18 Attractions to Explore Near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Top Activities Near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
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Black Canyon of the Gunnison WildernessThe Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness is located in Montrose County, Colorado. This wilderness area is bounded by the Gunnison River on the west and the Uncompahgre Plateau on the east. The canyon itself is approximately 12 miles long and 2,000 feet deep. The walls of the canyon are steep and lined with various types of rock, including granite, gneiss, and schist. The canyon floor is strewn with boulders and debris from rockslides.
Pulpit Rock OverlookNestled in the majestic San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, Pulpit Rock Overlook provides breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The overlook is located just a short hike from the town of Montrose, making it the perfect destination for a day trip. From Pulpit Rock, visitors can see the nearby towns of Ouray and Telluride, as well as the 14,000-foot peaks of the San Juans. The overlook is also a popular spot for bird watching, as it is home to a variety of different species.
Montrose County Historical MuseumThe Montrose County Historical Museum is located in the city of Montrose in southwestern Colorado. The museum's collections focus on the history of the region, with exhibits on topics such as Native American culture, the early days of exploration and settlement, and the area's role in the development of the American West. The museum also maintains a research library and archives, which are open to the public.
Crystal ReservoirCrystal Reservoir is a man-made reservoir located in Montrose County. The reservoir was created in the early 1980s by damming the Crystal River. The reservoir is located near the town of Nucla and is a popular recreation spot for boating, fishing, and water skiing. It is also known for its abundance of cutthroat trout. The reservoir is fed by the Crystal River and is surrounded by steep cliffs and evergreen forests. The reservoir is used for irrigation, recreation, and flood control.
Cerro SummitCerro Summit is a high mountain pass in Montrose County, Colorado. The pass lies on the Continental Divide, at an elevation of 12,276 feet. The pass is traversed by State Highway 145, which connects the towns of Telluride and Placerville. Cerro Summit is one of the highest paved roads in Colorado. The views from the pass are stunning, with alpine meadows and wildflowers in summer, and snow-capped peaks in winter.
Gunnison Gorge National Conservation AreaThe Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area is located in western Colorado, near the town of Montrose. The area is known for its dramatic gorge, which was carved by the Gunnison River. The gorge is home to a variety of plant and animal life, including bighorn sheep, eagles, and canyon Offense. Visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, and rafting in the Gunnison Gorge. In addition, the area offers several scenic drives, as well as opportunities for backcountry exploration.
Crawford DamCrawford Dam impounds water for Crawford Reservoir in Delta County, Colorado about a mile south of the town of Crawford. The earthen dam was completed in 1962 by the United States Bureau of Reclamation with a height of 162 feet and 580 feet long at its crest. It impounds Iron Creek for irrigation flood control, one element of the Smith Fork Project. The reservoir is encompassed within Crawford State Park with Park Headquarters located on a peninsula along the northeastern shore.
Crawford State ParkCrawford State Park is a Colorado State Park that encompasses Crawford Reservoir located about 1 mile south of the town of Crawford in Delta County, Colorado. The 760-acre park was established in 1964 on the shore of Crawford Reservoir, a 400 acres lake with boat ramps and a swimming beach. Other facilities include camp sites, picnic sites and a visitors center.
Ute Indian MuseumThe Ute Indian Museum in Montrose County, Colorado is a small museum with a big focus on the history and culture of the Ute people. The museum tells the story of the Ute people from their time as nomadic hunters to their forced relocation onto reservations. The exhibits feature a variety of artifacts, including traditional clothing, tools, and art. The museum also has a number of interactive displays, such as a life-size teepee and a replica wickiup.
D & RG Narrow Gauge TrestleThe D&RG Narrow Gauge Trestle in Montrose County, Colorado is a historic wooden trestle that was built in the late 19th century. The trestle is located on a former railway line that was used to transport silver and other minerals from the nearby San Juans Mountains. The trestle is one of the largest and most impressive examples of railroad engineering from this period in American history. It is also one of the only remaining structures from the D&RG Railroad, which operated in Colorado.
Morrow Point DamMorrow Point Dam is a concrete arch dam on the Gunnison River in Montrose County, which was built between 1963 and 1968 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for the purpose of generating hydroelectric power. The reservoir is used for irrigation, recreation, and hydroelectric power generation. The dam's power plant has a capacity of 72 megawatts. In addition to its main purpose of generating hydroelectric power, the Morrow Point Dam also helps to regulate water levels in the Gunnison River.
Needle Rock Natural AreaNeedle Rock is an iconic landmark visible from Highway 92 near the town of Crawford. The surrounding terrain is characterized by laccolithic mountains flanked by precipitous cliffs, extensive talus aprons, forested mesas, canyons, and spacious, well-watered intermontane basins. The massive rock feature originated in the Oligocene geological epoch when magma intruded between existing sedimentary rocks as the crown of a buried laccolith or possibly the underlying conduit of a laccolith.
Saddle MountainSaddle Mountain is a large, conical mountain located on the western side of the West Elk Mountains southeast of Crawford, Colorado. It has an elevation of 10,005 ft with over 3,000 ft of vertical relief above the valley below. Although it has the classic shape of an extinct volcano, Saddle Mountain is an exposed igneous intrusion that geologists call a laccolith.
Landsend PeakLandsend Peak is a prominent wedge-shaped mountain located in the West Elk Mountains range northeast of Crawford, Colorado. The summit of Landsend Peak has an elevation of 10,806 ft rising dramatically about 4,000 ft above the valley below. Both peaks lie within the Gunnison National Forest near the physiographic boundary of the Rocky Mountains and the Colorado Plateau provinces. Geologically, Landsend Peak and Mount Lamborn are exposed igneous intrusions that geologists call laccoliths.
Morrow Point ReservoirMorrow Point Reservoir is a man-made body of water in Montrose County. The reservoir was created in 1968 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Aspinall Unit of the Colorado River Storage Project. It is located in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and its primary purpose is to store water for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation. The reservoir has a capacity of 36,700 acre-feet and a surface area of 1,200 acres. It is fed by the Morrow Point Dam.
Sweitzer LakeSweitzer Lake is a smaller, day-use state park located in Delta. It's centered around water recreation on Sweitzer Lake. This lake offers a convenient water recreation for those on the Western Slope. Located only minutes from downtown Delta, the 210-acre park boasts exciting fishing and boating. The picturesque lake is 137-acres, providing visitors with a nice swim beach and lots of lakeside picnic tables.
Sweitzer Lake State ParkSweitzer Lake State Park is a Colorado state park located in Delta County 1 mile south of Delta, Colorado. The 210-acre park established in 1960 includes a 137-acre reservoir. Facilities include a boat ramp, swim beach and picnic sites. Birdwatchers have spotted 170 different species in the park.
Gunnison National ForestThe Gunnison National Forest is a U.S. National Forest covering 1,672,136 acres. It borders the White River National Forest to the north, the Grand Mesa and Uncompahgre National Forests to the west, the San Isabel National Forest to the east and the Rio Grande National Forest to south. There are seven officially designated wilderness areas lying within Gunnison National Forest that are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
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Black Canyon of the Gunnison National ParkBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located in western Colorado, about 12 miles east of Montrose. The park derives its name from the black granite walls that soar 2,000 feet above the Gunnison River. The canyon is one of the deepest and narrowest in North America, and it offers visitors spectacular views of the river below. In addition to hiking and camping, visitors can also enjoy fishing, boating, and horseback riding. The park is open year-round.