The Black Canyon National Park, Colorado
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (NPS Photo).
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is an awesome part of any Colorado vacation, for it’s uniqueness and proximity to interesting Colorado towns, such as Gunnison, Crested Butte and Grand Junction.
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (NPS Photo).
The Black Canyon, carved out by Colorado’s Gunnison River, consists of two types of rock, one hard, one soft (by rock standards) because of this, the river carved the canyon out of the soft rock, but left behind giant pyramid-shaped rock formations rising from the middle of the canyon.
Location: The park is approximately 250 miles SW of Denver. The Canyon’s South rim is 15 miles east of Montrose, Colorado, via U.S. Hwy 50 and CO Hwy 347. It’s North rim: 11 miles south of Crawford, via CO Hwy 92 and North Rim Road (closed in winter).
Directions:
To the South Rim: Head east from Montrose on U.S. Hwy 50, 8 miles; north on CO Hwy 347, then 6 miles to park entrance.
To the North Rim: On CO Hwy 92 to Crawford, follow the signs to North Rim Road, North Rim Road (unpaved) to park, 11 miles (North Rim Road closed in winter).
Seasons: The South Rim entrance is open every day, but with limited access in winter. The North Rim Road and ranger station are closed in winter.
Transportation Fly into Montrose, Gunnison or Grand Junction. No public transportation available in the park, car rentals are available at airports.
Contact: email: cure_vis_mail@nps.gov. Call the South Rim Visitor Center at (970) 249-1915 ext 18.
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