Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP

[marant]

Several thoughts on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP:
1. Consider carefully where you intend to camp. The sites on top in the main park are small pull-outs alongside the road, all gravel, very close together. Instead we went past the park road on the highway about 4-5 miles to the Curicanti campground, still an NP campground. 22 spaces, all FCFS. Paved, with normal spacing, but not a lot of privacy. $14/nt with senior pass. About 2,000 ft. lower than the top of the park, so not as cold at night. Small railroad display. About a 1 mile drive to the Gunnison before it enters the canyon. Worked well for us as a day trip to the top.
2. Takes a couple of hours to do the entire canyon at the top, depending upon photos and reading the signs. Some Ranger talks on geology. Canyon about 2000' deep. Smithsonian says the rocks at the bottom are the oldest in the country, 1 billion years old.
3. Take the drive down to the East Portal from the entrance shack. It is 5 miles of 16% downgrade! Don't even think about taking a trailer, and pay attention to length restrictions. Lots of switchbacks.
4. Time of day (sun) is important to taking photos. The canyon is on the north side of the park, so afternoon sun is best.

[MVA]

Originally Posted by marant

Several thoughts on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP:
1. Consider carefully where you intend to camp. The sites on top in the main park are small pull-outs alongside the road, all gravel, very close together. Instead we went past the park road on the highway about 4-5 miles to the Curicanti campground, still an NP campground. 22 spaces, all FCFS. Paved, with normal spacing, but not a lot of privacy. $14/nt with senior pass. About 2,000 ft. lower than the top of the park, so not as cold at night. Small railroad display. About a 1 mile drive to the Gunnison before it enters the canyon. Worked well for us as a day trip to the top.
2. Takes a couple of hours to do the entire canyon at the top, depending upon photos and reading the signs. Some Ranger talks on geology. Canyon about 2000' deep. Smithsonian says the rocks at the bottom are the oldest in the country, 1 billion years old.
3. Take the drive down to the East Portal from the entrance shack. It is 5 miles of 16% downgrade! Don't even think about taking a trailer, and pay attention to length restrictions. Lots of switchbacks.
4. Time of day (sun) is important to taking photos. The canyon is on the north side of the park, so afternoon sun is best.

Thanks for the tips. Do you mean the Cimarron Campground at:

38°26'37.3"N 107°33'19.6"W

[marant]

Yes
There's a really nice steam engine on the way to the river too

[alanmalk]

Originally Posted by marant

Several thoughts on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP:
...
3. Take the drive down to the East Portal from the entrance shack. It is 5 miles of 16% downgrade! Don't even think about taking a trailer, and pay attention to length restrictions. Lots of switchbacks.
...

I'll add some emphasis: Only attempt this road if your car drives well in low gear!!

And if you're a tent camper take a look at the small campground at the downstream end of the road.

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by alanmalk

I'll add some emphasis: Only attempt this road if your car drives well in low gear!!

And if you're a tent camper take a look at the small campground at the downstream end of the road.

We toured the canyon one year when we went to the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous and stayed at the forest service campground about 20 miles north of Durango. The 2012 Highlander with shiftable side 8 speed transmission was very handy in both driving steep descents and in pulling passes when towing the trailer.

We had the 19 then which weighed in at 3640 loaded and we pulled Wolf Creek pass twice that trip. We also made a day trip to Mesa Verde. Both the Gunnison and Mesa Verde plus the rally and the Railroad Museum at Durango were enjoyable.

Yesterday our day trip was from Encampment Wyoming over the snowy mountains to Centennial and Veedawoo and back. Pretty nice little museum in Centennial.
Iowa Dave