From the famous high alpine trails in Crested Butte to the technical high desert rides in Gunnison, the possibilities for epic rides in the Gunnison Valley are endless. You’ve been dreaming about the famous trails like the 401, Doctor Park and Hartman Rocks. Cross a few of the classics off your bucket list, and discover new ones.
Come for the awesome trails; stay for the laid-back, mountain-town vibes in Gunnison and Crested Butte. Gunnison is a vibrant college town with a growing downtown business district. Crested Butte is an alpine hamlet steeped in mining history. It’s full of quirky shops and unique restaurants. Both towns are located within riding distance to some of the world’s best mountain biking trails.
Find a great cabin, condo or hotel for a base camp during your trip to the Gunnison Valley. Use the tool below to search by date, price range and amenities. You might be surprised to discover how affordable lodging in Crested Butte and Gunnison is compared to other Rocky Mountain destinations!
Skip the drive and fly here instead! Fly nonstop from Houston (IAH) or Denver (DEN) to Gunnison-Crested Butte (GUC) on United.
Also check out new JSX flights from Dallas (DAL) and Austin (AUS) to Gunnison-Crested Butte!
Learn more about JSX’s hassle-free hop-on jet service.
Explore the Gunnison Valley’s wild places by bike, on foot or with a fishing pole. More than two million acres of public land are accessible here, including Hartman Rocks, Gunnison National Forest, Black Canyon National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area.
Several trails at Signal Peak and Hartman Rocks are closed during certain dates in spring for wildlife conservation. Learn more about seasonal trail closures.
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.
You’re five miles into a hike, and you’ve got to go. What do you do? Before you venture into an area without bathroom facilities, learn how to poop outside without trashing the backcountry. You can also pick up a free PACT outdoor bathroom kit from one of our partner organizations across Colorado!
If you enjoy riding the beautiful trails around Crested Butte and Gunnison, please consider supporting the local organizations that maintain and advocate for them.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dive into all the Gunnison Valley has to offer.
Follow your passion for alpine adventures while pursuing your academic studies at Western Colorado University in Gunnison. Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Western is a base camp for all kinds of outdoor recreation. Western’s Mountain Sports program offers students the opportunity to travel and compete in mountain biking, trail running, climbing or many other sports—all while earning a degree in a supportive, hands-on learning environment.
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With robust business resources and easy access to all your favorite outdoor sports, the Gunnison Valley is a place where both you and your business will thrive. The ICELab @ Western is the epicenter of the business community in Gunnison and Crested Butte. The ICELab provides support to entrepreneurs and startups through incubator and accelerator programs, consulting services, and a coworking space located on the beautiful campus of Western Colorado University. Bring your bike—the ICELab is across the street from the Signal Peak trail system!