• Located in western Colorado, near the town of Montrose.
• Founded as a National Monument in 1933, became a National park in 1999.
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison provides opportunities to see spectacular and important geologic features, including some of the steepest cliffs in North America.
• When you visit, take a hike on one of the nature trails to see the rock formations called Painted Wall and Dragon Point.
• Black Canyon is home to the fastest bird in the world, the Peregrine falcon. Scientists estimate that Peregrines can reach speeds of over 200 mph in an aerial dive.
• Poison ivy is abundant at the bottom of Black Canyon. It can grow over 5 feet tall along the Gunnison River.

Links:

• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park website
• Lesson Plan: Bears Through the Seasons

Videos:

• Watch videos on water testing, geology and more
• Rocky Mountain PBS How the West Was Camped, Black Canyon of the Gunnison