Overview

Carved over a span of two million years by the Gunnison River, the Black Canyon in western Colorado is a "vertical wilderness" whose name suggests its at-times claustrophobic environs: some parts of the 48-mile canyon get only about a half-hour of sunlight daily and are just 40 feet across at river level. The deepest section of the canyon -- 2,722 feet from the rim and hemmed in by some of the sheerest cliffs on the continent -- is located within the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The south rim entrance to the park is the most popular and open year round: there's a seven-mile road along the canyon's southern edge as well as a visitor center. Hiking trails range from the one-mile Rim Rock Nature Trail to unmarked and unmaintained paths from the rim to the river, which should only be attempted by the most experienced and prepared hikers. An easier (but still steep) way to see the river is to drive via East Portal Road.