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1 of 10Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Montrose · ModerateOnly a 1% storm chance, so the day stays open.
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About Montrose
About Montrose
Montrose has about 20,000 residents and sits close enough to the San Juan Mountains and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park that plenty of people treat it as a stop on the way somewhere else. That undersells it. The town runs on small-town scale with big-city amenities, and the setting alone gives you reasons to stay put for a few days.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is the main reason people come. The Gunnison River cut the gorge over millions of years and left behind some of the steepest cliffs in North America. You can take it in from the scenic drives and overlooks along the rim, or get into it on the harder hiking trails, and the rock climbing here has a serious reputation.
The historic downtown district holds preserved buildings from Colorado's frontier years, and they now house art galleries, specialty shops, and farm-to-table restaurants. The Montrose County Historical Museum and the Ute Indian Museum both work at keeping that heritage intact, with the Ute Indian Museum devoted to the region's Native American history.
Outdoor options are not in short supply. The fly fishing on the Gunnison River is what it is cracked up to be, and the trail systems around the city cover both hiking and mountain biking. Uncompahgre National Forest is right there for camping, hunting, and wildlife viewing, and sitting at the base of the San Juan Mountains puts a lot of alpine terrain within an easy drive.
The craft beverage scene grew out of the same agricultural roots. Local breweries and distilleries work with what gets grown nearby, and the results taste like the Western Slope rather than like anywhere else.
- Population
- 20,000
- Elevation
- 5,810 ft
- Best time
- Year-round
- Known for
- Black Canyon Gateway
How do I get to Montrose?
Montrose sits on the Western Slope and most people drive in. It's the main stop on the way to the San Juan Mountains and the Black Canyon, so the town gets a lot of through traffic from people headed deeper into the high country. If you're flying into the region, this is a common place to start.
What is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park?
The Black Canyon is a deep, narrow gorge that the Gunnison River cut over millions of years, and some of its cliffs are among the steepest in North America. It earned the name because parts of the canyon get so little sunlight the rock stays dark. People come to drive the rim, hike, climb, and fish.
What is there to do outdoors around Montrose?
The town backs right up to the Uncompahgre National Forest and the San Juan Mountains, with lakes and streams scattered through the area. You'll find hiking and mountain biking close by, and the fishing holds up if you know where to go. It's the kind of place where you can be on a trail twenty minutes after leaving town.
Is Montrose a good base for exploring the area?
It works well as a base. You can reach the Black Canyon, the San Juan Mountains, and the surrounding national forests without long drives, and the town is big enough to have what you need before you head out. A lot of folks use it as their home base and take day trips from here.
What can you see in Montrose itself?
The Ute Indian Museum is worth a stop and covers the history of the Ute people in this part of Colorado. There's also the Montrose County Historical Museum and a downtown with shops, restaurants, and galleries. The town puts on festivals and events through the year, mostly tied to the region's heritage.
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