We seem to have a thing for rivers, well, for all water really. Maybe that comes from living in a dry part of the world where our rivers, which are few, usually only have a trickle of water in them. Or, maybe it’s just because when we’re near a flowing river we’re enchanted by the beauty of our surroundings. Regardless of our reasons, we hope you enjoy this wet and wonderful look at rivers.
Colorado River, ArizonaLittle Missouri River, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North DakotaThe Virgin River flows through Zion Canyon, Zion National Park, UtahThe Yellowstone River flowing through the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.View of the Rio Grande from the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, New Mexico.Gunnison River, Morrow Point, ColoradoRio Pueblo de Taos. Bet you can guess where this one is. Did you know it’s a tributary of the Rio Grande?The Colorado River meanders through Canyonlands National ParkThe Rio Grande flows through Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park, Texas, and is the dividing line between the U.S. and Mexico.Steam rises from the Madison River on a cold morning in Yellowstone National Park.
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Happy hump day, everybody!
Mike and Kellye
As always, we strive to be as accurate with our information as possible. If we made a mistake, it was unintentional. (Hey, we’re only human!) We aren’t paid for our recommendations, and we only recommend our own tried and true vendors and venues. Our suggestions are for places that we’ve heard good things about but haven’t visited personally, and our opinions are our own.
Hiking, climbing, rafting, scenic drives, and fishing available in the park.
Hotels and restaurants available in Montrose, Colorado, 20 minutes west, via Highway 50.
When to go: Anytime. We recommend May through September. Some park roads close during the winter months.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is probably one of the least crowded national parks we have visited so far, and we don’t know why. We were in awe of the park’s extraordinary features, especially the depth and beauty of the canyon itself. This is a wonderful park! As with all of our national parks, it definitely deserves a visit.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is approximately:
228 miles from Colorado Springs, Colorado — 250 miles from Denver, Colorado — 73 miles from Grand Junction, Colorado
This trip is going to start from Grand Junction, Colorado. The city does not have a major airport, but it does have a regional airport that is served by several national and regional carriers.
*Recommended hotels in Grand Junction: Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express.
*Recommended restaurant in Grand Junction: El Tapatio – 1145 North Ave. – fantastic Mexican food.
Now, we’re off to Black Canyon of the Gunnison! Grab a backpack and your hiking shoes. Get ready for fabulous scenery, dizzying heights, and a bonus destination that is going to knock your socks off. Let’s go!
Colorado Sunrise
Getting There
⇒From Grand Junction, take Highway 50 south to Montrose, Colorado. Continue east on Highway 50 to Highway 92 north to the park entrance and South Rim Drive.
*Recommended hotel in Montrose: Holiday Inn Express.
*Recommended restaurant in Montrose: Camp Robber – 1515 Ogden Rd.
⇒For those traveling from Gunnison, Colorado, take Highway 50 west via Curecanti National Recreation Area to Highway 92 north to the park entrance.
Destination: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Stop at the visitor center to get information about the park and to access the trail to the Gunnison Point overlook for spectacular views and unlimited photo ops. Then take South Rim Drive for more spectacular scenery.
Travel tip: there are other ways to see the canyon and the park besides from South Rim Drive. Click the website above for details about the North Rim, the East Portal, and hiking trails.
The Gunnison River and Black Canyon as seen from Gunnison Point
Canyon View
Painted Wall
Bonus Destination: Curecanti National Recreation Area – Morrow Point
⇒From Montrose, Colorado or Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, take Highway 50 east to Curecanti National Recreation Area. At mile marker 130 take the Pine Creek turnoff and proceed to the parking lot. Drive time between Montrose and Curecanti NRA: 1 hour.
We’re taking a boat tour on Morrow Point Resevoir in the Black Canyon! But first we have to get there. Get ready for a fantastic hike.
Travel tips:
Bring a picnic lunch, snacks, plenty of water, sunscreen, sturdy hiking shoes, and a hat. Dress for the weather.
Allow one hour to hike the trail to the boat dock. There are 232 steps leading down to the trail, and then another (easy) mile to the dock.
The park ranger-guided tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours.
Advance reservations needed.
Campgrounds available at Curecanti National Recreation Area.
There is a lot to see and do in Western Colorado. Curecanti NRA has plenty of campsites available, and we hear that the trout and salmon fishing is great in its three lakes. At left is a shot of Blue Mesa Reservoir, and Dillon Pinnacles.
After you have enjoyed your time at these parks, head back to Montrose, and take Highway 550 south to the scenic town of Ouray. Continue on south to Silverton and then Durango via the San Juan Skyway, one of the most scenic drives in the U.S. Or, head north from Montrose back to Grand Junction, and check out Colorado National Monument.
That is our trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison and the Morrow Point Boat Tour. We enjoyed sharing our trip with you. Our hope is that our trip gives you some ideas on how to plan your own vacation adventure in Western Colorado. Until next time…
Travel safe, travel smart, and we will see you down the road.
Mike and Kellye
As always, we strive to be as accurate with our information as possible. If we made a mistake, it was unintentional. (Hey, we’re only human!) We aren’t paid for our recommendations, and we only recommend our own tried and true vendors and venues. Our suggestions are for places that we’ve heard good things about but haven’t visited personally, and our opinions are our own.
