Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park guides
11 in-depth guides to Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, in reading order: what to see, how to get around, and what to know before you go. Back to the Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park overview.
Two Rims, No Bridge: Planning Your Route
The canyon divides the park into two sides, and no bridge or road crosses it to connect the North and South Rims.
Winter on the Rim: Skiing and Closures
In winter, vehicles cannot go past the South Rim Visitor Center at Gunnison Point. When staff and snow allow, the road beyond is groomed for skate and classic cross-country skiing as well as snowshoeing, and it then becomes the South Rim Ski and Snowshoe Trail.
Painted Wall and Chasm View: The Canyon's Core
Painted Wall is the tallest sheer cliff in Colorado, rising 2,250 feet. Lighter-colored pegmatite dikes stand out clearly across its face.
South Rim Drive: Twelve Overlooks to High Point
South Rim Drive is a paved scenic road that follows the canyon rim for seven miles, running from Tomichi Point to High Point.
Inner Canyon Routes: Gunnison, Warner, Red Rock
Anyone who travels below the rim needs a Wilderness Use Permit. The inner canyon has no maintained or marked trails.
Dark Sky Park Stargazing and Astro Fest
Black Canyon of the Gunnison was certified as an International Dark Sky Park in September 2015, and the National Park Service works to keep its night sky dark.
Gold Medal Trout on the Gunnison
The Gunnison River flowing through the park carries two designations, Gold Medal Water and Wild Trout Water.
Why the Black Canyon Is Black
The Black Canyon gets its name from its shadows. Its walls are so steep and the gorge so narrow that in some spots sunlight reaches the rock for only 33 minutes a day.
From 1933 Monument to Wilderness Park
The site became a national monument on March 2, 1933. On October 21, 1999, the site was elevated to a national park.
Camping Beside the Painted Wall
Camping inside the park is limited to designated campgrounds. Two of them sit on opposite rims, and a third, East Portal, lies at the bottom of the canyon.
North Rim Road: CCC-Built Historic Drive
The North Rim Road is a scenic drive along the rugged north side of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
