Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park protects one of the steepest and most dramatic canyons in North America. Located in western Colorado, the canyon was carved over millions of years by the powerful Gunnison River cutting through ancient Precambrian rock. The canyon walls are incredibly steep and narrow, creating deep shadows that give the canyon its name. Visitors come for breathtaking overlooks, challenging hikes, rock climbing, and some of the darkest night skies in Colorado.