Crested Butte and Gunnison: Never-Never Land
Our towns, Gunnison and Crested Butte, Colorado, are two of the best towns in Colorado for family vacations because of their relatively small sizes and relaxed, chill vibe. They’re a perfect destination for families who are looking to unplug, reconnect, and spend some time together without the distractions and the bustle of normal life. Kids will love the freedom to be outside and explore. Parents love the time away from screens. With non-stop flights from Houston (IAH) straight to Gunnison-Crested Butte (GUC) and affordable lodging options throughout the Gunnison Valley, make this summer the one you escape to Colorado’s best mountain valley for a family vacation.
Book your family vacation to Crested Butte or Gunnison, Colorado
With nonstop flights on United from Houston (IAH) and Denver (DEN) to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC), flying is the best and easiest way to get to the Gunnison Valley this summer. Houston service runs on weekends June 9, 2018-June 28, 2018 and daily from June 29,2018 through August 20, 2018 while Denver has 1-2 flights daily depending on the time of the summer. Book your flight at united.com and check our lodging directory to find the best lodging option for your family.
Reasons Families Love Gunnison and Crested Butte in the Summer Time
Beyond our weather (highs in the low 80s and practically no humidity), there are plenty of reasons to visit Gunnison and Crested Butte this summer for your family vacation. Here are a few of our favorite things to do.
Blue Mesa Reservoir and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: Boat, Hike, Camp
The Best Mountain Biking in Colorado
Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory Kids Camps
Gothic, CO, a former silver mining ghost town, is home to one of the oldest and largest biological research stations in the entire world, the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, aka RMBL (pronounced rumble). Some of the world’s top climate scientists, bee and pollination researchers, and stream water quality experts move themselves and their lab teams up to Gothic to live in cabins and study the local ecosystem every summer. A bonus for local kids and visitors alike: they offer a really great kids nature camp. The kids get to be right in the thick of things at a state-of-the-art research facility learning a specially-designed curriculum from the Biologists. The camps are specifically structured so that they can be stand-alone days, making them great for visiting families who want to give their kids a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Hiking: Two Million Acres of Public Land and Five of Colorado’s Wilderness Areas

Flying to Gunnison-Crested Butte
Now that we’ve convinced you to plan a trip, here’s how to get to Crested Butte and Gunnison this summer:
We have nonstop daily flights between Houston (IAH) and our own Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC) from June 29 through August 20, 2018. Weekend-only service starts earlier on June 9, 2018. It’s a super easy trip from Texas to the Gunnison Valley. We also offer daily non-stop flights from Denver to Gunnison with twice daily service starting up June 9 and running through October 3, 2018. Full schedules for both routes can be found by searching flights on united.com. Looking for other ways to get to Crested Butte and Gunnison? Head over to our Getting Here page.
Other Info That Can Help Plan Your Trip
Gunnison and Crested Butte are separated by 28 miles of mostly open country. Between, you’ll find Almont, where the Taylor and East Rivers come together to form the headwaters of the Gunnison River. If you continue past Crested Butte 3 miles, you’ll find Mt. Crested Butte, home of Crested Butte Mountain Resort and the Evolution Bike Park. Search our Lodging directory for options from cabins and B&Bs up to larger-scale hotels. Most all of these are great for families.
Late June through mid-August, you’ll find fun concerts and events taking place in a different spot in the Valley nearly every day. Our event calendar is updated weekly and provides a good listing of all of the events going on in Crested Butte and Gunnison.