Federal lands comprise 85% of the Gunnison Valley. YOUR trails, rivers and public lands will be OPEN as the snow melts, but personnel cuts at the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Park Service mean all of us will need to keep stewardship top of mind this summer. Pack out all trash, and be extra careful with fire. Together, we can keep our backcountry beautiful!

Spring in Crested Butte and Gunnison

Explore endless roads and trails

Grab your bike and come explore the Gunnison Valley’s huge variety of roads and trails during your Colorado vacation travel this spring! With Gunnison and Crested Butte less than 30 miles apart, you can explore the high desert and the high alpine all in one trip.

Mountain biking shines at Hartman Rocks in April, May and June. Twist and turn through otherworldly rock formations as you maneuver through these tricky, technical trails just minutes from downtown Gunnison.

More than 1,100 miles of dirt roads in Gunnison County provide endless gravel biking routes. Explore lightly traveled roads through high desert landscapes south of Gunnison, or climb mountain passes with epic views near Pitkin and Taylor Park.

mountain towns of the Gunnison Valley

It’s easy to fall in love with the picturesque historic buildings and vibrant atmosphere of Crested Butte. From brightly painted town buses to jewel-toned townie bikes lined up on the Elk Avenue bike racks, Crested Butte puts a new spin on “Colorful Colorado.”

28 miles south, Gunnison is an easygoing college town with a heart for outdoor recreation. Gunnison is home to Western Colorado University and also boasts a lively downtown. 

Learn more about visiting

If you’re interested in epic Colorado biking, stunning mountain scenery and the coolest mountain towns around, learn more about visiting Crested Butte and Gunnison by clicking the button below.

Visit Crested Butte and Gunnison
Spring Colorado vacation travel riding mountain bikes on a sunny day at Hartman Rocks

Spring trail openings in Gunnison

Hartman Rocks is OPEN!

Trails and roads at Hartman Rocks in Gunnison are OPEN for the season! Trails south of Powerline Rd. (Bambi’s, Sawtooth, Back-In, Outback, 9-0, Skull Pass and Aberdeen) remain closed to bikes and motos until May 15 for wildlife conservation. 

The Campus Trails next to Western Colorado University in Gunnison are also OPEN and ready to ride! This includes Canal, Contour Connector, the west segment of Contour, Old Car, Zig Zag, the exercise trails and the flow track. The rest of the Signal Peak trails are currently closed to mountain bike traffic.

Lingering snow and wildlife protections are factors that may affect your spring recreation plans in the mountains. Please follow all trail signs and closures during your Colorado vacation travel.

View spring trail restrictions
Flowers bloom in front of colorful storefronts in downtown Gunnison, a Colorado vacation travel destination.

PLAN YOUR TRIP TO CRESTED BUTTE AND GUNNISON

Spring Colorado vacation travel

It’s time to start planning your spring vacation to Colorado, and you probably have a lot of questions. Should you drive here, or fly into Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport? Will you rent a cabin on the river or stay in a hotel near your favorite gravel biking routes? What are the most popular things to do in Crested Butte and Gunnison? Our guide to visiting the Gunnison Valley will point you in the right direction.

Start planning your trip

Hotels and lodging

Accommodations in Crested Butte and Gunnison

Looking for a hotel, vacation rental or cabin for your summer trip to Colorado? Input the dates of your trip to compare prices and amenities of lodging across the Gunnison Valley.

Hartman Rocks MTB in Gunnison, a Colorado travel vacation destination in springtime.

Colorado mountain biking paradise

800+ miles of trail

The Gunnison Valley’s pristine public lands contain more than 150 mountain bike trails—that’s more than 800 miles! From the craggy ridges of Hartman Rocks in Gunnison to the soaring, flower-filled peaks of Crested Butte, no two rides are the same. Mountain bikers make the pilgrimage to Crested Butte for famous trails like Teocalli Ridge and Doctor Park, and they keep coming back to explore less-traveled gems like Star Pass, Strawberry and the 409s. 

To plan a Colorado mountain biking trip to Crested Butte and Gunnison, you’ll need maps, trail descriptions and local travel tips. We covered all the bases in our mountain biking guide. Tap or click the button below to get started!

Choose your trails
Three gravel bikers ride a gravel road in Gunnison with mountains in the background during Colorado vacation travel

Gunnison: a gravel biking base camp

1,100+ miles of road

Gravel biking in Gunnison County can take you anywhere—from the shores of Blue Mesa Reservoir, to ghost towns near Pitkin, or to high-elevation passes near Crested Butte. Stay in Gunnison for easy access to a huge variety of rides. 

Use our gravel biking guide to learn more about where to ride and find a bike shop nearby.

Plan your routes
Visit Crested Butte in July for a glimpse of columbine and lupine wildflowers near Crested Butte, Colorado

Perfect trails, pristine landscape

Behind every awesome trail is someone who made it that way. Whether it’s through volunteering or donating, what can you do to keep Crested Butte and Gunnison wild? Learn how you can support the Gunnison Valley trails organizations—from near or far!

Support Awesome Trails
Visit Crested Butte and Gunnison and you just might meet other entrepreneurs, such as the two founders of Gnara, pictured here in a van.

Business in the Gunnison Valley

Resources for small companies and entrepreneurs

The rugged surroundings of Gunnison and Crested Butte and the memorable experiences they offer have drawn many innovators to the valley. Easy access to public lands and outdoor sports makes this the perfect setting for developing an outdoor business or product. Join the budding community of outdoor industry small businesses in the Gunnison Valley!

LEARN MORE
A float on the Fourth of July parade in Crested Butte, Colorado

Events in Crested Butte and Gunnison

Whether you’re looking for live music, races, kids activities or one of Crested Butte’s famous parades, the events calendar has it all. 

Browse the calendar

Skiing Crested Butte

Already dreaming of winter? Make this the year you finally ski the legendary extreme terrain at Crested Butte Mountain Resort! Explore steep chutes, tight trees and rocky cliffs, all surrounded by pristine Rocky Mountain views. Get helpful tips and learn your way around the mountain with our guide to skiing Crested Butte. Click the button below to get all the details! 

Ski the steeps

COLORADO SPRING TRIP INSPIRATION

Need advice on things to do and places to go on your adventure to Crested Butte and Gunnison? Whether you’re planning a week-long Colorado mountain biking trip or a gravel biking weekend getaway, these articles can get you started planning your Colorado vacation travel this spring.

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