Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park 3 by Jonathan Yogerst

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, renowned for its steep and narrow gorge carved by the Gunnison River, offers a striking geological landscape with sheer rock walls and dramatic cliffs that showcase the forces of erosion over millions of years.One of the most dramatic landscapes in the American West — a place where light struggles to reach the canyon floor and shadows define its mood. The park’s namesake canyon, carved by the relentless Gunnison River, plunges over 2,000 feet through sheer walls of ancient Precambrian rock, creating a composition of stark contrast and texture.