Natural Features & Ecosystems

A leaf impression on beige and light yellow speckled rock. A black and white scale is at the bottom.
Fossils

Black Canyon has paleontological resources from the Jurassic Period and Cretaceous Period.

A twisted juniper tree stands on a canyon rim. Large clouds and patchy blue sky are above.
Life Zones

Life zones are present throughout the park - from the Gunnison River to the canyon rim.

Image of a starry sky and Milky Way
Night Skies

Learn about the night skies at Black Canyon and park efforts to protect them.

A full pothole on a lichen covered rock. Green vegetation is in the background.
Pothole Ecology

Some animals use potholes as a wayside stop in their daily journeys. Other aquatic species make these ephemeral pools their permanent home.

A grey river with white rapids flows through a steep canyon. Vegetation and rocks are on the bank.
Rivers and Streams

The Gunnison River, a steep and turbulent waterway, carved the Black Canyon we see today.

Last updated: April 24, 2025

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

102 Elk Creek
(GPS/physical address = 9800 Highway 347, Montrose, CO)
Gunnison, CO 81230

Phone:

970-641-2337

Contact Us

Tools

Stay Connected