Visiting the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a must for anyone who loves stunning natural landscapes and unique geological formations. Nestled in Colorado, this park is famous for its deep, narrow canyon sculpted by the Gunnison River over millions of years.

History

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison was first recognized as a national monument in 1933 and became a national park in 1999. It’s one of the newer national parks in the U.S. and showcases some of the planet’s oldest exposed rock, dating back nearly two billion years to the Precambrian era.

Getting There

To reach the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, you can fly into Grand Junction Airport and drive about an hour to Montrose, which is near the South Rim. Alternatively, you can drive from nearby towns like Gunnison or Crested Butte. The park is accessible via South Rim Road for scenic drives, offering breathtaking views from both the North and South Rims. Keep in mind there’s no bridge across the canyon, so traveling between rims takes about two to three hours.