A remote location and unique geology make it tough to provide even water, which must be trucked in. If you are planning a trip to colorados black canyon of the gunnison national park, we highly recommend the concessionaire boat tour that goes into the canyon via the curecanti national recreation area. What you need to know rocky mountain summer adventure. The steep walls of the black canyon was formed over 1. Travel articles related to black canyon of the gunnison national park transportation companies, driving directions and more for black canyon. Best trails in black canyon of the gunnison national park. Suggested itineraries in black canyon of the gunnison.
Hikes in black canyon of the gunnison national park. A simple guide to visiting the black canyon of the gunnison. We drove along the south rim drive and stopped at numerous lookouts. Mar, 2019 the black canyon of the gunnison national park is known for its rich collection of flora and fauna.
The best black canyon of the gunnison national park bed. Explore the many activities that are possible in the park. The black canyon is so steep and narrow that for most. The 30,750 acres of the park protecting the deep canyon and the surrounding areas was first established as a national monument in 1933, before being designated a national park in october, 1999. The black canyon is a really deep canyon with the gunnison river running through it. Black canyon of the gunnison fast facts national parked. Come here for spectacular canyons that have been shaped and reshaped. Complete scenic drive information for black canyon, colorado with maps, photos, route descriptions and more. Kelly kindly bought each of us a finger puppet stuffed animal and there we were showing them off in front of the national parks entrance sign. Summer daytime temperatures range between 60 to 100f 15 to 38c, nights 30 to 50f 1 to 10c.
Weather can vary greatly between the canyon rim and canyon floor. Following guidance from the white house, centers for disease control and prevention, and state and local public health authorities, we are. Suggested itineraries in black canyon of the gunnison national park its fairly easy to see a great deal here in a short time, especially if you stick to the south rim. Colorados black canyon of the gunnison national park. Black canyon of the gunnison national park has a large elevation difference between the canyon rim and the gunnison river below, leading to a large difference in temperatures. Black canyon of the gunnison national park, colorado. History of black canyon of the gunnison black canyon. Black canyon of the gunnison national park wikipedia. A guide to black canyon of the gunnison national park, colorado. In jasper national park which is a dark sky preserve.
Gorgeous scenic routes are available along the rims and down to the river. Oct 26, 2019 big enough to be overwhelming, still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time, black canyon of the gunnison exposes you to some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in north america. Black canyon of the gunnison national park, natural area in western colorado, u. Weather of black canyon of the gunnison national park. Welcome to the black canyon of the gunnison national park information page. Meanwhile, there is also a wide range of wildlife that inhabits the area. The north and east entrance are closed mid novemberapril buy tickets in advance on viator. Black canyon of the gunnison national park montrose and. If you book with viator, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. The black canyon of the gunnison is dedicated as a national park for its unique geological manifestation. Black canyon of the gunnison s east portal road made our list of 99 gorgeous places in colorado. Amenities for families at black canyon of the gunnison. Educational and exciting, black canyon offers families a thrilling vacation on the western edge of the colorado rockies.
A spectacular day hike on the north rim section of the black canyon of the gunnison national park bcgnp was to my mind the high point of our september, 2002 colorado geology road trip. Black canyon of the gunnison national park my photos. In geology, as elsewhere, extraordinary results point to extraordinary events or, perhaps more often, to extraordinary combinations of less exceptional happenings. Located 5 minutes from montrose regional airport and 35 minutes from black canyon national park, this hotel provides an onsite gym, indoor pool, and jacuzzi. Pretty baldridge community park has a big, modern playground with huge shade trees and restrooms nearby, an inline skate park, ball fields, a small lake with an island and gazebo, bike and walking trails. Extremely difficult hiking, rock climbing and kayaking within the canyon. Camping black canyon of the gunnison national park u. Black canyon of the gunnison national park hours of operation. The black canyon of the gunnison s unique and spectacular landscape was formed slowly by the action of water and rock scouring down through hard proterozoic crystalline rock. Hemmed in by ancient volcanic rocks, the gunnison river carved a narrow canyon with monolithic rock walls that rise over 2,000 feet above the river. Black canyon backcountry map 995k pdf map showing locations of backcountry inner canyon routes. Nov 07, 2016 black canyon backcountry map 995k pdf map showing locations of backcountry inner canyon routes. The best black canyon of the gunnison national park bed and. Along the 12mile stretch within the national park, the rivers gradient averages a steep 96 per mile about 2% but reaches 240 per mile at the narrows.
Making it one of the oldest visible rock in north america. Plan your visit black canyon of the gunnison national. Black canyon, colorado sightseeing tour information. Montrose is just 15 miles southwest of black canyon of the gunnison national park. Search black canyon of the gunnison national park scenic drives keyword. After another lonely valentines day, gabi romano trades mountain snowfall for. A steep, drastic canyon sets the backdrop for this large national park.
National association of broadcasters resource guide. Here you will find all you need to know about the natural history. Black canyon of the gunnison travel guide crested butte. You will see plenty of hunters during hunting season on the border of the park boundaries. Black canyon of the gunnisons east portal road made our list of 99 gorgeous places in colorado. This is a regional map of black canyon of the gunnison that. Jul 06, 20 in just 48 miles in black canyon the gunnison river loses more elevation than the 1,500mile mississippi river does from minnesota to the gulf of mexico. Now, im using adobe dreamweaver and learning more about the program.
With two million years to work, the gunnison river, along with the forces of weathering, has sculpted this vertical wilderness of rock, water. Black canyon of the gunnison national park home facebook. After prehike if it looks too challenging for the troop, devils canyon dam. Black canyon offers two campgrounds one on each rim. Warner point nature trail this trail offers a multitude of things to see, such as mountain mahogany, pinyon pine, utah juniper, and other area flora. Things to do black canyon of the gunnison national park. The numbers tell the story of black canyon of the gunnison national park. Although accessed through the park, east portal is within the boundary of curecanti national recreation area. It reminds me a lot of the royal gorge, except it doesnt have a tourist trap feel.
Visits to both the north and south rim are possible, though the south rim is more developed and sees the large majority of visitors. Virtually all visitors stay on the rim, where the readings below were taken, so they are accurate for most people. Black canyon, colorado crystalline rock walls and startling depths. The black canyon of the gunnison was declared a national monument in 1933 but it wasnt until 1999 that the 30,750 acre area was upgraded to national park status. The unmatched scenery, however, more than makes up for any inconvenience. Welcome to black canyon of the gunnison national park. Get into the black canyon of the gunnison on a boat tour. Black canyon of the gunnison maps national park maps. It is not the steepest nor the narrowest canyon in the western united states, but when you combine those two traits, it certainly wins out. Below are the free visitor guides for black canyon of the gunnison national park. Learn about which of our facilities can meet your needs. This is the complete black canyon of the gunnison map from the official brochure, showing the viewpoints, roads, and major trails.
The black canyon of the gunnisons unique and spectacular landscape was formed slowly by the action of water and rock scouring down through hard proterozoic crystalline rock. Nov 05, 20 a portion of the black canyon of the gunnison national park is classified as wilderness to ensure that the landscape will remain forever in its natural state. Black canyon of the gunnison national park is a designated international dark sky park and offers summer stargazing programs annually. Black canyon of the gunnison national park is located in westcentral colorado, where the gunnison river has cut a deep and narrow canyon. Black canyon of the gunnison national park national park.
Aug 17, 2014 the black canyon is located in western colorado a short 30 minutes drive outside of a town called montrose. These days over 230,000 people flock to the rugged wilderness of the black canyon of. Provincial park used by some members of the rasc calgary centre. Black canyon of the gunnison national park trip planner. There is also a campground at the bottom of the canyon called east portal. The black canyon is located in western colorado a short 30 minutes drive outside of a town called montrose. First, stop at the visitor center to see the exhibits and get an understanding of how this phenomenal canyon was created. In the mid 1880s, an audacious act of engineering brought a railroad into the black canyon to harvest silver and gold in the region and it remained in operation until 1955. The black canyon of the gunnison national park is certainly less famous than that other national park featuring a canyon. Rocky, highangle landscape both repels casual visitors and conceals the canyons secrets. No other canyon in north america combines the narrow opening, sheer walls, and startling depths offered by the black canyon of the gunnison. Take a trip to grand lake from water activities and outdoor recreation to cultural sights and rustic accommodations, grand lake is a. Nov 28, 2012 black canyon, colorado crystalline rock walls and startling depths. September 2006 four friends morgan luver, kansas kelly, scotott, judy and myself and myself visited the black canyon of the gunnison national park outside of montrose.
Classic adventures standing on the rim of infinity, black canyon of the gunnison. The gunnison river has been hard at work over the past two million years, carving out the sheer cliffs and towering spires that today make up black canyon of the gunnison national park. Curecanti national recreation area, black canyon of the gunnison national park, co 81230. The 10 best black canyon of the gunnison national park hotels. This trip is a gentle float down the gunnison river into the canyon just outside the parks boundaries. Portions of the epic film true grit were filmed in black canyon. While the people of the ute bands knew of the black canyon of the gunnison, it was an obscure geographic feature to explorers for hundreds of years. But what it lacks in notoriety, it makes up for with drama. Black canyon of the gunnison, blackstone river valley, bryce canyon, cabrillo, cape. Amenities are few at black canyon of the gunnison national park just picnic areas with heartstopping views and campgrounds filled with wildlife. Black canyon of the gunnison national park for ios free. Read more about explore black canyon of the gunnison national park. The national park service is modifying its operations on a parkbypark basis in accordance with.
The black canyon of the gunnison is one of americas least known and most inscrutable national parks. Sunset over the painted wall above the gunnison river in black canyon of the gunnison national park, colorado. The steep walls of black canyon range in depth from 2700 to 1750 feet. Apr 26, 2016 weather of black canyon of the gunnison national park. Nov 05, 2009 sheer walls of dark gray stone rise more than 2,700 feet above the swift and turbulent gunnison river to create one of the most dramatic canyons in the country. The painted wall is the tallest sheer cliff in colorado at 2,250 vertical feet 690 m. A portion of the black canyon of the gunnison national park is classified as wilderness to ensure that the landscape will remain forever in its natural state. Big enough to be overwhelming, still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time, black canyon of the gunnison exposes you to some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in north america. Plan your visit black canyon of the gunnison national park u. It was established as a national monument in 1933 and was elevated to national park status in 1999. There are several native plants that are found within this national park such as desert mahogany, ponderosa pine, aspen, gambel oak, singleleaf ash, and utah juniper. History of black canyon of the gunnison black canyon oh. The spanish were the first europeans to canvas western colorado with two expeditions, one led by juan rivera in 1765, and the other by fathers dominguez and escalante in 1776. These days over 230,000 people flock to the rugged wilderness of the black canyon of the gunnison.
Accueil usa colorado black canyon of the gunnison np. It is a flat, spreadout agricultural community with some great amenities for families. Jun 25, 2016 the black canyon of the gunnison was declared a national monument in 1933 but it wasnt until 1999 that the 30,750 acre area was upgraded to national park status. I was requested to complete special projects for the national park service director, the. Black canyon of the gunnison national park, montrose, co. Black canyon of the gunnison national park youtube. Black canyon weather report, historic temperatures and climate info. In just 48 miles in black canyon the gunnison river loses more elevation than the 1,500mile mississippi river does from minnesota to the gulf of. A railroad was built to take tourists through the bottom of the canyon read the story of this railroad, which was finally abandoned in 1955, here. Black canyon of the gunnison national park hikes in black canyon of the gunnison national park trails on the monuments rims range from short, easy walks to moderate to strenuous hikes of several miles. Take a trip to grand lake from water activities and outdoor recreation to cultural sights and rustic accommodations, grand lake is a cantmiss summer destination in.
This is, after all, a wild and spectacular national park, not. Black canyon of the gunnison national park getting there. Black canyon of the gunnison national park is an american national park located in western colorado and managed by the national park service. Black canyon provides a unique vertical environment for wildlife. The precambrian gneiss and schist that make up the majority of the steep walls of the black canyon formed 1. Black canyon of the gunnison national park poster x 19 printed on conservation an environmentally responsible, 100% recycled, domestically produced paper stock each limited edition poster is numbered and signed by the artist. Asp vbscript, dhtml javascripting, html, adobe creative suite 5 dreamweaver, photoshop, illustrator, indesign. Narrow gauge railroad through black canyon black canyon. Apr 26, 2016 welcome to the black canyon of the gunnison national park information page. The driver didnt slow down or show any interest in talking to anyone, and i. Sep 12, 2016 if you are planning a trip to colorados black canyon of the gunnison national park, we highly recommend the concessionaire boat tour that goes into the canyon via the curecanti national recreation area. The canyon stretches for 77 km 48 mi, with the deepest and most striking 19 km 12 mi section sitting inside the park. The gunnison river within black canyon of the gunnison national park is well known for outstanding trout fishing.
Check out my porcupine the black canyon is a really deep. Apr, 2010 hemmed in by ancient volcanic rocks, the gunnison river carved a narrow canyon with monolithic rock walls that rise over 2,000 feet above the river. An ultimate comprehensive guide to black canyon national park camp ground details. Winter daytime temperatures range between 20 to 40f 6 to 4c, nights 10 to 20f 23 to 6c. Hikes in black canyon of the gunnison national park frommers. The 10 best black canyon of the gunnison national park. Over its 48mile run through the black canyon, the gunnison now drops over 4,600farther than the mississippi falls over its entire 1,500 mile course. Black canyon of the gunnison national park the greatest. See what else made the list read about colorados three other national parks watch a video about black canyon. Visitors to black canyon of the gunnison still echo the same sentiments offered in 1882 by h. This western colorado national park s main feature is the black canyon and the river that cuts through it, but it is also home to an amazing array of flora and fauna such as pronghorn, black bear, coyote, muskrat, six species of lizard, cougar, raccoon, beaver, elk, river otter, bobcat, and mule deer.