With a maximum depth of a mere 600 metres (2,000 feet) the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is small in comparison to the Grand Canyon. What makes Gunnison impressive is that it is a very narrow canyon for its depth, typically only 450 metres (1,500 feet) across. Sadly the upper two thirds of the canyon have been flooded following the construction of dams, but in 1999 the lower part of the canyon was given National Park status. The Denver and Rio Grande Narrow Gauge Railroad ran through the upper part of the canyon until closure in 1949. Although much of the track bed is now flooded, several relics of the railroad can be found at nearby Cimarron, including a reconstructed stockyard.
View down canyon from Cedar Point
The canyon walls are not black, the rock actually has a distinct reddish hue. The canyon wall on the right of the picture is known as Painted Wall because of the veins of lighter coloured rock running through it. So, why is it called the Black Canyon? The answer is on the left hand side of the picture, the canyon is so deep and narrow that the bottom is often in deep shadow.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
View down canyon from Sunset View
The last roadside view of the canyon on the Rim Drive is Sunset View. From here the canyon continues to the west albeit beginning to widen out. The canyon ends further down stream and the river continues to Grand Junction where it joins the Colorado River.
Gunnison Point Viewpoint
The steep walls of the canyon mean that some of the viewpoints are quite precipitous and not recommended for anyone who has a serious problem with vertigo. The Gunnison Point viewpoint by the Visitor Center is perched on a rocky outcrop with a long, steep drop on three sides.
View up canyon from Tomichi Point
There are two entrances to the National Park, one leading to the South Rim, the other to the North Rim. The canyon is narrow enough to clearly see visitors on the other side, but the road journey between the two rims is over 130 kilometres (80 miles) in length. Our two visits to the canyon have both been to the South Rim which is more developed. This picture shows the view up the canyon from the first major viewpoint, Tomichi Point.
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View from Pulpit Rock Overlook
The Gunnison River is clearly visible from many of the viewpoints. It looks quite tranquil in this picture, but it descends quite steeply with frequent rapids. The canyon and river are named after John Williams Gunnison who was leading an expedition that in 1853 first glimpsed the canyon further up river. In 1900 the Pelton Expedition tried to navigate the canyon but had to abandon their attempt as they found the canyon walls too steep to haul their boat round rapids that could not be navigated by boat.
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© Mike Elsden 1981 - 2025
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