West Elk Loop
Length: 205 miles
Driving time: 6-8 hours
The twin summits of Mount Sopris and the incomparable Black Canyon of the Gunnison anchor the ends of the West Elk Loop. This magnificent landscape has been home to uncounted generations of Native Americans, most recently the Utes. White settlers originally came in search of minerals and stayed to farm and ranch.
The coke ovens at Redstone bear witness to the toil that built the communities of today. Carbondale, Hotchkiss, Crawford, Gunnison, Crested Butte and other towns offer a slice of Colorado's rich history, varied lifestyles and natural beauty. The route gives access to the White River and Gunnison National Forests, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Curecanti National Recreational Area, and Crawford and Paonia State Parks.
Features
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Blue Mesa Reservoir - Curecanti National Recreation Area
- Crawford State Park
- Paonia State Park
- Crystal River Hatchery
- Roaring Judy Hatchery
- Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery
Local Chamber(s) of Commerce
- Carbondale
- Crawford
- Crested_Butte
- Gunnison
- Marble Crystal River
- Paonia
- Redstone
- Glenwood Chamber (near West Elk Loop)
News & Itineraries
Byways Corridor
- West Elk Loop Historic Byway Corridor Management Plan
- West Elk Loop Trail Study
Special Considerations
- 31-mile gravel section over Kebler Pass closed in winter.
- Contact Information
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U.S. Forest Service
P.O. Box 309
Carbondale CO 81623
(970)963-2266
- Contact Us
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- Lenore C. Bates
Colorado Scenic Byways Coordinator
2829 W. Howard Pl.
Denver, CO 80204 - Colorado Tourism Office
1-800-COLORADO
Visit the website.
- Lenore C. Bates
Partnerships
- Quick Links