| Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park | |
Things to Do:
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers a variety of activities depending on your personal interests. To make the most of your visit to the park, stop off at the South Rim Visitor Center, which is located at Gunnison Point, two miles from the south rim entrance station on the South Rim Drive. It is open daily throughout the summer and most days of the week during the rest of the year. It features a digital video theater with two orientation programs.
Scenic Drives
If you have limited time to visit the park, combine a scenic drive with some short walks. The South Rim Drive is 7 miles from Tomichi Point to High Point, with 10 overlooks in between. Most are reached by walking a short trail. The South Rim Drive beyond Gunnison Point is closed in the winter.
The North Rim is reached by taking a gravel road from the east end of Crawford Lake State Recreation Area. The North Rim Drive provides access to 6 overlooks. The canyon walls on the North Rim are almost vertical, offering some of the most impressive views found in the national park. The North Rim Drive is closed in winter.
The East Portal Road provides access to the Gunnison River and into Curecanti National Recreation Area where camping, picnicking and fishing are available. The road is extremely steep (16% grades) with hairpin curves.
Hiking Trails
Black Canyon offers opportunities for hiking north rim trails, south rim trails, and inner-canyon routes. Rim trails are well established hikes ranging in difficulty from easy to strenuous and remain along the canyon rim. No permits are necessary for rim trails. Inner-canyon routes are unmarked, extremely difficult routes to the bottom of the canyon. These hikes should only be attempted by individuals in excellent physical condition. Permits are required for all inner-canyon routes.
Other Activities
The Gunnison River within the park is designated as "Gold Medal Water" because it provides outstanding angling opportunities for large trout. The Gold Medal Waters begin at the boundary of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area and continue downstream to the North Fork of the Gunnison River.
Rafting opportunities are available in the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area west of the National Park. Several outfitters offer guided raft trips on this section of the river. Kayaking on the Gunnison River through the park is extremely challenging and is only for only the most experienced and well-equipped kayakers. The river is categorized as Class V if the portage within the Narrows between 18-foot Torrence Falls and SOB Camp is taken.
During the winter months the South Rim Drive is not plowed, allowing the road to become a ski trail. The six mile (one-way) trail affords access to the overlooks. The upper part of the Oak Flat Loop and Rim Rock Trail are excellent treks for snowshoeing.
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Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park |
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