Things to do in western Gunnison County

A massive swath of public land covers the valley between the West Elk Mountains and the San Juan Mountains in western Gunnison County, Colorado. This lightly visited area is ripe for exploration via a large network of 4×4 roads in summer and winter. Nearby Blue Mesa Reservoir and the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River offer prime waters for fishing. Several picturesque trails transport hikers into the depths of the Gunnison River canyon. Tiny towns dot the landscape here, remnants of the area’s ranching and railroad heritage. This guide to western Gunnison County explains more about why you should visit this remote, scenic area west of Gunnison.

Where is western Gunnison County?

Gunnison County is massive— about 1.5 times the size of the state of Delaware. This guide covers the western and southern portion of the county, between Blue Mesa Reservoir and the foothills of the San Juan Mountains. The southern border of Gunnison County stops just north of Lake City.

Towns of western Gunnison County

• Sapinero: Home to 374 year-round residents, this town sits 25 miles west of Gunnison at the junction of Highway 92 and Highway 50. Sapinero is positioned on the shore of Blue Mesa Reservoir, one of the best places in Colorado for salmon and trout fishing.
• Powderhorn: A former mining community, the economy of Powderhorn now centers around cattle and sheep ranching. Learn more about the history of Powderhorn in this town profile.
• Arrowhead: 125 people reside in this hamlet on the edge of the Alpine Plateau. To get there, follow County Road 867 south from Highway 50 for about five miles.

Uncompahgre National Forest

A sister to Gunnison National Forest, Uncompahgre National Forest extends from the San Juan Mountains into southern Gunnison County. A landmark is the Alpine Plateau, a hub of 4×4, OHV and snowmobiling on a high-elevation mesa. To get there, take Gunnison County Road 867 south from Highway 50 for about five miles. Roads and trails are easily accessible from the community of Arrowhead. View summer and winter trail maps from Arrowhead Mountain Adventures.

Things to do

• Rent a side-by-side to explore the 4×4 roads of the scenic Alpine Plateau
• Play in the powder on a snowmobile
• Go cross-country skiing on 10 kilometers of groomed Nordic ski trails near Arrowhead Mountain Lodge
• Immerse yourself in winter mountain scenery on a 5-kilometer snowshoe trail, also maintained by Arrowhead Mountain Lodge
• Go gravel biking on remote back roads

Curecanti National Recreation Area

Curecanti National Recreation Area follows the Gunnison River from the city of Gunnison to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. It encompasses three reservoirs—Blue Mesa, Morrow Point and Crystal.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

To get to the South Rim of the Black Canyon from Gunnison, drive west on Highway 50 for 57 miles. Turn right (north) on Highway 347 and drive for 6 miles. Take a scenic drive through this small national park, stopping at the overlooks to take in views of the precipitously steep granite walls. Short hiking trails are scattered around the park. In winter, plowing ends at the visitor center. The South Rim road is groomed for cross-country skiing when there is sufficient snow coverage. For more information on the park, check out our guide to Black Canyon National Park.

Things to do in the Black Canyon

• Take a scenic drive along the South Rim road
• Check out canyon views from one of the park’s hiking trails
• Go rock climbing on one of the park’s expert, multi-pitch routes
• Go cross-country skiing on the South Rim road

Blue Mesa Reservoir

Blue Mesa Reservoir is Colorado’s largest lake, with 96 miles of shoreline. The lake, which is filled by the Gunnison River, begins a few miles west of the city of Gunnison. It follows Highway 50 west to its terminus at Blue Mesa Dam. The lake is famous for producing enormous brown trout and rainbow trout. Kokanee salmon also thrive in its cold water.

Things to do at Blue Mesa

• Fish for lake trout or kokanee salmon
• Rent a pontoon boat
• Explore side canyons via a stand-up paddleboard
• Hike along a large, spiny rock formation on the Dillon Pinnacles trail

Hiking in Curecanti National Recreation Area

Trails along Highway 92 delve deep into the Gunnison River canyon between Blue Mesa Dam and the Black Canyon.

Curecanti trails

• Pine Creek: This 1.3-mile trail follows an old railroad bed along the shores of Morrow Point Reservoir.
• Curecanti Creek at Pioneer Point: This steep, 2-mile trail begins at Pioneer Point with a view of Curecanti Needle. The rocky trail dips deep into the canyon, ending at a small beach.
• Hermit’s Rest: This 2.6-mile trail features many switchbacks through scrub forest as it descends to Morrow Point Reservoir.
• Crystal Creek: This 1.5-mile trail leads to two overlooks that provide scenic vistas of Crystal Reservoir.

Lake Fork of the Gunnison River

Head to the banks of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River for rugged fly-fishing in summer and fall. For a short time in spring, intrepid whitewater kayakers and rafters run the Class IV rapids formed by runoff.

Restaurants

The Little Blue Tavern at Arrowhead Mountain Lodge is the only restaurant in the area. The sit-down restaurant serves up hearty American fare, perfect for refueling after an outdoor adventure. Catch live music every Saturday from late May to the end of October. See who’s playing this week on their website.

Need to stock up on provisions? Swing by Sapinero Trading Post for anything you may have forgotten to pick up in Gunnison.

Where to stay

Rent a cozy room at Arrowhead Mountain Lodge for easy access to adventure, or stay in a myriad of campgrounds, from RV-friendly sites at Sapinero Village to more primitive campsites run in Curecanti Recreation Area.

Groups and events

Nestled on the edge of the breathtaking Alpine Plateau in Uncompahgre National Forest, Arrowhead Mountain Lodge offers a secluded yet well-equipped retreat for groups of up to 150 guests. With high-speed internet and on-site catering, this remote lodge is ideal for corporate retreats and sports clubs. Snowmobiling enthusiasts will love the direct access to top-tier terrain.

Other hidden gems in Gunnison County

Looking for other places in Gunnison County off the beaten track? Explore the eastern side of the county. Pitkin delivers historic, railroad-town charm and epic side-by-side routes. OHV enthusiasts will also want to check out Taylor Park’s motorized roads and singletrack, situated near breathtakingly beautiful Taylor Reservoir. Rent a cabin on the river in tiny Almont, the gateway to Taylor Canyon’s family-friendly rafting and rowdy mountain bike trails.