Rural Gunnison County Lodging

Lodging in rural Gunnison County is full of history and offers unparalleled access to the outdoors. Many of these communities were once bustling mining towns. Today, Ohio City, Pitkin and Cimarron have small year-round populations that grow in the summer. The Taylor Park area is a recreation paradise. Lodging options include cabins, vacation rentals, camping on public lands and small lodges. Cozy up in a cabin with a mountain view, or stay in a quaint lodge with rustic décor.

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Why stay in rural Gunnison County?

If you’re looking to explore public lands on your Colorado vacation, lodging in rural Gunnison County is the place to stay. Gunnison and Crested Butte are also just short drives away. Visit Crested Butte and Gunnison for more things to do and amenities like restaurants, gas, groceries and shopping. History buffs will also enjoy staying in these historic mining towns. Some of these towns, and ghost towns in the area, are rumored to be haunted.

Taylor Park

The U.S. Forest Service manages the land in Taylor Park, Colorado, which offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Taylor Park is about 36 miles from Gunnison and about 43 miles from Crested Butte. If you’re coming from Buena Vista, Colorado, take Cottonwood Pass. Cottonwood Pass is paved and passable for most vehicles. Off-roading enthusiasts will love Taylor Park. Explore the Taylor Park trail system to experience a piece of the wild and scenic zone around the Collegiate Peaks. Taylor Park encompasses part of Chaffee County and Cottonwood Pass to the east. It also connects to the motorized trails of Cement Creek and Brush Creek.

Three people stand with bikes and look at a view of mountains and a lake while graveling biking in Taylor Park

What to expect in Taylor Park

Rent boats and fishing equipment at Taylor Park Marina. Eat at the restaurant and purchase last-minute gear at the bait shop. Stay in cabins at Taylor Park Trading Post year-round. Hook up your RV at the RV park in the summer. Have meals at the restaurant and buy groceries, gas, camping supplies, and beverages at the store.

Taylor Reservoir

Boat and fish on Taylor Reservoir. Motorized boating is permitted on Taylor Reservoir. Ice fish in the winter. Test your ice fishing skills and potentially win some prizes at the annual ice fishing tournament on the reservoir.

Taylor Canyon

You must drive through Taylor Canyon to get to Taylor Park from Gunnison. This canyon has rock climbing, road biking, gravel biking and camping.

Taylor River

The Taylor River is a prominent rafting and fishing spot. The catch-and-release area right below the dam can be fished year-round. Commercial raft outfitters guide on the Upper Taylor the most of any sections of the river.

Pitkin

Pitkin, Colorado is located north of Highway 50 between Gunnison and Monarch Pass. Pitkin is 27 miles from Gunnison and about 55 miles from Crested Butte. Take County Road 76 for 15 miles from Highway 50 to get to Pitkin. This historic mining town is located within Gunnison National Forest.

Pitkin Recreation

Pitkin provides incredible access to the outdoors. Off-road, gravel bike, hike, hunt, mountain bike, fish, snowmobile and more in Pitkin. Notable off-roading routes include Cumberland Pass to Tincup, the Alpine Tunnel and Waunita Pass. Gravel bike from Pitkin to Tincup, a ghost town.

a group of people gravel biking in pitkin, Colorado

History of Pitkin

Pitkin, originally Quartzville, was the first mining camp in Colorado west of the Continental Divide. Pitkin had mines for iron, lead, gold, silver and copper. The Alpine Tunnel was constructed in the early 1880s. The mines began to dry up in 1882. Today, Pitkin has a small year-round population that more than doubles in the summer.

A sign that says "Alpine Tunnel Historic District"

What to expect in Pitkin

Lodging options in Pitkin include vacation rentals, lodges with hotel rooms and apartments, and camping. Some of these rural Gunnison County lodging properties have places to eat and shops that have groceries, gas, souvenirs, and snacks. In the summer, restaurants and shops open, while lodging and gas remain available all year. The United States Forest Service manages a campground in Pitkin that is first-come, first-serve. Rent e-bikes and UTVs in Pitkin to make exploring the area easy.

Ohio City

Ohio City, Colorado is located north of Highway 50 between Gunnison and Monarch Pass on the same road as Pitkin. It’s about 20 miles from Gunnison and 48 miles from Crested Butte. Take County Road 76 for about eight miles to get there. Ohio City was once a gold mining town. Today, some year-round residents inhabit the semi-ghost town. A few of the original buildings in town are still standing.

Recreation in Ohio City

Things to do in Ohio City include off-roading, hiking, biking, horseback riding and historic sightseeing. You can access the Fossil Ridge Wilderness from Ohio City. Hike and horseback ride in Fossil Ridge.

a high alpine lake with a mountain peak in the background. Lamphier Lake Fossil Ridge Gunnison, Colorado

History of Ohio City

Ohio City became a community in the 1860s when gold was discovered in the area. Miners also found silver, minerals and gemstones. Ohio City experienced booms and busts until 1916 when profits began to dry up. The town had a town hall, newspaper, and theater before mining ended. Officials designated the town hall as a Historic County Landmark in 1974.

What to expect in Ohio City

Vacation rentals are the most common lodging options in Ohio City. Find cabins, cute homes and guest houses for groups of all sizes. The U.S. Forest Service also runs a campground called Gold Creek. Ohio City does not have any amenities, but nearby Pitkin does.

Cimarron

Cimarron, Colorado is a small hamlet about 45 miles from Gunnison on Highway 50 West. Most of Cimarron is in Montrose County, but a valley south of Cimarron proper is part of Gunnison County.

What to expect in Cimarron

Cimarron has one rural Gunnison County lodging property. This lodge has hotel-style rooms. The lodge also functions as an event venue and operates a small general store and an on-site restaurant that is open year-round. You can also rent snowmobiles and side-by-sides in Cimarron.

Recreation in Cimarron

Cimarron is located in the Uncompahgre National Forest. Hike, snowmobile, mountain bike and off-road in Cimarron. When staying in Cimarron, you can explore Owl Creek Pass and the Alpine Loop. Cimarron is also close to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Blue Mesa Reservoir is only about 20 minutes away.

History of Cimarron

Cimarron was established in 1882 when the railroad first came through town. It began as a tent city and eventually grew to have stores and homes and a refueling station for steam trains.

an aerial view of a deep and steep gorge, black canyon national park

Activity ideas

Taylor Park: Off-road to Taylor Pass
Pitkin: E-bike to the Alpine Tunnel
Ohio City: Hike the Mill Lake Trail
Cimarron: Visit Black Canyon, one of the steepest and narrowest gorges in the world.

Other places to stay in the Gunnison Valley

Still deciding where to stay in the Gunnison Valley? Find affordable hotels in Gunnison, cute bed-and-breakfasts in Crested Butte, rustic cabins in Almont and ski-in/ski-out options in Mt. Crested Butte.