Though best known as a summer and winter outdoor-recreation hub (think world-class mountain biking and epic alpine and Nordic skiing), Crested Butte and the surrounding Gunnison Valley also provide the ideal setting for a fall vacation.
This former mining town high in the heart of the Colorado Rockies offers a host of autumn activities. Bike, hike, camp, fish, hunt, shop, eat, drink or simply relax during a scenic Sunday drive, taking in the spectacular changing of the leaves, as summer’s verdant greens give way to sparkling bright hues of yellow, orange and red. No wonder many residents consider the quieter months of fall the best time of year to be in Crested Butte.
1. Biking
Crested Butte’s standing as a cycling haven was cemented long ago. The famed Colorado mountain town is considered the co-birthplace of mountain biking along with Northern California’s Marin County. With more than 800 miles of supremely scenic singletrack trails within the surrounding area, it’s easy to see why the home of the world’s oldest fat-tire advocacy organization, Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association, is a bucket-list destination for anyone who loves rolling rubber on dirt.
Whether you’re a skilled expert looking to test yourself on challenging alpine terrain or you’ve just recently gotten into the sport, the Gunnison Valley has a wide variety of riding options to suit all ability levels, including those for gravel cycling enthusiasts. And fall, with its mild temperatures, smaller crowds and bright foliage, is often the best time of year to ride.
If you’re seeking a true test of lungs, legs and technical skills, check out classic trails such as Teocalli Ridge, Deer Creek, 401 and 403. All travel above treeline to alpine overlooks, then send you soaring down swoopy singletrack that winds through glowing golden aspen groves.
For a more modest challenge, take a spin on the Lupine Trail and Lower Loop, or head to Gunnison’s Hartman Rocks Recreation Area, where 40 miles of sublime high-desert singletrack provide suitable options for all skill levels. The Hartman zone is also a gravel cycling wonderland with access to hundreds of miles of quiet backcountry dirt roads. And if you’d rather focus solely on going downhill, check out the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Park, which offers lift-served riding through the end of September and has the full range of trail types — not to mention jaw-dropping views in all directions.
Watch a video about mountain biking at Harman Rocks
2. Hiking
For those who prefer to explore on foot, those amazing biking trails are also primo hiking terrain. Strolling through the woods is one of the best ways to take in the grandeur that is the changing of the seasons. And as with the area’s wide variety of mountain-bike options, you’ll find easy access to hikes that will suit everyone from families with small children to motivated go-getters looking to rack up maximum mileage above treeline.
The Dyke Trail — also open to mountain bikes — is accessed off Kebler Pass near Lake Irwin. This area is home to one of the largest aspen groves in the United States, making it the perfect place to soak in the season’s golden glory. Other hiking options include the beginner-friendly Woods Walk, a mostly flat excursion just west of Crested Butte. Or check out the aptly named Oh Be Joyful, an intermediate out-and-back trek that climbs along a creek to the crystal-clear waters of beautiful Blue Lake. You’ll be treated to vistas that just keep delivering on the sights the entire way up — and can turn around early if little legs tire or bad weather blows in.
Discover more fall hikes in Crested Butte
3. Taking Scenic Drives
If you’re tight on time or want to take a more leisurely approach to wandering around Crested Butte’s high country, jumping in your vehicle for a scenic drive is a lovely way to see the fall colors Colorado is famous for. There is a scenic byway in Gunnison County, plus countless other paved and dirt routes that wind through stunning scenery and breathtaking panoramas.
Kebler Pass, which is part of the West Elk Loop scenic and historic byway, is arguably the area’s most popular fall driving destination. While the majority of the road is unpaved, its gentle grades and mostly smooth surface make it passable for almost all vehicle types. And it passes directly through a massive aspen groove that features some of the area’s largest trees, making for especially rewarding leaf peeping. Kebler Pass Road can be combined with Ohio Pass Road to soak in the luscious scenery longer as you travel between Gunnison and Crested Butte.
You can also take a mellow, unpaved cruise to the townsite of Gothic. From Crested Butte, head up Gothic Road past Mount Crested Butte. Soon after, the road turns to dirt and it’s 3 smooth miles to Gothic — home to Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. Keep rolling for another few miles, passing the trailheads for Judd Falls, Copper Lake and the testing 403 mountain-bike trail before turning around and heading back. If you have a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle, keep rolling upward past Emerald Lake to the top of Schofield Pass and on to the aptly named Paradise Divide. This leads you down into the adjacent Slate River drainage, where you’ll be treated to yet more amazing scenery on your way back to Crested Butte along Slate River Road.
Find more fall colors in Gunnison and Crested Butte
4. Fishing
When it comes to fishing in the fall, the Crested Butte area provides a truly unique opportunity. Outside of Alaska, this central Colorado locale is one of the only places in the United States to experience an actual salmon run. Typically starting in late August and peaking around mid-September, kokanee salmon swim upriver from nearby Blue Mesa Reservoir, making their way up 30 miles before reaching the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery on the East River. Of course, the fishing around Crested Butte is amazing nearly year round.
Learn more about fly-fishing for kokanee salmon near Crested Butte
Fun fact: In 2023, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission awarded Gold Medal status to portions of the nearby Taylor and Gunnison rivers. This prestigious designation is given only to the most elite trout fisheries in the state, where the local waterways provide long-lasting and healthy habitats for fish of all ages.
5. Hunting
Fall is hunting season in the Gunnison Valley, which is home to three designated game management units and is widely considered a big-game paradise among hunters in the know. Coveted trophy elk and mule deer, along with black bear, mountain lion, moose, bighorn sheep and antelope are among the wildlife sought by hunters in the spectacular West Elk Mountains and surrounding areas. With more than 2 million acres of public lands, there’s plenty of room to spread out.
6. Photographing the Sights
Whether you’re a veteran photographer, amateur shutterbug or just can’t keep your phone in your pocket, Crested Butte is a magical place to take pictures. Sweet shots range from skyscraping mountains, rushing rivers, bubbling creeks and meandering streams to the season’s colorful leaf display and of Rocky Mountain wildlife.
If people and places are more your thing, aim your lens at the rows of historical pastel Victorian-era storefronts along Crested Butte’s Elk Avenue, or post up on the side of a mountain-bike trail to capture your pals zooming past. The only real limit is the size of your camera’s memory card — best bring a back-up just in case.
7. Shopping
When you’re done playing in the great outdoors, head into Crested Butte to stimulate the local economy with some shopping. This quirky Colorado mountain town is an ideal place to find a unique souvenir or the perfect Christmas gift. Stroll down Elk Avenue to find shops selling everything from T-shirts, books and postcards to photographs, paintings and sculptures and other locally created fine art. Crested Butte’s commercial district also has all the requisite supply stores, meaning you can find that perfect fishing fly, pick up spare bike parts, source new camping gear or refill your cooler with fresh food and cold drinks.
8. Wining & Dining
Though small in size, Crested Butte has plenty of food and drink options to satiate even the most discerning of palates. With Mexican and Thai cuisine; breweries, pizza parlors and burger joints; and numerous fine-dining establishments, you’ll never go hungry here.
Just know that like most mountain towns, some of the local restaurants take breaks or have limited hours in the fall, which is usually less busy than the rest of the year. It’s a good idea to call ahead to check that places are open or make reservations when possible.
Explore more restaurants in Crested Butte and Gunnison
9. Resting & Relaxing at Cozy Campsites & Lodgings
Whether you’re dedicated to the #vanlife or prefer more upscale accommodations, Crested Butte is home to a variety of places to stay: You can choose from quaint inns, charming bed-and-breakfasts, modern hotels, scenic campgrounds and all manner of vacation-home rentals. Many of these properties are unique, boutique lodges owned and operated by long-time residents, some offering scrumptious homemade breakfasts and hosting lively afternoon happy hours.
If you prefer to sleep under the stars, there are plenty of camping options up Kebler Pass, Slate River, Washington Gulch, Gothic Road, Brush Creek and Cement Creek drainages. Just know that in nearly all cases, camping is only allowed in developed campgrounds or designated dispersed campsites. Also remember to bring plenty of warm clothes. You never know when the season’s first snow will fall, and Colorado nights can bring low temperatures.
10. Getting Cultured
While Crested Butte’s specialty is playing outside, there’s also plenty to do on that rare rainy day. The Center for the Arts Crested Butte has a packed calendar of events that includes everything from live music and art exhibitions to ski films and wine tastings. Just up the street, kids can play all day at the Trailhead Children’s Museum, while history buffs or anyone with a curious mind will love the Crested Butte Museum, which is packed with old photos and unique artifacts documenting the community’s rich and interesting past. You can also catch live music at the Public House or take in a performance at the Crested Butte Mountain Theater.
Bonus: Checking Out Gunnison
Just a half hour’s drive south on State Hwy. 135, Gunnison serves up a mix of Old West charm and college-town cool. Home to Western Colorado University, Gunnison is another great place to stay, as well as a launch point for exploring Hartman Rocks Recreation Area, Blue Mesa Reservoir and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The town is also a touch warmer in fall and has a host of gift shops, restaurants and retail stores.
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