Famous for its deep abyss and cliff walls almost perpetually shrouded in darkness, Colorado’s Black Canyon of the Guinnison attracts thousands of tourists per year from all over the country. It was designated a national wilderness area in 1976.
Although formally recognized as a national park in 1999 and now managed by the National Park Services, nearly 15,000 acres of this natural wonder are still considered wilderness and home to pristine areas filled with unique and undisturbed wildlife.
Activities
The canyon also offers a wide variety of recreational activities for every kind of tourist. Casual visitors craving for scenic landscapes may enjoy the breathtaking view of the Black Canyon of the Guinnison afforded by several of the highways heading to the canyon. For more adventurous types, the canyon wilderness is a great haunt for hikers and rock-climbers.
The Black Canyon is not recommended for beginners of either of these activities, however, and the National Park Services warn any potential climber or hiker to be aware of the difficulty of the canyon’s terrain. Kayaking at the Guinnison River is also a featured activity, but it has been described as challenging even by expert kayakers, and the park management advise kayakers to proceed at their own risk.
On the other hand, fishing at the river is highly recommended as the Guinnison River is designated as a Gold Medal Water making it a prime spot for catching large trout.
Getting There
The Black Canyon of the Guinnison can be entered either from the North or South Rim of the canyon. The South Rim can be accessed by driving east from the town of Montrose while the North Rim can be accessed by driving south from Crawford. There are stations at both entrances where visitors can pay for their entrance fee and acquire free wilderness use permits.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness. Photo: Erin Drake
Nearby Towns: Montrose and Crawford
Season: Year round
Established: 1976
Management: NPS
Website: nps.gov/…
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