News Release

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Turns 20

Fall at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

NPS Photo

News Release Date: October 10, 2019

Contact: Sandra Snell-Dobert, 19706412337227

It was 20 years ago, October 21, 1999, that President Bill Clinton signed the act, sponsored by Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Congressman Scott McGinnis, enlarging Black Canyon National Monument and establishing it as a national park.

Local communities celebrated two days later, and held parades the following spring.  The decades-long effort to create a new national park on Colorado's Western Slope began shortly after Black Canyon was set aside as a national monument in 1933.  Efforts arose in the 1970s and early 1980s before Campbell redoubled those efforts in the early 1990s.  

Community support was always at the base of Campbell's efforts and they held a celebration on the rim of the canyon two days after President Bill Clinton signed the bill and parades were held the following spring.    

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park rangers have scheduled commemorative activities for the 20th Anniversary of national park establishment.  The anniversary weekend is October 19 through 21 and all activities will be held at Gunnison Point and the South Rim Visitor Center.  

Please join the National Park Service in the following commemorative activities. 

October 19th - 21st:  Ranger Talks each day at Gunnison Point adjacent to the South Rim Visitor Center at 10:00 am and 1:30 pm.  They will last 20 minutes.

October 21st:  Birthday cake will be cut and served at South Rim Visitor Center at 11:00 am.

What has happened in those twenty years since Black Canyon became a National Park? 

2001:  New exhibits installed in the main hall at South Rim Visitor Center.
2003:  New staffing aimed at the professionalization of science is brought to Black Canyon.
2007:  New publications, including the Story Behind the Scenery are published.
2008:  The Bureau of Reclamation issues a water right decree for Black Canyon.
2009:  Permanent staffing in ranger ranks allows for year 'round operations and new winter recreational activities.
2009:  100th Anniversary of the Gunnison Tunnel is marked with new exhibits and programs at East Portal.
2010:  The first Black Canyon Astronomy Festival is held starting an 11 year tradition.
2015:  The International Dark Sky Association establishes Black Canyon as one of the first International Dark Sky Parks.
2015:  Private philanthropist purchases 79 acres that prevents development of Signal Hill and donates the acreage to the park.
2017:  2,494 acres of private land within the park boundary is added to the national park with funds contributed by the Land and Water Conservation Fund.  
2018:  The Friends of Black Canyon is incorporated to support the national park.

Do you have favorite memories or highlights of this special place? Please come up and talk with the staff; share your memories and stories.