Teocalli Mountain at sunrise on the Brush Creek Trail with wildflowers.
A local's guide to the

Gunnison Valley

Live in a postcard.

At Western, you'll call one of the most stunning parts of Colorado home. From unbeatable views to a vibrant art and community scene, there’s something here for every kind of adventurer.

Start Exploring the Valley

Go to Gunnison
Snowy downtown Gunnison with cotton candy skies

Gunnison

Go to Gunnison
Go to Almont
Students wearing life jackets hold up Ws while rafting down the Taylor River.

Almont

Go to Almont
Go to Crested Butte
Mt. Crested Butte peeks through a low layer of clouds on a blue sky day.

Crested Butte

Go to Crested Butte

By the Numbers

Free

Valley Bus System

2+

Million Acres of Public Land

2

Creative Districts
Community members ride horses down Gunnison's Main Street.

Gunnison, CO

Small town meets high country.

Our campus sits on the outskirts of Gunnison, a small town known for its strong sense of community. It’s home to local shops, cozy coffee spots, great places to grab a meal, and easy outdoor access. Throughout the year, town traditions such as the annual rodeo and tree lighting bring people together, contributing to what makes this place special.

Gunnison Must Dos & Sees

A student stands on a rock formation at Hartman Rocks during golden hour.

Hartman Rocks

Just ten minutes out of town, Hartman Rocks is the perfect place for mountain biking, hiking, camping, rock climbing, and more.

Two students put their fingers together to form a "w" while standing on the shore of Blue Mesa at sunset.

Blue Mesa

As the largest body of water in Colorado, Blue Mesa is a haven for boating, swimming, sunbathing, paddleboarding, and more.

Students on a raft at the Whitewater Park are splashed by a rapid.

Whitewater Park

The whitewater park is a popular after-class hangout spot. Soak in the rays and read a book on the shore, or practice your skills in the rapids.

Students mountain bike down a trail in the sagebrush.

Signal Peak

The Signal Peak trail system offers over 30 miles of trails accessible right from campus, a great place to walk, trail run, and mountain bike.

Two students wearing pink cowboy hats ride a tandem townie bike down main street and bring joy to community members during the Homecoming parade.

Explore Town

Gunnison offers countless coffee spots, restaurants, and cute shops. The town is lively, featuring music, a monthly art walk, parades, and more.

Leslie Taylor reaches for a bunch of greens at one of the booths at the farmer's market.

Farmers Market

Every summer and fall, Gunnison’s Saturday farmers market at IOOF Park features fresh produce, local art and crafts, and live music.

A mountain river surrounded by pine and aspen trees.

Almont, CO

Escape to the river and canyon.

Located between Gunnison and Crested Butte, Almont sits where the Taylor and East Rivers meet, offering a peaceful riverside escape. As the gateway to Taylor Canyon, it’s a hub for fly fishing, rafting, climbing, and hiking. With cozy cabins, live music, and two restaurants, Almont blends a laid-back vibe with easy access to outdoor adventures.

Almont Must Dos & Sees

An incoming student climbs up a route on Left Hand in Taylor Canyon during Wilderness Based Orientation.

Taylor Canyon

Taylor Canyon offers several climbing opportunities, the world-class Doctor Park mountain bike trail, and wildlife viewing.

The Western Jazz band performs under lights at the Almont Resort.

Almont Resort

The Almont Resort hosts live music in a cozy, rustic space, featuring local bands and a relaxed mountain vibe.

A raft guide makes a maneuver around a large boulder on the Taylor River.

Taylor River

Nestled in the Taylor Canyon, the Taylor River offers quality whitewater rafting, kayaking, and fly fishing opportunities.

A skier skis out of a powder slash.

Crested Butte, CO

The ultimate mountain paradise.

Our campus is only 30 minutes from the world-class ski town of Crested Butte and 40 minutes from Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Here, you’ll enjoy a vibrant mountain town culture and access to some of the country’s best skiing and snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, and wildflower viewing.

Crested Butte Must Dos & Sees

A skier grabs her skis while jumping in the air on a blue sky day with mountains in the background.

Ski & Snowboard

Crested Butte Mountain Resort offers something for all ability levels, whether you are looking to rip groomers or tackle the extremes.

A girl walks down a mountain ridge line at sunrise.

Hike & Backpack

From mountain peaks to wildflower fields to alpine lakes, there are endless trails to explore in Crested Butte for all adventure levels.

Two students wearing red jackets walk the East River Trail at sunrise during wildflower season.

Wildflower Capital

As Colorado’s official Wildflower Capital, the town hosts a wildflower festival each summer to celebrate the vibrant blooms.

A student observes artwork on pedestals inside the Center for the Arts art gallery.

Center for the Arts

The Center for the Arts is a key part of Crested Butte’s creative scene, offering a wide range of exhibits, classes, live music, and film screenings year-round.

Two athletes mountain bike down a trail surrounded by aspens during peak fall colors.

Mountain Bike

Crested Butte is a world-class mountain biking destination, known for its high-alpine trails, wildflower-lined singletrack, and stunning views.

A Western nordic athlete races in the Alley Loop in Crested Butte.

Explore Town

Crested Butte is known for its vibrant community culture, charming shops, great dining, and a lively event calendar that brings everyone together.

Watch the Gunnison Valley in Action

See it for yourself!

Discover what makes Western and this valley so special by experiencing it yourself. Visit campus and connect with our faculty, staff, and student ambassadors to help you explore your academic interests, our campus, and the Gunnison Valley.

Schedule a Visit