Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
contains 2,000 foot narrow canyon walls, which drop
almost vertically to the Gunnison River. Two
campgrounds are located in the park - one on the south
rim and one on the north rim. The visitor's center is
located on South Rim Drive and provides a video theater
with two orientation programs.
Located in the southwest section of Colorado, some of the park's more popular
recreational activities are camping, backpacking, bird and wildlife viewing,
fishing, and rafting. In the winter months, visitors enjoy cross-country skiing
and snowshoeing. The park is open year round, but access to the south rim is
limited in the winter.
Park Service Information Office:
Back Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Park Headquarters
102 Elk Creek
Gunnison, CO 81230-8397
Email: blca@parks.gov
Great Sand Dunes National Park
One of the nation's newest national parks, Great Sand Dunes was upgraded
from a national monument and preserve in the year 2000. Located at the
foot of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, the dunes appear to stretch
to infinity. The dunes cover approximately 39 square miles and are the
tallest in North America - over 750 feet.
The park is open all year, 24 hours a day.
Park Service Information Office:
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Park Headquarters
11999 Highway 150
Mosca, CO 81146
Email: grsa@parks.gov