Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Discover Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a national park run by the National Park Service in Southwestern Colorado, 15 mi (24 km) east of Montrose. It contains 12 miles of a spectacular and scenic gorge called the Black Canyon. It is adjacent to Curecanti National Recreation Area. The Black Canyon (contained in the borders of the park) is a very deep gorge containing sheer cliffs up to heights of 2250 feet (685 m). The canyon was carved by the Gunnison River, located at the very bottom of the canyon. The park contains Colorado's largest sheer cliff, titled Painted Wall with a height of 2,250 ft (690 m). Also, the canyon at its narrowest is only 40 ft (12 m) wide, making it very narrow.
What to Experience in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Taste of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park...
No food services are available except in nearby communities. Water is available mid-May through mid-October. Picnic tables are available along the South Rim at Gunnison Point, Pulpit Rock, Sunset View, High Point and East Portal. There are many lodging opportunities available in the city of Montrose, 15 miles west of the park, and in Gunnison, 50 miles east. You can camp inside the park. Camping requires a free permit. Trails in the park are located exactly on the deep canyon's edges. Do not attempt to pass the trail barriers. Since the park is located in a region of Colorado that has a lot of tourist opportunities, you might want to visit other places, too.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park into what it is today.
The park was founded on March 2, 1933, as a national monument. The Black Canyon (contained in the borders of the park) is a very deep gorge containing sheer cliffs up to heights of 2250 feet (685 m). The canyon was carved by the Gunnison River, located at the very bottom of the canyon. The park contains Colorado's largest sheer cliff, titled Painted Wall with a height of 2,250 ft (690 m). Also, the canyon at its narrowest is only 40 ft (12 m) wide, making it very narrow. Great horned owls, peregrine falcons, eagles, swifts and jays soar through the canyon. The American dipper uses its wings in fast moving waters to keep it moving underneath the surface when feeding. When driving through or hiking in Black Canyon, you are apt to see many species of wildlife such as elk and coyotes. But by far one of the most elegant and common animals is the mule deer. Mule deer have adapted to many different types of habitats and seem to thrive in all of them. As you look into the depths of the canyon it may be hard to believe that these animals are just as at home trekking to the canyon bottom as they are meandering the oak flats on the rims. The canyon is located in the biological crossroads of the Rocky Mountains meeting with the Colorado Plateau. Due to that sudden effect, temperatures quite vary during the year because of the mountain and desert combination. Weather can vary greatly between the canyon rim and canyon floor....
Climate
The canyon is located in the biological crossroads of the Rocky Mountains meeting with the Colorado Plateau. Due to that sudden effect, temperatures quite vary during the year because of the mountain and desert combination. Weather can vary greatly between the canyon rim and canyon floor. Summer daytime temperatures range from 60° to 100°F (15° to 38°C), nights 30° to 50°F (-1° to 10°C). Winter daytime temperatures range from 20° to 40°F (-6° to 4°C), nights -10 to 20F (-23° to -6°C). Precipitation is minimal, brief afternoon thunderstorms can occur during the summer. Pets on leash may be walked on roads, in campgrounds, to the overlooks, and are allowed on the Rim Rock Trail, Cedar Point Nature Trail, and North Rim Chasm View Nature Trail. Pets are not allowed on any other hiking trails, inner canyon routes or in the wilderness area. Owners are responsible for their pet’s behavior and may receive fines if their animal creates problems with wildlife and/or other visitors.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThere are a number of ways to entering the park. One way is turning north on SR 347 from US Route 50. Another way to get from US Route 50 is to turn north on the East Portal Road. The East Portal Road is closed during the winter. Both routes from US Route 50 take you to the south rim of the canyon. To reach the north rim, you must drive on a gravel road which is closed in the winter from SR 92. There is no public transportation within the park. Intercity bus service to Montrose or Grand Junction is available. Amtrak's California Zephyr Emeryville, California - Chicago route has a stop in Grand Junction. The eastbound train from Emeryville is scheduled to arrive at 11:28AM, and the westbound train from Chicago is scheduled to arrive at 4:10PM. The nearest cities with commercial airline service are Montrose and Gunnison. A third airport in Grand Junction is 80.5 miles from the park via US Route 50, with Montrose en route. Entrance fees are valid for seven days....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The South Rim has more services, facilities and overlooks, and provides better views of the Painted Wall. The North Rim is accessed via a gravel road, has no visitor center, but does provide better views into the narrowest part of the canyon. There is no bridge across the canyon. Allow two to three hours to drive from one side to the other. It is possible to hike to the river but trails are unmaintained and extremely difficult. You can drive to the river on East Portal Road which has a 16% grade and is open mid-April to mid-November. Vehicles longer than 22 feet are not allowed on East Portal Road. The Morrow Point Boat Tour to Black Rock Canyon begins in the neighboring park to the east, Curecanti National Recreation Area. It helps to research the local wildlife and know what they look like before your visit. Bird watching in the area is excellent, especially in spring and early summer.
Where to Stay
There are many lodging opportunities available in the city of Montrose, 15 miles west of the park, and in Gunnison, 50 miles east. You can camp inside the park. Camping requires a free permit. Trails in the park are located exactly on the deep canyon's edges. Do not attempt to pass the trail barriers. Since the park is located in a region of Colorado that has a lot of tourist opportunities, you might want to visit other places, too.
Money & Budget
No shops or gasoline services are available at either rim. Full services are available in nearby communities. Water is available mid-May through mid-October. No food services are available except in nearby communities. Water is available mid-May through mid-October. Picnic tables are available along the South Rim at Gunnison Point, Pulpit Rock, Sunset View, High Point and East Portal. There are many lodging opportunities available in the city of Montrose, 15 miles west of the park, and in Gunnison, 50 miles east. You can camp inside the park. Camping requires a free permit. Trails in the park are located exactly on the deep canyon's edges. Do not attempt to pass the trail barriers.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Trails in the park are located exactly on the deep canyon's edges. Do not attempt to pass the trail barriers. Since the park is located in a region of Colorado that has a lot of tourist opportunities, you might want to visit other places, too.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
hidden camel here
The Gunnison River bends around the gorge of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
The famous Painted Wall of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Gorge
brown rocky mountain during daytime
aerial view photography of green leaf trees near mountain
plateau view during daytime
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
I work with a ministry for a university. We often take trips into the surrounding wilderness that we call home, Colorado. This photo was taken when our group had been talking with each other, enjoying each other’s company, and just taking in the views that the morning light brought at Black Canyon National Park. I took several pictures that led to this spot, but this one most accurately displayed both the beauty of community and our National Parks.
The Gunnison River snakes through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
The Gunnison River bends through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
hidden camel here
The Gunnison River bends around the gorge of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
The famous Painted Wall of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Gorge