Montrose County: Black Canyon, Culture and Landscapes

Canyons and Protected Landscapes

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located in Montrose County, Colorado. Its canyon walls rise 2,000 feet or more above the Gunnison River. Oak shrubland, forests characterized by pinyon pines and junipers, and plant communities of high-desert sagebrush steppe grow along the rim. The landscape is shaped by more than its steep canyon walls: the vegetation along the rims also contributes to its character.

The Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area offers a different range of landscapes, from clay badlands to rugged slopes with pinyon pines and junipers. The Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area encompasses 210,172 acres of protected public land and includes the 66,280-acre Dominguez Canyon Wilderness. The Old Spanish National Historic Trail also passes through this conservation area.

The Uncompahgre Plateau and designated routes offer other regional perspectives. The Uncompahgre Plateau features scenic drives, hiking trails, campgrounds, ATV routes, and opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography. The West Elk Loop Scenic Byway runs through Montrose County; the Rim Rocker Trail connects Moab with Montrose. The Peach Valley Recreation Area offers outdoor recreation opportunities in the region.

Getting Your Bearings at the South Rim

At the South Rim, visitor amenities include a paved scenic drive, overlooks, hiking trails, ranger programs, and a large campground. The visitor center is open year-round. There, you’ll find information, exhibits, and publications, as well as wilderness permits and Junior Ranger booklets. The South Rim is 7 miles north of the intersection of CO Highway 347 and U.S. Highway 50, east of Montrose.

Museums and History

The Ute Indian Museum presents the history and culture of the Ute people through exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays. It is located on the original 8.65-acre homestead of Chief Ouray. The grounds include Chief Ouray Memorial Park, Chipeta’s Crypt, a native plant garden, picnic areas, and walking paths. Cimarron also has an outdoor exhibit featuring loading pens and railroad cars.

The Museum of the Mountain West offers guided and self-guided tours of 28 historic buildings and 11 historic exhibits. The Montrose County Historical Museum focuses on various aspects of early pioneer life and is housed in Montrose’s original railroad depot. Together, these places offer different ways to explore regional history: from the culture of the Ute people to historic buildings and pioneer life.

Activities and Local Experiences

The Montrose Water Sports Park on the Uncompahgre River features kayak and paddleboard courses, fishing spots, picnic areas, and walking paths. Its facilities also include six drop structures, accessible put-in and take-out ramps, and six waves. The 7.1-mile Connect Trail runs alongside the river and is used for walking, running, and cycling. The Gunnison Forks Day Use Site offers walk-in river access, a boat ramp with a natural river-gravel surface, covered picnic tables, a toilet, and a sanitation dump station.

Everyday life in Montrose also offers reasons to visit: the Farmers’ Market takes place year-round on Saturdays in downtown Montrose. There, you can buy locally made baked goods and handmade jewelry. Specific dates and events may vary, so check the calendar before your visit. The Montrose County Fair & Rodeo is an annual event featuring rodeo competitions, livestock shows, rides, live music, and family-friendly activities. If you’d like to plan your stay around it, check the event dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Montrose, Naturita, Huerfano County, Kiowa, Arapahoe, Sedgwick County, Rio Grande County, Costilla County.

For the broader travel overview: Colorado.