Frequently Asked Questions

The 2020 Program Guide will be available online and via USPS mail in early March, 2020.

Would you like to receive a copy?  Join our mailing list HERE. 

Members of the Wildflower Festival get to register beginning on April 6 – two weeks before the general public. When you become a member, we will instruct you how to register early.  Learn more HERE.

Registration will open to the public on April 20. Sign up for our newsletter for all of the most current information!

Events are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

There is a 5% registration fee added to all events purchased. Merchandise orders have a 3% transaction fee added. Membership orders have no fees assessed.

Yes! Our opening reception will be free and open to the public. In addition, we will be announcing several low-cost speaking events in our 2021 Program Guide. If you would like to receive a copy of our Program Guide, join our Mailing List today!

If you wish to enjoy the beauty of Crested Butte’s wildflowers on a self-guided hike, pick up a free Self-Guided Hike pamphlet at the Wildflower Festival Office at 716 Elk Avenue, or the Visitor’s Center (970-349-6438) located at the 4-way stop in Crested Butte, at Elk Avenue and 6th Street.

The meeting location for your classes will appear on your registration confirmation. Most events will meet at the Historic Train Depot – 716 Elk Avenue. This is our Festival Headquarters!

You can find us on GoogleMaps HERE!

For any classes that start before or after our operating hours,  please consult your registration confirmation for your class’ meeting location. Sometimes, this will be off-site and we will provide a physical address. Please be at your class meeting location 15 minutes before your class starts.

Please note: rain is typical in Crested Butte during the summer months and will not prevent events from going out.  Weather delays may be considered in the event of extreme weather, but are not guaranteed. Please prepare accordingly.

Yes, and you’ll need to contact us at info@cbwildflower.com or 970-349-2571 to do it. Here’s our policy:

If it is within 7 days of an event, you may not change events.
As availability allows and if it is 7 days or more before the start of an event, you may change events:

• If the event being transferred TO is equal/lower in cost than the event being transferred
  FROM, the balance may be used as a credit for other events.
• If the event being transferred TO costs more than the event being transferred FROM, a balance will be due on the difference.

Members will receive an electronic version of the 2021 Program Guide and an email with instructions for early registration. Members will also receive the 2021 Program Guide by mail in mid-March.

Unless the event description specifically states that transportation is provided, you’ll meet at your class location and your leader will split the class into 2-4 carpools. You may be asked to drive and take other guests in your vehicle, and you will follow the leader to your event. If you do not have a vehicle, you will be able to ride with someone else.

If you are participating in outdoor events, bring rain gear, warm layers, hat, gloves, hiking shoes/boots (broken-in please!), insect repellent, sunscreen, snacks, and water. If your event extends over the lunch or dinner hour, bring a snack/sack meal. Your hike description may also suggest bringing river-crossing shoes or sandals, and hiking poles.

Supplies for art classes are provided, but you may want to bring a portable camp chair for field events.

If your event requires any specialty equipment (i.e. photo classes), it will be listed in your event description.

Please be at your meeting location 15 minutes before your program starts. This gives you time to check-in and your leader time to make sure everyone in the group is well prepared. If you arrive late (even 15 minutes), we cannot guarantee you will be able to meet up with your group. Due to the nature of the Festival, we are unable to transfer you to another hike or issue a refund if you are late. Keep it simple, arrive early!

This is a very subjective area, but  in general:

Beginner: One who has very little understanding of the workings of their camera. They have not done much more “point and shoot” photography. Enjoys taking snapshots but wants to learn more about composition, lighting, and the capabilities of their camera to enhance their images.

Intermediate: One who has basic understanding of their camera. They have read their manual or other photography-related information and can use more than one lens. They know basics such as aperture, shutter speed, composition and how to use some of the manual settings on their camera. They are looking to expand their knowledge by going deeper into the capabilities of their camera as well as learning art of photography.

Advanced: One who has a great understanding of their camera and the art of photography. They have multiple lenses and can use the manual settings on their camera with ease. They understand lighting, flash-photography, different compositions, depth, backgrounds, movement, contrast, framing etc. They are looking to be guided to the scenic areas at optimal times for the best shots. They are open to additional photographic tips and enjoy talking “shop” with their instructors.

Most events take place at an altitude of 9,000-11,500 ft above sea level. Some people may experience being light-headed and/or a feeling of “being out of breath” when they first arrive in Crested Butte. This is common and there are a few things you can do to help yourself feel better faster:

• Plan on arriving in Crested Butte at least 24 hrs prior to your first outing to allow for acclimatization. DRINK LOTS OF WATER! And avoid alcohol and caffeine for the first day or two you are here.
• Acli-mate Mountain Sports Drink is a supplement that was developed by Roanne Rouse, a naturopathic doctor in Gunnison. It contains a blend of vitamins and minerals designed to help support healthy adrenal function, optimal hydration, energy production and red blood cell integrity, all pathways that promote well-being and performance at elevation. You’ll want to start using Acli-mate about three weeks prior to coming to Crested Butte.
• Oxygen Concentrators are available for rent by the night and weekly by Alpine Oxygen.
• Learn more about Altitude Sickness here.

Yes! Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley have fantastic and FREE  public transportation available. Our Headquarters is located just a block-and-a-half east of the 4-Way Stop in Crested Butte.

For transportation in and around Crested Butte, check out the Mountain Express:

You can view a complete map of their summer routes HERE.

For transportation in the Gunnison Valley & beyond, check out the Rural Transportation Authority.

Your child may accompany you on events if they are above the stated age minimum listed in the Program Guide. If you have any questions or wish to inquire about making an exception, please call our office at (970) 349-2571.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate dogs at Festival events. Crested Butte is a very dog-friendly town, and you may walk your dog on any of the trails here on your own – but please! Pick up after your four-legged friend and respect leash laws.

The Crested Butte Wildflower Festival offers many membership options, starting at just $25. You can learn more about our membership benefits and become a member by clicking here. As a member, you will receive the 2021 Program Guide in early March and get a two-week jump on the general public for event registration!

This is a strenuous 11-mile hike at altitude. You need to have an excellent level of cardiovascular fitness and be acclimatized to the altitude (9,000-11,500 ft) to enjoy and complete this hike. You will be required to submit a Medical Consent Form for this hike. This form will be sent to you via email approximately 2 weeks prior to your hike.

We offer a host of pre/post Festival events such as  Alpine Wildflowers of Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Sunday Wildflower Walks, and Wildflower and Natural History Hikes starting in June and going through August. Once released, you can view our 2020 Program Guide for the complete listing of events.

And if you want to explore on your own, check out the “Bloom Locator”. This helpful guide points you straight to the blooms. This guide is available for download by clicking here, or you may pick up a copy at the Wildflower Festival Office at 716 Elk Avenue, or the Visitor’s Center (970-349-6438) located at the 4-way stop in Crested Butte, at Elk Avenue and 6th Street.

Generally, the Festival takes place the second week in July. We will announce these dates as soon as we know them.

There is! Crested Butte received the honorable designation, “Wildflower Capital of Colorado”, from the State legislature in 1990, and our mission is to help folks enjoy, learn about, and preserve our beautiful wildflowers. Please help us protect this amazing gift.

• Please don’t pick, cut, or walk on wildflowers or other plants! And if you see someone doing this, please give them a friendly reminder not to, and ask them to pass it along to others.
• Please stay on the trail. If another trail user needs to pass you, please gently step off the trail and wait for them to pass. Please don’t create multiple, parallel trails.
• If a trail is wet, snowy, or muddy, please do your best to keep to the main trail. This will prevent the creation of parallel trails.
• All photography students will receive a copy of the Wildflower Festival’s “Standards for Responsible Outdoor Photography” and are expected to adhere to them. Failure to adhere to these expectations may result in dismissal- without a refund- from any remaining photography classes for which one is already registered.

All festival participants are expected to display responsible outdoor etiquette. Failure to adhere to these expectations may result in dismissal – without a refund – from any remaining classes for which one is already registered.