If you’re driving to Crested Butte and Gunnison, check out road conditions on Monarch Pass, Highway 50, Highway 135 and other Colorado roads. For more information on road construction, closures and traffic conditions on Monarch Pass and elsewhere, visit cotrip.org.
The Gunnison Valley, like most of the rest of Colorado, has four distinct seasons. No matter which season you experience, the temperature tends to swing drastically between night and day due to Colorado’s notoriously dry air and clear skies. Bring plenty of layers, even if you visit in summer. Most days are sunny and clear, but the weather changes quickly in the mountains.
When visiting Gunnison and Crested Butte, expect weather conditions similar to other high-altitude Rocky Mountain regions in the western United States. Weather in this part of Colorado is comparable to western Wyoming, southern Montana and northern Idaho. The Gunnison Valley is colder and drier than western Utah.
Crested Butte tends to be cooler and wetter than Gunnison due to its high elevation and mountainous surroundings. Weather in Crested Butte is similar to other high-altitude mountain towns like Aspen, Telluride, Winter Park and Breckenridge.
In summer, expect highs in the 70s and 80s and lows in the 30s and 40s. Monsoon season arrives in July and August. Expect afternoon thunderstorms during these months. Fall is much drier, with precipitation being rare. Highs are in the 50s and 60s, with lows dipping below freezing. Winter brings snowfall and cold temps, with highs in the 20s and 30s and lows hovering around 0-10 degrees. When it’s not snowing, expect crisp, sunny days under Colorado’s famous bluebird skies. Spring is the most variable time of year in Crested Butte (and Colorado in general). It can be sunny and 65 degrees one day, and snowy and 40 degrees the next.
Gunnison tends to be warmer and sunnier than Crested Butte because of its high desert ecosystem. It is cooler than the nearby cities of Montrose, Salida and Buena Vista due to higher elevation.
Highs hover around the 70s and 80s in summer, with lows in the 40s. Monsoon season is also a factor in Gunnison, bringing intense thunderstorms from about 3-7 p.m. most days in July and August. Fall is warm and dry, with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s. Winter brings less snowfall than Crested Butte, but colder temperatures. Gunnison is situated on the valley floor, so on clear winter nights, cold air settles around the city. This is known as inversion. Expect highs in the 10s and 20s and lows below zero. Spring is warmer and drier than Crested Butte, but still quite variable. Expect anything from 70-degree bluebird days to 40-degree rainstorms.
Whether you decide to drive, fly, or bike into town, you’re in for a truly unforgettable experience. Flying is the easiest way to get to the Gunnison Valley, with daily flights into Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport. Driving into Gunnison will take you over famously high-altitude Monarch Pass or past beautiful Blue Mesa Reservoir. Scenic Highway 135 snakes through the valley between Gunnison and Crested Butte. Learn more about flights and driving directions on our Getting Here page.
Wondering about road closures and construction? How about fire restrictions and nearby wildfires? Check our Travel Alerts page to stay on top of quickly changing road and emergency conditions in Crested Butte and Gunnison.
