Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
National Park ยท Colorado
NPS Photo/Lynch
National park in Colorado, US
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a national park of the United States located in western Colorado and managed by the National Park Service. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison was established as a national monument on March 2, 1933. It was redesignated a national park on October 21, 1999, and incorporated 4,000 acres owned by the Bureau of Land Management. The Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area was created at the same time. There are two primary entrances to the park: the south rim entrance is located 15 miles (24ย km) east of Montrose, while the north rim entrance is 11 miles (18ย km) south of Crawford and is closed in the winter. The park contains 12 miles (19ย km) of the 48-mile-long (77ย km) Gunnison River. The national park itself contains the deepest and most dramatic section of the canyon, but the canyon continues upstream into Curecanti National Recreation Area and downstream into Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area. The canyon's name owes itself to the fact that parts of the gorge only receive 33 minutes of sunlight a day, according to Images of America: The Black Canyon of the Gunnison. In the book, author Duane Vandenbusche states, "Several canyons of the American West are longer and some are deeper, but none combines the depth, sheerness, narrowness, darkness, and dread of the Black Canyon."
About Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
Big enough to be overwhelming, yet still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time. Come see some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. Forces of nature and the Gunnison River sculpted this canyon over two million years. The result is a vertical wilderness of rock, water, and sky.
Park Photos
Activities
Operating Hours
South Rim
The South Rim is open 24 hours a day.
| mon | tue | wed | thu | fri | sat | sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Day | All Day | All Day | All Day | All Day | All Day | All Day |
North Rim
The park is open 24 hours a day, but the North Rim Road and ranger station are closed in winter and early spring. The road typically closes mid-November and reopens early May.
| mon | tue | wed | thu | fri | sat | sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Day | All Day | All Day | All Day | All Day | All Day | All Day |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to enter Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park?
Entrance - Private Vehicle: $30.00. 7-Day Vehicle Pass. Entrance fees cover all persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle. Entrance - Motorcycle: $25.00. Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. Entrance - Per Person: $15.00. 7-Day Individual Pass (pedestrian or bicycle) Commercial Entrance - Sedan: $25.00. Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 1-6 persons. Fee is $25.00 per vehicle plus $7.00 per passenger. Commercial Entrance - Van: $40.00. Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 7-25. Fee is $40.00 per vehicle. Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus: $40.00. Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 7-25. Fee is $40.00 per vehicle. Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach: $100.00. Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 26 or more. Fee is $100.00 per vehicle. Entrance - Non-commercial Groups: $30.00. Non-commercial vehicles with a vehicle capacity of 15 or fewer: $30.00 per vehicle, regardless of the number of passengers. Entrance - Non-commercial Groups: $15.00. Non-commercial vehicles with a vehicle capacity of 16 or greater: $15.00 per passenger (including driver). Fees will not exceed the commercial fee for the same-sized vehicle. Youth 15 and under are free. Individuals or families with any valid Annual or Lifetime pass may use their pass for entry at the per-person rate. Pass and photo ID must be presented upon entry.
What are the best activities at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park?
Popular activities at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park include: Astronomy, Stargazing, Camping, Backcountry Camping, Car or Front Country Camping, RV Camping, Climbing, Rock Climbing.
What is the weather like at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park?
Today's Weather: http://www.weather.com/weather/today/l/NPBLCA:13:US CLIMATE Weather can vary greatly throughout the day. Summer daytime temperatures range between 55 to 90F (13 to 32C), nights 45 to 60F (7 to 16C). Winter daytime temperatures range between 15 to 40F (-9 to 4C), nights 10 to 20F (-12 to -6C). Afternoon thunderstorms are common during the summer. Snow accumulation varies greatly year to year. Layered clothing appropriate for the season is recommended.
How do I get to Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park?
South Rim: 7 miles north on CO Highway 347 from the intersection with U.S. Highway 50 east of Montrose. Physical/GPS address is: 9800 Highway 347, Montrose, CO 81401 North Rim: 11 miles southwest of Crawford, Colorado. From CO Highway 92, turn west on Black Canyon Road approximately 3 miles south of Crawford. Follow the road signs to the park.
Entrance Fees
7-Day Vehicle Pass. Entrance fees cover all persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle.
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
7-Day Individual Pass (pedestrian or bicycle)
Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 1-6 persons. Fee is $25.00 per vehicle plus $7.00 per passenger.
Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 7-25. Fee is $40.00 per vehicle.
Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 7-25. Fee is $40.00 per vehicle.
Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 26 or more. Fee is $100.00 per vehicle.
Non-commercial vehicles with a vehicle capacity of 15 or fewer: $30.00 per vehicle, regardless of the number of passengers.
Non-commercial vehicles with a vehicle capacity of 16 or greater: $15.00 per passenger (including driver). Fees will not exceed the commercial fee for the same-sized vehicle. Youth 15 and under are free. Individuals or families with any valid Annual or Lifetime pass may use their pass for entry at the per-person rate. Pass and photo ID must be presented upon entry.
Weather
Today's Weather: http://www.weather.com/weather/today/l/NPBLCA:13:US CLIMATE Weather can vary greatly throughout the day. Summer daytime temperatures range between 55 to 90F (13 to 32C), nights 45 to 60F (7 to 16C). Winter daytime temperatures range between 15 to 40F (-9 to 4C), nights 10 to 20F (-12 to -6C). Afternoon thunderstorms are common during the summer. Snow accumulation varies greatly year to year. Layered clothing appropriate for the season is recommended.
Directions
South Rim: 7 miles north on CO Highway 347 from the intersection with U.S. Highway 50 east of Montrose. Physical/GPS address is: 9800 Highway 347, Montrose, CO 81401 North Rim: 11 miles southwest of Crawford, Colorado. From CO Highway 92, turn west on Black Canyon Road approximately 3 miles south of Crawford. Follow the road signs to the park.
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Official Resources
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