Explore Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

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Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, near the towns of Montrose and Crawford, Colorado. The park was literally carved out of multiple rock layers over the last couple of million years by the Gunnison River harboring a variety of life zones in its dramatically plunging gorges and chasms. It’s big enough to be awe-inspiring while welcoming enough to allow visitors to feel the pulse of time on a more personal level. Black Canyon of the Gunnison presents some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock formations and craggiest spires in North America. Having those two million years to work its wonder, the Gunnison River has sculpted this vertical wilderness of rock, water and sky, assisted by the forces of nature. According to Wallace Hansen, considered to be the unequivocal expert on the geology of this region, “no other canyon in North America combines the depth, narrowness, sheerness, and somber countenance of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison." Visitors come to know that The Black Canyon contains some of the oldest exposed rock on Earth known as Precambrian, or “basement” rock, believed to be nearly 2 billion years old. Among the pursuits that are popular with visitors to the park include Camping, Hiking, Canyoneering, Scenic Drives, Fishing, Kayaking, Rafting and Rock Climbing. Wildlife Watching of subjects that might well be observed include Yellow-bellied Marmot, Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels, Least and Colorado Chipmunks, Mountain Cottontails, Rock Squirrels, Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Elk, Coyotes, Skunks, Badgers, Long-tail Weasels, Ringtail Cats, Mountain Lions, Bobcats and Black Bear and a number of different non-poisonous snakes. Bird Watchers can be on the lookout for Peregrine Falcons, Blue Grouse, Cooper's Hawks, Red Tailed Hawks, Turkey Vultures, Golden Eagles, Canyon Wren and plenty of Black-billed Magpies among other avian species. Horseback Riding, Winter Activities like Cross Country Skiing, Snowshoe Trekking and Winter Backcountry Camping are just some of the other adventures visitors enjoy. Black Canyon is home to the fastest bird in the world, the Peregrine Falcon. Scientists estimate that Peregrines can reach speeds of over 200 mph in an aerial dive. Consider some other interesting facts about Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: The narrowest part of Black Canyon at the river is only 40 feet across. The temperature at the bottom of Black Canyon is approximately 8 degrees warmer than at the rim. The Black Canyon stretches far beyond the 14 miles within the national park. Including the canyon within Curecanti National Recreation Area and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, the total length is 53 miles. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located approximately 250 miles southwest of Denver, Colorado. The South Rim is 15 miles east of Montrose, CO and the North Rim is 11 miles south of Crawford, CO. There is no bridge between the north and south rims of the canyon. Visitors should allow two to three hours to drive from one side to the other. Commercial airline service is available to Montrose, Gunnison and Grand Junction.

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