Black Canyon Of The Gunnison Np South Rim

Summary

Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park offers a stunning setting for hiking, stargazing, and wildlife spotting. The park is home to a narrow, sheer-walled canyon with depths that are unmatched in North America. Campsites are available year round with electric hookups in Loop B, and the area is home to deer, grouse, bears, and bobcats. Nearby attractions includes a Cimarron Rail Exhibit and an expansive reservoir at the Curecanti National Recreation Area.

Overview

A camping trip to the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park makes for a beautiful getaway for sightseeing, stargazing, and hiking. The park protects the most dramatic section of the Gunnison River Canyon; no other canyon in North America combines the narrow opening, sheer walls, and startling depths of Black Canyon.

Recreation

Take one of many spectacular hikes such as the Oak Flat Loop Trail, and watch for the black-billed magpie. In summer, catch an evening educational program in the campground amphitheater. In winter, try snowshoeing on Rim Rock Trail or go cross country skiing on South Rim Drive.

Facilities

Campsites are open year round, but drinking water is only available mid-May through mid-October. Electric hookups are in Loop B and available year around.

Natural Features

Perched on the South Rim of the Black Canyon, this campground is surrounded by scrub oak forests and sits atop ancient hard rocks. Deer, grouse, bears, and bobcats are known to frequent the area.

Nearby Attractions

Visit the Cimarron Rail Exhibit to see railcars and the last remaining railroad trestle on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison route. Head upstream to Curecanti National Recreation Area to enjoy water recreation on Colorado's largest reservoir.