Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Overview

Black Canyon of the Gunnison plunges 2,722 feet at its deepest point, making it one of the steepest, narrowest canyons in North America. The Gunnison River spent two million years cutting through Precambrian gneiss and schist — rock nearly two billion years old — creating walls so sheer and close together that sunlight reaches the canyon floor for only 33 minutes per day at its narrowest point. The dark rock and perpetual shadow give the canyon its name. The South Rim Road provides the most dramatic overlooks, with twelve viewpoints along a seven-mile drive where you can peer straight down into the abyss. Painted Wall, the tallest cliff in Colorado at 2,250 feet, is streaked with pink and white pegmatite dikes that stand out against the dark rock like an abstract painting. The Gunnison Route, a Class III scramble descending a chain-assisted gully to the river, is the classic canyon descent for experienced scramblers. Most visitors experience Black Canyon from the rim, where short trails lead to vertigo-inducing overlooks. The park's compact size makes it easy to see in a single day, but campers on the South Rim are rewarded with some of Colorado's best stargazing — the park earned International Dark Sky Park status.

Things to Do

• Drive the South Rim Road to all twelve overlooks
• Photograph Painted Wall from Cedar Point
• Descend the Gunnison Route to the river
• Hike the Oak Flat Loop Trail
• Fish for trophy trout in the Gunnison River
• Stargaze at a certified Dark Sky Park
• Rock climb the canyon walls (expert only)

Wildlife

Keep an eye out for these animals during your visit:

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Warm summers with highs around 80°F on the rim and hotter in the canyon. Winter brings snow and closed roads on the North Rim. Spring and fall are ideal with comfortable temperatures.