Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Travel Information
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of many awe-inspiring canyons
carved by the Colorado River system. Here, the Gunnison River has
sliced sharply into the rock, leaving behind rugged dark cliffs that
give the canyon its name. Unlike the Grand Canyon, Black Canyon is
narrow and steep, and at some places visitors can look over an edge
for heart-stopping views 2,000 feet straight down. In addition to
scenic vistas, the Black Canyon offers a number of activities for more
adventurous travelers. Steep trails lead to the bottom of the canyon,
and the wild river below offers great trout fishing for anglers.
Rafters can float the Gunnison west of the park boundaries, and
experienced kayakers may brave the dangerous waters that run through
the park itself. A wide variety of wildlife can be seen in the
Black Canyon area, from deer and elk to dozens of varieties of birds.
Particularly on the isolated North Rim, the low traffic gives visitors
a much better chance to see wildlife than at busier parks. Black
Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is in western Colorado, about 80
miles southeast of Grand Junction and 200 miles west of Pueblo. To
learn more about the park, select a topic of interest from the
left-hand column.
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