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Colorado Travel Planning Guides : Colorado Summer Vacation Planner : Gunnison / Crested Butte


Coloado Summer Vacation Planner, Rafting, Camping, Golfing
(Grand Junction) - Summer Vacation Planner's Homepage - (Lake City)
Gunnison-Crested Butte

Sponsor Listings


Crested Butte Lodging & Property Management
(866) 380-6888
Quality rated hotel and condominium vacation rentals in beautiful locations just steps from summer activities.



Gunnison Crested
Butte Tourism

(800) 455-1342
Pure Fun... Simple Life.



Nordic Inn
(800) 542-7669
Crested Butte's Friendly Little Lodge. Fireplace lobby, free continental breakfast, variety of rooms and chalets, hot tub, short walk to lifts.



Gunnison Lakeside Resort
970-641-0477
877-641-0488
www.gunnisonlakeside.com
We offer cabins, full hookup RV sites and storage for your boat or RV. The location of our RV park offers lake views and high country scenery.




Gunnison - Crested Butte, Colorado

On This Page

Attractions

Summer Weather

Event Schedule

Fast Facts

Vacation Guides

Return to Summer Vacation Planner's Homepage


Attractions

ART CENTERS & THEATRE:

Crested Butte Center for the Arts
(970) 349-7487 • www.crestedbuttearts.org

Crested Butte Mountain Theatre
(970) 349-0366 • www.cbmountaintheatre.org

Gunnison Arts Center
(970) 641-4029 • www.gunnisonartscenter.org

MUSEUMS:

Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum
Housed in an 1883 building formerly known as Tony's Conoco, a gas station and hardware store frequented by locals and visitors. The collection and displays focus on mining, ranching, skiing and other Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte history.
(970) 349-1880

Mountain Bike Hall of Fame
Located within the Mountain Heritage Museum, the Hall of Fame documents the individuals and events that have significantly contributed to mountain biking history. View memorabilia, vintage bikes, components, classic photos, press clippings and highlights from historic races and events.
(970) 349-1880 • www.mtnbikehalloffame.com

Gunnison Pioneer Museum
Highlights include Gunnison's first post office (1876); a D&RG Narrow Gauge train (engine, flanger, gondola, boxcar, livestock car and caboose), water tank and depot; two rural school houses; Andy Mallett Antique Car Museum; a log cabin chapel; authentic barn; carpenter shop; blacksmith shop; print shop; and much more.
(970) 641-4530


OTHER GREAT ATTRACTIONS:

Crested Butte Mountain Resort
The ski area in Mt. Crested Butte is a year-round vacation destination. Chairlift rides, hiking, mountain biking and outdoor concerts are just a sampling of summer and fall activities. Take a chairlift ride to 11,400 feet and hike to the top of the 12,162-foot peak of Crested Butte Mountain, enjoy rolling single-tack to more advanced technical terrain for mountain biking, check out the new zipline tour and the Adventure Park with bungee trampolines and miniature golf; or try disc golf and the Adaptive Sports Center's challenge/ropes course.
(970) 349-2211

Gunnison Valley Observatory
Opened in 2008, the observatory houses the largest public telescope in Colorado. Located off Gold Basin Road at the base of "W" Mountain, just southwest of Gunnison on U.S. Highway 50, the observatory showcases the area's premier stargazing with public viewing nights on Friday and Saturday nights from mid-June to mid-September.
www.gunnisonobservatory.org

Gunnison Whitewater Park
Test your paddling skills on this several-hundred-foot section of the Gunnison River, located just west of Gunnison on Highway 50. Built for recreational canoeing, kayaking and rafting and includes a walking path and picnic area.
www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/whitewater-park

Gunnison Recreation Center
This community facility is a center of fun with a climing wall, basketball court, gymnastics room, game room and an indoor pool with slides, area for smaller kids and a lap pool.
www.cityofgunnison-co.gov


Weather

Gunnison
At 7,700 feet the temperatures ranges from 70°F to 80°F with an average of 10.43 inches of precipitation a year.

Crested Butte
At 8,885 feet the average temperature is in the low 70s with an average of 20.82 inches of precipitation a year.


Event Schedule


Lucille Lucas & Allan Ivy Exhibit (multi-media) Mar. 24 - Apr. 9, 2012 - Crested Butte
Center for the Arts

Flauschink April 4-8, 2012 - Crested Butte & Mt. Crested Butte

First Friday Gallery Crawl & Music April 6, 2012
Various Galleries & Locations, Gunnison

Moonlight Snowshoe Tours April 6, 2012 - Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Bump & Jump and Pond Skim Competitions April 7, 2012 - Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Closing Day for Crested Butte Mountain Resort & Crested Butte Nordic Center April 8, 2012

Backcountry Hut Trip, Adaptive Sports Center April 11-12, 2012 - Mt. Crested Butte

Allen Wardes Concert April 13, 2012 - Gunnison Arts Center

Gunnison Gardening Festival & Earth Day Celebration April 21, 2012
Fred R. Field Western Heritage Center, Gunnison

"You Theatre" presented by Crested Butte Mountain Theatre
April 26-29, 2012
Mallardi Cabaret


First Friday Gallery Crawl & Music May 4, 2012
Various Galleries & Locations, Gunnison

Gunnison Kiwanis Club Blue Mesa Lake Fishing Tournament May 5-6, 2012
Gunnison


Weekend Warrior Fishing Tournament May 19-20, 2012 - Blue Mesa Lake, Gunnison

Crested Butte Sidewalk Sales May 25-28, 2012 - Downtown Crested Butte

Gunnison Growler Weekend May 26-27, 2012 - Gunnison
Kicking off the summer season is Gunnison Growler Weekend, featuring three days of biking events, trail running races, a kids' fishing and outdoor sports derby, and outdoor sports expo for the whole family to celebrate Memorial Day weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, Gunnison's IOOF Park and one block of Virginia Avenue between Main Street and Iowa Street, will be filled with food vendors, live music and a beer garden for racers and the public to enjoy. This downtown area also will be the start and finishes for the Half-Growler (32 miles) and Full-Growler (64 miles) races and Growler Gran Fondo ride from Gunnison to Mt. Crested and back (64 miles). The other centers of activities will be Hartman Rocks Multi-Use Recreation Area and Jorgensen Park. The 25k and 50k Sage Burner trail running events start and finish and Hartman Rocks. For more information, go to www.gunnisontrails.com, www.gunnisonmentors.com and www.sageburnertrailrun.com.

First Friday Gallery Crawl & Music June 1, 2012
Various Galleries & Locations, Gunnison

Crested Butte Restaurant Week June 8-15, 2012
Special dining and lodging deals.

Taylor Park Marina Fishing Derby June 9, 2012
Taylor Park Reservoir

Crested Butte Farmers' Market June 10, 17 and 24, 2012
Elk Avenue and Second Street

Adventure Park, Evolution Bike Park
June 16, 2012
Ziplines and charlifts open, Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Crested Butte Bike Week June 21-24, 2012. Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte are the proud hosts of the world's oldest mountain bike festival, previously known as Fat Tire Bike Week.
  • Crested Butte Bike Week launches with a kickoff party at the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum/Mountain Bike Hall of Fame on June 21.
  • The infamous Chainless World Championships on June 22 is always a thrilling scene for riders and spectators followed by the Fat Tire 40 mountain bike race on June 23.
  • Those who prefer cross-country or downhill racing can catch some action at the Mountain States Cup Wildflower Rush races on Crested Butte Mountain Resort trails on June 23 - 24.
  • If a one-speed cruiser is more your style, join in the fun for Adaptive Sports Center's annual Bridges of the Butte townie tour that runs from 3 p.m. on June 23 to 3 p.m. on June 24.
  • Alison Gannett's Keen Rippin Chix Bike Camps will be offered on June 21, 22 and 23.
  • Live music is planned for June 22 and possibly June 23, with bands to be announced soon.
•For information and registration details, contact the Crested Butte-Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce at (800) 545-4505 or visit www.ftbw.com.

Exploration Experiences
June 21 and 28, 2012
Interactive science programs and lunch, Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory

Crested Butte Writers Conference June 22-24, 2012
Elevation Hotel & Spa, Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Wildflower Rush Cross Country/Downhill Bike Races June 22-24, 2012
Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Gunnison River Festival June 22-25, 2012. For a unique blend of hardcore and lighthearted outdoor recreation for all ages, don't miss the Gunnison River Festival on June 22 - 23. The event kicks off with the premiere of the Gunnison River Games in Legion Park on the evening of Friday, June 22. Compete in or watch these dry-land challenges that are sure to entertain from 6 - 9 p.m. with live music as the backdrop. On June 23, it's all about being on the water with the festival based at Gunnison Whitewater Park. A kayak paddle on Blue Mesa Lake, competitive raft races, kayak competitions, River City Fun Zone for kids, community raft float, raft rodeo, surf comp and hooligan race are part of the fun. For costs, information, and registration forms, visit www.gunnisonriverfestival.com or call (970)901-6215.

Fridays @ 5 at the Gunnison Art Center June 22 and 29, 2012
Live music in the Courtyard

Readers in the Rockies June 23, 2012
Elevation Hotel & Spa, Mt. Crested Butte

Annual Breeding Bird Survey June 23, 2012
Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory

Bridges of the Butte June 23-24, 2012
24-hour townie bike tour. Presented by the Adaptive Sports Center, Crested Butte

Sundays @ 6 in Gunnison June 24 - August 19, 2012
Free concerts. (970) 641-4029

Alpenglow June 25 - August 13, 2012 - Crested Butte
Free concerts on Mondays. (970) 349-7487

ArtWalk Evening June 28, 2012
Studios and galleries downtown Crested Butte

Gunnison Farmers' Market June 30, 2012
Virginia Avenue and Main Street

"ART"rageous Day of the Arts June 30, 2012
Presented by The Arts Alliance of the East River Valley, Crested Butte Center for the Arts

Crested Butte Farmers' Market Sundays, July 2012
Legion Park

AWEFest Presented by Artists of the West Elks Sundays, July 2012
Elk Avenue, Crested Butte

Black & White Ball July 2, 2012
Presented by Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum

Crested Butte Music Festival July 4 - August 12, 2012. The 2012 festival will showcase outstanding performers from all over the world and internationally acclaimed performers such as Boston Brass, American String Quartet, jazz legend Junior Mance and opera stars Marcello Giordani and Samuel Ramey. Celebrating its 16th year, CBMF also has bluegrass, opera and gypsy jazz mini-festivals that are part of the larger event. Mozart's opera "The Magic Flute," a free family concert series on Saturdays, five home soirée concerts and much more are on this dynamic event's six-week schedule. For more information and tickets, call (970) 349-0619 or visit www.crestedbuttemusicfestival.com. (970) 349-0619

Independence Day Celebrations July 4, 2012 - Crested Butte, Gunnison & Mt. Crested Butte. (970) 349-6438 and (970) 641-1501

Gothic to Crested Butte 1/3 Marathon July 4, 2012
Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory

Exploration Experiences Thursdays, July 2012
Interactive science programs and lunch, Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory

Gunnison Cattlemen's Days July 5-15, 2012. People who love the authenticity of The West should plan on attending the 112th annual Cattlemen's Days at the Fred R. Field Western Heritage Center and various venues around Gunnison. The event features a county fair, parade, live music and dancing, a horse show, cowboy poetry, horse races, and of course rodeo events sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). Activities are spread throughout the 11 days of Cattlemen's Days festivities, with rodeos scheduled for the evenings of July 12 - 14. For more information, call the Gunnison County Chamber of Commerce at (800) 814-8893 or visit www.cattlemensdays.com.(800) 274-7580

Gunnison Valley Observatory Open for Public Viewing July 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 2012 Gunnison

Gunnison Farmers' Market Saturdays, July 2012
Virginia Avenue and Main Street

Crested Butte Wildflower Festival July 9-15, 2012, The historic mountain town of Crested Butte, which was designated the "Wildflower Capital of Colorado" by the state legislature in 1990, hosts this colorful festival during the peak of wildflower season. Nearly 200 individual events such as photography and art classes, 4 X 4 tours, hikes and flower identification walks, garden tours, cooking seminars and more focus on the magnificent sight of miles and miles of wildflower fields abloom in the area. For more information, call (970) 349-2571 or visit www.crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com. (970) 349-2571

Live! From Mt. Crested Butte July 11 - August 29, 2012
Free concerts on Wednesdays. (970) 349-2217

Crested Butte Plein Air Invitational Exhibit July 13-15, 2012
Oh Be Joyful Gallery

Bluegrass In Paradise July 14-15, 2012
Presented by Crested Butte Music Festival, Crested Butte

Opera In Paradise July 17 - August 3, 2012
Presented by Crested Butte Music Festival, Crested Butte

Crested Butte Land Trust Caddis Cup Fly-Fishing Tournament July 19-20, 2012

Epic Rocky Mountain Relay July 20-21, 2012
Colorado Springs to Crested Butte

Gunnison Art in the Park July 22, 2012
(970) 641-2638

ArtWalk Evening July 26, 2012
Studios and galleries downtown Crested Butte

Celebration of Conservation Dinner/Auction July 26, 2012
Hosted by Crested Butte Land Trust

Crested Butte Land Trust Wine & Food Festival
July 26-28, 2012

(303) 809-0404

Writing the Rockies: Gunnison Creative Writers Workshop July 26-30, 2012
Western State College

Living Journeys Summit Hike & Half-Marathon July 28, 2012
Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Citizen Scientist Symposium "The Biology of a Changing World" July 30-Aug. 3, 2012
Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory


Crested Butte Arts Festival August 3-5, 2012. Crested Butte Arts Festival (CBAF) is one of the biggest weekends of the summer, drawing world-class artists from all 50 states and several international exhibitors. Open-air booths line the five-block center of Crested Butte's National Historic District, featuring 175 artists who are selected through a very competitive jury process. New this year, the festival will be open Friday evening, Aug. 3, from 5 - 9 p.m., as well as on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. In addition to an Art Alley for kids, look for an artist demonstration tent, food court, beer and wine pavilion, live entertainment, art auction and culinary demonstrations. Additional culinary programs will be announced in the near future. Call (970) 349-1184 or visit www.crestedbutteartsfestival.com. (970) 349-1184

Gunnison Car Show, Carving & Art Weekend August 16-19, 2012. This dynamic weekend for all ages includes the 25th annual Gunnison Car Show, High Octane Arts & Crafts Festival, and Carvin' Up Colorado. Most of the activities take place in the neighboring Jorgensen and Legion Parks, with a '50s-style cruise-in and free dance on Main Street on Friday evening and a breakfast cruise to Crested Butte on Sunday morning. On Saturday, admire all the chrome during the open car show and browse the creations of 60 artisans from around the region at the High Octane Arts & Crafts Festival. From Aug. 16 - 18, seven to 10 wood carvers from around the country will transform tree stumps into works of art that will be on permanent display in Legion Park and at other community sites. For information, call (970) 901-6215 (carving) and (800) 814-8893 (arts/crafts) and visit www.gunnisoncarclub.com.
(800) 274-7580

High Octane Arts & Crafts Festival August 18, 2012 - Gunnison
(800) 274-7580

24 Hours in the Sage Bike Race August 18-19, 2012 - Gunnison
(303) 507-1148

September Splendor in the Rockies September 1-30, 2012 - Valleywide
(800) 814-8893

The People's Fair September 1-2, 2012 - Crested Butte
Arts, Crafts & More. (970) 349-6484

22nd Annual Superfly Fishing Tournament, Sept. 7-8, Almont Resort

Fall Festival of Beers & Chili Cook-Off September 8, 2012. Get into the spirit of autumn with Mt. Crested Butte's annual Fall Festival of Beers & Chili Cook-Off held on Sept. 8 at the base of Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) ski area. Heat up by sampling great chili prepared by area cook-off contestants, cool off with beers poured by several microbreweries and savor live music all afternoon. For admission costs and times, contact the Crested Butte-Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce at (800) 814-8893 and visit www.cbchamber.com. Mt. Crested Butte (800) 545-4505

Vinotok Fall Harvest Festival
September 16-22, 2012 - Crested Butte

(970) 349-0147

Crested Butte Film Festival September 27-30, 2012 - Crested Butte & Gunnison. Get inspiration from features, shorts, documentaries and panel discussions and enjoy festival parties and the peak of aspen-viewing season. Many of the films will be Colorado premieres, including a mix of international and U.S. productions, Academy Award nominees, selections from Cannes and Sundance, and newly discovered gems. Crested Butte provides a perfect, intimate setting to engage with visiting filmmakers at unique historical venues, combined with some of the best mountain biking and hiking the state has to offer. Pass options make it easy and affordable to enjoy all four days of the festival and all events. For information, visit www.cbfilmfest.org or call (303) 204-9080.
(303) 204-9080

For information on all events, please call: (800) 455-1342.

Click Here for more Colorado Events.


Fast Facts

1. Gunnison County is nearly 2 million acres with 85% being public lands. It is also home to Western State College, Curecanti National Recreation Area and Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado's largest body of water with 92 miles of shoreline.

2. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is open year-round and located only one hour from the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport.

3. Crested Butte is the "Official Wildflower Capital of Colorado" and was designated a Registered National Historic District in 1974. Named one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" in 2008.





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