Gunnison Gorge Wilderness
The Gunnison Gorge Wilderness is located in the heart of the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (NCA) within the double canyon of the Gunnison River. Central to this area is the Gunnison River, which enters the Wilderness at the northwestern boundary of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and extends north to a point approximately one mile downstream from the river's confluence with the Smith Fork, where it leaves the Wilderness. Elevations within the Wilderness boundaries range from 5,100 to 8,100 feet. Winters are usually mild in temperature ranging from 30 to 50 degrees F. Days are generally sunny and bright. Spring and summer time temperatures can be very hot - over 100 degrees.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | Bureau of Land Management |
| State | Colorado |
| Size | 17,784 acres |
| Designated | 1999, by Congress |
| Center point | 38.67° N, 107.83° W |
| Night sky | Very dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 24) |
Boundary map
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.
Weather by month
Large units span more than one climate. The station stands in for the center point, and the outer parts of the boundary can be warmer or colder.
Where to camp
None of the 4 federal campgrounds within ten miles sit inside the boundary. Nearest first. Distances are from the campground point to the boundary edge, from the Campsite Atlas index.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedMain Mesa Piles Rx
27 mi from the center point · 366 acres
- PrescribedUpd Baldy Mountain Piles Rx
40 mi from the center point · 120 acres
- WildfireGold Mountain
44 mi from the center point · 39,747 acres · 92% contained
- WildfireElk
46 mi from the center point · 7,257 acres · 90% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge, and is measured from the center of a boundary that may be many miles across. Check the agency page for closures.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 5.6 miHotchkiss Homestead ↗Hotchkiss, CO
- 6.1 miHotchkiss Hotel ↗Hotchkiss, CO
- 6.2 miHotchkiss Methodist Episcopal Church ↗Hotchkiss, CO
- 6.8 miLathrop, J. V., House ↗Montrose, CO
- 6.9 mi
- 7 miMethodist Episcopal Church of Montrose ↗Montrose, CO
- 7.1 miMontrose City Hall ↗Montrose, CO
- 7.1 miBenevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge ↗Montrose, CO
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Guidebooks for Colorado
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Gunnison Gorge Wilderness?
17,784 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Gunnison Gorge Wilderness?
The Bureau of Land Management.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Gunnison Gorge Wilderness in?
Colorado.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Gunnison Gorge Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1999.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Can I camp at Gunnison Gorge Wilderness?
Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities, and the managing agency page has the permit rules. The federal campgrounds within ten miles are listed under Where to camp.
Source: Where to camp
How do I get to Gunnison Gorge Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 38.671° N, 107.832° W. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is 4 miles away. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Is there a fire near Gunnison Gorge Wilderness right now?
4 active incidents within 50 miles as of 2026-11-01, the nearest Main Mesa Piles Rx at 27 miles. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge.
Source: Fire nearby
Which national parks are near Gunnison Gorge Wilderness?
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park (4 mi) and Curecanti National Recreation Area (27 mi). Park Atlas has fees, hours and alerts for each.
Source: Nearby on the other atlases
Are there historic places near Gunnison Gorge Wilderness?
The National Register has 31 listings within 15 miles, including Hotchkiss Homestead and Hotchkiss Hotel.
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.