Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - 13 Things to Know Before Visiting

There are a number of things to do at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, including camping, fishing, and picnicking. The park also has a number of historical sites, such as the remains of an old stagecoach road. Visitors can also take part in ranger-led programs, which are offered throughout the year. The canyon is also home to a number of different wildlife species, including eagles, bighorn sheep, and bobcats. 

Few places on earth offer such a concentration of steep, rugged landscapes as the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. This geologic wonder in western Colorado began to form nearly 2 billion years ago when an ancient ocean covered the area. Over time, the ocean receded and rivers began to carve out canyons and valleys in the land. The Gunnison River is thought to have cut through the rocks at a particularly rapid rate, since the river is so steep and has very little sediment. As a result, the Black Canyon is one of the deepest and most narrow canyons in North America. The park is named for the black granite cliffs that line the canyon, which was carved over millions of years by the Gunnison River.

The first people to inhabited the area now known as Black Canyon were Native Americans from the Ute tribe. They lived in the canyon for centuries before European settlers arrived in the 1800s. In 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt designated the area as a national monument, and it became a national park in 1999.

The best time to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is in the summer. The days are long, and the weather is warm and dry. This is the perfect time to hike the park's many trails, fish in the Gunnison River, or take a scenic drive along the Rim Rock Drive.

1. Don't miss the sunrise or sunset - the views are simply stunning. 
2. Go fishing - the Black Canyon is home to several species of fish, including rainbow trout, brown trout, and kokanee salmon. You'll need a valid Colorado fishing license.
3. Camping is allowed in certain areas of the park - check with a ranger for details. Please be mindful of Leave No Trace principles.
4.  Be prepared for changing weather conditions - the weather in the canyon can be unpredictable.
5. Respect the canyon's fragile ecosystems - please don't remove rocks or plants, or damage any archaeological sites that you may find. Leave everything as you found it for future visitors to enjoy.
6. Stop by one of the visitor centers to learn about the park's history and geology, and to pick up a map of the area.
7. Make sure you have plenty of water and snacks with you, as there are no food or drink vendors inside the park.
    

1. The park contains 12 miles of the 48-mile long Black Canyon of the Gunnison River.
2. The national park itself contains the deepest and most dramatic section of the canyon, but the canyon continues upstream into Curecanti National Recreation Area and downstream into Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area. 
3. The canyon's name owes itself to the fact that parts of the gorge only receive 33 minutes of sunlight a day, according to Images of America: The Black Canyon of the Gunnison. In the book, author Duane Vandenbusche states, "Several canyons of the American West are longer and some are deeper, but none combines the depth, sheerness, narrowness, darkness, and dread of the Black Canyon."
4. The Gunnison River drops an average of 34 feet per mile (6.4 m/km) through the entire canyon, making it the 5th steepest mountain descent in North America.
5. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison was established as a national monument on March 2, 1933, and was redesignated a national park on October 21, 1999.

We recommend budgeting at least two full days for your visit. This will give you plenty of time to hike some of the park's trails, take in the views from various overlooks, and enjoy a picnic lunch.

The park is located in Montrose County, about a 3-hour drive from Denver. To reach the park, take Highway 50 west from Montrose. The turnoff for the South Rim Road is well-marked, and the drive takes you along the canyon's edge, providing stunning views of the gorge below.

 The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has an entrance fee of $25 per vehicle or $12 per person. This fee provides access to all of the park's amenities and activities for a week.

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is open all year round, 24 hours a day. However, some areas of the park may be closed due to weather conditions or wildlife activity. The park Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.