Black Canyon of the Gunnison
National Monument

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. No other canyon in North America combines the narrow opening, sheer walls, and startling depths offered by the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

VISITATION: (58k monthly table of 20 years)

230,000 visitors per year. The majority of people visit the South Rim, between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

LOCATION:

Maps available to view.

The park is located approximately 250 miles SW of Denver.

South Rim: 15 miles east of Montrose, via U.S. Hwy 50 and CO Hwy 347

North Rim: 11 miles south of Crawford, via CO Hwy 92 and North Rim Road (closed in winter)

The park shares its eastern boundary with Curecanti National Recreation Area.

ADDRESS:

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument/
Curecanti National Recreation Area
102 Elk Creek
Gunnison, CO 81230

EMAIL:

For information requests: cure_vis_mail@nps.gov

TELEPHONE:

(970) 641-2337

For general information, call the South Rim Visitor Center at (970) 249-1914 ext 23.

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

South Rim: Open every day, limited access in winter. All of the South Rim road is now open for the season.

North Rim: Open every day, North Rim Road and ranger station are closed in winter.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Weather can vary greatly between the canyon rim and canyon floor.

Summer daytime temperatures range between 60 to 100F (15 to 38C), nights 30 to 50F (-1 to 10C)

Winter daytime temperatures range between 20 to 40F (-6 to 4C), nights -10 to 20F (-23 to -6C)

Precipitation is minimal, brief afternoon thunderstorms can occur during the summer.

Layered clothing appropriate for the season is recommended.

DIRECTIONS:

South Rim: East of Montrose on U.S. Hwy 50, 8 miles; north on CO Hwy 347, then 6 miles to park entrance.

North Rim: CO Hwy 92 to Crawford, follow signs to North Rim Road, North Rim Road (unpaved) to park, 11 miles (North Rim Road closed in winter).

TRANSPORTATION:

By air: Commercial airlines to Montrose, Gunnison, Grand Junction

By bus: To Montrose, Gunnison, Grand Junction

By train: To Grand Junction

In Park: No public transportation available, car rentals are available at airports.

FEES, COST, RATES:

Golden Eagle, Age and Access Passports are honored.

South and North Rim: $7.00/vehicle/per week entrance fee.
$15 annual entrance pass for Black Canyon is available.
$8.00/night camping fee.

 

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Visitor Center/Exhibits:

South Rim: Visitor Center is staffed and open daily year-round, except winter Federal holidays.

North Rim: Ranger Station is open intermittently during the summer, closed in winter.

Trails, Roads:

Detailed information is available for Black Canyon trails.

South Rim: South Rim Drive is 7 miles long with 12 overlooks.

Oak Flat trail is a moderate to strenuous 2-mile round-trip near the visitor center offering spectacular views of the canyon including the narrows.

Warner Point trail is a moderate to strenuous 1 1/2 mile round-trip at the High Point Overlook. The trail includes a self-guiding portion -- be sure to pick up a trail guide.

North Rim: North Rim Drive (unpaved) is 5 miles long,with 6 overlooks.

North Vista trail travels from the ranger station 1 1/2 miles to Exclamation Point. This portion is considered a moderate hike offering several overlooks. An extension of 2 more strenuous miles brings you to Green Mountain, rewarding you with panoramic vistas of the San Juan and West Elk mountain ranges, the Grand Mesa and the Uncompahgre Plateau.

Deadhorse trail is an easy to moderate 2 1/2 mile (one way) hike offering good views of Deadhorse Gulch and the East Portal area of the Gunnison River.

Programs/Activities:

South Rim: Ranger conducted walks,and evening programs are offered daily in the summer (Memorial Day through late September). Winter treks, moonlight ski tours and snowshoe hikes are offered this winter on weekends. Call for reservations for winter activities!

North Rim: Ranger conducted programs are available by special arrangement in the summer.

Education Outreach: Preschool through graduate level programs are available. Curriculum is based on content standards established to guide student learning in Colorado Schools.
Our revised 1998-99 education page now contains all the curriculum pages and pre-site and post-site activities!

Lodging and camping facilities:

Camping:

South Rim: 102 sites (rarely full), water available

North Rim: 13 sites (occasionally full), water available

Other lodging:

For motel/hotels, cabins or other campgrounds outside of the park, please call the Montrose Visitors and Convention Bureau at (970) 249-6360 or (800) 873-0244, Delta County Tourism at (800) 436-3041 or the Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce at (970) 641-1501

Food/supplies:

South Rim: The Rim House (coffee shop and gifts), at Pulpit Rock, is open daily mid May to late September.

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:

None.

Bookstores:

Visit our new on-line bookstore outlet!
We also have a sales outlet in the South Rim Visitor Center operated by Southwest Parks and Monuments Association, a nonprofit organization.

Accessibility:

South Rim: Accessible Visitor Center, comfort stations and 2 accessible camping sites.

Accessible overlooks-Tomichi Point, Chasm View, and Sunset View.

North Rim: Accessible overlook-Balanced Rock.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Spectacular drive-up viewing, short walks to many canyon overlooks, hiking trails and routes, wildlife viewing, birding, camping, picnicking, photography, fishing (physically demanding access), bouldering, inner-canyon hiking and climbing.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

Camping is first-come/first-served, no reservations are accepted.

Backcountry permits (free) are required for all inner-canyon travel; the routes to the river, for kayaking and for bouldering and rock climbing.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Prepare yourself for 2,000 ft, narrow canyon walls dropping almost vertically to the Gunnison River. Many of the overlooks are easily accessed by car and very short walks.

Interpretive programs are offered all summer. Evening programs are presented at the South Rim campground, seven nights per week. Nature walks are available daily.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

Education Outreach designed to meet State of Colorado Content Standards. Preschool through post-baccalaureate programs offered.

VISITOR IMPACTS:

When snow closes the South Rim Road, the NPS plows to the South Rim visitor center only, to allow cross-country skiing activity. Previously closed in winter, the visitor center is now open all year.

Last Updated:Monday, 02-Aug-99 15:32:34
http://www.nps.gov/blca/