Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Location:  Colorado

Established:  October 21, 1999

The deep, narrow canyon is the product of two million years of work by the Gunnison River and the constant forces of weathering.  Other canyons in America are longer or deeper, but no other combines the depth, narrowness, sheerness and somber countenance of the Black Canyon — plunging an awe-inspiring 2,700 feet to the Gunnison River below.  Here’s a visual that will give you a sense for the depth and length of the canyon — "Imagine chiseling two parallel walls of hard gneiss and schist running the length of Manhattan and standing higher than two Empire State Buildings stacked atop one another."  

While you can easily explore the park by car (7 mile South Rim Road has 12 spectacular overlooks, including Chasm View and Painted Wall), one of the best ways to see the park is to take a Ranger-led boat tour on Morrow Point Reservoir, which is part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area.  The Morrow Point Boat Tour experience begins with a hike down Pine Creek Trail, which descends a series of 232 stairs to the canyon floor, followed by a 3/4 mile hike alongside the Gunnison River.   The boat tour takes you on a scenic journey along the upper reaches of Morrow Point Reservoir, past the steep rock walls of the canyon, beautiful Chipeta Falls and the historic Curecanti Needle.