Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a fierce, narrow gorge etched into granite by the Gunnison River, offering vertical drops, steep cliffs, and options for intensive rim hiking and whitewater rafting. Thanks to near-vertical walls and exposed vistas, visitors experience some of North America's most dramatic canyon scenery in a relatively compact park setting.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Colorado Plateau |
| Subregion | Four Corners region |
| Country | United States |
| State | Colorado |
| County | Gunnison County |
| District | Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park |
| City | Gunnison |
| Timezone | AmericaDenver |
| Latitude | 38.58 |
| Longitude | -107.72 |
| Maps |
12:53 PM LOCAL TIMEBlack Canyon of the Gunnison is a major North American river canyon known for its extremely steep granite walls that plunge directly to the Gunnison River). Carved over millennia, the canyon’s near-vertical cliffs in many places approach 2,700 feet of height while the river cuts through at around 6000 feet of elevation, creating a dramatic drop of 2,400+ feet in a few miles. The park's minimal developed infrastructure prioritizes viewpoints, rim hikes, and whitewater access rather than large visitor complexes. Key lookouts like Gore Road Overlook and Painted Wall offer expansive views; rim trails provide high-contrast panoramas of bare granite and the canyon floor. Below, the Gunnison narrows into tight channels, rapids, and waterfalls, popular with rafters and kayakers. The landscape is shaped by resilient granite, sparse desert plantings, and exposed rock, making it best experienced in dry months. Activities emphasize scenic driving, short rim hikes, river trips, and backcountry camping—but visitors should come prepared for high sun, wind, and steep terrain.
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