Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison sits in western Colorado, about five hours from Denver. It is a canyon so narrow and deep that parts of its floor see only minutes of sunlight a day, with walls like the Painted Wall rising 2,250 feet, the tallest cliff in Colorado. Drive the steep 5 mile East Portal Road to the bottom and stand at the Gunnison River looking straight up. May through October is the time to go, when both rim roads are open and every overlook is an easy walk from the car.

Discovery Pick

Why this one matters

Stand at Chasm View, where the canyon squeezes to its narrowest, and look straight down to the river. The walls fall so sheer and the shadows run so deep that your legs go weak before your mind catches up. That vertical is the whole point of this park. Stay after dark, because the same darkness makes the South Rim one of Colorado's best stargazing spots, with ranger telescope programs in summer. And the Gunnison River at the bottom is Gold Medal trout water, officially some of the best big trout fishing in Colorado.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

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