Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park covers 12,272 hectares (30,300 acres) of western Colorado. The park is in the Rocky Mountains and embraces the most spectacular stretch of the 85 km (53 miles) long Black Canyon, which is named for the sheer, dark-colored walls carved by the unspoiled Gunnison River. The narrow canyon is up to 811 m (2,660 feet) deep, so its bottom is in the shadows for most of the day. At the bottom, ancient Proterozoic rocks are exposed.

Wildlife in the park includes black bears, bobcats, cougars, golden eagles, peregrine falcons and swifts. The area was designated a national monument in 1933 and became a national park in 1999. The park is about 250 km southwest from Denver.