Gunnison, Colorado

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near Gunnison

  • 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

    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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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Weller Lake Trail

    4.0
    1.17 mi / 312 ft gain
    Weller Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Aspen, Colorado.
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Grottos Trail

    5.0
    0.53 mi / 72 ft gain
    Just nine miles east of Aspen on Highway 82, Independence Pass, are grottos. A grotto is a geological term for a cave or cavern. The Grottos near Aspen were formed by rushing water of the Roaring Fork River. There is only an elevation gain of 300 feet on the three-quarters of a mile loop making...
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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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  • Lake City, Colorado

    Capture Fall Foliage and Whitmore Falls on Engineer Pass

    5.0
    Just outside of the small community of Lake City, Colorado is Engineer Pass, a dirt road that has amazing views and opportunities to hike, take pictures, and maybe even explore an abandoned mining town. Four wheel drive or all wheel drive is preferable, but the road can definitely be driven by a ...
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  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Hike Mt. Harvard

    14 mi / 4600 ft gain
    Start your hike at the North Cottonwood Creek Trailhead. The trail begins at the end of the parking lot. You'll cross a bridge and meander along the creek, eventually reaching another bridge crossing at about 1.5 miles.After this bridge, you'll reach a trail junction. Be sure to go right (towards...
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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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  • Nathrop, Colorado

    Browns Creek Falls via Wagon Loop Trail

    5.55 mi / 1136.48 ft gain
    This scenic route to Browns Creek Falls is a standout mountain-day-hike in the Colorado Rockies—moderate in length, strong on payoff, and rich in variety. Starting from a forested trailhead, you’ll climb through pine and aspen forest, follow Browns Creek, and eventually arrive at a dramatic, ye...
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  • Nathrop, Colorado

    Mount Antero via Wagon and Little Browns Creek Trail

    5.0
    15.85 mi / 5499 ft gain
    The Mount Antero via Wagon and Little Browns Creek Trail offers an epic alternative route to summit one of Colorado's magnificent 14ers (14,269 feet). This challenging trail provides a true wilderness experience away from the crowds, taking you through lush woodlands, aspen groves, and dramatic...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Camp at Silver Bell Campground

    Escape the bustle of town and head out of Aspen on Maroon Creek Road. Follow the signs to Maroon-Bells Snowmass Wilderness Area. There is a $10 entrance fee (unless you are a national parks pass cardholder) plus an additional fee to camp. Continue down the road to Silver Bell Campground. With a t...
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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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  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    La Plata Peak Summer Route

    5.0
    9.08 mi / 4449.04 ft gain
    The Northwest Ridge is the most easily accessible and popular route, and for good reasons. The trailhead is on the side of Hwy 82, otherwise known as Independence Pass, about 14.5 miles from the Hwy 24 junction, or about 10 miles from Twin Lakes to the east. The trailhead is hard to miss, and you...
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  • Lake City, Colorado

    Uncompahgre Peak (14,309')

    5.0
    7.3 mi / 2881 ft gain
    At 14,309 feet, the summit of Uncompahgre Peak is the highest point in the entire San Juan range, but getting to it requires only good hiking skills, good physical shape, and a four-wheel-drive, high-clearance vehicle to get to the trailhead. From Lake City, head west along the Alpine Loop about...
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  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Mt. Princeton

    4.7
    13.02 mi / 5151 ft gain
    Starting at 8900 feet of elevation, this 13.25 mile roundtrip hike begins its 5400 foot elevation gain on a dirt road that winds for 3 miles until you break the treeline. If you have 4WD and good clearance you can drive most of the way up this road, shortening your entire hike by about 6 miles. J...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Ski or Snowshoe to the Maroon Bells

    5.0
    12 mi / 1000 ft gain
    From Aspen drive down Maroon Creek Road until it comes to its winter closure located by T Lazy 7 Ranch. The Ranch offers snowmobile tours and keeps the six mile snow covered road to the Bells groomed. Most popular with cross country skiers, the snow road can also be hiked, fat biked, and skinned....
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