Biking Trails Near Gunnison, Colorado

Gunnison, Colorado, is a premier destination for cyclists, offering a diverse array of trails and routes suitable for all skill levels. Whether you’re into mountain biking, gravel grinding, or road cycling, the area boasts an extensive network of paths that traverse stunning landscapes. Island Acres Resort Motel is perfectly located to access these trails, which exist in all directions from our property. Here’s a curated list of some of the top biking spots around Gunnison:

Top Mountain Biking Trails

1. Hartman Rocks Recreation Area

Located just southwest of Gunnison, Hartman Rocks is renowned for its technical singletrack and expansive trail system. Hartman Rocks is one of the most well known biking areas near Gunnison, and it is also the nearest to Island Acres. Located just three miles from our property Hartman Rocks is a must for bike enthusiasts looking for adventure. 

The Bureau of Land Management describes Hartman Rocks as…

“…a popular mountain bike area just a few miles southwest of Gunnison, Colorado, providing a true backyard to backcountry riding experience. Trails within this system provide a range of opportunities for all skill levels. There are plenty of natural technical slickrock features intermixed with traditional single track trails and natural surface roads. All trails, except a few serious downhill trails, provide for two way traffic creating a new experience each time you ride. Views at Hartman Rocks are spectacular especially during sunrise and sunset with the Gunnison Basin to the North and the San Juan Mountains to the south.”

2. Signal Peak Trail System

Adjacent to Western Colorado University, Signal Peak is another mountain biking area of interest to visitors of Gunnison. The main trailhead is located near the Western football stadium and offers a network of trails suitable for various skill levels. According to GunnisonCrestedButte.com, the Signal Peak Trails…

“…traverse rolling sagebrush hills and are much less rocky and technical than nearby Hartman Rocks. The Signal Peak area is smack-dab in the middle of some of Colorado’s most scenic mountain ranges, including the Sawatch Range, the Collegiate Peaks and the West Elks. From the ridgetops, you even can see the mighty fourteeners of the San Juans to the southwest.”

3. Doctor Park Trail

A favorite among advanced riders, Doctor Park Trail in Taylor Canyon features steep climbs and technical descents. The trail offers a challenging yet rewarding experience with stunning views. Located in Almont, Taylor Canyon Doctor Park Trail is a little further from our property, but advanced riders leave rave reviews. An overview from the MTB Project suggests,

“Many riders familiar with the Crested Butte area call this one of their favorite rides. Although the ride starts with a slow grind of a climb up a jeep road, there are a few great views along the way. Once the climbing is done and the trail turns to singletrack, riders are rewarded with five miles of fast descent – it’s technical and rocky at first, then smooth and flowy before turning technical and challenging again towards the bottom.”

Scenic Road and Gravel Routes

1. Black Canyon of the Gunnison

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is located about one hour from Gunnison and is a popular sightseeing destination for visitors looking for a scenic drive. But, with some of the “sheerest walls, narrowest openings, and long depths of any canyon in the United States”, according to Gunnisoncrestedbutte.com, the Black Canyon also offers gravel bikers the opportunity for a memorable ride with outstanding views. Both the South Rim and North Rim of the canyon offer rides, the North Rim is suited better for those with gravel bikes as Gunnisoncrestedbutte.com also notes,

“For a quieter ride with less traffic but equally stunning views, you could ride the North Rim, though we recommend only doing this ride if you have a gravel bike as the road isn’t paved. From the parking area, it’s about six miles to the end, making it 12 miles round trip.”

2. Historic Mining Towns and Mountain Passes

The Gunnison area is full of old mining towns and awe-inspiring mountain passes. Previous visitors have noted several trails that give gravel bikers the opportunity to experience both the history and geography that make up the area. It is highly suggested that all bikers do their own research as the snow on mountain passes melts much slower than in the town of Gunnison, so while the weather may seem appropriate in town, the passes may still be dangerous due to ice, snow, or mud.

Gothic Road to Schofield Pass

A gravel route that takes riders through the town of Gothic, which is just three miles from Crested Butte, ascending towards Schofield Pass. Gothic is a historic town developed during Colorado’s mining boom in the late 19th century.  In The Guide to Colorado Ghost Towns and mining Camps, written by Perry Eberhart, the author explains that at its peak, Gothic had around 8000 residents and “was one of the wildest towns in Colorado. 

The area is also known for its breathtaking alpine scenery, exemplified by the following quote from Eberhart’s book. “If people lived in places just for the beauty of it, Gothic would be thriving.”

The combination of history and beauty make the Gothic Road to Schofield Pass a notable experience for biking enthusiasts in the area.

Cement Creek Road

Cement Creek Road begins in Crested Butte, which is approximately 30 miles from Gunnison. The Cement Creek Trail system boasts many trails for riders of varying abilities. Cement Creek Road in particular is popular with bike riders and is described as the following by Gunnisoncrestedbutte.com,

“Cement Creek Road generally follows the Cement Creek drainage out of the Elk Mountains to the east. The road is about 15 miles long total. It terminates on a ridge between Crystal Peak and Italian Mountain, about halfway between the towns of Crested Butte and Aspen as the crow flies.”

Additional Resource

Please note that riders need to do research and be prepared for all of the trails listed above. You may speak with locals about weather conditions on the trails, and be sure to review several different locations on the internet to make sure trails are open and safe.

• MTB Project: Comprehensive trail maps and rider reviews for Gunnison’s mountain biking routes. MTB Project
• Trailforks: Interactive maps and trail conditions for the Gunnison area. Trailforks
• Komoot: Curated cycling routes with detailed descriptions and user feedback. komoot
• Bikemap: Community-generated cycling routes around Gunnison. Bikemap

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