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Crawford, Colorado

Top Spots in and near Crawford

  • Crawford, Colorado

    Hike the Chasm View Nature Trail

    5.0
    1 mi
    This easy trail is located along the north rim of the canyon and can be completed as either a short loop hike or a shorter out and back to the first overlook. You’ll find the trailhead at the North Rim Campground. The views of the canyon along this trail are fantastic, some of the best in the par...
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  • Crawford, Colorado

    Hike to the Painted Wall

    4.5
    1 mi / 25 ft gain
    At 2,250 feet, the Painted Wall in Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a sight that cannot be truly captured in photos. The layers of rock along the cliff's wall resembles a canvas with streaks from a paintbrush. This canyon took eons to create, and this view of the river and canyon walls is the high...
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  • Montrose, Colorado

    Hike the Gunnison Route

    5.0
    2 mi / 1800 ft gain
    Immediately upon arriving, secure a permit to scramble down 1,800ft in one mile to the Gunnison River. There are no hiking trails below the rim of the canyon, and because of its relentless steepness and rock exposure, the only existing routes are incredibly steep and loose. To protect the delicat...
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  • Montrose, Colorado

    Drive the Scenic loop at Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park

    4.5
    The Black Canyon of Gunnison is know for 2000 foot cliffs and a beautiful raging river below. The south side of the canyon is the most popular and the easiest to get to. The visitor center is also on the south side making it convenient for information and getting souvenirs. The scenic drive also ...
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  • Montrose, Colorado

    Hike the Oak Flat Loop

    5.0
    2 mi / 377 ft gain
    Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of Colorado's four national parks. Though not as well known as Rocky Mountain or Mesa Verde, Black Canyon has no lack of views, hiking opportunities, and other must-experience natural features. The Canyon's expanse is far too large to explore in a day, but the...
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  • Montrose County, Colorado

    Snowshoe in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

    2 mi / 377 ft gain
    Winter is a great time to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Covered in snow, the canyon seems even more dramatic and sheer. The park road is plowed up until the visitor center, and there is no entrance fee in the winter. The rest of the park road is groomed for cross country skiin...
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  • Montrose, Colorado

    Hike to Tomichi Point and Gunnison Point Overlooks

    5.0
    2 mi
    To access the South Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, take US 50 and CO 347 to the south entrance, 15 miles east of Montrose. There is no bridge between the north and south rims of the canyon - make sure you enter from the Montrose side.After passing through the entrance stat...
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  • Montrose, Colorado

    Camp at Black Canyon of the Gunnison's South Rim Campground

    5.0
    The South Rim Campground is located about 6 miles inside Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. There are a total of 88 sites, 34 of which are available year-round. Reservations are definitely recommended, but are not required - loop C is first-come, first-served. Loop B fills up first, as i...
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  • Crawford, Colorado

    Warner Point Nature Trail

    5.0
    1.52 mi / 279 ft gain
    Warner Point Nature Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Montrose, Colorado.
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  • Montrose, Colorado

    Drive the East Portal Road

    Want an easier way to get to the bottom of the canyon without the rugged hiking trails? Drive to the bottom via the East Portal Road. Open once the harsh winter breaks, this road switchbacks its way to the bottom at the meeting place of Curecanti National Recreation area and Black Canyon of the G...
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  • Somerset, Colorado

    Camp at Lost Lake Slough

    5.0
    Lost Lake Slough offers camping, hiking, photography, kayaking, and more in a remote and beautiful part of Colorado. At an elevation of over 9,600 ft., the lake typically opens in mid-June after the snow is melted, and closes in October after the first significant snowfall. The campground is on...
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  • Somerset, Colorado

    Hike the Three Lakes Trail

    5.0
    4.5 mi / 580 ft gain
    The Three Lakes trail near Crested Butte is a great loop if you're looking to hit up a couple mountain lakes. At 4.5 miles with moderate incline, this trail can easily be knocked out in under 2 hours. It also is a great hike to admire fall colors as you'll get great views of the Ruby Range and th...
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  • Gunnison, Colorado

    Hike the Dillon Pinnacles Trail

    4 mi / 300 ft gain
    The Dillon Pinnacles are a geologic phenomenon of southern Colorado. Volcanic eruptions formed the breccia rock into towering spires above the Sapinero Basin of Blue Mesa Reservoir. This packed dirt trail starts at about 7500 feet and climbs to a max elevation of 7800 feet. The four mile out-and-...
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  • Somerset, Colorado

    Hike the Dyke to Dark Canyon Loop

    4.0
    6.5 mi / 1700 ft gain
    Kebler Pass near Crested Butte is a leaf peepers paradise considering that one of the largest groves of aspens in Colorado makes its home here. If you want those postcard views of rugged mountain peaks and vibrant aspens, then I recommend hiking the Dyke Trail to Dark Canyon loop. Put this on you...
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  • Cedaredge, Colorado

    Run the Crag Crest Loop

    4.3
    10.4 mi / 1500 ft gain
    The Crag Crest Trail is a 10-mile loop that takes runners over one of the highest points on Grand Mesa. When traveling in a clockwise direction, the trail traverses a narrow rocky ridge for 5-miles before descending into the dense pine forest below. Grand Mesa's trails are less maintained due to ...
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  • Cedaredge, Colorado

    Grand Mesa County Line Loop

    5.0
    5.82 mi / 302 ft gain
    The County Line Trailhead is a great way to enjoy the winter wonderland of the Grand Mesa. Both classic or skate skiing is allowed (along with snowshoeing). This is a perfect family trail since all trails are easy to moderate with a few short climbs and a maximum elevation change of 50 feet. Ther...
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Camping and Lodging in Crawford

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison Np South Rim Campground
Montrose, Colorado

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison Np South Rim Campground

Cottonwood Grove Campground
Delta, Colorado

Cottonwood Grove Campground

Montrose / Black Canyon Nat'l Park KOA Journey
Montrose, Colorado

Montrose / Black Canyon Nat'l Park KOA Journey

Lake Fork Campground
Gunnison, Colorado

Lake Fork Campground

Red Creek Group Site
Gunnison, Colorado

Red Creek Group Site

East Elk Creek Group Campsite
Gunnison, Colorado

East Elk Creek Group Campsite

Guides, Insights and Stories from Crawford

Exploring Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Exploring Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Chelsea Brinkley

A Weekend Adventure Guide to Crested Butte, Colorado

A Weekend Adventure Guide to Crested Butte, Colorado

Holly Mandarich

A Beginner Backpacker's Trek in the Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness

A Beginner Backpacker's Trek in the Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness

Chris Kulakowski

Ouray, Colorado: A Tiny Town With a Giant History of Ice Climbing

Ouray, Colorado: A Tiny Town With a Giant History of Ice Climbing

Connor Charles

My Final Backpacking Trip of the Year: Blue Lakes, Colorado

My Final Backpacking Trip of the Year: Blue Lakes, Colorado

Sonja Saxe