. The Forest Service lists no restrooms or potable water.

Bridal Veil Trail #636 (USFS)

The trail follows an old mining road past the privately owned Bridal Veil Powerhouse; the Forest Service asks visitors to stay on the trail and respect private property. Side routes lead to Silver Lake and Blue Lake, and at about 3.5 miles the trail passes within view of the historic Lewis Mill and Lewis Lake. The trail tops out around 12,500 feet. No potable water.

Telluride Town Park (Town of Telluride)

Town of Telluride Parks and Recreation lists athletic fields, basketball and sand volleyball courts, tennis and pickleball courts, a skatepark, a fishing pond, playgrounds, the Town Park pool and campground, and the Hanley Pavilion, an indoor NHL-size ice rink with public skating in winter. Tennis, pickleball and lap swim can be reserved online.

What our Telluride listings show

These counts come from BnB Search's own directory data and change when listings are added or removed.

Browse them on the Telluride hub (map and filters) or in the full Telluride listings directory.

Before you book a Telluride rental

  1. Compare your dates with the gondola's season. In fall 2026 it is closed October 26 to November 19, with buses running instead.
  2. Ask your host how far the rental is from the nearest gondola station or bus stop.
  3. Carry your own water on Bear Creek and Bridal Veil; the Forest Service lists no potable water.
  4. Bridal Veil Trail reaches about 12,500 feet, so plan for high-altitude hiking.

FAQ

Is the Telluride gondola free?

Yes. The Town of Mountain Village says it is entirely free to commuters and sightseers.

When is the gondola closed in fall 2026?

October 26 to November 19, 2026, for maintenance. Buses run between Mountain Village and Telluride during the closure.

How long is the Bear Creek Trail?

The Forest Service puts the junction with the Wasatch Trail at about 2 miles, with Bear Creek Falls about 0.2 miles farther.

How many Telluride rentals does BnB Search list?

191 listings, including 122 individual stays. The rest are lodging businesses, rental companies or other local listings.

Does BnB Search book the stay?

No. Compare on the hub, then book on the site linked from the listing.

Sources

Telluride area facts · Telluride weather by month · Telluride vacation rentals · Telluride Airports and Getting There

Hotels, resorts and lodges in our Telluride directory

Each of these listings has a BnB Search page that links to the property’s own website or its managing company’s site. The list is alphabetical, not ranked, and shows no ratings.