Gunnison County, Colorado

Looking for the best hiking in Gunnison County? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Gunnison County. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Gunnison County

  • Fairplay, Colorado

    Hike Mount Sherman

    4.2
    10.5 mi / 2100 ft gain
    A mile South of Fairplay, turn West onto 4 Mile Creek Road (dirt) and follow it for about 8 miles. The road passes a number of excellent camping spots and finally ends at the ruins of an old mine. Parking is available about a quarter mile from the mining area. Don't park at the gate as its possib...
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  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Hike Davis Meadow

    5.0
    8.6 mi / 800 ft gain
    This is a great hike that is very close to Buena Vista, CO. This trail is on the east side of town and is accessible in the spring. The hardest part of the hike is locating the trail-head. It is located in the northern part of Four Mile Canyon and is in San Isabel National forest. Starting in Bue...
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  • Fairplay, Colorado

    Climb Horseshoe Mountain via Boudoir Couloir

    7 mi / 2500 ft gain
    Horseshoe Mountain is a peak that is ranked in the top 100 tallest peaks in Colorado at 13,898 feet, and it can be done in the summer but is arguably more fun in the spring as a snow climb. Avalanche safety, snow climbing, and snow safety experience is necessary. To get to the trailhead, follo...
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  • Montrose, Colorado

    Hike the Oak Flat Loop

    5.0
    2 mi / 377 ft gain
    Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of Colorado's four national parks. Though not as well known as Rocky Mountain or Mesa Verde, Black Canyon has no lack of views, hiking opportunities, and other must-experience natural features. The Canyon's expanse is far too large to explore in a day, but the...
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  • Crawford, Colorado

    Chasm View Nature Trail

    5.0
    0.54 mi / 528 ft gain
    This easy trail is located along the north rim of the canyon and can be completed as either a short loop hike or a shorter out and back to the first overlook. You’ll find the trailhead at the North Rim Campground.  The views of the canyon along this trail are fantastic, some of the best in the p...
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  • Montrose, Colorado

    South Rim Road

    4.5
    11.9 mi / 1335.3 ft gain
    The Black Canyon of Gunnison is know for 2000 foot cliffs and a beautiful raging river below. The south side of the canyon is the most popular and the easiest to get to. The visitor center is also on the south side making it convenient for information and getting souvenirs. The scenic drive also ...
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  • Montrose, Colorado

    Tomichi Trail

    4.0
    1.26 mi / 1722 ft gain
    Tomichi Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Cimarron, Colorado.
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  • Montrose, Colorado

    Hike the Gunnison Route

    5.0
    2 mi / 1800 ft gain
    Immediately upon arriving, secure a permit to scramble down 1,800ft in one mile to the Gunnison River. There are no hiking trails below the rim of the canyon, and because of its relentless steepness and rock exposure, the only existing routes are incredibly steep and loose. To protect the delicat...
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  • Montrose, Colorado

    Rim Rock and Uplands Trail Loop

    5.0
    2.27 mi / 505.25 ft gain
    To access the South Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, take US 50 and CO 347 to the south entrance, 15 miles east of Montrose. There is no bridge between the north and south rims of the canyon - make sure you enter from the Montrose side. After passing through the entrance st...
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  • Crawford, Colorado

    Hike to the Painted Wall

    4.5
    1 mi / 25 ft gain
    At 2,250 feet, the Painted Wall in Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a sight that cannot be truly captured in photos. The layers of rock along the cliff's wall resembles a canvas with streaks from a paintbrush. This canyon took eons to create, and this view of the river and canyon walls is the high...
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  • Glenwood Springs, Colorado

    Grizzly Creek Trail

    5.0
    7.08 mi / 1873 ft gain
    Take exit 121 off Interstate 70 (a rest stop exit), and follow signs to a secondary parking lot near Grizzly Creek. This is a great addition to the nearby Hanging Lake & Spouting Rock hikes just 4 miles East on I-70. Because these two are so popular, Grizzly Creek is a great, not very well k...
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  • Montrose County, Colorado

    Snowshoe in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

    2 mi / 377 ft gain
    Winter is a great time to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Covered in snow, the canyon seems even more dramatic and sheer. The park road is plowed up until the visitor center, and there is no entrance fee in the winter. The rest of the park road is groomed for cross country skiin...
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  • Minturn, Colorado

    Scramble the Halo Ridge on Mt. Holy Cross

    5.0
    15 mi / 5210 ft gain
    The Halo Ridge is by no means the easiest route to the summit of Mt. Holy Cross, but it is definitely the most interesting and scenic. You'll begin at the Half Moon (Tigiwon) trailhead, but instead of the popular Halfmoon Trail, you will start on the Fall Creek Trail as it leaves the campground.T...
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  • Minturn, Colorado

    Climb Mount of the Holy Cross, North Ridge

    4.5
    Just a few miles South Minturn, Colorado, turn onto Tigiwon Road (dirt) and take it about 5 miles to the Half Moon trailhead at . Tigiwon Road is easily accessed by 2WD vehicles and the trailhead should be reachable in the Summer months after the snows have melted.Start early as, at 12 miles, thi...
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  • Minturn, Colorado

    Hike to Tuhare Lakes

    12 mi / 3000 ft gain
    Overview: About a 12 mile hike, with 3 alpine lakes, a significant climb and views worthwhile Photos: See all photos here. Getting There: The hike is accessed from the Half Moon pass parking lot - from the Fall Creek trailhead. The parking lot and trailhead are accessed at the end of Tigiwon Rd. ...
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  • Minturn, Colorado

    Ski Notch Mountain

    10 mi / 3000 ft gain
    What's not to love - you'll be skiing in the off season! We did this hike/ski in late June, our skis, boots, and avi gear packed with our hiking shoes on our feet. May could potentially be the most opportune time for this adventure. The hike you will take is the traditional Notch Mountain Hike. T...
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