BLM · Wilderness area · Colorado, Utah

Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness

Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness, on the northwest flank of the Uncompahgre Plateau, is characterized by the high, east-west trending Black Ridge which is dissected by seven major red rock canyon systems...

Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net), where the full text continues.

Official page at Wilderness Connect ↗
Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness
Photo from Wilderness Connect, wilderness.net
DesignationWilderness
Managed byBureau of Land Management
StatesColorado, Utah
Size75,479 acres (Wilderness Connect)
Designated2000, by Congress
Center point39.1053, -108.9302
Night skyVery dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 27)

Boundary map

1 outline

Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees Federal campground

The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.

Where to camp

Campsite Atlas →

No federal campground sits inside the boundary. 5 are within ten miles of it. Nearest first. Distances are from the campground point to the boundary edge, from the Campsite Atlas index.

Explore

Nearby on the other atlases

National Park System units within 30 miles · Park Atlas
National Register listings within 15 miles · 18 in all · Register Atlas

Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.

Reference

Questions people ask

How big is Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness?

75,479 acres.

Source: Wilderness Connect

Who manages Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness?

The Bureau of Land Management.

Source: Wilderness Connect

What state is Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness in?

The boundary crosses Colorado and Utah.

Source: Wilderness Connect

When was Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness designated?

Congress designated it in 2000.

Source: Wilderness Connect

Can I camp at Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness?

No federal campground sits inside the boundary. The nearest is Saddlehorn Campground, 1.3 miles out. 5 in all are within ten miles. Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities; the managing agency page has the permit rules.

Source: Where to camp

How do I get to Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness?

A point inside the boundary is at 39.105, -108.930. Colorado National Monument is 3 miles away. The official page carries directions and the office address.

Source: Wilderness Connect

How dark is the night sky at Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness?

NASA’s Black Marble night-lights image reads 27 on a 0 to 255 scale at the center point, very dark ground, a faint glow at most.

Source: NASA Black Marble

Which national parks are near Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness?

Colorado National Monument (3 mi). Park Atlas has fees, hours and alerts for each.

Source: Nearby on the other atlases

Are there historic places near Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness?

18 National Register listings within 15 miles, including Saddlehorn Utility Area Historic District and Saddlehorn Comfort Station.

Source: Register Atlas

Sources

  • Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
  • Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
  • Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
  • Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
  • Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.