Gunnison-Crested Butte is easy to get to! We are located on scenic US Highway 50 that runs through the southern part of the state at the intersection of beautiful CO Highway 135. And, you can fly in to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Airport year-round on United Airlines and in winter, on several other airline partners.
Gunnison-Crested Butte is nestled among almost two million acres of pristine wilderness in southwest Colorado. Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing. Gunnison-Crested Butte is also a haven for outdoor summer activities. In the warmer months, visitors can choose from recreational activities such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding.
Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops and stimulating cultural opportunities, and have a wide range of lodging options from rustic inns to guest cabins and bed-and-breakfasts to full-service resort hotels.
Recognized as the "Official Wildflower Capital of Colorado” by the Colorado Legislature, Crested Butte is the site of rich mining, ranching and skiing heritage and home to the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. Gunnison, a real western town, is home to the beautiful, high-country campus of Western State College, a four-year institution offering 22 majors in the liberal arts and sciences and professional fields, the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport and the new Gunnison Valley Observatory. Both Crested Butte and Gunnison have thriving historic central business districts packed with shopping and dining opportunities.
Crested Butte
This is a real town--more than a town, a treasure--with an easy-going attitude and a lifestyle that you simply don’t find every day. Crested Butte is a "must see” with plenty of "must do’s” in every season of the year. Colorado - Pure & Simple!
In summer, some of the world’s best fishing, hiking, mountain biking, rafting, rock climbing and golf are at your doorstep. Enjoy! We’re surrounded by millions of acres of National Forest and Wilderness--and not an interstate in sight! Join us for the Wildflower Festival, Fat Tire Bike Week, Festival of the Arts, Reel Fest, Crested Butte Music Festival and the Crested Butte Fall Festival.
Crested Butte comes alive in winter with events that warm the heart and capture the areas unique sense of adventure and playfulness. Locally owned restaurants & eateries, one-of-a-kind shops and galleries, arts centers, museums, and a full calendar of festivals, athletic activities and cultural events add to the authentic, all-around winter playground atmosphere in the Gunnison Valley. Nordic Skiing is also a local favorite here in Crested Butte. The Crested Butte Nordic Center (CBNC) offers 45 Kilometers of terrain; some trails are free, while other opportunities to ski elsewhere in the county are also abundant.
Just 3 miles away in Mt. Crested Butte skiers and snowboarders will revel on Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s thousand plus acres of terrain ranging from beginner groomers to extreme gladded steeps. Fifteen chair lifts service 2,700 feet of vertical relief. The terrain park and new Superpipe offer innovative options for aspiring and experienced freestylers.
Gunnison
Welcome to the West! Gunnison is perfectly Colorado, with its small-town friendliness and exceptional recreational amenities in winter and in summer. Known for its world-class trout fishing, horseback riding, boating, rafting, hunting and camping, Gunnison buzzes in the summer and fall. Golfers enjoy the thin air on scenic links and anglers fish the Gunnison River running right through town. Blue Mesa Reservoir and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park are within minutes.
Mt. Crested Butte
Big, open and uncrowded, Crested Butte is the Last Great Colorado Ski Town and a true winter and summer paradise. Mountain bikers descend upon Mt. Crested Butte for the Wildflower Rush mountain bike race and the Pinnacle mountain biking race series, as well as for peace and solitude. While the rest of Crested Butte hums with activity, Mt. Crested Butte sits serenely above town and takes advantage of unobstructed mountain vistas, in the Wildflower Capital of Colorado.
Skiers and snowboarders will revel on Crested Butte Mountain Resort's thousand plus acres of terrain ranging from beginner groomers to extreme glade steeps. Fourteen chair lifts service 2,700 feet of vertical relief. The terrain park and improved half pipe offer innovative options for aspiring and experienced freestylers. Gentle slopes to the extreme make our mountain perfect for all skill levels and ability!
Black Canyon
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of our newest national parks - its status changed from monument to park on October 21, 1999. The park service commemorated the event by adding 10,000 acres of wilderness to help protect the striking beauty and wildlife habitat of this river corridor.
Hikers can experience the canyon from a variety of perspectives by hiking along the North Rim, the South Rim, and on inner-canyon routes that descend deep into the chasm. Grab your binoculars to snoop on park denizens like the yellow-bellied marmot, a jolly rodent that likes to sunbathe on rocky ledges and outcrops. If you want to catch a glimpse of the Peregrine Falcon, you’d better be quick on the draw - it’s the fastest bird in the world.
Horseback Riding The expansive Gunnison National Forest makes horseback riding a real pleasure. Experience the Wilderness of Colorado with our seasoned guides and outfitters, or participate in a riding clinic at the Green Mesa Ranch. Trips ranging from half day to overnights are available. Gunnison is also home to Colorado’s oldest rodeo, Cattlemen’s Days which is held in July every year, at least for the past 106 years!
Whitewater Rafting
Whitewater enthusiasts have been coming to float our local rivers and streams for years. The Gunnison River Valley is said to be one of Colorado’s wettest, which means lots of whitewater fun for you and the family. Try the Taylor River for class III and IV whitewater, or the Gunnison River for a more gentle ride through Class II. River trips range from half day to full day excursions and can include lunch. Trips are suitable for all ages.
Boating
Boating is big out here, in fact,we are home to the state’s largest body of water, Blue Mesa, and some of the state’s largest fish. The Taylor Lake, Morrow Point and Crystal reservoirs which offer boat tours, are a few other popular destinations. Camping is available at most lakes in the area. If you want to rent a pontoons boat and speed boats as well as fishing skiffs, you may rent them at the Elk Creek Marina and Taylor Park Marina.
Mountain Biking
What really sets us apart from other destinations is the variety of riding right from town, and of course our history of Mountain Biking! With more than 1000 miles of trails your options are limitless. Rides for all ability levels can be found near the towns of Crested Butte and Gunnison.
Hiking
Surrounded by millions of acres of public land, hiking in the “Wildflower Capitol”, the Gunnison National Forest, The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and slickrock formations should be a part of any summer vacation itinerary. Whether you like flat easy paved trails or steep mountain climbing you will find it here.
Running
In Gunnison and Crested Butte Colorado running trails and events are a big part of our summer offerings. There is nothing like the crisp clear air up here. Cool Colorado running is right out your door when you stay in Gunnison-Crested Butte.
Fishing
The Gunnison River, Taylor River and East River offer some of the best fishing in the world with Rainbow Trout, Trout Brown, Brook Trout and Cutthroat. The fishing season is year round here. From ice fishing at Blue Mesa lake to Fly-fishing the East River you are bound to return home with some great fishing stories.
Scenic Drives
Scenic Byways and small country roads can lead you deep into the Colorado Wilderness, without leaving your car. The West Elk Scenic and Historic Byway is about 208 miles in length, and you can expect to spend 10 to 12 hours exploring the route which features high mountain vistas and a scenic overlook into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Golf
Two very different courses offer spectacular scenery and challenge. The Club at Crested Butte is a Robert Trent Jones II course, and the Dos Rios in Gunnison has a lot of water features and a beautiful back nine. Advanced reservations are a in Crested Butte while walk ins are welcome in Gunnison except Thursday afternoon.
Kids Activities
In Gunnison and Crested Butte there are activities well suited to children of all ages. Whether educational or recreational there’s lots to do.
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Views from the balloon include close ups of wildlife and wildflowers, high views of the mountains surrounding Crested Butte, 14,000 feet peaks near Aspen and even mountain ranges 100 miles away.
Rock Climbing
Rock Climbing both indoors and out can be a great way to challenge yourself and reach new heights. If you’re looking for adventure try the sea kayak approach to climb the Curecanti Needle inside the Black Canyon National Park, The Steepest and Deepest Canyon in the United States! Or simply stop by our Community Recreation Center to have a go at the indoor climbing wall. Instructional clinics are available for both in and outdoors.
Wildlife Viewing
Around most corners there is a chance to see nature’s flora and fauna. Deer, Elk, Fox, Bear, Bald Eagles and the elusive Gunnison Sage Grouse are just some of the usual suspects. Birding is also a very popular activity in the area. We are located on the migratory path of many birds and home to some unusual species which are some of the reasons why birders flock here every year.
Skiing & Riding
Spectacular vistas, champagne powder, bright sunshine and world-class skiing are some of the main ingredients. Crested Butte Mountain Resort is under major renovations and the quality of grooming has improved ten-fold over previous years. About the only thing that has not changed around the ski area is the great town, dubbed Colorado’s #8220;Last Great Ski Town”.
Nordic
Cross-country skiing can be combined with an alpine resort vacation or with a village B&B getaway weekend of shopping, dining and cultural pursuits. The Crested Butte Nordic Center grooms 35 kilometers of skate and classic skiing trails daily. The Gunnison Nordic Club grooms about 25 kilometers of trails. Aside from these groomed trails, we are surrounded by public lands where you can explore on your own or with a guide.
Tubing & Sledding
The fun out-lasts the ski lifts as the tubing hill opens just after 4pm. This supervised activity is one not to be missed, and can be enjoyed by kids of all ages. Or sled all day in town at the sledding hills.
Dog Sledding
If you have never experienced the great outdoors behind an ambitious team of sled dogs then you havent done it all! Experience this one-of-a-kind activity in the scenic mountains of Colorado. Trips are catered to your desires and range in length and location depending on conditions.
Kids Activities
In the winter there are activities well suited to children of all ages. Kids World is a fantastic facility offering child care and lessons as well as some on-mountain evening activities. Learn about the best kids restaurants and more.
Snowmobiling
Snowmobile rentals and guided trips are also available in Gunnison-Crested Butte. Please review our local regulations before venturing out on your own. Local guides can take you on an adventure of a life time and dig you out if you should fall into some deep snow.
Check out an up-to-date calendar of upcoming events in the Gunnison-Crested Butte area.
