Why I Recommend Mud Season in Frisco, Colorado

Perhaps you’ve driven by Frisco while on Interstate 70, or you’ve driven through to Breckenridge. While there are more famous towns in the Rocky Mountains, sometimes there’s more to a place than meets the eye. For instance, while there may not be a ski resort in Frisco, it is within reach of eight. 

However, I am not writing about Frisco in the winter. I’m writing about Frisco during what we fondly refer to here in Colorado as “mud season.” The phrase refers to late April through May, when most ski resorts have closed down for the winter, but it’s not quite summer. By the way, Arapahoe Basin and Loveland Ski Area are still open. 

It used to be that things closed down in the mountains during mud season, and there still may be a little of that, but most mountain towns stay open year-round now. 

Check out Mother’s Day Brunch at

This wasn’t my first visit to Frisco, nor will it be my last. I like this town for numerous reasons, and none involve skiing. As a summer destination, Frisco is stellar, and I thought this would be a summer-oriented article. However, my stay was surprising in that it was a getaway in the true relaxing sense. I wanted to share that experience with you. 

If you like waiting at restaurants, traffic, and playing chicken with strollers on the sidewalks, mud season travel isn’t for you. I enjoyed having some quiet mountain time. 

I’ve had speaking gigs, conferences, and am currently preparing for another presentation. So, if I am home and not working, I feel guilty. So, even though this was just one night away, I took full advantage of my solo trip to Frisco. 

I started my Frisco mud season adventure at Outer Range Brewing Co. on the recommendation of a friend who loves IPAs. I’ve had this brewery’s beer at festivals, but surprisingly, I’d never been to the brewery headquarters.  

I had the Ariels, an American IPA that was so good I had to buy a four-pack on the way out. The brewery space also houses a coffee shop, Mountain Dweller Coffee Bar & Roastery, and the oh so craveable tastes of Bird Craft Thai-ish Fried Chicken. I paired my beer with some rice tots with sriracha mayo dipping sauce. 

Save the date! June 7, 2025

I stayed at Hotel Frisco, which is located in the middle of downtown, right on Main Street. We’ve walked by many times, and I’ve always been curious about the inside. A hotel since 1936, it has fabulous room rates during the mud season. You can book a room here this week for $139+tax. Some days in May go as low as $129 per night.

After checking in, I decided to go out and do a little shopping. In the past, we’ve visited Gatherhouse, a glass gallery that I highly recommend, and Libby’s Old School Records. If Ryan had been with me, we definitely would have revisited the record store (he never passes up an opportunity to add to his collection of vinyl). 

On this visit, I discovered Stay Sunny, a delightful shop at 301 Main Street. You can follow them on Facebook here. There is so much to look at in this store. Their sticker collection is one of the best I’ve seen (my other favorite collection is at Two Dog Travel in Leadville.

Stay Sunny is colorful with a fine collection of items you’ll want to buy for others and things you’ll want to buy for yourself. I bought Ryan a rocks glass with a raven on it (he loves raven art) and a couple of stickers. Tell the owner, Ruth, that I sent you!

After a little shopping, I ducked into the Moose Jaw. For fans of dive bars with longevity, Frisco’s downtown Moose Jaw has been going strong since 1973. And guess, what? One of the original owners continues her reign today, and the locals couldn’t be happier about it.

The bar was already crowded at 4 p.m. on a Tuesday, but I scooted in at the all-male bartop. Yes, everyone sitting there that afternoon was male, including the bartender. My friend Susan, who lived in Leadville in the  early 1990s, used to come here. From what I’ve read, it hasn’t changed much since then. It was about a 30-minute drive, and she has fond memories of the place, so I like to drop in whenever I’m in Frisco and text her a photo of my whiskey. 

After a drink at the Moose Jaw, I went and enjoyed a happy hour drink in the lobby of Hotel Frisco. The first drink is free for guests, so I fired up my laptop and did a little work while I sipped my wine. 

Dinner was at 5th Avenue Grill, and as a solo traveler I sat at the bar. The place was quiet, although the bar area had filled up by the time I left. Located on the corner of 5th Street and Main Street, it’s less than two blocks from Hotel Frisco. Upscale and modern, featuring items such as duck, trout and steak on the menu, the place feels a bit like a steakhouse but with better lighting. 

While dinner in Frisco isn’t cheap, I made up for it with a $7 breakfast burrito for breakfast. Deli Belly’s is a place we frequently stop for delicious sandwiches, even when we’re just driving by Frisco. I had it on good authority that they made a cheesy and chockablock breakfast burrito, and my source was not wrong. I shall dream of that burrito. It would surely keep a person going during Frisco adventures. 

Frisco is an excellent summer destination. The marina, steps from downtown, comes alive. Visitors can rent everything from standup paddles boards to pontoon boats.  The Island Grill, in the middle of it all, features patios for dining and drinking, and live music. Jimmy Buffet may have been singing about the sand of Florida, but he would have loved it at the Frisco Bay Marina.  

Hiking and biking is this area offers paths for professionals to amateurs. The paved 18.1-mile Dillon Reservoir Recpath connects the towns of Frisco and Dillon. There are super easy scenic trails like the Sapphire Point Loop off of Swan Mountain Road and the 1.6-mile roundtrip trail to Rainbow Lake.

Two Short Scenic Hikes in Summit County

While the Town of Frisco can be an excellent headquarters for summer fun in Summit County, don’t overlook mud season. If you’re in need of a quick getaway that’s affordable and less crowded, traveling to Frisco over the next month is highly recommended.

And as I recommend for all Summit County stays, return to Colorado’s Front Range via Loveland Pass. It never disappoints.

Thank you to the Town of Frisco for the hosted stay.