Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park


This 32,950-acre park is a black canyon so sheer, deep and narrow, sunlight only touches the canyon floor when the sun is directly overhead. The intense Gunnison River is prime fishing territory.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Museum of the Mountain West

8.21 MILES

On display are a staggering number of pieces from the 1880s to the 1930s. There’s a re-created Old West town replete with storefronts, a saloon, drugstore…

2. Cimarron Railroad Exhibit

11.19 MILES

A restored old steam locomotive, boxcar and caboose sit on a narrow-gauge bridge crossing the Cimarron River, the last piece of railroad infrastructure…

3. Lott's Hotel

11.25 MILES

The Lott's Hotel building has been standing here since 1883. It's the oldest grand building in Montrose.

4. Bryant Building

11.25 MILES

The Bryant Building was erected in 1890. To its west and east are the 1908 SH Nye Building and the 1906 Thomas Hotel – all handsome brick edifices of the…

5. Montrose County Historical Museum

11.51 MILES

Installed in the old Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Depot, this interesting museum has a vast collection of pioneer-era furniture and memorabilia. There…

6. Ute Indian Museum

12.81 MILES

One of the few American museums dedicated to one tribe. The Ute are the traditional people of western Colorado. The museum is situated on a homestead that…

7. Fort Uncompahgre

24.03 MILES

Delta’s history as a fur-trading center and frontier outpost comes alive with a self-guided tour behind the rough timber walls of this 1828 fort. Allow…

8. Ridgway Railroad Museum

28.62 MILES

Ridgway was the birthplace of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad, a narrow-gauge rail line that connected to Durango with the ‘Galloping Goose,’ a kind of…