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Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Montrose, CO

Photo: Terry Foote, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

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Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

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

Good to know

General sport & outdoor guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Weather calls the shots

    Check the forecast the morning of and keep an indoor backup in your pocket for the day it turns.

  • Shoes, water, sun cover

    The three things that decide whether you last the whole outing or cut it short after an hour.

  • Parking and launches fill early

    On a nice weekend, lots and trailheads are often full by mid-morning.

  • Daylight shrinks in shoulder season

    Spring and fall visits need an earlier start than the same trip in July.

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.

  • 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

    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

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Ridgway

    Free

    A small San Juan Mountains gateway town known for its state park, hot springs and arts district.

    28 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • 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

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Telluride Ski Resort

    $50+

    Ski and snowboard more than 2,000 acres of San Juan terrain in winter, then ride the free gondola to bike, hike and zipline in summer.

    44 mi awayMore like this