Things to do & places to visit in Gunnison, Colorado, United States

Gunnison offers a vibrant cultural scene, ranching heritage and bountiful natural resources. It’s truly a unique destination for outdoor, culinary and art enthusiasts. Blue Mesa Reservoir is the largest body of water in Colorado, a perfect spot for world-class fishing. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is nearby, with scenic overlooks and diverse hiking trails. The annual Cattlemen’s Days, featuring rodeo competitions, carnival and live music, is Colorado’s oldest rodeo.

Gunnison city in Colorado, United States. Timezone: America/Denver, current date and time: Monday, May 06, 2024, 10:47.

Top things to do (25)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Scenic River Tours (539 reviews)
- Thrilling Family Experience
Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM River Rafting & Tubing • Boat Tours • Climbing Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours • Stand Up Paddleboarding

Nice job Scenic River Tours! Thank you so much, my family of 4 (mom, dad, two teenage boys) had a blast and a really great memory to take back to NY with us. As beginners, we felt like we were in really good hands with Riley, our guide (thank you Riley!…and Colin, who delivered the initial safety talk, which was super clear and most useful when we did in fact need to do a high side!). We did the upper Taylor extender (3 hours). We were so glad to have done the extender option because we weren’t ready to get out after 2 hours. We felt like the stretch we saw was a good combination of thrills and gentler stretches with stunning views. We would definitely recommend this rafting experience and Scenic River Tours who really delivered from start to finish. See more..
5.0 Gunnison National Forest (130 reviews)
- Black Canyon
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM National Parks • Forests

National preserve that encompasses part of Colorado's central mountains, around the towns of Gunnison and Crested Butte. See more..
5.0 Blue Mesa Fishing (130 reviews)
- Great fishing with Seth
Marinas • Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas

Blue Mesa Reservoir is Colorado's largest reservoir and home to the largest in Kokanee Salmon population in the Western US. Blue Mesa Reservoir is 330 feet at the deepest point and is made up of 3 basins, 4 boat launches, two marinas and over 100 miles of shoreline. It is truly a magnificent area nestled in the Rocky Mountains See more..
5.0 Pine Creek (18 reviews)
- Beautiful hike!
Hiking Trails

Scenic hiking trail in Colorado's Curecanti National Recreation Area. See more..
5.0 Gunnison Valley Observatory (14 reviews)
- A Rare and Unexpected Treat
Speciality Museums

We heard about this at the Gunnison Visitor Center and thought this would be a nice way to spend a pleasant cool summer evening during our stay in Gunnison. However it really was a highlight. While awaiting a lecture that evening from a professor at Western State our enthusiastic volunteers used large telescops to show us a number of things with high powered telescopes, such as Saturn's rings. After the lecture we went to large room upstairs to see things such a close up views of globular clusters and got to see a large telescope in action. Unfortunately our visited coincided with the Supermoon, so the sky was overwhelmed by the Moon's light. Do plan on spending around 1 to 1.5 hours there - there is a crowd a bit of a wait to get to the large telescope but it is well worth it. See more..
5.0 Curecanti Creek (13 reviews)
- Here's your chance to get right down into the Black Canyon
Hiking Trails

Scenic hiking trail that follows a small river to Morrow Point Lake. See more..
5.0 West Elk Wilderness Outfitters (10 reviews)
- 5 day 4 night horsebck trip
Spent More than 3 hours Horseback Riding Tours

From daily horseback rides to multi-day horse packed camping trips, West Elk Wilderness Outfitters provides quality horseback tours of your public lands in the Gunnison Country! See more..
5.0 Open Your Eyes Gallery (10 reviews)
- You would never know...
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Art Galleries

Visit the "Open Your Eyes" Gallery to see fine art photographs of the surrounding area. Improve you photographic skills and explore Gunnison and Crested Butte with Fine Art Photographers Allan & Francie Ivy. We offer photographic workshops tailored to any level of photographic ability and take you to some of the most spectacular scenery in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Workshops on complete digital workflow From camera to print. We also feature work by some of the finest local artists in a warm and relaxed environment. We also offer printing, finishing and framing of your works. We offer weddings and portraits services. See more..
5.0 The Gunnison Route (9 reviews)
- Toughest "hike' ever
Hiking Trails

This extremely challenging hiking trail leads down to the Gunnison River. See more..
5.0 Ann Zugelder Library (5 reviews)
- Meeting in Gunnison
Libraries

This library located in the center of town is a must stop for so much good help on travel, books, welcome to the area and a friendly smile. See more..
5.0 Gunnison Parks & Recreation (1 review)
- Swim, Climb, Play
Spent 2-3 hours Sports Complexes
This rec center has many activities from which to choose...several choices of difficulty on the climbing wall, a gymnastics/play room, full-sized gymnasium; indoor pool area with many centers: 6-lane pool for swimming laps and for leisure (and complimentary use of flippers and other equipment), deep end with a diving board and rope swing, two large enclosed water slides, leisure pool with water basketball hoops, AND a toddler area with water features and baby slide. Locker rooms with showers, dressing area, and lockers. Great on a cold day or a hot day! See more..
5.0 Gunnison Farmers Market (1 review)
- Fun!
Spent 1-2 hours Farmers Markets

Love a farmers market! My son made a birdhouse at the kid zone! Plenty of booths with local goods. We left with lavender lip gloss, sourdough bread, raspberry jelly, apples, and chocolate chip cookies. Go hungry! See more..
5.0 Cliff Creek Trail (1 review)
- Gorgeous views
Hiking Trails
A scenic hiking trail through Gunnison National Forest. See more..
4.5 Curecanti National Recreation Area (189 reviews)
- Blue Mesa is great
National Parks

This 42,000-acre Recreation Area features three reservoirs, Blue Mesa, Morrow Point and Crystal, which are surrounded by rugged, steep-walled canyons and mesas. See more..
4.5 Gunnison Pioneer Museum (115 reviews)
- Fantastic Look At Early Gunnison History
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums

We were blown away by the extent of artifacts and family treasures this community museum offers. We only had a few hours but we could have easily spent the entire day. Very friendly staff (believe they are volunteers) and the price was well worth it. A fascinating look at the families and heritage that built this area. See more..
4.5 Crystal Mill (103 reviews)
- We scheduled a jeep tour and had a fantastic time!
Points of Interest & Landmarks

We have been visiting small towns in Colorado this summer. We live in Grand Junction so just taking a few days each week to explore. This weeks trip was to Redstone, Marble, Crystal City, so after reading the reviews instead of hiking into the Crystal Mill I booked a Jeep Tour. So glad I did, light rain when we started and a pretty muddy one way road in for hiking. Highly recommend Crystal River Jeep Tours, Jefferson was our guide and he was excellent! Thanks we will be back! See more..
4.5 Tin Cup (79 reviews)
- Not a Ghost Town
Ghost Towns

Former ghost town now a Summer resort. See more..
4.5 Gothic (72 reviews)
- Dark sky de-lite
Ghost Towns

Now a research station and learning center, once was one of the wildest wild west towns. See more..
4.5 Dillon Pinnacles (46 reviews)
- Really scenic hike to the pinnacles
Geologic Formations

Two-mile hiking trail takes visitors through dry mesa to the pinnacles, towering volcanic formations that dominate the Curecanti National Recreation Area's landscape. See more..
4.5 Gunnison City Park (43 reviews)
- Welcome break from the car - biggest slide I've ever seen!
Parks

Gunnison City park is right along Hwy 50 in Gunnison CO. There is a newer slide feature that has the biggest slide we've seen to date - my son couldn't wait to get on it. There is a smaller section just for little kids as well. The park has a huge bouldering rock, basketball courts, picnic area, and outdoor woodcarving sculpture park and free public restrooms. There is a vistor center with with brochures and people who can direct you to camping, public attractions, and anywhere you might want to go in the area. We stop by every time we pass through and it's always busy with locals and tourists. There is also a McD's and a Sonic in the area. It's a great place to take a break if you are on vacation. See more..
4.5 Hartman Rocks Recreation Area (16 reviews)
- dirt bike riding
Hiking Trails

really nice riding well marked and a nice break from the high country,,,,,eazy access to all trails and marked with degree of difficulty and distance,,,some single track and some jeep roads ,,, See more..
4.5 Lucky Cat Dog Farm (14 reviews)
- So much fun!
Spent 1-2 hours Sports Camps & Clinics

At the Lucky Cat Dog Farm, it is our goal to create for you the authentic dog sledding experience. Our tours take you into the back country of beautiful Gunnison county. For approximately two hours, you are immersed in mountains, dogs, snow and solitude. See more..
4.5 Hermit's Rest (11 reviews)
- Stellar bike ride
Hiking Trails

Scenic six-mile hiking trail in Colorado's Curecanti National Recreation Area. See more..
4.5 Cranor Hill Ski Area (4 reviews)
- Nice little hill
Spent More than 3 hours Ski & Snowboard Areas

Make no mistake, this is a review with a full understanding of what this place is all about. One poma lift, probably ~300 vertical feet, and $15 lift tickets. With that in mind, Cranor does it right. Fun day on the slope(s), I'll be back soon. See more..
4.5 Mesa Creek (4 reviews)
- Wonderful short hike!
Hiking Trails

Located in Colorado's Curecanti National Recreation Area, this short hiking trail leads to scenic Crystal Lake. See more..
4.5 Gunnison Gallery (3 reviews)
- Worth dropping in
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM Spent < 1 hour Art Galleries

Gunnison Gallery features and amazing collection of Local and Colorado Artwork ranging from ceramics, jewelry, Aspen furniture, Oil Paintings, Bronze sculpture, Mosaic Art Guitars, Alpaca wool portraits and so much more. Please visit this awesome gallery! See more..
4.0 Neversink (16 reviews)
- Nice Short Hike
Nature & Wildlife Areas

Popular hiking trail and rich habitat for a variety of wildlife. See more..
4.0 Elk Creek Marina (3 reviews)
- Pontoon Rental
Marinas
We rented a pontoon boat from the Elk Creek Marina and had a wonderful afternoon cruising on the Blue Mesa Reservoir. See more..
4.0 The Boom-a-Rang (2 reviews)
- A great place to buy vintage clothes and furniture!
Antique Shops • Factory Outlets
my wife love to shop here when visit Gunnison. She is always finding great clothing buys. Our friend who lives there have furnished a house and cabin with there furniture bargains. Plan on shopping there in February for some cold weather bargain when we come for a visit to Monson Creek Ranch. See more..
Crystal Creek (0 review)
Hiking Trails
This five-mile hiking trail gives visitors panoramic views of the San Juan Mountains. See more..