Olathe, Colorado

Top Spots in and near Olathe

  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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 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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  • 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, 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

    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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  • Montrose, Colorado

    Tomichi Point and Gunnison Point Overlooks

    5.0
    2.3 mi / 354 ft gain
    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 st...
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  • Mesa County, Colorado

    Backpack along the Gunnison River in the Dominguez-Escalante NCA

    5.0
    3.4 mi
    If you're looking to take your first backpacking adventure, but want something that is manageable yet thrilling, this is what you're looking for. Located along the Gunnison River in Western Colorado, the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation area is easy to access yet full of adventure and be...
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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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  • 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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  • Mesa, Colorado

    Photograph Fall Colors on Grand Mesa

    Despite being one of the largest flat-top mountains in the world, Grand Mesa sees far fewer visitors than other areas of Colorado. Locals only an hour away in Grand Junction frequent the area for its plentiful fishing, camping, and off-roading opportunities, but few take advantage of its photogra...
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  • Mesa County, Colorado

    Snowshoe around Mesa Lakes

    5.0
    2 mi / 300 ft gain
    This short loop trail starts and ends at Mesa Lakes Lodge, it is a little less than 2 miles round trip. From the lodge, we walked up the road towards our cabin (Bear cabin). Just past the cabin a trail starts that skirts the edge of the first lake and then winds around a few other lakes (Mesa Lak...
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  • Ridgway, Colorado

    Photograph Dallas Divide

    Along with Maroon Lake and Crystal Mill, Dallas Divide is one of Colorado's iconic photography locations. It's proximity to the rugged San Juan mountains makes it an ideal location to capture some of Colorado's most incredible scenery in one picture frame. Start your adventure by grabbing your t...
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Camping and Lodging in Olathe

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

Montrose / Black Canyon Nat'l Park KOA Journey

Cottonwood Grove Campground
Delta, Colorado

Cottonwood Grove Campground

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

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison Np South Rim Campground

Silesca Cabin
Olathe, Colorado

Silesca Cabin

Jumbo Campground
Mesa County, Colorado

Jumbo Campground

Black Bear
Mesa County, Colorado

Black Bear

Guides, Insights and Stories from Olathe

Exploring Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Exploring Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Chelsea Brinkley

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

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

Sonja Saxe

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

​72 Hours in Telluride: Summer & Fall Edition

​72 Hours in Telluride: Summer & Fall Edition

Josiah Roe