National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National ParkNPS Photo by Lisa Lynch
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Nature & Science
Island Peaks Overlook
NPS Photo by Lisa Lynch
The Black Canyon hosts a variety of ecosystems from pinyon pine, juniper and scrub oak forests at the rim, to the shady and vertical inner canyon walls, and down to the riparian community along the Gunnison River.
Did You Know?  

Did You Know?
The Black Canyon contains some of the oldest exposed rock on Earth. Precambrian, or “basement” rock, is nearly 2 billion years old.

Last Updated: September 19, 2006 at 14:06 EST