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Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area

4.5 ★★★★★ 22 Google reviews · Running trail in Montrose, Colorado · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface: Natural surface
Distance: Not reported
Shape: Not reported
Shade: Not reported
Access: Posted hours

Confirmed from Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area — running trail in Montrose, CO, photo 1

Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area — running trail in Montrose, CO, photo 2

Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area — running trail in Montrose, CO, photo 3

Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area — running trail in Montrose, CO, photo 4

Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area — running trail in Montrose, CO, photo 5

Natural surface

Protected wilderness & canyon area popular for hiking & trout fishing, plus prehistoric paintings.

What runners say about Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (22 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

Me and my DR650 stumbled upon this spot. I am so glad I was able to explore and find this gem. Lots of great trails and open space for days.

★★★★★ — Em , Aug 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 22 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area

The practical stuff

AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
Websiteblm.gov
Phone(970) 240-5300
Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday	7 AM–9 PM
Tuesday	7 AM–9 PM
Wednesday	7 AM–9 PM
Thursday	7 AM–9 PM
Friday	7 AM–9 PM
Saturday	7 AM–9 PM
Sunday	7 AM–9 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area

2465 S Townsend Ave, Montrose, CO 81401

Get directions

Running trails near Montrose

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

4.4 ★★★★☆ 81 reviews

Montrose, CO

Scenic

City park featuring hiking and biking trails, picnic tables, and a public restroom.

1.5 miles away

All running trails in Montrose, CO →

Nearby towns

Running trails in Grand Junction, CO (16 trails)

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.