Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is an outdoor activity in Montrose, CO, part of the San Juan Mountains guide. Cost: $25 to $50. South Rim Road beyond the visitor center usually open to vehicles late April to mid-November; North Rim Road closed to vehicles in winter.

9800 Highway 347 · Montrose, CO

Why you should go…

The Gunnison River cut this narrow, steep-walled canyon, and you see it from wooden-fenced overlooks along the South Rim and North Rim drives. The Painted Wall, at 2,250 feet, is the tallest sheer cliff in Colorado, and at its narrowest the canyon is only 40 feet wide at the river. No road or bridge connects the two rims. You can hike rim trails, watch for bighorn sheep, and stay after dark, since the park is an International Dark Sky Park.

#national park
#canyon
#scenic drive
#hiking
#stargazing

What's around here?

The closest stops to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

Shopping
Outdoor Adventure
Ed's Fly Shop
Free
A downtown Montrose fly fishing shop with rods, flies and tying supplies, plus casting lessons and fly tying classes.
11 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping
Sightseeing
Outdoor Adventure
Montrose
Free
Western Colorado city serving as the main gateway to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
12 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing
Sport & Outdoor
Outdoor Adventure
Montrose Anglers
Free
A Montrose fly shop and guide service on Mayfly Drive offering float and wade trips on the Gunnison and Uncompahgre rivers.
12 mi awayMore like this
Sport & Outdoor
Outdoor Adventure
Top Edge Rentals
$50+
Powersports rental outfitter renting UTVs, ATVs, boats, jet skis and snowmobiles for exploring the Montrose area.
12 mi awayMore like this
Tours
Local Gem
RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service
$50+
Full-service fly shop and guided fly fishing outfitter on Colorado's Western Slope rivers.
28 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours
Sport & Outdoor
Outdoor Adventure
Alpenglow Rentals
$50+
Jeep, UTV and snowmobile rentals for self-guided backcountry trips around Crested Butte and Gunnison.
41 mi awayMore like this