Montrose In Motion
Check out these other exciting ways to experience the Black Canyon:
While the south rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park remains closed, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the canyon!
Visit the North Rim
Rugged, limited services, and ample access to the inner canyon – the North Rim is the quieter, more primitive side of the park.
Getting Here
The North Rim is 11 miles southwest of Crawford, Colorado. From CO Highway 92, turn west on Black Canyon Road approximately 3 miles south of Crawford. Follow the road signs to the park. The last 7 miles are unpaved. The North Rim is closed to vehicles in the winter and early spring. Read more here:
Hike Mesa Creek Trail
Fabulous viewing of the Black Canyon, from the bottom of the canyon! This trail crosses Crystal Reservoir and meanders along the river’s edge for less than a mile. The sheer walls of the Black Canyon and the base of the Morrow Point Dam can be seen along the way. A footbridge provides access to the north shore of the reservoir.
This trail crosses Crystal Reservoir and meanders along the river’s edge for less than a mile. The sheer walls of the Black Canyon and the base of the Morrow Point Dam can be seen along the way. A footbridge provides access to the north shore of the reservoir. Read more here.
Morrow Point Dam
Onlookers watch as water pours from gates located near the top of the Morrow Point dam located a few miles upstream of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in this 2019 file photo.
Morrow Point Dam, 12 miles downstream from Blue Mesa Dam, is Reclamation`s first thin-arch, double-curvature dam. It is 468 feet high, 52 feet thick at the base, and 12 feet thick at the crest. The dam has a crest length of 720 feet and a volume of 360,000 cubic yards of concrete. Read more here:
Get your national park passport stamped at the public lands office
The Uncompahgre Field Office (UFO) manages nearly 680,000 acres of public land in BLM Colorado’s Southwest District, including four river systems—the Gunnison, San Miguel, Dolores, and Uncompahgre—as well as over 910,000 sub-surface acres of federal minerals. The topography ranges from lowland riparian along the Dolores River (at around 4,700 feet) to red rock desert to a moonscape of highly erodible Mancos Shale badlands to the piñon-juniper woodlands of the Uncompahgre Plateau.
Within the UFO boundary, the diverse landscape of the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (GGNCA) encompasses an awe-inspiring black granite and red sandstone canyon formed by the Gunnison River. The southern portion of the spectacular Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area also lies within the UFO boundary.
Address:
2465 S. Townsend Ave.
Montrose, CO 81401
Phone: 970-240-5300
Hours:
M-F: 9:00am – 12:00pm; 1:00pm – 4:00pm (Closed Federal Holidays)
Where Buy Black Canyon Merchandise
Montrose Visitor Center
Located right in the heart of downtown Montrose, the Center is a great place to develop your adventure plans using one of eight interactive electronic travel displays. Peruse a selection of printed maps and brochures for area attractions or look for unique Montrose souvenirs at our gift shop.
Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is eager to welcome you to Montrose and offer ideas for activities, scenic drives, events and more.
Monday – Saturday
Summer: 9 am to 5 pm
Winter: 10 am to 4 pm
Address: 107 S. Cascade Ave.
Montrose, CO 81401
Phone: 970-497-8558
***
Colorado-ology?
Men’s, Women and children clothing, Colorado souvenirs, kitchen towels, and you can’t forget the sock wall!
Address: 328 E Main St,
Montrose, CO 81401
Phone: 970-249-8323
In the news!
See what people are saying about us!
The Rathbone Hotel & Parlor Bar
From 5280 Magazine:
The result of a multimillion-dollar historic preservation project on the 115-year-old Knights of Pythias Building, the boutique hotel has 17 guest rooms—including suites with 10-foot arched windows—that lean midcentury-modern, with wood furniture and jewel-toned rugs and bathroom tiles. Read more here:
Rathbone Hotel & Parlor Bar:
33 South Cascade Ave.
Montrose, CO, 81401
970 -787 -3400
***
“An unreal adventure chasing Gunnison Footballs on Hoppers!”
An angler prepares to release a trout on the Gunnison River.
The Gunnison River has been a destination for anglers from all over the world. Since 2019 Ed’s Fly Shop in Montrose has been leading the way with adventures on the river as highlighted in one of the most-watched episodes of The New Fly Fisher in history.
***
Reimagining Growth and Opportunity
Business View Magazine:
Montrose, Colorado, is a captivating community on Colorado’s Western Slope. It offers a blend of outdoor adventure, innovative business, and a strong sense of regional service. Anthony Russo, the town’s Business Development representative, discusses Montrose’s unique character and points out its extraordinary location: “We’re a mountain town with one of the busiest airports in Colorado, right behind Denver and Colorado Springs. That accessibility allows people to live and work here while enjoying world-class outdoor recreation in our backyard.”
***
Storm King Distillery’s Side Gig wins big again at the World Whiskies Awards
Montrose Business Times:
For the second year in a row, Storm King Distilling has placed itself among the best whiskey producers in the country. Read more here.
Storm King Distilling Co. is the result of a family passion for finely crafted spirits and our dream to share this love with others. The visage of Storm King peak presides over our home in western Colorado’s Uncompahgre Valley and has inspired us to create spirits with a true sense of place.
Address: 41 West Main St
Montrose, CO 81401
Phone: 970-765-5606
***
Bluecorn Opens The Curtain To Beeswax Candle Making At New Retail Café
Spoke & Blossom Magazine:
Screenshot
When he looks across the factory floor as the day’s bustle of candle making processes ramp up, he sees customers talking over cups of coffee. Some are having a bite to eat. The sound of the barista’s coffee grinder mixes in with their conversations. The space is big, yet cozy. It’s industrious and chill. It’s a scene Bluecorn Beeswax founder Jon Kornbluh dreamed of creating. Read more here:
Address: 1842 S Townsend Ave
Montrose, CO, 81401
Hours
Daily: 7am–4pm
Phone: 970-626-3501
***
Local Camping:
Blue Mesa Reservoir
Colorado’s largest body of water, Blue Mesa Reservoir is an artificial reservoir located on the upper reaches of the Gunnison River in Gunnison County, Colorado. See all available camping options here:
***
Ridgway State Park
Ridgway State Park is a splendid natural treasure nestled at the foot of the majestic San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado. This year-round haven for outdoor enthusiasts spans nearly five miles through the Uncompahgre River Valley, inviting adventurers of all kinds to explore the picturesque reservoir, the park’s three unique areas, 14 miles of diverse trails and convenient facilities. For those seeking to extend their stay, the park offers nearly 300 campsites across three campgrounds (Elk Ridge, Dakota Terraces, and Pa-Co-Chu-Puk), accommodating tents, trailers, and RVs with various amenities, as well as three year-round yurts. Ridgway State Park is dedicated to accessibility, featuring accessible restrooms, showers, campsites, fishing piers, beach access, and trails, ensuring everyone can enjoy its natural beauty.
See all available camping options here:
Stay Connected!
Want to stay informed like locals? Check out these great local resources.
Visit Montrose
Visit Montrose Official Website
Visit our webcam for a live, 360-degree view of Montrose.
***
DART
Helping Montrose businesses grow and be more prosperous is the primary focus of the city’s Development and Revitalization Team (DART). This entity takes a modern approach to the city’s efforts to foster business growth in Montrose.
***
Montrose Lifestyle
Screenshot
The digital community lifestyle magazine for locals and visitors alike.
Community Calendar
So many other things to do!
The Connect Trail
A 7.1-mile trail that travels from the north end of town to the south end. Winding with the river and passing under major roads, with plenty of parking along the way, this is a great way to get out for the day whether you’re walking, running, or riding a bike. There are many parking lots for different access points along the length of the trail. See a map of the trail here:
***
River Rafting, Paddle boarding & Kayaking
Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned river rat, there is something for everyone who loves to be on the water here in Montrose.
Water Sports Park
The Montrose Water Sports Park (WSP), consisting of 1,000 feet of river channel, is one of the largest in the state of Colorado and one of the few in the U.S. to be accessible by ADA standards. The park was designed with all citizens in mind – from ankle waders to expert kayakers. It is located in Riverbottom Park, a branch of Montrose’s Clifford E. Baldridge Regional Park complex, and includes six drop structures. The WSP has a gradient of 11 feet for 1/5 miles, supporting a leisurely run with natural obstacles.
The park is complemented by terraced spectator areas, allowing a safe space for viewing right on the river. There are also beach areas and ADA-accessible put-in and take-out ramps.
Sustained irrigation flows on the Uncompahgre River make the WSP an enticing destination through late summer, long after other parks have lost their luster. The water flows are a combination of water coming from the Gunnison Tunnel Diversion which connects flows through the South Canal at Chipeta Lake. The Uncompahgre River flows are managed at the Ridgway Reservoir just south of Montrose, Colorado.
The area surrounding the WSP features picnic and pavilion areas, restrooms, playgrounds, ball fields, an extensive concrete and soft-surface trail network, a disc-golf course, the Montrose Skate Park, ample on-site parking, and other attractions in the Clifford E. Baldridge Regional Park complex. The park offers another great place to exercise, socialize, recreate, rejuvenate and relax.
Standup paddleboarding (SUP) stand on boards that are floating on the water and use a paddle to propel themselves through the water.
Need lessons?
Montrose Surf & Cycle
Address: 245 West Main St.
Montrose, CO 81401
Phone: 970-249-8730
GUIDE: Most popular rafting and kayak places in the region:
Find out about all the best rafting and kayaking places in one condensed online guide.
***