Montrose County - 16 Attractions You Must Visit

Types of Attractions in Montrose County

1 Day Treks (6)

Viewpoints (6)

Forests (5)

Outdoors - Other (5)

Boating Spots (2)

Lake/ River/ Ponds (2)

Man-made Lakes (2)

Museums (2)

Popular Activities And Trips in Montrose County

List of Attractions in Montrose County

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

National Parks

Black 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.

Know More

Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness

Viewpoints

1 Day Treks

Forests

The 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.

Know More

Cerro Summit

Viewpoints

Mountain Passes

Cerro 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.

Know More

Crawford State Park

Viewpoints

1 Day Treks

Forests

Crawford State Park is located in the beautiful San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. The park offers a wide variety of activities for visitors, including hiking, camping, fishing, and bird watching. The park is also home to a number of historical and archaeological sites, which provide insight into the region's rich cultural history. Crawford State Park is an ideal destination for those seeking a wilderness experience in one of the most scenic parts of the country.

Know More

Crystal Reservoir

Water Ski Spots

Boating Spots

Man-made Lakes

Crystal 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.

Know More

D & RG Narrow Gauge Trestle

Old Ruins

The 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.

Know More

Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area

Lake/ River/ Ponds

Outdoors - Other

Forests

The 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.

Know More

Hanging Flume

Outdoors - Other

1 Day Treks

The Hanging Flume is an aqueduct that was built in the late 1800s to transport water from the Gunnison River to the fields of the Uncompahgre Valley. The flume hangs from cliffs as it winds its way through canyons and gorges, spanning a distance of nearly 9 miles. Built at a time when few roads existed in the region, the flume was an engineering feat that allowed farmers to irrigate their land and greatly increase their crop yields.

Know More

Montrose County Historical Museum

Museums

The 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.

Know More

Morrow Point Dam

Dams

Morrow 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.

Know More

Morrow Point Reservoir

Viewpoints

Boating Spots

Man-made Lakes

Morrow 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.

Know More

Paradox Valley

Outdoors - Other

1 Day Treks

Cliffs

Hot Springs

Paradox Valley, a drainage basin for the Dolores River. The valley gets its name from the paradoxical appearance of its topography: it is a flat-bottomed valley with steep sides. The valley is approximately 20 miles long and 2 miles wide, and is surrounded by tall mesas.In addition to its geological significance, the Paradox Valley is also home to a variety of plant and animal life. While the valley is best known for its geological wonders, it also offers many opportunities for recreation.

Know More

Pulpit Rock Overlook

Viewpoints

Outdoors - Other

Nestled 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.

Know More

Uncompahgre National Forest

Viewpoints

1 Day Treks

Forests

The Uncompahgre National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in western Colorado. It encompasses 1,106,604 acres and is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The forest is named for the Uncompahgre Plateau, which is part of the larger San Juan Mountains. The plateau includes some of the highest peaks in the Rockies, including Mount Sneffels, which reaches an elevation of 14,150 feet. The forest also contains several scenic rivers and lakes, such as Blue Mesa Reservoir.

Know More

Uncompahgre Plateau

Lake/ River/ Ponds

Outdoors - Other

1 Day Treks

Forests

The Uncompahgre Plateau is located in western Colorado in Montrose County. It is an elevated plateau that consists of high desert terrain. The average elevation is around 7,500 feet and it is home to several mountain ranges including the San Juans and the West Elk Mountains. The area is well known for its unique geological features, including canyons, mesas, and buttes. It is also home to a variety of wildlife. There are many hiking trails and camping areas on the plateau.

Know More

Ute Indian Museum

Museums

The 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.

Know More

Map

Comments