It might be off the beaten path, but that doesn’t mean it’s hard to get to. Follow these travel guidelines to make getting here easy.
Flying to Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport
The easiest way to get to Gunnison and Crested Butte is by plane and you can do it from practically anywhere with a connecting flight to Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, including daily flights from Denver and Dallas.
What Airport is Closest to Crested Butte?
Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport is in Gunnison, just 30 miles from Crested Butte. Alpine Express and Black Canyon Limo offer airport shuttle services.
Flying With Outdoor Gear
All airlines allow passengers to check ski equipment, sometimes for an additional fee. Mountain bike, alpine ski, Nordic ski and OHV rentals are available in the Gunnison Valley. Anglers and whitewater rafters can hire a guide that will provide all the necessary equipment.
Driving to Crested Butte
There are several options for driving routes to Crested Butte, depending on the time of year.
Renting a Car in Gunnison
Hertz, Budget and Avis all operate out of Gunnison-Crested Butte Airport in Gunnison. Alpenglow Rentals in Crested Butte rents Jeeps by the day.
Summer & Fall Driving Routes to Crested Butte
These mountain passes provide amazing views of some of the most scenic areas in Colorado. Find information below about the different routes and how long it takes to get to Crested Butte from other Colorado cities.
Kebler Pass
The beginning of Kebler Pass in Paonia is Hwy. 133. Kebler Pass has gentle grades passable for most vehicles. One of the largest aspen groves in the U.S. grows on Kebler Pass, making it a spectacular and popular scenic drive in the fall; it's closed in the winter. Hikers can take advantage of the trails off Kebler Pass, including Three Lakes Trail, Dark Canyon and Scarp Ridge.
Cottonwood Pass
Take County Road 306 from Buena Vista to get on Cottonwood Pass — watch for moose on the drive! This pass goes over the top of the Continental Divide at 12,126 feet in altitude and heads down toward Taylor Park and Taylor Canyon. Cottonwood Pass is paved and passable for passenger vehicles. It cuts down drive time from Denver by about 15 minutes, leaving extra time to explore. Stretch your legs and take in the view of the Collegiate Peaks at the summit.
Year-Round Driving Routes
Monarch Pass
Monarch Pass is 22 miles from Salida and 40 miles from Buena Vista. It begins in Poncha Springs on US Hwy. 50, crests the Continental Divide and ends in the town of Sargents. Monarch Pass is a beautiful drive, where you’ll soak in the expansive views of the Sawatch Range. But remember to pay attention on its hairpin curves! Take advantage of pull-offs to safely take in the views.
Monarch Pass is plowed regularly in the winter with occasional closures for avalanche mitigation. It is paved and passable for most vehicles. This is the fastest way to get to Crested Butte from Denver in the winter.
Stretch your legs and admire the scenery from the top of Monarch Pass. Hiking and biking trails, including the Colorado Trail and Monarch Crest trail, start at trailheads on Monarch Pass.
Cochetopa Pass
Cochetopa Pass connects Sagauche County and Gunnison County. When Monarch Pass is closed, this is the fastest alternate route. Take Hwy. 114 to go over Cochetopa Pass. It is open year-round with occasional closures for bad weather. This pass is paved and passable with passenger vehicles.
Hwy. 135
Hwy. 135 is the route to travel the 30 miles between Gunnison and Crested Butte. Head north on Hwy 135. from downtown Gunnison to get to Crested Butte.
Denver to Crested Butte
It takes about 4.5 hours to drive to Crested Butte from Denver following US 285 South to US 50 West, turning north on Hwy. 135 in Gunnison.
Colorado Springs to Crested Butte
It takes 4 hours to drive to Crested Butte from Colorado Springs. One way to get to Crested Butte from Colorado Springs is CO-115 South to US 50 West, which is the best route from Colorado Springs Airport (COS). Another is US 24 South to US 50 West, best if you’re leaving from the north side of Colorado Springs.
Grand Junction to Crested Butte
Grand Junction is about 3 hours from Crested Butte. Get to Crested Butte in the summer via Kebler Pass. In the winter, the best route is US 50 East.
Montrose to Crested Butte
Montrose is a little less than 2 hours from Crested Butte. US 50 East is a good route, and Kebler Pass is also available in summer and fall.
Black Canyon National Park to Crested Butte
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is outside of Montrose. It’s about 2 hours away from Crested Butte via Hwy. 50 East to Hwy. 135 North.
Aspen to Crested Butte
Kebler Pass is a good summer and fall route for travelers coming from Aspen. It is about a 3-hour drive. From Main Street in Aspen, take CO 82 West to CO 133 S for 42 miles. The road turns into County Road 12 for the last 30 miles.
Winter Routes
There are fewer options for getting to Crested Butte in the winter due to seasonal road closures. If you plan to drive there in the winter, please check road conditions and openings before heading out.
Winter Road Closures
- Cottonwood Pass
- Kebler Pass
COTrip is the best resource for road-closure updates. Before heading out on your trip, check with COTrip that the route you want to take is open. If a road is closed for weather or construction, use the COTrip planner to find an alternate route.
Taking the Bus to Crested Butte
The Bustang provides transportation from the Denver metro area to rural Colorado. Tickets can be purchased in advance online. The Outrider rural Colorado bus has a route from Union Station in Denver to Crested Butte, also stopping in Gunnison and Almont.
Gunnison Valley Public Transportation
Gunnison RTA
The Gunnison Rural Transit Authority (RTA) bus is free and runs between Gunnison and Mt. Crested Butte. The bus makes several stops in Gunnison, one in Almont, one in Crested Butte South, several in Crested Butte and one in Mt. Crested Butte.
The RTA allows passengers to bring skis on board, and it stops at the base area of Crested Butte Mountain Resort. The bus also has bike racks, making it easy to ride in both towns.
Mountain Express Shuttle
The free Mountain Express town shuttle runs in Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte and makes getting around Crested Butte in the winter easier. See schedules and routes. Save gas money and time by not looking for parking. Bring your skis on the bus and get dropped off right at Crested Butte Mountain Resort base area. The bus is also equipped with bike racks.
FirstTracks
FirstTracks is an on-demand shuttle service in Mt. Crested Butte. FirstTracks picks up riders from any of the hotels, cabins and vacation rentals in Mt. Crested Butte. Request a ride on the FirstTracks app or by calling 970-713-4070. FirstTracks is available in the summer and winter.
Trailhead Transportation in Crested Butte
Dolly’s Mountain Shuttle and the Alpine Express offer trailhead pickup and drop-off services.
Trailhead Shuttles for Hiking to Aspen from Crested Butte
A trailhead shuttle is the easiest way to secure transportation for a hike to Aspen from Crested Butte. Though the hike to Aspen is only 13 miles long, the drive back to Crested Butte takes about 3 hours. Simplify these logistics and hire a shuttle to pick you up and drive you back to your vehicle.
Late-Night Taxi
If you want to stay out past the last bus, use the late-night taxi to get around Crested Butte. This paid taxi service is available for drop-offs in Crested Butte, Mt. Crested Butte and Crested Butte South from 10pm–3am, seven days a week. Call 970-209-0509 for a taxi pickup. The $10 payment is accepted with cash, credit card or Venmo.
Are There Ride-Share Services in Crested Butte?
Crested Butte has very limited ride-share services, and public transportation is a more reliable option. Alternatives to ride shares include the late-night taxi, the RTA and the Mountain Express.
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