How Long Is Colorado’s Black Canyon of the Gunnison?

When I stand on the rim of either side of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, I get a little dizzy trying to see all the way down to the bottom. Just north of Warner Point, the canyon reaches a depth of 2,722 feet.

Not only is the canyon deep, but it also stretches longer than most visitors know. Just how long is Colorado’s Black Canyon? Does it extend beyond the Black Canyon National Park boundary? Let’s take a closer look.

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How Long Is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison?

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Read More: See the Best Views of the Gunnison at Colorado’s Morrow Point Dam

Colorado’s Black Canyon stretches for 48 continuous miles in Montrose County, though only 14 miles are within the boundaries of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. This means that the canyon is about three times as big as the portion most visitors see from South Rim Drive and the park’s overlooks.

The Canyon Changes Three Times

The Upper Canyon begins near Curecanti, where it exposes 2-billion-year-old Precambrian rock. The middle section includes the 14 miles within the National Park, where the canyon becomes its deepest and narrowest, including the 2,722-foot depth at Warner Point. The lower section continues into the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area.

Why East Portal Road Keeps Running Into Trouble

Read More: Why Gunnison, Colorado Is the Coldest Place You’ve Never Lived

One option for reaching the bottom of the Black Canyon is the East Portal Road. Portions of this area were badly burned during the Black Canyon Fire in 2025, resulting in multiple mudslides during the following year. These mudslides have buried East Portal Road under six feet of rocks, boulders, and mud more than once.

Crews spent weeks clearing roadways, culverts, and drainages after storms in both July and September. If you visit the park this fall, check the forecast and the status of East Portal Road if you wish to head deep into the canyon.