Visit Black Canyon, Colorado

Montrose, Colorado

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Details

Distance

1 miles

Elevation Gain

8320 ft

Route Type

Point-to-Point

Description

Added by Julia Pelio

Do you have a favorite place on Earth? I think I just found mine. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in western Colorado is one of hidden treasures of the North America.

Did you know that this canyon is called Black because some parts of the gorge only receive 33 minutes of sunlight a day? The canyon is incredibly steep, it’s more than 2000 feet tall and it is probably one of the deepest and narrowest canyons I have ever seen in my life.

You can access the Gunnison National Park from the South or North Rim. The South Rim has more things to offer, such as a visitor center and picnic areas. We had no time to see both sides, so we only explored the North Rim, which is reachable only by an unpaved road (this road is closed during the winter) but has many breathtaking view spots.

The North Rim drive is less visited; however, there are six spectacular canyon overlooks that you can drive through.

Find more information about the park here.

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Features

Hiking

Easy Parking

Picnic Area

River

Scenic

Wildlife

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Nearby

Drive the Scenic loop at Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park

The Black Canyon of Gunnison is know for 2000 foot cliffs and a beautiful raging river below. The south side of the canyon is the most popular and the easiest to get to. The visitor center is also on the south side making it convenient for information and getting souvenirs. The scenic drive also has 12 easy to get to overlooks. The overlooks vary in length of walking but are mostly all on flat ...

Hike the Oak Flat Loop

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of Colorado's four national parks. Though not as well known as Rocky Mountain or Mesa Verde, Black Canyon has no lack of views, hiking opportunities, and other must-experience natural features. The Canyon's expanse is far too large to explore in a day, but the Oak Flat loop offers hikers the chance to see some of the most panoramic overlooks of the canyon an...

Hike to Tomichi Point and Gunnison Point Overlooks

To access the South Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, take US 50 and CO 347 to the south entrance, 15 miles east of Montrose. There is no bridge between the north and south rims of the canyon - make sure you enter from the Montrose side.After passing through the entrance station, follow signs to the South Rim Campground. The Rim Rock trailhead is just off of Loop C. If you ...

Camp at Black Canyon of the Gunnison's South Rim Campground

The South Rim Campground is located about 6 miles inside Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. There are a total of 88 sites, 34 of which are available year-round. Reservations are definitely recommended, but are not required - loop C is first-come, first-served. Loop B fills up first, as it has electrical hookups, but chances are you'll be able to find a site up to a week before you go. ...

Drive the East Portal Road

Want an easier way to get to the bottom of the canyon without the rugged hiking trails? Drive to the bottom via the East Portal Road. Open once the harsh winter breaks, this road switchbacks its way to the bottom at the meeting place of Curecanti National Recreation area and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The road is really steep, with many switchbacks and therefore only vehicles o...

Hike the Gunnison Route

Immediately upon arriving, secure a permit to scramble down 1,800ft in one mile to the Gunnison River. There are no hiking trails below the rim of the canyon, and because of its relentless steepness and rock exposure, the only existing routes are incredibly steep and loose. To protect the delicate environment only 12 people are allowed per day.The route down to the river is a steep, vegetated r...