Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

- The canyon is 48 miles long, the 12 steepest miles are in the National Park

- Due to the steepness of the canyon, sunlight barely penetrates the bottom of the canyon. Thus it became "Black Canyon."

- The Gunnison River runs at the bottom of the canyon, and has over time helped create the spectacular Black Canyon.

- The rocks that comprise the canyon walls are mainly 1.7 billion year old schist and Precambrian gneiss.

- The canyon was declared a National Monument on March 2, 1933.

- The canyon was designated a National Park on October 21, 1999.

- A hike down the canyon is a strenuous, unmaintained 4 hour hike, and 6 hours back

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is directly accessible via Highway 50 in Colorado, and taking the 347 north to Rim Road. Several smaller towns lie outside the park, like Gunnison, Cimarron, and Montrose, while Aspen and Grand Junction offer a different type of mountain beauty to the north. If you're staying in Denver, Black Canyon is an easy (but long) overnight trip from the city, five hours driving time each way.



Alpine Inn Of Gunnison, Gunnison,CO

A clean locally owned location with swimming pool, big continental breakfast and convenient location for your Black Canyon trip.


Super 8 Motel - Gunnison/Crested Butte Area, Gunnison,CO

Not be confused with Motel 6, this Super 8 has clean rooms, free breakfasts, and just an hour's ride to the canyon. Reviewers find this hotel one of the best in the area on Trip Advisor.


Rodeway Inn Gunnison, Gunnison,CO

Recently renovated, this Rodeway Inn is one of the most popular places to stay in the area, with glowing guests touting the hotel is "more than acceptable," and has "nice rooms, a very good rate." Simple, friendly, clean and convenient!


Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Gunnison, Gunnison,CO

This relatively new Holiday Inn Express has spotless rooms, great service and value, and is the #2 hotel in town according to Trip Advisor.


Comfort Inn Gunnison, Gunnison,CO

The Comfort Inn in Gunnison is one of the best deals in town, but may be in need of some upgrades. You might pay a little bit less for this one though than others.


Gunnison Hotel Page

Find more hotels in the Gunnison area.


Aspen Square Condominium Hotel, Aspen,CO

With amazing views of both the city and the mountains, this hotel, located just at the base of major ski destinations, has sparkling rooms and an affordable rate perfect for winter and summer travlers to Aspen.


St. Regis Resort, Aspen, Aspen,CO

Free aiport shuttles, friendly staff, and luxurious amenities await at this beautiful Aspen spa resort. Although pricey, this hotel may have some extras thrown in that will be worth every penny!


Limelight Lodge, Aspen,CO

This hotel receives nearly perfect reviews for its extraordinary views of Aspen mountains, extra large fireplace, and family owned, friendly nature of this downtown hotel!


Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Montrose-Townsend, Montrose,CO

Full breakfast, indoor and outdoor hottub, and clean, spacious rooms await you at the Holiday Inn Express at Montrose. Montrose is an easy ride from Black Canyon.



The Hampton Inn I've found is a dependable hotel that almost always is a good value. This one is no exception. A rather new construction, the property has a swimming pool, huge bathrooms, comfortable bedding, and a modern look with great customer service. Rated #1 in Montrose on Trip Advisor.


Comfort Inn Montrose, Montrose,CO

The Comfort Inn in Montrose offers one of the best deals in town, close to Black Canyon, and you can also rack up your free stays at any of the Choice Hotels (Qualitiy, Comfort, Clarion, Sleep).


Cimarron, CO Hotel page

Cimarron is one of the closest towns to the canyon. Find hotels to stay at in this nearby town here.

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Delta
Delta is 86 miles from Gunnison, and directly on Highway 50 in Colorado.

Chipeta
Home of one of the top ten inns in Colorado, the Chipeta Sun Lodge and Spa, and only 47 miles from the park.

Montrose
Montrose is right on the doorstep of Black Canyon, with many convenient well known hotels located right in town.

Sapinero
An unincorporated town outside of Black Canyon.

Gunnison
Experience the beautiful Gunnison River and nearby Black Canyon in countryside surrounded by mountains and vast wilderness.

Aspen
Renowned as a playground for celebrities and go-to ski destination in the Rockies, this beautiful town offers both luxury and supreme nature all around.

Grand Junction
Grand Junction is "Colorado's wine country," with beautiful red rock landscape, golfing opportunities, and awe inspiring vineyards that will have you coming back before you know it.

Moab, Utah
Canyonlands, Arches, and Capitol Reef National Park are all within close distance to Moab. Around 237 driving miles from Gunnison, but well worth the trip.

Denver
200 miles from Gunnison, the "Mile High City" has plenty of its own attractions, as well as the nearby Rockies.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park on nps.gov
The official page from the National Parks Service, complete with hiking guides, photos, teacher resources and maps.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wikipedia page
Used as a source for some of the facts on this lens, this page gives a good overview of the history and geology of the park.

Black Canyon on The American Southwest
Information about the rims, access, and viewpoints within the park and beyond.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison Photos
Incredible photos of the near vertical crystaline marbled walls of Black Canyon. A must-see!

Black Canyon of the Gunnison Webcam
See the canyon as it looks right now!

Bryce Canyon National ParkBryce Canyon is located in the southwestern portion of Utah, and is home to the famous red and white hoodoos spire formations, with remarkable hiking trails and scenic opportunities.

Capitol Reef National ParkA 70 mile wrinkle in the earth's crust resulted in the massive Capitol Reef area and National Park. Giant sandstone domes line the tops of this beautiful Utah plateau.

Canyonlands National ParkWind and water carved stone resulted in the area near Arches known as Canyonlands. The area boasts impressive, wide canyons, unique desert wildlife, and unmatched hiking.

Zion National ParkThe majestic Zion region has been eroded over time by the Virgin River, which slims down to the challenging hiking area of the Narrows.

Mesa Verde National ParkRemnants of a long lost culture can be found in the Colorado ruins of Mesa Verde National Park. Visit to gaze upon the incredible Puebloan Cliff Palace and ancient petroglyphs.

Monument ValleyDeep in the four corners region of the southwest is the often filmed Monument Valley reservation area. Now under the rule of the Navajo tribe, the area is open for touring, hiking and photography.

Arches National ParkSee the most natural sandstone arches anywhere in the world in Arches National Park of Moab, Utah. Erosion has left thousands of these unique stone structures standing in the park.

Black Canyon of the GunnisonDeep, black canyons leave a lasting impression in Colorado's Black Canyon of the Gunnison, with an impressive 2700 foot drop over into the Gunnison River.

Great Basin National ParkGreat Basin National Park contains the beautiful underground Lehman's Cave, and the mammoth peak of Mount Wheeler. Hike the area from its 13,000 feet peak, to beneath the earth's surface.

The Grand CanyonThe Grand Canyon is one of the wonders of the world, with an unforgettable hiking, photography, and road trip experience.