Biking

Plan Your Colorado Mountain Biking Vacation in Crested Butte and Gunnison

From high desert to high alpine

The Gunnison Valley is home to some of the best mountain biking trails in Colorado. With more than 800 miles of singletrack to choose from, you could stay here for a month and still not ride every trail! Gunnison and Crested Butte offer a wide array of bike trails, from rocky desert rides in Gunnison to flowy alpine descents in Crested Butte. No matter where you ride, panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains surround you. If it’s time to plan your Colorado mountain biking vacation, start here!

Hartman Rocks Recreation Area

MTB Trails in Gunnison

Hartman Rocks is a large trail system just outside the city of Gunnison. There are more than 50 miles of mountain bike trails stretching over the rolling hills of rocky terrain. Trails at Hartman’s range from beginner to expert. Most trails are a mile long or less and can be easily linked to others to create a ride of any length. In addition to mountain biking, this popular recreation area is open to hiking, camping, climbing, OHV and shooting.

Check out Hartman’s

Crested Butte Mountain biking

More than just the 401

There are hundreds of miles of bike trails surrounding the town of Crested Butte. Some trails, including the Lower Loop trail system, are able to be ridden to right from downtown. Or, drive up any Gunnison National Forest road, including Slate River, Washington Gulch or Gothic, and you’ll find MTB trails. There are large swaths of trails to be found south of Crested Butte, including off Brush Creek Road and Cement Creek Road (near CB South). There are too many trails to name here, so we’ve created a map so you can find the trails that suit your ability level and transportation capabilities.

Browse the best MTB trails in Crested Butte

Beginner, intermediate and advanced bike trails

Whether you like flowy alpine singletrack, technical desert rocks or pine forest plunges, it’s all here. You might have heard of Hartman Rocks, Doctor Park or the 401. These famous trails offer incredible riding, but there are some phenomenal lesser-known trails in the valley too. Use the below resources to plan your next ride.

Hartman Rocks on Trailforks.com

Some of the world's first mountain bikers stand by their klunker bikes in downtown Crested Butte.

Watch the Born from Junk films

The history of mountain biking in Crested Butte and Gunnison

Two short films chronicle mountain biking’s beginnings in the Gunnison Valley. Immerse yourself in the story of mountain biking’s ragtag origins in Crested Butte and its racing heyday in Gunnison.

Watch the short films for free

Watch Micayla in Wonderland

A story about the wonder of Colorado mountain biking

This short film by Gunnison Valley’s own Matchstick Productions follows Micayla Gatto down the rabbit hole to Wonderland, which looks a lot like Crested Butte. Follow Micayla as she rides through mystical aspen groves and magical trails.

Watch Micayla in Wonderland

Videos of Gunnison Valley trails

Watch MTB videos of the best trails in Crested Butte and Gunnison

Check out our collection of mountain bike trail videos to get a taste of what some of the trails in Crested Butte and Gunnison have to offer you for a Colorado mountain biking vacation.

One Good Ride | The Ridge Trail | Gunnison, CO

One Good Ride | Lower Loop | Crested Butte, CO

One Good Ride | Meander | Mt Crested Butte, CO

One Good Ride | Doctor Park | Almont, CO

One Good Ride | Psycho Rocks | Mt Crested Butte, CO

One Good Ride | Warm Springs | Crested Butte, CO

One Good Ride | Graceland | Gunnison, CO

One Good Ride | Rattlesnake | Gunnison, CO

One Good Ride | Strand Hill | Crested Butte, CO

One Good Ride | Canal Trail | Crested Butte, CO

One Good Ride | Green Lake Trail | Crested Butte, CO

One Good Ride | Gunsight Connector | Crested Butte, CO

One Good Ride | Happy Hour | Crested Butte, CO

One Good Ride | Lupine 2 | Crested Butte, CO

One Good Ride | Budd Trail | Crested Butte, CO

Find a bike shop

Whether you need a bike mechanic, a snazzy new bike jersey or a mountain bike rental, the bike shops in Gunnison and Crested Butte can help.

FIND A MOUNTAIN BIKING GUIDE

Want a pro to show you around? Hire a mountain bike guide to lead you on a ride through the backcountry trails of the Gunnison Valley.

Support Local Trails Organizations

PUBLIC LANDS STEWARDSHIP

Gunnison Trails and Crested Butte Mountain Biking Association—the oldest mountain biking club in the United States—are the two local trails organizations that build and maintain the Gunnison Valley’s mountain bike trails and educate locals and visitors alike about land stewardship.

While enjoying our trails on your Colorado mountain biking vacation, please consider supporting these hardworking volunteers who care for our treasured public lands.

Meet the trailbuilders

Taking care of trails and public land

BATHROOM BREAKS

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 the call of nature outdoors.

MOUNTAIN BIKE ETIQUETTE

Only ride on open trails.
Riders traveling downhill should yield to riders traveling uphill.
Bikers yield to all other trail users, including horses and hikers.
Ride under control at all times.

LEAVE NO TRACE

The seven principles of Leave No Trace guide us on how to behave in the outdoors. Abiding by the principles helps minimize human impacts on the land. To learn more about Leave No Trace principles specific to mountain biking, visit LNT.org.

MUDDY OR WET TRAIL CONDITIONS

If possible, plan your route to avoid riding on wet or muddy trails. If you do encounter snow or mud on the trail, ride through it rather than around it.

Trail closures

Obey all trail signs and posted trail closures. Learn more about seasonal trail closures on our spring trail closures page.

Spring trail restrictions

E-biking

An electric bicycle can take you farther and faster than a traditional bike. Learn more about where you can ride an e-bike in the Gunnison Valley and where to rent one.

Explore e-biking

Six e-bike riders on a dirt road with mountain peaks in the background

three gravel bikers ride on a gravel trail with rolling hills in the background

Gravel biking

Gravel biking is exploding in popularity across the country. Learn more about the roads and views that make Gunnison one of the best places for gravel biking!

Try gravel biking