Are you curious about the rock formations, wildlife, history, or people who work at the park? Scroll down for answers to some popular questions our staff receive. The Place Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park sees 300,000 to 400,000 visitors a year. The park’s highest visitation came in 2019, with 432,818 people taking in the park.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison was protected as a national monument in 1933. It was changed to a national park in 1999. The park celebrated its 25th anniversary as a national park in 2024.
The lowest temperatures recorded at the park were in the 90s°F (32–37°C). Snow is common in early spring and late fall. Brief afternoon thunderstorms can occur during the summer.
Black Canyon receives between 10–20 inches (25–51 cm) of precipitation a year. That means, Black Canyon receives no-more than about 20 inches (51 cm) of water. This may seem odd, considering we can get around 8–10 feet (2.4–3 meters) of snow during the winter! The snow doesn’t have a lot of water in it and is very dry for much of the winter.
The canyon itself is 48 miles (77 km) long. Of the 50 miles of the whole Black Canyon, only 14 miles (22.5 km) are within the national park. The greatest depth is at Warner Point, 2,722 feet (829 m) from the rim of the Black Canyon to the Gunnison River below. The depth is as tall as Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Black Canyon was first protected as a national monument by Herbert Hoover on March 2, 1933, with two days left in his presidency. It was renamed to a national park on October 21, 1999, and signed into law by President Bill Clinton.
Life in the Park Species that enjoy or need water live down by the river. This includes mammals like otters and beavers, birds like the American dipper, ducks, and bald eagles. On the slopes of canyon walls, animals like bighorn sheep live. They are adapted to the steep, rocky terrain.
On the rim of the canyon, different habitats support animals like mule deer, bobcats, mountain lions, black bears, and lots of bird species, like peregrine falcons, golden eagles, great horned owls, ravens, cliff swallows, black-throated swifts, and even wild turkey. 650-700 confirmed plant species are present in the park. Some examples commonly found include Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii), claret cup cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus), Pinyon pine (Pinus edulis), and Utah juniper (Sabina osteosperma).
The Gunnison sage-grouse is a “threatened” species, but it can only be found in the area around the Gunnison River. This makes it “endemic” too. Most of our protection for the Gunnison sage-grouse comes in the form of protecting its sagebrush habitat, where it breeds during certain times of the year. The park also has endemic plants.
Park Staff There are different types of staff working at the national park. These positions include wildlife biologists, botanists, hydrologists, trail crew, mechanics, educators, law enforcement/ emergency services rangers, budget analysts, a superintendent, and so many more. All of these people help to protect the natural and cultural resources in the park.
There are different ways to become a park ranger. Some gain valuable experience through volunteering or internships. Others receive training or study certain topics like history or geology and seek jobs in those fields. Learn more about employment with the National Park Service.
The park employs 40 to 50 permanent staff between Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area. Staff at both parks help to protect the Black Canyon as a whole. During summer the number of staff can go up to 80 to 100 paid staff, interns, and volunteers.
River and Canyon Black Canyon would not be what it is today without weathering, erosion, and deposition. The Gunnison River’s power, the freeze-thaw cycle, and gravity are all forces that helped sculpt the canyon we see today. Find out more about park geology.
The Black Canyon has a fascinating formation story. There are more chapters, but two million years ago, the Gunnison River began flowing in force. The river and time eroded rock layers and cut the deep canyon we see today. Find out more about how Black Canyon formed.
The Gunnison River is about 180 miles (290 km) long. 14 miles (22.5 km) of the river flow through Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Past and Present Paleontology surveys have unearthed fossils of dinosaurs like Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, Apatosaurus, Camarasaurus, Diplodocus, Ceratosaurus, and smaller body fossils of crocodiles. Other fossil rich rock layers include fossilized animal prints; plant roots (also called ryzoliths), burrows of early mammals, and invertebrates like worms, clams, and insects.
A narrow-gauge railroad was built in the early 1880s through part of Black Canyon that is now Curecanti National Recreation Area. For 67 years the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad carried minerals mined from surrounding areas, livestock, and thousands of thrilled passengers on vacation through the Black Canyon between Sapinero and Cimarron.
There are two ideas of how Black Canyon got its name. One is that because the canyon is so steep, deep, and narrow, some parts of the canyon receive only about thirty minutes of sunlight per day. Another idea is that the metamorphic rocks that make up the canyon walls look black from a distance.
The canyon has been viewed as an impassable barrier by humans throughout history. Indigenous groups have called the lands around Black Canyon home for thousands of years. Five federally recognized tribes and one tribal community—the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, White Mesa Ute Community, Jemez Pueblo, and Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma—have cultural ties to the area within and surrounding Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Exploring the Park Visitors can drive along the South Rim and stop at viewpoints, hike, paint landscapes, take photos, go on field trips, fish, rock climb, backpack into the canyon, horseback ride on the North Rim, and simply enjoy nature.
The park is open year-round. Each season offers a different experience, so it depends on your preference. Most visitors come to the park in spring, summer, and fall.
We can’t pick just one! Black Canyon has three hiking trails on the North Rim and four hiking trails on the South Rim. All of the trails offer varying views of the canyon and surrounding area. Check out more on hiking in the park.
Yes. There are two campgrounds at Black Canyon: the South Rim Campground and the North Rim Campground. East Portal Campground, which is in the neighboring Curecanti National Recreation Area, is also accessible from the East Portal Road on the South Rim. Adventure-seekers can also acquire a wilderness use permit to hike one of the park’s strenuous inner-canyon routes and camp by the Gunnison River.
Most visitors get around Black Canyon by car, walk to viewpoints along the canyon rim, or hike a longer trails. In the winter, a portion of the South Rim Drive is turned into a winter trail that visitors can cross-country ski and snowshoe on.
Learn MoreDo you have more questions about Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park? Check out our virtual education opportunities with a park ranger.
Ranger Video Postcards
Students can connect with a ranger via a personalized video "postcard" answering their questions. 
Live Virtual Programs
Let us bring the park to you – virtually! Black Canyon and Curecanti both offer live virtual programs. 
Education
Experience Black Canyon in the classroom or on a field trip at the park. |
Last updated: December 18, 2024