Gunnison is the epicenter of gravel roads in the Gunnison Valley, and one of the best places in Colorado for gravel biking and bikepacking. Just three miles from Gunnison, Hartman Rocks boasts access to hundreds of miles of gravel roads through unique high-desert rock formations. The dirt roads south of Gunnison form a spiderweb of potential routes that span from Blue Mesa Reservoir to Highway 114 to Monarch Pass. The distinctive features here are spiny granite rock formations, small canyons and fields of sagebrush. Wildlife, including birds of prey, bighorn sheep and the Gunnison sage-grouse, thrive here. In addition to the distinctive sagebrush, many beautiful desert plants and wildflowers are native to Gunnison’s ecosystem. Insects, especially butterflies, are a common sight in the spring and summer. 

There are hundreds of miles of Gunnison National Forest roads to explore on the east side of the Gunnison Valley between Taylor Park and the small towns of Tincup, Pitkin and Ohio City. You’ll be rewarded with views of the Elk Mountains, Fossil Ridge and the Sawatch Range. These charming small towns are rich with mining lore, old railroads and historic buildings from the pioneer days. General stores, restaurants and cabin rentals provide respite during the summer. 

Mountain biking got its start on the dirt roads in the Gunnison National Forest surrounding Crested Butte. These days, most mountain bikers have taken to singletrack trails, leaving the roads for gravel bikers. There are several popular gravel bike routes in Crested Butte. Pearl Pass is a chunky, steep 4×4 road that eventually pops out near Aspen. Smooth, mag-chloride-coated Kebler Pass, which runs west towards Paonia, is a higher-traffic but easier option. Paradise Divide is another challenging gravel ride that tops out over 11,000 feet. Most roads around Crested Butte are quite difficult. Many are rocky and loose. It’s a good idea to use a bike with wider tires in this zone. Get ready for high elevation, thin air and epic mountain views.