Colorado Canyons Association

06/23/2026

Experience the Night Sky in Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area 🌌

Did you know that Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area is an International Dark Sky Park?

Recently featured on Colorado's new Stargazing Trail, Gunnison Gorge is recognized as one of the best places in the state to experience truly dark night skies. Shielded by rugged canyon walls and far from major sources of light pollution, the Gorge offers incredible views of the Milky Way, planets, constellations, and meteor showers.

Whether you're camping along the Gunnison River, hiking into the wilderness, or attending a community stargazing event, Gunnison Gorge provides a rare opportunity to experience the night sky much as it has appeared for generations. As one of Colorado's certified International Dark Sky Parks, the area is helping protect not only incredible views of the cosmos, but also the wildlife, natural rhythms, and sense of wonder that depend on dark nights.

The next time you visit Gunnison Gorge, don't rush home after sunset—the real show may just be beginning.

Photo courtesy of Aaron Watson

Learn more about about the Colorado Stargazing Trail at the link in bio!

06/20/2026

☀️ Happy Summer Solstice! The longest day of the year is here — and we're spending it thinking about the rivers that make western Colorado worth celebrating.

But first: 🚨 LAST CALL 🚨

Our annual Gunnison River Clean-Up is just one week away — Sunday, June 28th, 9 AM–4 PM. Join CCA and the BLM for a full day on the water, paddling and pulling trash from the river corridor near Delta.

You'll need your own watercraft and shuttle ability — but the good vibes and clean water? Those are on us. 💧

👉 Sign up here:
https://www.coloradocanyonsassociation.org/events/gunnison-river-clean-up-2026

06/19/2026

🏜️ Something wild is coming to Grand Junction

Drawn to the Desert — The Art of Jeremy Rice drops this Friday, August 7th from 5–8 PM at Gemini Beer Co. A full year spent exploring western Colorado's National Conservation Areas, translated into art. Come see it.

✨ Live music
🚲 GJ Bike Night Finale
👕 Limited edition merch
🍺 $1 from every beer sold goes to

This one's for the desert rats, the public lands lovers, and everyone who's ever felt the canyon call. See you there. 🤘

06/16/2026

🌱 Small actions add up to a big impact!

Since April, Colorado Canyons Association's River Program has been partnering with Compost Junction to keep food scraps out of the landfill and turn them into a resource instead of waste.

In just a few months, we've already:

🍎 Diverted 97 pounds of food waste from the landfill
🚗 Offset the equivalent of 96 miles driven
⛽ Saved the equivalent of 4.4 gallons of gasoline
🌳 Created an impact equal to 0.6 tree seedlings grown for 10 years

These numbers may seem small, but they represent a simple change that's helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support a healthier environment.

We're proud to make sustainability part of our daily operations—both on and off the river. Thanks to Compost Junction for helping us turn scraps into something meaningful!

🌎♻️

06/15/2026

06/14/2026

Let's all give a big shoutout to our CCA river guides! 📣👏🏻

As we move into another busy river season, we'd like to recognize the incredible guide team that helps make CCA's river programs possible.

The start of the season has brought its fair share of challenges—from low river flows and persistent winds to the day-to-day surprises that come with operating in the field (including the occasional flat tire). Through it all, our guides continue to show up with enthusiasm, adaptability, and a passion for connecting people to these special places.

Whether they're helping students experience the river for the first time, leading stewardship projects, supporting volunteers, or sharing the stories of these canyons with our community, their hard work often happens behind the scenes but never goes unnoticed.

Thank you to our river guides for your flexibility, dedication, good humor, and commitment to creating safe and meaningful experiences on the water. We couldn't do it without you!!

06/12/2026

📅Save the date for art, beer, and bikes--oh my!

Join us on Friday, August 7 from 5:00–8:00 p.m. at Gemini Beer Company for a special evening celebrating the artwork of Jeremy Rice, CCA's eeCorps member.

This showcase will feature artwork inspired by Jeremy's year exploring and documenting the landscapes, wildlife, and stories of our National Conservation Areas—including a preview of his upcoming fully illustrated NCA field guide (Coming 2027).

The evening will include live music, special edition CCA merchandise featuring Jeremy's artwork, and the conclusion of Grand Junction Bike Night at Gemini. We're also grateful to Gemini Beer Company for donating $1 from every beer sold during the event to support Colorado Canyons Association's education and stewardship programs.

Come raise a glass, support local art, and celebrate the landscapes that inspire us all!

06/11/2026

The Gunnison River Cleanup is officially LIVE 🛶💚♻️

We’re excited to announce the return of this annual stewardship effort focused on caring for one of western Colorado’s most important waterways. This year’s cleanup will once again take place along the Lower Gunnison River, with the exact stretch still to be announced.

Every year, volunteers help remove trash and debris from the river corridor while spending a meaningful day giving back to the landscapes and waterways that give so much to all of us.

Whether you’re a longtime river steward or simply a private boater looking for a hands-on way to make a difference, we’d love to have you join us! RSVP now on the CCA website. Stay tuned for river section announcements and more information coming soon 🌊

Because protecting public lands starts with showing up for them.

06/09/2026

Last week, families joined us in Dominguez Canyon for a special Canyon Club guided hike through one of the most remarkable landscapes in western Colorado 🌄🥾

Families spent the day learning about the Big Dominguez ecosystem—from geology and wildlife to the plants and waterways that make this canyon such a unique and important place within Dominguez–Escalante National Conservation Area.

One of the best parts of programs like Canyon Club is seeing multiple generations exploring and learning together. These shared outdoor experiences help build lasting connections to public lands and give families the confidence and inspiration to continue visiting and caring for these places long after the hike is over.

06/05/2026

Last Month, we had the pleasure of getting Johnson Elementary 5th grade students out on the river for a day of hands-on learning, exploration, and connection to the incredible landscapes right here in their own backyard 🌊🌄

From learning about river ecology and canyon geology to simply experiencing the magic of being on the water together, these trips help students build confidence, curiosity, and a deeper connection to public lands.

For many students, it’s their very first time rafting the Colorado River—and experiences like these can leave a lasting impact for years to come.

Thank you to our incredible educators, guides, and partners who help make outdoor education opportunities like this possible for local students 💚