BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK – DISCOVER COLORADO’S HIDDEN GEM

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, also called Black Canyon of Colorado, is a hidden gem of the US national park system. It is the least-visited national park in Colorado and one of the lesser-visited national parks in the country. But what is behind this lack of popularity? Certainly not an absence of amazing scenery. The reason is most likely a combination of a rather remote location and a huge concentration of outstanding natural attractions in Colorado itself, and in nearby Utah. Whatever the cause, it means that you will have all of its beauty to yourself during your visit! Here is all you need to know about visiting the Black Canyon of Colorado. 

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BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 

When getting ready for my second visit to Colorado, I decided to concentrate on the state’s lesser-known attractions. Black Canyon certainly fell into this category. The canyon and Colorado National Monument turned out to be the highlights of the trip. 

Now, looking back, I know that one full day there was not enough. There are plenty of things to do in Black Canyon of Gunnison and in the area. You can easily make it a one-week destination. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, you will find the park very appealing. 

Black Canyon of the Gunnison – Where did the name come from? 

The Black Canyon is so named because its steepness makes it difficult for sunlight to penetrate its depths. As a result, it is often shrouded in shadow, causing the grayish rocky walls to appear black. In fact, some parts of the gorge receive only 33 total minutes of sunlight per day!

The canyon, carved by rushing Gunnison River, is very narrow, spanning just 40 feet at its narrowest point – The Narrows. It is also very deep, reaching 2,722 feet at Warner Point.

Both the river and the park are named for Lieutenant John Gunnison, an engineer sent to survey a railroad route across the Rockies in 1853.

Black Canyon’s Geology 

Per National Park Service: “Black Canyon is a story of deep geologic time, starting back 1.8 billion years ago. About 60 million years ago, a small area of land uplifted (grow), bringing 1.8 billion-year-old metamorphic rock to high elevations. This is called the Gunnison Uplift.

About 30 million years ago, large volcanoes erupted on either side of this uplift, burying it in volcanic rock (blow). Then, as early as 2 million years ago, the Gunnison River began flowing in force (flow). The river and time eroded all of the volcanic rock and cut a deep canyon in the metamorphic rock below. ” 

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History of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

The Black Canyon isn’t the deepest or the longest in the country, but it posses the rare combination of extraordinary depth, verticality, narrowness, and darkness.

• Black Canyon National Park by the Numbers 

For these extraordinary features, president Herbert Hoover declared the Black Canyon a national monument in 1933. Eventually, in 1999, Congress upgraded its status to the national park.

Contact the park 

Mailing Address:

Best Time to Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison 

The best time to visit Black Canyon of Gunnison is summer, since the North rim roads, ranger station, and the main road on the South rim are closed from November till mid-April. However, winter presents other opportunities such as cross-country and downhill skiing, and snowshoeing.

Location of the Black Canyon of Colorado 

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located in southwest Colorado. The South Rim is 7 miles north on CO Highway 347 from the intersection with U.S. Highway 50 east of Montrose.

The North Rim is 11 miles southwest of Crawford. From CO Highway 92, turn west on Black Canyon Road, approximately 3 miles south of Crawford. Follow the road signs to the park. The last 7 miles are unpaved. The North Rim is closed to vehicles in the winter.

There is no bridge across the canyon. Allow 2 to 3 hours to drive from one rim to the other. The North Rim is closed to vehicles in the winter.

What to do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison 

Discover South Rim 

If you only have one day in the park, concentrate on the South Rim. With a paved drive, visitor center, and large campground, the South Rim is the busier, more developed side of the park. All roads in the area are paved. In winter, the South Rim Drive is closed to vehicles just past the visitor center.

The best thing to do with the limited time is to take the South Rim Drive. There are 12 overlooks to enjoy along the South Rim Drive. Most have a short walk to the edge and provide stunning views of the canyon. 

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Follow the North Rim Road

With more time, explore the canyon’s North Rim that can be reached by taking a gravel road from the east end of Crawford State Park. The North Rim Road provides access to 6 overlooks. The canyon walls on the North Rim are almost vertical, offering some of the most impressive views found in the national park.

Allow 2-3 hours for a leisurely tour. Information is available at the North Rim Ranger Station, open intermittently in summer. The North Rim Road is closed in winter.

Take East Portal Road to the bottom of the Black Canyon (if you dare!)

East Portal is accessible from the South Rim, 7 miles north on CO Highway 347 from the intersection with U.S. Highway 50 east of Montrose. Turn right onto the East Portal road at the park entrance station. The road is actually within the boundary of Curecanti National Recreation Area but needs to be accessed from the park. 

The road is extremely steep (16% grades) with sharp curves. Not to brag, but yes – I drove this road! I was traveling with my friend, and she had no desire to do it. Actually, after driving Colorado’s Million Dollar Highway a few days before, I felt that nothing could scare me anymore. 

Vehicles with an overall length (including trailer) greater than 22 feet are prohibited on the East Portal Road. Trailers may be left unhitched and left at a parking area at the campground entrance.

No better way to see the park than to hike a trail. You will find many trails that take you to spectacular overlooks. The South Rim has easier hikes, and the North Rim has longer and more strenuous hikes. Check the best hikes in Black Canyon here.