Right in our Back Yard!
There is so much to see & do in the North Fork Valley – and within a reasonable drive – that we thought instead of suggesting one-size-fits-all itinerary ideas that we would instead provide a menu of ideas to choose from, with recommended time commitments. Choose from the below and make a REAL vacation of your stay in the North Fork Valley!
The drive south on State Highway 92 along the Black Canyon towards Gunnison, then west on Highway 50 is the more scenic, but is a longer drive. Please be aware that a road building project is taking place on this southern route on the Highway 50 portion. For details, click here. The South Rim of the Canyon is where 9/10 visitors to the Black Canyon arrive and so you won't have the intimate experience available on the North Rim. Advantages of taking time to see the South Rim is that the official Visitor Center is located there and Ranger programs are available. Check out National Park information by clicking here.
If you want to see the Black Canyon from the bottom, the safest option is to join the Marrow Point Boat Tour. To be clear, this is a pleasure cruise and not a white water adventure, as the cruise is on the Marrow Point reservoir rather than the rough water of the National Park. To get to the parking area for the tour, drive south on Highway 92 to the intersection of Highway 50, travel a very short distance west on Highway 50 to mile marker 130 and find the Pine Creek parking area. From the Pine Creek trail parking area, walk down 232 stairs and enjoy an easy one mile scenic walk along the old railroad bed to reach the boat dock. Leave the parking lot no later than 45 minutes prior to the tour, and allow more time for a slower pace. Meet the ranger at the boat dock. Pre-boarding begins 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time; tours begin promptly. Tours run at 10 am and 1 pm every day except Tuesday, and usually from mid-June to mid-September. Be aware that reservations are a must. For details and to reserve your spot click here.
The Grand Mesa is sometimes said to be the world’s largest flat top mountain. With its 300+ lakes and endless acres of forest, it’s an outdoor paradise – and a good place to cool off in the summer at over 11,000 ft! Wildlife is plentiful, with populations of elk, deer, moose, bear, mountain lion, beaver and many smaller species. Fishing is popular in the many cold water lakes. The visitor center is first rate with lots of great information. The visitor center is located north of Cedaredge just as you crest the top of the mesa. The Lands End overlook on the western tip of the Mesa is a must. For more information click here.
Fortunately, for those who do not travel with their own river gear, Hotchkiss is home to the fantastic Western Slope SUP. Owner, Daniel Roman will craft an adventure to meet your interests and talents. Paddle Board lessons are part of the repertoire, so with good instruction you will be ready to get out on the water! Calm, Crawford Reservoir, is the perfect place to get your paddle board feet, and then put in at the Gunnison River Pleasure Park National Recreation Area six miles west of Hotchkiss to put your new skills to use… or to embark on your river raft or kayak trip. It should be noted that this area of the Gunnison River offers “Gold Medal” fishing and has been a secret get away location for well-known personalities - even Jimmy Carter and international diplomats have reportedly fished these waters!
If you are looking for convenient public river access to the North Fork of the Gunnison River, you have two good options. There is a nice new launch accessed from the Delta County Fairgrounds in Hotchkiss - on the north side of the river not far from the bridge crossing Highway 92 (use fairgrounds entrance). There is also river access at Paonia River Park. The River Park is accessed on the main street of Paonia about a quarter mile north of downtown, off Shady Lane. The River Park was developed by the Western Slope Conservation Center and includes displays about living in concert with the local river environment.
Needle Rock, a 700’ high volcanic neck, makes a really dramatic photo subject. It is located on the east edge of “Missouri Flats”, about four miles east of Crawford. Missouri Flats is a picturesque agricultural area in a somewhat hidden valley, so get your camera ready for a work out! The base of Needle Rock has a small parking area, a covered picnic area, and is the location of the Needle Rock trailhead. The trail is not very long (about half mile one way), but it is quite rugged with some elevation gain, so be sure to wear sturdy shoes. The trail takes you to the northern base of the rock, but does NOT take you to the top of the spire… unless you are way more adventuresome than is good for your wellbeing (the rock tends to be flaky and is not ideal for climbing). TIP: The Needle Rock parking area is a magnificent spot to view the night sky. There are no sources of artificial light visible from this location and the silhouette of the rock against the night sky, is a lovely frame to look for shooting stars, or simply to contemplate the vastness of being. To see if a meteor shower will be happening while you are visiting, click here.
The Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation area, about 9 miles northwest of Delta off Highway 50, provides abundant wildlife and historical sites, as well as stunning scenery. No visitor center or facilities exist on site (save for porta-potties at the entrance). The Conservation Area offers an undeveloped look at western Colorado's canyon country. No crowds, guaranteed! For information, click here.
Imagine gigantic dinosaurs plodding over the Uncompahgre Plateau - they did millions of years ago! Dry mesa Quarry is a 55 acre site located within the Jurassic Morrison formation and contains fossils with a geologic age of approximately 150 million years. The quarry is located 26 miles southwest of Delta on the Uncompahgre Plateau. Excavation activity has yielded remains of many different kinds of extinct animals including partial skeletons of animals not previously known to science - including some of the largest ever discovered: Supersaurus & Ultrasaurus. The site was actively excavated from 1972-2000. Click here for more information.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park-North Rim (2 hrs +)
The park is a picturesque 13 mile drive southwest of Crawford, with the last six miles of the drive on well-maintained gravel. If you are going primarily to take in several of the major overlooks but aren’t contemplating doing much else, then 2-3 hours may be enough time. If you plan to hike some of the trails (or heaven forbid, hike to the bottom of the canyon), then you could easily spend a full day or longer. The North Rim ranger station is closed more often than not, although Park materials are available at the ranger station’s outdoor brochure racks. If you are looking for the official Visitor Center, that is located on the South Rim. By visiting the North Rim you have chosen the lesser visited Rim of the Canyon and the solitude is worth the price of admission – not to mention the indescribable views! Be aware that, unlike the South Rim, the North Rim road closes for winter, so if you are planning visit between November and mid-April you will want to contact the Park to confirm that the road is open. Check out the Park website by clicking here. Or to read a very useful travel writer's account, with great photos, click here!
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park-South Rim (3 hrs +)
The drive south on State Highway 92 along the Black Canyon towards Gunnison, then west on Highway 50 is the more scenic, but is a longer drive. Please be aware that a road building project is taking place on this southern route on the Highway 50 portion. For details, click here. The South Rim of the Canyon is where 9/10 visitors to the Black Canyon arrive and so you won't have the intimate experience available on the North Rim. Advantages of taking time to see the South Rim is that the official Visitor Center is located there and Ranger programs are available. Check out National Park information by clicking here.
Marrow Point Boat Tour (Spend a half day or more)
If you want to see the Black Canyon from the bottom, the safest option is to join the Marrow Point Boat Tour. To be clear, this is a pleasure cruise and not a white water adventure, as the cruise is on the Marrow Point reservoir rather than the rough water of the National Park. To get to the parking area for the tour, drive south on Highway 92 to the intersection of Highway 50, travel a very short distance west on Highway 50 to mile marker 130 and find the Pine Creek parking area. From the Pine Creek trail parking area, walk down 232 stairs and enjoy an easy one mile scenic walk along the old railroad bed to reach the boat dock. Leave the parking lot no later than 45 minutes prior to the tour, and allow more time for a slower pace. Meet the ranger at the boat dock. Pre-boarding begins 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time; tours begin promptly. Tours run at 10 am and 1 pm every day except Tuesday, and usually from mid-June to mid-September. Be aware that reservations are a must. For details and to reserve your spot click here.
Grand Mesa National Forest (Spend a half to full day)
The Grand Mesa is sometimes said to be the world’s largest flat top mountain. With its 300+ lakes and endless acres of forest, it’s an outdoor paradise – and a good place to cool off in the summer at over 11,000 ft! Wildlife is plentiful, with populations of elk, deer, moose, bear, mountain lion, beaver and many smaller species. Fishing is popular in the many cold water lakes. The visitor center is first rate with lots of great information. The visitor center is located north of Cedaredge just as you crest the top of the mesa. The Lands End overlook on the western tip of the Mesa is a must. For more information click here. Raft, Kayak & Paddle Board – (Spend a half day or more)
If you like to be out on the water, you have come to a good place. The North Fork Valley features two recreational reservoirs: Crawford State Park and Paonia State Park. In addition, the North Fork of the Gunnison River runs through Delta County from east to west, flowing through Paonia, Hotchkiss and eventually joining the Gunnison River west of Hotchkiss, and continuing west and then northwest on its course towards eventually joining the Colorado River near Grand Junction.Fortunately, for those who do not travel with their own river gear, Hotchkiss is home to the fantastic Western Slope SUP. Owner, Daniel Roman will craft an adventure to meet your interests and talents. Paddle Board lessons are part of the repertoire, so with good instruction you will be ready to get out on the water! Calm, Crawford Reservoir, is the perfect place to get your paddle board feet, and then put in at the Gunnison River Pleasure Park National Recreation Area six miles west of Hotchkiss to put your new skills to use… or to embark on your river raft or kayak trip. It should be noted that this area of the Gunnison River offers “Gold Medal” fishing and has been a secret get away location for well-known personalities - even Jimmy Carter and international diplomats have reportedly fished these waters!
If you are looking for convenient public river access to the North Fork of the Gunnison River, you have two good options. There is a nice new launch accessed from the Delta County Fairgrounds in Hotchkiss - on the north side of the river not far from the bridge crossing Highway 92 (use fairgrounds entrance). There is also river access at Paonia River Park. The River Park is accessed on the main street of Paonia about a quarter mile north of downtown, off Shady Lane. The River Park was developed by the Western Slope Conservation Center and includes displays about living in concert with the local river environment.
