There is no reopening date in sight for Colorado’s Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park as wildfires continue to burn uncontained on both the North Rim and South Rim of the canyon.
The fire Curecanti National Recreation Area, co-managed with Black canyon of the Gunnison National Park, is still open. Visitors can enjoy boating, hiking, camping, and stargazing, though visitors should be aware that there is a temporary closure for boating on Blue Mesa Reservoir west of Middle Bridge for air operations related to the fire. , after lightning strikes ignited burns on both the North and South Rim. Visitors and staff were safely evacuated and the park was closed. As the fire is still active, the total estimated loss is unknown. A formal damage and safety assessment will begin once the fire is 100% contained.
Initial assessments show that the South Rim Visitor Center, the administration building, and the entrance booth have all survived the fire, though the facility management building, the Western National Parks warehouse, the welding shop, several pieces of heavy equipment, the South Rim Campground and multiple bathrooms and overlooks throughout the park have been burned and either destroyed or heavily damaged.
Reservations for the South Rim Campground and for Wilderness Permits are cancelled with no re-opening date. A reopening date for the park will be considered once the fire has been contained and a safety assessment is complete. The visitor center managed by the Bureau of Land Management is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm and the Black Canyon passport stamp is still available.
Curecanti National Recreation Area, co-managed with Black canyon of the Gunnison National Park, is still open. Visitors can enjoy boating, hiking, camping, and stargazing, though visitors should be aware that there is a temporary closure for boating on Blue Mesa Reservoir west of Middle Bridge for air operations related to the fire. Free astronomy programming will be hosted by displaced Black Canyon Park Rangers in the recreation area s well.
