Welcome to the West Elk Loop - We treasure the natural resources along our Byway!
PUBLIC LANDS
BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK
BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK
BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK
The North Rim is accessed via a signed turn-off on Highway 92, two miles south of Crawford. An 11-mile road (the last five miles are unpaved and closed in winter) climbs through ranching country to the canyon's rim. Your first stop should be the ranger station, where an orientation map is available.
Hikes into the inner-canyon are extremel
The North Rim is accessed via a signed turn-off on Highway 92, two miles south of Crawford. An 11-mile road (the last five miles are unpaved and closed in winter) climbs through ranching country to the canyon's rim. Your first stop should be the ranger station, where an orientation map is available.
Hikes into the inner-canyon are extremely strenuous and require a permit. The moderately difficult North Vista Trail follows the rim to Exclamation Point, which offers one of the most dramatic views to the river. Several easy trails along the rim drive lead to marked overlooks that provide breathtaking views of the canyon. The North Rim is especially popular with expert rock climbers, who are drawn to its sheer, high cliffs. A campground is located near the ranger station. The South Rim, accessed from Highway 50 east of Montrose, offers additional overlooks. A visitor center is
open year around.
GUNNISON GORGE NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA
BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK
BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK
The NCA encompasses diverse and scenic landscapes along the Gunnison River. Within the NCA, the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness provides a dramatic and challenging setting for whitewater boating, Gold Medal trout fishing, hiking, rafting, backpacking, and wildlife photography. Other areas within the NCA offer a multitude of trails and primitive
The NCA encompasses diverse and scenic landscapes along the Gunnison River. Within the NCA, the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness provides a dramatic and challenging setting for whitewater boating, Gold Medal trout fishing, hiking, rafting, backpacking, and wildlife photography. Other areas within the NCA offer a multitude of trails and primitive roads for hiking or for your OHV, mountain bike, or horse.
Access to the NCA is possible from Highway 50 on the west side and from Highway 92 on the east side. Due to the primitive roads and seasonal closures, visitors should call BLM (970-240-5300) for information prior to their trip. Special regulations and fees apply in the Wilderness.
- PHOTO GGNCA
CURECANTI NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK
CURECANTI NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
South of Crawford on Highway 92, the Byway meanders along the rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. This fjord-like setting is home to the Crystal and Morrow Point Reservoirs within Curecanti National
Recreation Area.
Pioneer Point trails lead to overlooks of the Curecanti Needle, once the icon for the Denver and Rio Grande’s railroad “
South of Crawford on Highway 92, the Byway meanders along the rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. This fjord-like setting is home to the Crystal and Morrow Point Reservoirs within Curecanti National
Recreation Area.
Pioneer Point trails lead to overlooks of the Curecanti Needle, once the icon for the Denver and Rio Grande’s railroad “Scenic Line of the World”. Beginning in 1882, narrow-guage steam engines chugged their way along the canyon bottom between Gunnison and Montrose.
Blue Mesa Reservoir, the largest body of water in Colorado, is Curecanti’s centerpiece. It’s 96 miles of shoreline offers year-round activities. An anglers’ paradise, the waters are rich in kokanee salmon, and rainbow, brown and lake trout.
On the north side of the reservoir, the weirdly eroded Dillion Pinnacles are the remnants of volcanic flows from the West Elk Mountains.
COLORADO STATE PARKS
BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK
CURECANTI NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
CRAWFORD STATE PARK
The Bureau of Reclamation built Crawford Reservoir in 1963 for storing high water runoff for irrigation. Located one mile south of Crawford on Highway 92, it has two campgrounds, Clear Fork and Iron Creek. Both campgrounds have accessible facilities, showers and flush toilets, but only Iron Creek has water and electric
CRAWFORD STATE PARK
The Bureau of Reclamation built Crawford Reservoir in 1963 for storing high water runoff for irrigation. Located one mile south of Crawford on Highway 92, it has two campgrounds, Clear Fork and Iron Creek. Both campgrounds have accessible facilities, showers and flush toilets, but only Iron Creek has water and electric hookups at each campsite. There are two boat ramps with loading docks, a ski beach, a swimming beach and hiking trails.
PAONIA STATE PARK
The Bureau of Reclamation built Paonia Reservoir in 1960 to provide flood control on Muddy Creek and to act as a silt trap for the creek before it flows into the North Fork River. Water in the reservoir irrigates over 12,000 acres of farm and ranch land in Paonia and Hotchkiss.
Facilities inclulde primitve campsites, picnic area and boat ramp (bring your own drinking water). Boating and fishing are popular activities, and the nearby Raggeds Wilderness offers many miles of hiking trails.
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