| The Black Canyon, which has been carved by the Gunnison River as it hurries to join the Colorado, is 53 miles long, but only the deepest, most spectacular 14 miles of the gorge lie within the Park. Some of the Earth's oldest base rocks have been cut by the river to a depth of 2,600 feet. The top of the canyon narrows to about 1,100 feet, but down by the river the canyon narrows in places to about 40 feet. |
| Area: |
31,000 acres |
| Elevation: |
From 6,547 feet at East Portal to 8,289 feet at High Point. |
| Fees: |
The entrance fee is $15.00 per vehicle at the South Rim and North Rim ranger stations. It covers all persons in a single, private, noncommercial vehicle and is valid for seven calendar days. The entry fee for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, motor scooters, or mopeds is $7.00 per person, not to exceed $14.00 per vehicle. There is no fee charged for persons 16 years of age or younger. |
| Hours: |
N/A |
| Visitor Center: |
The Visitor Center is at Gunnison Point on the South Rim. It is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., May through October, and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the rest of the year. Closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1. |
| Facilities: |
Visitor center, trails, amphitheater, auditorium, book sales, and restrooms. |
| Directions: |
- The Monument is located in west-central Colorado, 15 miles east of Montrose via U.S. 50 and Colorado 347.
- To get to the North Rim of the Monument from Montrose, use either U.S. 50 east and Colorado 92 west through Curecanti National Recreation Area to Crawford, or U.S. 50 west and Colorado 92 east through Delta to Crawford.
- From Crawford, a gravel country road goes to the North Rim. Access to the North Rim is closed in winter by snow.
- Get directions from Google Maps.
- Get directions from MapQuest.
- NPS Directions.
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| Coordinates: |
Map Coordinates (NAD83): 38 34.505N; 107 42.803W. |
| Weather: |
- Weather can vary greatly between the canyon rim and canyon floor. Summer daytime temperatures range between 60 to 100 F, nights 30 to 50 F. Winter daytime temperatures range between 20 to 40 F, nights -10 to 20 F. Precipitation is minimal; brief afternoon thunderstorms can occur during the summer. Layered clothing appropriate for the season is recommended.
- See area weather chart.
- See Canyon Country Weather for more information.
- WebCam: From the South Rim Visitor Center.
- Sunrise/Sunset
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