Gunnison and Crested ButteColorado

Abundant public lands and charming mountain towns give this Colorado destination a bucket-list-worthy allure

The Gunnison Valley offers a unique chance to experience the grandeur of the American West. Sporting rich ranching history and gorgeous scenery in spades, this community welcomes you to admire its stunning vistas from its thrilling ski slopes, historic valleys and wide variety of mountain biking trails. Frolicking through blooming wildflowers and exploring a historic ghost town are just the beginning of the adventures you can find in the Gunnison Valley.

Untapped Wilderness

Set against a backdrop of picturesque mountains and scenic landscapes, the towns of the Gunnison Valley offers a range of outdoor adventures. With over 800,000 hectares of public lands, there’s an abundance of fishing, water sports and bike trails to explore. Anglers can head to the Taylor and Gunnison Rivers to fish in Gold Medal Waters — Colorado’s official designation for fisheries bearing high-quality trout. A rainbow ofwildflowers covers the fields of Crested Butte, earning the town its official state-sanctioned designation as the “Wildflower Capital ofColorado.” Trek down Crested Butte’s scenic trails to uncover bountiful blooms ranging from vibrant Mule’s Ears to rare Calypso orchids.

Tons of Trails

Summer is the perfect time to explore over 1900 kilometers of hiking trails and 1200 kilometers of singletrack in the Gunnison Valley. Biking trails at Hartman Rocks Recreation are challenging and rocky, providing a true cross-country riding experience through rolling ridges and woody sagebrush. The fun doesn’t stop there, though – near Crested Butte, a network of steep, high-altitudebackcountry trails keep the thrills coming. While these epic alpine routes aren’t for the faint of heart, experienced cyclists will find the pristine mountain views well worth the effort.

Winter Wonderland

Winter brings a whole new experience to Crested Butte. At theCrested Butte Mountain Resort, intrepid skiers can ride the High and North Face Lifts to reach some of Colorado’s most challenging – and scenic – runs. Ski down fresh white snow while taking in views of the majesticRocky Mountains. Enjoy blue skies and rolling backcountry on a Nordic ski adventure at Crested Butte Nordic. Enjoy cross-country skiing or snowshoeing down kilometers of meticulously groomed trails no matter your skill level: Novice skiers can take advantage of convenient equipment rentals and lessons with knowledgeable instructors.

Unexpected Adventures

Nestled within the West Elk Mountains is the town of Gothic, a former silver mining boomtown that’s now home to the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. In the summer, the town bustles with biologists from around the world. Tour the remains of the ghost town on foot, then pedal the 401 Trail Loop and enjoy unbeatable views of the Gothic Valley. Looking for a little excitement in this laid-back area? Visit Gunnison during the annual Cattlemen’s Days, Colorado’s oldest rodeo which celebrates the rich traditions of ranching culture every July.