Spanning 1.7 million acres across western Colorado’s rugged high country, Gunnison National Forest has drawn adventurers since its establishment in 1905. The forest encompasses dramatic alpine terrain, including portions of the West Elk Wilderness and the Fossil Ridge Wilderness, where ancient marine fossils emerge from peaks reaching above 12,000 feet.
The town of Gunnison serves as the primary gateway, offering supplies, lodging, and outfitter services. From there, visitors can access 45 developed campgrounds scattered throughout the forest. Cold Spring Campground provides a quieter basecamp near Gothic, while Soap Creek offers prime access to Blue Mesa Reservoir’s trophy trout waters. Dinner Station, Rivers End, and Matterhorn campgrounds each anchor different corners of this vast landscape.
Hiking trails range from gentle riverside walks to strenuous climbs through wildflower meadows that explode with color from late June through August. The Gunnison River and its tributaries support exceptional fly fishing, with gold medal waters producing healthy populations of rainbow and brown trout.
Peak season runs from June through September, though snow can linger at higher elevations into July. Fall brings golden aspens and fewer crowds—September offers ideal conditions for backpacking and fishing. Winter transforms the forest into backcountry skiing terrain, though most campgrounds and forest roads close by mid-October.
Access comes primarily via Highway 50 and Highway 135, with well-maintained forest roads branching into the backcountry. A high-clearance vehicle expands your options considerably for reaching remote trailheads and dispersed camping areas.
Explore Nearby
- Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway — Scenic Byway in Colorado
- West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway — Scenic Byway in Colorado
- Browns Canyon National Monument — Public Land in Colorado
- Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area — State Park in Colorado
- Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area — Public Land
