Every year, thousands of visitors and locals recreate on Summit County trails, and outdoor areas in Breckenridge are no exception. Fortunately, Leave No Trace principles and other easy tips will keep public areas usable for years to come.

Scott Reid, the director of recreation for the town of Breckenridge, said that the most popular trails in Breckenridge are the ones with access within the town or very close to town. Those include French Gulch, Peaks Trail, Carter Park, Tiger Road/Dredge Trailhead, Illinois Gulch and Trollstigen, which houses Isak Heartstone.

“The most popular days and times tend to be Fridays through Sundays, midmorning through midafternoon (such as) 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Slower times tend to be the inverse — weekdays, excluding Fridays, early mornings and later in the afternoons,” Reid said. “During our shoulder seasons (spring and fall), it is also possible to use some of the trails in the early morning while the ground is still frozen, even though they may be muddy at midday.”

One of the goals of Breckenridge is to have more boots and bikes and fewer cars. To help reach this goal, the town’s Open Space and Trails department has expanded trail access to have more than 130 trail-access portals within the town. This means that over 90% of residences within the town have at least one portal within a quarter-mile of their home.

“There is also bus and transit access in close proximity to several of our most popular trailheads,” Reid added.

To make the most of their time outdoors, Reid said that being mindful of other hikers will create a more positive experience for everyone who uses the trails in Breckenridge. This also extends the lifespan of trails and outdoor areas, meaning that visitors and locals can enjoy their favorite trails in the future.

“We have found that congestion is largely perception-based, and if trail users truly seek solitude, there are many opportunities to do so by being intentional about where, when and how you recreate,” Reid said. “We are all blessed to be able to enjoy these community assets, and a sense of appreciation goes a long way to ensuring that we can continue to protect and manage these public spaces. Trails are common ground.”

Lauren Swanson, public relations director for Breckenridge Tourism Office, said that visitors should use the public transportation system and consider going car-free to minimize impact while also having the most enjoyable experience on the trails.

“Whether they’re coming from the airport and taking the shuttle or renting a car, or even road-tripping here, we’re encouraging them that once they get here, hang up the keys,” Swanson said. “It’s definitely more enjoyable to explore town on foot or by bus than it is to deal with the hassle of driving around and finding parking.”

Swanson added that avoiding social trails — or trails that deviate from the main trail — is another way to extend the life of Breckenridge’s trails and open space. Being mindful of where hikers are stepping can also bring a big positive impact to keep trails intact. That includes staying in the center of the trail and not avoiding obstacles like mud.

“Trails are specifically designed to be able to take the impact of trail users and have high volumes of trail users. Social trails are not, so making detours or shortcuts on switchbacks can cause a lot of harm,” she said.

Fortunately, she said, once you begin to be aware of how your actions can affect the outdoors, it becomes easier to prevent harmful behaviors before they happen.

“Leave No Trace is super important,” Swanson said. “It’s something that we all share as a destination community. I think whether you’re coming here, or whether you’re traveling to California and going to their mountain destinations or even the beach, learning the Leave No Trace principles is something pretty cool that if you learn it here, you can take everywhere.”

This story previously published in the summer 2022 edition of Explore Breckenridge & Summit County magazine.