Hi, I am flying into Montrose in early July and have two full days to look around the area. Considering going to Black Canyon and/or Gunnison National Forest. Would like your opinions of each. Suggestions on what to see, etc. We love short hikes, nice drives, great scenery. Any place to stay that has a special something about them? Don't mind rustic. Our final destination is Ouray which is an awesome place to spend the 4th! Don't know anything about the Montrose/Gunnison area. Please help! Thanks!

We did a fairly quick stop at the Black Canyon on our way to Ouray a few years back. It's well worth a stop. I suspect it'd be a good place to hike but can't say from experience.

Black Canyon has several short trails along the rim, as well as some that go down into the canyon. Do not try to hike down into the canyon unless you're serious about it - it's incredibly steep. You'll want to go to the south rim from Montrose - it's closer, and has more trails. You could make an all-day visit to Black canyon, but 2 days is probably overkill.

Take the Warner Point trail at the western end. Superb.
Crested Butte is within range too.
Gunnison (town) is a neat little Mountain college town.

A nice hike in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is the Warner Point Nature Trail. The trailhead is at the very end of the road that goes through the south (west) side of the park. It is less than a mile long, and has little uphills and downhills, but nothing really strenuous, and the view at the end of the trail is magnificient.

Thank you so much for your input! Please keep them coming! I appreciate your ideas! Warner Point sounds like a must do!

Agree with BC being steep but the overlooks from the Rim are really gorgeous. You drive from overlook to overlook and it is about 7 miles one way (www.nps.gov). I believe there is another road that takes you down toward the river (near the entrance?) but I'm not sure.

We stayed in Gunnison & went white water rafting in the morning before driving to BC of the G. Then we drove the 550 (Million $ Highway) to Ouray.

A nice circle drive that will probably take all day:

Head east out of Montrose on Hwy 50 to the town of Gunnison. In Gunnison take Hwy 135 north to Crested Butte. From Crested Butte take County Road 12 over Kebler Pass (a gravel road, but passable in a passenger car). This road takes you between the West Elk Wilderness Area and the Raggeds Wilderness Area of the Gunnison National Forest, and eventually ends at Colorado State Hwy 133. Head west on 133 to Hotchkiss. In Hotchkiss, get onto Hwy 92 west to Delta where you will pick up Hwy 50 south, back down to Montrose.

F-Leader, that's the drive I was thinking of.
Really a lot of fun.

I have two nights - Should I plan one is Crested Butte? Maybe I shouldn't stay in Montrose at all. I could spend one night in Crested Butte & one is the Gunnison area. The drive sounds nice. I will plan on it. Thanks!

Great Idea.

I really like the idea of staying one night in Crested Butte and one night in Gunnison. Gunnison isn't too exciting as far as town goes, but the BC is definitely worth the trip. Crested Butte, though, is lovely and quaint - one of my favorite spots in Colorado.

We camped on the rim at Gunnison in July. Have I ever been hotter in my life??? Gorgeous, but sun-baked. We went directly to a Holiday Inn with a pool and A/C in Estes Park to cool off before we camped at RMNP. (Ahhhh...much cooler) The park is a fairly new National Park so it has fewer amenities and fewer people than other parks. Very enjoyable. You can do it justice in one night IMHO.

Montrose WILL be hot in July! It will be cooler in Gunnison and Crested Butte. I'd leave Montrose behind and spend the 2 nights in Crested Butte. The Kebler Pass and Ohio Pass area around Crested Butte has some nice short hikes. About 4 or 5 miles west of Kebler Pass on County Road 12 is Gunnison Natl Forest Road 706. Take this road south for about 2 miles to the campground at Lost Lake Slough. From the campground there should be a short trail that takes you around Lost Lake Slough and up to Lost Lake itself. A few miles south of Ohio Pass is a 100 foot waterfall on the right hand side of the road. There's a pull-off here and a trail that leads to the base of the falls. Check in Crested Butte for other hikes and scenic areas - I'm sure there are more.

Sounds like I will spend two nights in Crested Butte & travel to Gunnison area. Have you ever stayed somewhere you would recommend?

Again thank you so much!

Black canyon is fine.The road from Montrose to Durango is great.From there it's not far to visit Mesa Verde.Along the way, close yo Ouray you have the revived ghost tpwn of Silverton.Greetngs from Belgium.Paul

Thank you so much for your input! I appreicate each one of you taking the time to share your information. If you have anymore words of wisdom for me, please continue to share.

You'll be enjoying my hometown and college towns! The drive around CB is fun, but don't forget to head south to Ouray, and Telluride. Telluride has a great 4th of July parade and town barbeque in the park, but you can't really go wrong either way you go - have a great time!