Mountain biking in Gunnison and Crested Butte

Unreal riding in a place that keeps it real

800 miles of pristine mountain bike trails might sound like a dream, but here in the Gunnison Valley, it’s real. In this pristine corner of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, the trails are as endless as the views. Explore the famous alpine epics in Crested Butte, and discover challenging high-desert rides in Gunnison. Start planning your mountain bike adventure now!

Pick your trails

Ride into the world of Crested Butte

Watch the video

Rowdy alpine trails. Handlebar-high wildflowers. Sunsets that will knock your socks off. And the best part is, it’s not a dream. Welcome to the world of Crested Butte, where mountain biking feels really unreal.

Gunnison and Crested Butte Mountain Biking

MTB trails in Crested Butte and Gunnison

Map your route

Use this map to find legendary trails and discover new ones.

Crested Butte on Trailforks.com

Gunnison spring trail closures

Several trails at Signal Peak and Hartman Rocks are closed during certain dates in spring for wildlife conservation. Learn more about seasonal trail closures.

Seasonal Trail Closure Info

Crested Butte trail conditions

By late spring, most or all Crested Butte trails will be open and snow-free. For up-to-date Crested Butte trail conditions, visit Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association’s trail conditions page.

Crested Butte Trail Conditions

Lodging in Crested Butte and Gunnison

Close to the trails. Easy on your wallet.

Lodging in Crested Butte and Gunnison is more affordable than many similar mountain destinations, so finding a place to stay here won’t break the bank. Start by entering the desired dates of your trip into the tool below to browse available hotels and vacation rentals. Then, filter by price and amenities.

Fly to Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport

Spend less time traveling and more time on the trails when you fly to Gunnison-Crested Butte Airport (GUC).

Visiting from Texas? Catch nonstop flights from Dallas or Houston.

fly from Houston on United

fly from Dallas on JSX

Coming from anywhere else? Take the easy one-hour flight from Denver on United Airlines.

Fly Denver to GUC

Other things to do

More public land. More adventure.

There are so many ways to enjoy Gunnison County’s two million acres of public land. Hike through waist-high wildflowers in summer and electric-golden aspens in fall. Explore more than 1,000 miles of dirt roads via a gravel bike. Or try your hand at angling in crystal-clear Gold Medal rivers.

Gravel biking

Fishing

Hiking

Colorado’s coolest mountain towns

Vibrant towns. Chill vibes.

The brightly painted Victorian buildings in downtown Crested Butte are eye-catching, but their beauty is more than skin deep. Nestled inside these historic buildings are unique restaurants, cozy bars and one-of-a-kind shops. These casual, homey spots offer a welcoming place to relax after a long ride. Plus, you can ride to many trails right from town.

Mt. Crested Butte

Gunnison

Crested Butte

Almont

SAFETY AND RESPONSIBILITY ON THE TRAILS

Keep the Gunnison Valley wild

MUDDY OR WET TRAIL CONDITIONS

If possible, plan your route to avoid riding on wet or muddy trails. If you encounter snow or mud on the trail, ride through it, not around it.

BATHROOMS

Pit toilets are available at Hartman Rocks and a few trailheads around Crested Butte, but most trails do not have bathroom facilities. “Go before you go,” and learn how to properly dispose of waste if you have to answer nature’s call outdoors.

BASIC MOUNTAIN BIKING ETIQUETTE

Only ride on open trails.
Riders traveling downhill yield to riders traveling uphill.
Bikers yield to all other trail users, including horses and hikers.
Ride under control at all times.

LEAVE NO TRACE

The seven principles of Leave No Trace guide us on how to behave in the outdoors. Abiding by these principles helps minimize human impacts on the land. To learn more about Leave No Trace principles specific to mountain biking, visit LNT.org.

CRESTED BUTTE CAMPING CHANGES

Several popular camping areas near Crested Butte have changed from dispersed to designated. If you plan on camping during your trip to the Gunnison Valley, it is highly recommended to have several backup options in case your first campsite choice doesn’t work out. If possible, make reservations. Check out our camping guide for more information.

A wooden backcountry bathroom in Colorado in summer.

“Doo” Colorado Right

You’re halfway through a bike ride, and you realize you have to “go.” The nearest bathroom is miles away. What do you do? The “Doo” Colorado Right program gives outdoor enthusiasts the tools and know-how to properly dispose of human waste outside in situations like these. Find out how you can get a free PACT backcountry bathroom kit by clicking the button below!

Learn more

Western Colorado University

Small classes. Big opportunities.

Western Colorado University in Gunnison offers over 100 areas of study, including a first-of-its-kind degree program in outdoor industry engineering. With world-class skiing and mountain biking right in Western’s backyard, students can shred the trails or the slopes after homework is done.

Learn more about Western

Hot air balloons float in a blue sky above Crested Butte on a summer morning.

Large groups and events

Looking for an event venue, conference room or lodging package for a large group? Contact the two largest hoteliers in the Gunnison Valley—Elevation Hotel and Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

Contact Alicia Hein at Elevation

Contact Ellen Collins at Vail Resorts

A man talks to another man with their laptops in front of them at the bright, sunny ICELab coworking space.

Gunnison Valley business resources

ICELab @ Western

The ICELab is an all-in-one business resource center located on the campus of Western Colorado University. The ICELab offers a spacious, sunny coworking space, but it’s so much more than that. ICELab staff work one-on-one with local businesses and entrepreneurs to raise funds and grow revenues.

Explore opportunities

SUPPORT GUNNISON VALLEY TRAILS

If you enjoy riding the beautiful trails around Crested Butte and Gunnison, please consider supporting the local organizations that maintain and advocate for them.

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