Boating and Kayaking

With Class V rapids, the Gunnison River is one of the premier kayak challenges in North America. The spectacular 14-mile stretch of the river that passes through the park is so narrow in some sections that the rim seems to be closing up above your head. Once you're downstream from the rapids (and out of the park), the canyon opens up into what is called the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area. The rapids ease considerably, and the trip becomes more of a quiet float on Class I to Class IV water. Access to the Gunnison Gorge is only by foot or horseback. However, several outfitters offer guided raft and kayak trips in the Gunnison Gorge and other sections of the Gunnison River.

Kayaking the river through the park requires a wilderness use permit (and lots of expertise); rafting is not allowed. You can, however, take a guided pontoon-boat trip into the eastern end of the canyon via Morrow Point Boat Tours, which launch from the Curecanti National Recreation Area, east of the park.

Tours

Morrow Point Boat Tours. Starting in neighboring Curecanti National Recreation Area, these guided tours run twice daily (except Tuesday) in the summer, at 10 am and 1 pm. Morrow Point Boat Tours take passengers on a 90-minute trip into the Black Canyon via pontoon boat. Passengers must walk 1 mile in each direction to and from the boat dock (includes quite a few stairs), and reservations are required. Pine Creek Trail and Boat Dock, U.S. 50, milepost 130, 25 miles west of Gunnison, Gunnison, Colorado, 81230. 970/641–2337; www.nps.gov/cure. $25. Closed mid-Sept.–May.