The Gunnison Pioneer Museum preserves the first post office in Gunnison County: the building was constructed in the early 1870s and designated as the first post office in 1876. The museum also displays around 90 antique vehicles; the size of the collection may change. These artifacts offer a glimpse into different chapters of the region’s history.
Local History and Ambitious Plans
Seven buildings in the historic townsite of Gothic were designated for their historical significance. Gothic was founded in 1879 after silver was discovered and grew to as many as 3,000 residents within two years. The designated buildings and rapid population growth shed light on different aspects of the town’s history.
Marble is also associated with an industrial history: the town supplied white marble for monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. At Ohio Pass, the unfinished palisade represents the Denver South Park and Pacific Railroad’s plans to build a railway over the pass to the North Fork of the Gunnison River and onward to California. This was a planned project, not a completed rail line.
Scenic Drives and Cycling Routes
Gunnison County includes sections of the West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway and the Silver Thread Scenic Byway. Another notable road route is Kebler Pass: the 30-mile scenic drive passes through Colorado’s largest aspen grove and connects Crested Butte to Paonia via Gunnison County Road 12. Check road conditions and seasonal closures before your drive.
There are different types of routes to consider for cycling. Hartman Rocks has 40 miles of singletrack and 33 miles of roads open to bicycles. These lengths refer to different types of routes; the trail network may change as it is updated.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort has more than 30 miles of singletrack for hiking, biking, and trail running between the base area and the summit of Mount Crested Butte. In summer, the resort also operates a downhill mountain bike park with more than 30 miles of lift-served singletrack. Trail access may vary by season and operations; the bike park is a seasonal summer offering.
Water, Trails, and Outdoor Recreation
The Curecanti National Recreation Area encompasses three reservoirs on the Gunnison River: Blue Mesa Reservoir, Morrow Point Reservoir, and Crystal Reservoir. Taylor Park Reservoir has a surface area of 2,000 acres and is home to trout, kokanee salmon, and pike. Water conditions and regulations may change; check current advisories if they are important to your visit.
Different rules also apply to individual trails. Beaver Creek Trail in the Gunnison State Wildlife Area is restricted to foot and horse traffic. Hartman Rocks has 50 designated sites for dispersed camping. If you are planning to visit either place, take the applicable use regulations into account.
Events and Seasonal Offerings
The Crested Butte Wildflower Festival takes place every July. The program includes photography workshops, guided hikes, art classes, and garden tours; dates vary from year to year. Cattlemen’s Days is an annual event celebrating Gunnison’s ranching tradition and is considered Colorado’s oldest rodeo. Its specific dates also change each year.
The Gunnison Valley Observatory offers public programs on most Friday and Saturday evenings during its season, from June through September. Check the current schedule before visiting. These offerings run at different times: the wildflower festival takes place in July, observatory programs run during the June-to-September season, and the bike park operates in summer. If any of these offerings are a deciding factor for your trip, check the dates or operating hours against your travel dates.
Planning Your Visit
The Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport provides air service for visitors to the Gunnison-Crested Butte region. As flight operations and schedules may change, check current flight information before traveling. Crested Butte Nordic offers ski and snowshoe rental packages; check availability in advance.
History, cycling routes, and landscapes offer additional perspectives on Gunnison County, which you can prioritize according to your interests.
Discover more destinations: Gunnison, Crested Butte, Pitkin, Morgan County, Costilla County, Routt, Alamosa County, Park County
For the main travel overview: Colorado.
