Gunnison River
Gunnison River is a high-desert Colorado waterway known for steep canyons and blue-ribbon trout fishing, running from the continental divide to the Colorado Plateau.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Colorado Plateau |
| Subregion | Western United States |
| Country | United States |
| State | Colorado |
| County | Gunnison County |
| Timezone | AmericaDenver |
| Latitude | 38.766 |
| Longitude | -107.016 |
| Maps |
7:14 PM LOCAL TIMEGunnison River originates high in the San Juan Mountains at North Fork near Creede and flows southwest through dramatic canyons such as Black Canyon of the Gunnison to reach the high plains near Grand Junction. The river carves steep, narrow chasms and supports class IV rapids and populations of native Bonneville cutthroat trout. Crossings are limited and access varies; key points include the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and tributary confluences like the Taylor River and Lower Gunnison. The river's upper reaches are tributary-rich and colder, while downstream sections open into broader valleys, making it a complex and rewarding route for whitewater paddling, backcountry fishing, and landscape photography.
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