When people head to the Gunnison Valley in spring and summer it's not only for the fishing, mountain biking, hiking, boating, etc: there's also the Balloon Rally.

If you are looking a great Colorado getaway for the 4th of July in 2022, I cannot recommend highly enough going to Gunnison/Crested Butte. That area is just so 'Colorado Beautiful,' it will blow you away. It's a great destination for a Colorado hot air balloon rally.

Have you ever seen Blue Mesa Reservoir? Though it's going through a 'drawdown,' it's still a wonderous sight; it's the largest reservoir in Colorado. Have you ever hiked The Black Canyon? I have, and it's awesome. Just take a look at this view:

Black-Canyon-Gunnison
Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash
loading...

Seeing hot air balloons float majestically around the Gunnison Valley has to be something to see; what better way to celebrate America's Independence Day?

GUNNISON/CRESTED BUTTE HOT AIR BALLOON RALLY

  • Saturday, July 2, 2022
  • Jorgensen Park, Gunnison.
  • 6:00 a.m. until 10: 00 a.m.

GETTING THERE

It's about a five hour drive south, mostly along Highway 85, to Gunnison from Fort Collins as shown below:

fort-Collins-to-Gunnison
Google Maps
loading...
Get our free mobile app

LODGING

Being that it is a tourist destination with Gunnison National Forest being in the area, hotels within Gunnison are going to run you a bit. If you can afford staying in town, I like the look of The Gunnison Inn at Dos Rios Golf Course. If you need to stay 'on the cheap, Crawford (40 miles from Gunnison) has The Hitching Post Hotel and Farm Store.

WHILE YOU'RE THERE

While in the area, you should grab a bite at Crested Butte's oldest saloon and steakhouse, The Wooden Nickel.

The-Wooden-Nickel-Crested-Butte
Facebook/The Wooden Nickel
loading...

More Colorado: 5 Places to Hunt for Geodes

Here are five places in Colorado to hunt for geodes.

See Inside a 1920 Colorado Schoolhouse That's Been Converted into a Home

Learn the details about this unique dwelling.

The 10 Happiest Places In Colorado

More From 94.3 The X