Hartman Rocks Recreation Area

HARTMAN ROCKS RECREATION AREA

MORE THAN 50 MILES OF MTB TRAIL AND MORE

Hartman Rocks Recreation Area includes over 8,000 acres of public land jointly managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the city of Gunnison, and Gunnison County. Hartman’s is located just a few miles southwest of Gunnison. It’s a paradise of desert mountain biking, hiking, motorcycling, rock climbing, horseback riding, trail running, and Nordic skiing. With miles of trails and roads maintained by the BLM and local Gunnison recreation groups, Hartman’s is one of western Colorado’s best kept secrets.

Hartman Rocks Recreation Opportunities

Mountain biking

If you enjoy slickrock mountain biking in Moab, Fruita or Grand Junction, you’ll like Hartman’s too. Trails are rocky and technical. Unlike the huge alpine climbs in Crested Butte, Hartman’s MTB trails provide true cross-country riding through rolling ridges covered in sagebrush. With 40 miles of singletrack trails and 33 miles of road open to biking, beginner to advanced riders can find great trails to learn on. Newly added adaptive hand cycling trails and some wider singletrack trails provide great opportunities for hand cyclists who want to challenge themselves with fun berms and rollers.

Gravel biking

Gravel bikers will love the epic views and wide-ranging routes of Hartman’s dirt roads. Hartman’s also connects to several other scenic gravel roads between Highway 114 and Highway 50 south of Gunnison.

Climbing

Named Hartman Rocks for the granite ridge that dominates the area, climbing routes and sites abound. Bolting is allowed, but climbers are encouraged to practice clean climbing whenever possible.

OHV

Motor sports enthusiasts will enjoy motorcycling on 39 miles of trails and 33 miles of roads, and four-wheel-drive vehicles/ATVs can explore the roads.

What are the trails at Hartman Rocks like?

Watch the video

Hartman Rocks Mountain Biking >>

Hartman Rocks trail map

Check out the beginner, intermediate and advanced mountain biking trails on this handy trail map. Plan your route before you go!

Hartman Rocks on Trailforks.com

The history of Hartman Rocks

Where mountain biking began

In the 1970s, an intrepid group of Crested Butte locals began riding bikes on the steep dirt roads surrounding the town. The two Born From Junk films chronicle their story of inventing—and falling in love with—the sport of mountain biking. The story continues into the ’80s, when Hartman Rocks transformed from an unknown plot of BLM land to a popular MTB race venue and beloved trail hub.

Watch the Born From Junk films

Title card from Born From Junk 2, a short film about mountain biking.

Winter Recreation at Hartman Rocks

Fat biking and cross-country skiing

During the winter, Nordic skiers take advantage of 16 miles of trails groomed and maintained by Gunnison Nordic Club. Both classic and skate skiing options exist.

Gunnison Trails grooms several miles of singletrack at Hartman’s for fat biking, which is a unique amenity that is rare to find outside of the Gunnison Valley. Try out this fun new way to travel on snow!