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About Gunnison
About Gunnison
Gunnison is the educational and cultural center of the Western Slope, and Western Colorado University is the reason. About 6,500 people live here, and the college keeps a younger crowd in town through the school year. Academic life and outdoor recreation feed each other, which is most of the appeal for students, faculty, and visitors alike.
Sitting at the base of the Rocky Mountains gives the town easy access to Colorado's alpine terrain. Gunnison National Forest is close by with hiking trails, mountain biking routes, and camping, and the lakes and streams in the area handle fishing and water recreation.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is an easy trip from here. The Gunnison River cut the gorge over millions of years and left some of the steepest cliffs in North America, and the rock climbing and hiking there are as serious as the walls suggest.
The historic downtown district has shops and restaurants in older buildings that carry the area's heritage, and the Gunnison Pioneer Museum nearby covers the region's past. Preserving that character alongside the natural resources has been a steady local priority.
Gunnison draws visitors for the outdoor recreation and the university both, and the mountain character behind them is what makes it stand out from the rest of the region.
- Population
- 6,500
- Elevation
- 7,703 ft
- Best time
- Summer
- Known for
- Western Colorado University
What is Gunnison known for?
It's a college town. Western Colorado University sits right in the middle of it, so during the school year there's a younger crowd and the bars and coffee shops stay busy. The rest of the time Gunnison is mostly a base for getting outside, and it's one of the few real working towns left on this part of the Western Slope.
Is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park worth visiting from Gunnison?
Yes, and it's an easy day trip. The Black Canyon is a gorge the Gunnison River cut over millions of years, and the walls are some of the steepest in North America. Bring your nerve if you peer over the edge. The climbing here is no joke and best left to people who know what they're doing.
What is there to do outside in Gunnison?
The town backs up to the Gunnison National Forest, so trails for hiking and mountain biking start close by. The fishing is the real draw for a lot of people who come through. If you want the Black Canyon, that's an easy drive too.
What is there to do in town?
Downtown Gunnison is small but functional, with shops and places to eat, and the college keeps a steady stream of events going. The Gunnison Pioneer Museum covers the local history if you've got an afternoon. Don't expect a big arts scene. It's a mountain town first.
How do I get to Gunnison?
Most people drive in on Highway 50. It's about 3 hours west of Denver, and Crested Butte is an hour north if you're combining the two. The Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport handles flights, and there's shuttle service from Denver if you'd rather not drive.
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