Colorado’s Coolest Mountain Towns
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.
Other Outdoor Activities in Gunnison and Crested Butte
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.
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.
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.
“Doo” Colorado Right
The right way to poop outdoors
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!
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.
More trip planning info
Dive into all the Gunnison Valley has to offer.
Mountain Sports at Western Colorado University
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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Work and play in the Gunnison Valley
Coworking space and business resources at the ICELab
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!
Agency Tourism Marketing