• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Towns
  • Lodging
  • Dining
  • Transportation
  • Brands
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Towns
  • Lodging
  • Dining
  • Transportation
  • Brands
  • Search
Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area
Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area. Photo: visitmontrose.com

Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area – Montrose

FacebookTwitter

The gorgeous Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area contains a rugged mixture of adobe badlands, canyons and piñon and juniper covered mountains. It’s located north of Montrose and southeast of Delta on Colorado’s Western Slope.

Established in 1999, the 62,844-acre NCA is popular for a vast amount of outdoor recreation, primarily from May through October. You can access the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area from multiple routes, originating in both Delta and Montrose.

In the middle of the NCA lies the 17,784-acre Gunnison Gorge Wilderness. It showcases a magnificent double canyon formed by the Gunnison River, made of black granite and red sandstone. The Flat Top-Peach Valley and Gunnison River Recreation Area also call the NCA home.

Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area Rafting Gunnison River
Rafting the Gunnison River. Photo: BLM

Activities

Archeological Sites – Native American rock art can be found on the canyon walls. There are also historic mines to be seen.

Biking/Hiking – Mountain biking is prime here, as are hiking through the area’s many trails.

Boating – Whitewater rafting on the Gunnison River is challenging on the within the park. There are a number of commercial outfitters guiding trips.

Camping – There are three campgrounds spread throughout, in south, middle and north.

  • Read about the camping near Paonia, Hotchkiss and Crawford.

Fishing – The Gunnison River has world-class, gold medal trout waters.

Horseback Riding – Permitted in sections of the park.

Hunting – Permitted in sections of the NCA during appropriate seasons.

OHV – Off highway vehicles are commonplace in the Flat Top Peach Valley area.

Gunnison River overlook. Photo: BLM
Canyon overlook. Photo: BLM
Hiking down to the Gunnison River. Photo: BLM
Dirt biker in Gunnison Gorge. Photo: BLM
Campsite on the Gunnison River. Photo: BLM
Dirt biking down the hill. Photo: BLM
Beautiful overlook in Gunnison Gorge. Photo: BLM
Wild parsley, or Fendler's biscuitroot, is common in this part of the Colorado desert. Photo: CAJC: in the Rockies
Horsebacking riding through Gunnison Gorge. Photo: BLM

Details

Address: 2465 South Townsend Ave, Montrose, CO

Nearby Towns: Delta, Crawford

Phone: 970-240-1411

Season: Year round

Established: 1999

Acres: 62,844

Maps:

  • Gunnison Gorge NCA (pdf)
  • Gunnison Gorge NCA (jpg)

Website: blm.gov/…

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. —and never miss out again.

Recent Posts

  • Unwind at these Colorado Yoga Retreats
  • 28 Best Colorado Vacations Destinations
  • Famous Colorado Riots & Protests
  • 9 Famous Colorado Craft Beers
  • The Best Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants in Denver

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Disclaimer
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Visit Mile High Happy Hour for Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Spring Activities

  • Camping
  • Federal Lands
  • Ghost Towns
  • Hot Springs
  • Scenic Drives
  • Skiing and Snowboarding
  • State Parks
  • Waterfalls

Vacation like a VIP! Leisurely Lifestyle shares life and travel hacks, as well as cheap luxury travel.

Copyright © 2022 · Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise