Crawford is a small cow town of around 400 residents, situated on the south edge of the Western Slope’s North Fork Valley.  Crawford tends to see itself as the more traditionally ‘western’ of the Valley’s three towns (also including Hotchkiss & Paonia); with all three lending a distinct personality to the overall experience of the North Fork Valley.  Crawford and the surrounding area features a general/feed store/motel, a world famous art glass studio, a gift shop, a popular coffee shop/gathering place, an art gallery, a book store and a handful of service businesses (including a gas station and convenience/liquor store just south of town. Currently, Crawford has only one restaurant.  

Crawford’s ‘western feel’ is imparted by its variety of historic false front, stone and clapboard buildings downtown - and even a few old settler log cabins on the west end of Cedar Avenue.  

Crawford’s proximity to the South Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (13 miles), Needle Rock (4 miles), and the Crawford State Park with its 400-acre lake (1 mile); as well as endless acres of public lands to the east, makes Crawford a marvelous home base for discovering the amazing outdoor playground of Crawford Country and beyond!

Reprinted from the Delta County Tourism Site:

Gateway to the North Rim

Elevation 6,520 ft.
Population 392

Named after Captain George A. Crawford whose idea to start a post office in this area resulted in the growth of a town, the Town of Crawford is the high-altitude beauty of the North Fork Valley. Crawford is the gateway to the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park which provides numerous outdoor activities such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter and hiking, biking and photography in the summer. Visit the Crawford State Park for many other outdoor sports, including hiking, fishing, biking, boating… the list goes on!

Overnight accommodations are plentiful in Crawford. Stay at any of the charming bed and breakfasts, motels, campsites, lodges and cabins. For a complete list visit our Crawford Lodging page.

Attractions

Located along the West Elk Scenic Byway, the Town of Crawford is nestled in the heart of cattle country between The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and the breathtaking West Elk Wilderness Area. With Crawford’s quaint restaurants, outdoor attractions and unique shops to enjoy, there are plenty of things for the whole family to do.

The North Rim of The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a wonderful alternative to the more visited South Rim. This side offers a touch with nature, primitive campsites and many trails leading down into the 1500-foot deep canyon to the pristine waters of the Gunnison River.

Needle Rock is one of those sites where you ask youself “what on earth do you call that?” Needle Rock is an intrusive of rhyodacite volcanic plug or volcanic neck. According to Wikipedia, it stands 800 feet (240 m) tall above the floor of the Smith Fork of the Gunnison River valley. It originated as the throat of a large volcano about 28 million years ago in the Miocee geological epoch, when molten rock intruded between existing sedimentary rocks. It is a breathtaking additon to the viewshed in Crawford along the West Elk Loop Scenic Byway.

Another natural resource to be explored is the Gunnison Basin National Forest where you can camp, fish and hunt year round. Snowmobiling, cross country skiing and ice fishing are some winter activities you will want to enjoy in our area.

Summer brings hiking, biking, fishing, swimming and water sports of all types at the Crawford State Park, just a mile from town.

Events

CRAWFORD PIONEER DAYS

Catch the spirit of the Old West! Enjoy parade, melodrama, food, arts and more. Newly added Cowboy Cook off, the outhouse races and Elk Calling Contest have been really popular. Call 970-921-4000 for more information.