Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Colorado

The canyon of the Gunnison, also known as Black Canyon, serves-up some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rocks, and rocky spires anywhere in North America, including the Grand Canyon. The Gunnison River, with the help of weathering forces, has sculpted these vertically expenses that, in some cases, contain entire ecosystems.

Even if you’re not a die-hard geology fan, there’s a good chance this park has something for you. Nature trails, mountain biking and hiking trails, rock climbing routes, and horseback riding paths can all be had within the confines of this 231-acre natural wonderland. Anglers will rejoice in the healthy trout schools that populate the Gunnison River. The area’s mule deer are also known to frequent the river’s shallow shores, as well.

Before you go about hiking the canyon south rim and north rim, make sure you’ve got your camping situation all squared away. Roughly a hundred sites exist within the park’s three designated campgrounds, with those located at the South Rim campground boasting electrical hookups, watering stations, vault toilets, picnic tables, and more. Those site dotted in the North Rim and East Portal campgrounds are primitive and only accessible by walking in.

A word to the wise: Those who want to camp here during the winter months, make sure to bundle up, because temps can drop into single digits come nightfall.