Gunnison + Crested Butte | Local and Regional Colorado Travel Alerts

Local & Regional Travel Alerts

Colorado road conditions

Check this page before your visit to learn about current travel alerts in Gunnison County and the surrounding area. Driving from Denver or Montrose? Check out the following resources for Colorado road conditions and road construction. To help you prepare for your trip, you’ll also find information on current wildfires, campfire restrictions, emergency alerts and health safety information. Going backcountry skiing? Check the weather and the Crested Butte Avalanche Center’s avalanche forecast first.

Black Canyon wildfire closes South Rim

The South Rim fire is now contained, but due to effects of the fire, the South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is closed to the public until further notice. The North Rim is open as of July 30, 2025.

The west side of Blue Mesa Reservoir, which had been briefly closed to assist firefighting aircraft, is now open.

No wildfires are currently burning in Gunnison County. The Gunnison Valley is functioning normally and remains open to visitors.

Black Canyon National Park closure info

Family camping in a designated camping area. Slate River Valley Crested Butte, CO

Campfire and wildlife info

Gunnison National Forest Campfire Restrictions

Like most of the Rocky Mountain region, the Gunnison Valley is prone to wildfires. Check the U. S. Forest Service website to learn about campfire restrictions in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) national forests. You’ll also find information on current wildfires.

GMUG National Forest Fire Info

Gunnison County Fire Info

Stay on top of emergencies and other alerts, including county-wide fire bans and current wildfires, on the Gunnison County website.

Gunnison County Alert Center

Gunnison County Wildfire Info

Colorado wildfire and smoke map

This map shows all wildfires currently burning in Colorado and across the United States, including prescribed burns.

Wondering where the smoke is coming from? the map also shows where smoke from each fire is blowing. Counties under red flag warnings are also marked.

Colorado Wildfire and Smoke Map

Road construction near Gunnison

U.S. Highway 50 bridge improvements

Bridges between Gunnison and Montrose are open

A section of U.S. Highway 50 between Montrose and Gunnison was under construction for bridge repairs in 2024. Both bridges are fully open, 24 hrs. a day, seven days a week, to all legal loads.

Learn more about the history of the bridge improvement project on our bridge information page.

Learn more

A lakeshore. Blue Mesa Reservoir is the largest lake in Colorado

U.S. Highway 50 Little Blue Creek project

Construction on a section of Highway 50 between Gunnison and Montrose is now complete. The area is called Little Blue Creek Canyon and is located between mile markers 123 and 127.

About the improvements

Gunnison Valley Weather Cams

Live Weather Conditions

Wondering about current conditions on Highway 50 and Highway 135? Visit our webcams page to see current weather conditions in Gunnison, Almont and Crested Butte.

VIEW WEBCAMS

ROAD CONDITIONS

Check COTrip before driving through the mountains

COTrip offers live updates, traffic reports, travel alerts and webcams on road conditions across Colorado. Information on seasonal road closures, including Cottonwood Pass, Schofield Pass and Kebler Pass, can also be found on COTrip. The site also includes info on road construction, road damage and other timely issues that could affect travel.

COTrip.org

Backcountry skiing in Crested Butte, Colorado.

CRESTED BUTTE AVALANCHE FORECAST

Planning to backcountry ski while you’re in Gunnison Crested Butte this winter? Be sure to check out the avalanche forecast from the Crested Butte Avalanche Center before you head out on your ski tour. Visit CBAC’s website for more information.

CB Avalanche Center

Receive notifications during an emergency

Get the Code Red app

During an emergency, local authorities will send you information via the Code Red app. Notifications may include descriptions of the emergency, evacuations and other procedures.

Download Code Red

WINTER DRIVING

TIPS FOR DRIVING IN SNOW AND OBEYING COLORADO’S TRACTION LAW

Did you know Colorado has a law about traction requirements for your vehicle’s tires? View the PDFs below to learn more about how to drive safely in winter conditions and how to prepare your vehicle for snowy roads.

WINTER DRIVING TIPS

Traction Law Decision Tree

Traction Law Ruler Card