Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has been carved by the Gunnison River in its headlong rush to join with the Colorado. The canyon is 53 miles long but only the deepest, most spectacular 14 miles of the gorge lie within the National Park. Although home to an abundant variety of wildlife, the canyon has been a mighty barrier to humans. Archeological evidence indicates that prehistoric man and the Utes never went into the gorge. It looks like the first white men to see the canyon were with the Hayden Expedition of 1873-74.

Although the Hayden Expedition and survey parties for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad all pronounced the Black Canyon "inaccessible," by the end of the 1800's there was a lot of interest in tapping the Gunnison River as a source of water for the Uncompaghre Valley. In 1901, 2 men using a rubber mattress for a raft and getting supplies lowered from the rim were able to navigate 33 miles of the canyon in 9 days. They kept an engineering log that indicated that an irrigation tunnel was a feasible project and the Gunnison Diversion Tunnel was begun in earnest in January, 1905. Progress was slow because of intense heat, violent cascades of water and unstable rock formations but when finished in September, 1909, the 5.8 mile tunnel carried enough water to irrigate a sizable farming community.

President Herbert Hoover proclaimed Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument in March 1933. President Bill Clinton signed an Act of Congress designating it as a National Park in October, 1999. All the land below the rim of the canyon has been designated as a National Wilderness Area to ensure the preservation of its natural conditions forever.

The park has 2 campgrounds: one on each rim. Water must be used sparingly because it is hauled in by tank truck. Each campsite has its own fireplace or charcoal grill and a table. Wood gathering is not permitted. A use fee is charged.

The best way to see the canyon is on foot. A variety of trails lead to overlooks on the rim. While most trails are rated "easy" remember that you are hiking at an 8,000 foot elevation. There are no marked trails into the canyon. If you wish to climb on the sheer walls of the canyon, bring your own equipment and a lot of experience. A backcountry permit is also required. You might also like to consult with the rangers as to the condition of various of the rock walls because if you run into a problem, it can quickly get serious.