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Float 14 miles through the Gunnison Gorge with experienced guides from Pleasure Park and Gunnison River Expeditions. This two-day trip pairs world-class wild rainbow and brown trout fishing with dramatic Precambrian canyon scenery—book early for peak salmonfly season.
Float 14 miles through the Gunnison Gorge with experienced guides from Pleasure Park and Gunnison River Expeditions. This two-day trip pairs world-class wild rainbow and brown trout fishing with dramatic Precambrian canyon scenery—book early for peak salmonfly season.
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Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Pleasure Park · Hotchkiss, Colorado
The Gunnison Gorge—carved into some of Colorado's oldest Precambrian rock—is the setting for Two Day - Float Fishing - Gunnison Gorge, a guided 14‑mile overnight float run operated from Pleasure Park near Hotchkiss, Colorado. Launching at 6:00 AM, the trip begins with a 4‑wheel drive ride to the Chukar Trailhead and a moderate hike down to Chukar Beach; horses pack river equipment the day before so the river is waiting. Over two days you’ll float past sheer black canyon walls, pick lines through riffles and runs, and camp with the river as your neighbor. What makes this trip stand out is the combination of genuine backcountry fishing and controlled, low‑impact river travel. Gunnison River Expeditions (GRE) specializes in float fishing on this Gold Medal trout fishery—home to large wild rainbow and brown trout—and runs trips with experienced guides who know the river’s seams, seams behind boulders and the deeper tailouts where trophy fish hold. The canyon is geologically arresting: exposed Precambrian gneiss and schist tower above the river, polished by millennia of water and time. Wildlife sightings are common; keep an eye out for bighorn sheep on ledges, river otters in eddies, mule deer in side draws, and soaring eagles. Logistics are straightforward but regulated. BLM rules cap launches and GRE limits group size—permitted parties combined with guides are limited to 12 people on a single launch date—so advanced reservations and a deposit are required. Anglers must purchase a Colorado fishing license for anyone 16 and older; Pleasure Park does not sell licenses. GRE offers an optional additional gear boat that gives anglers extra room and frees the guide from some camp tasks—valuable during the high‑demand June salmonfly hatch. Expect a mix of cold morning casts, technical dry‑fly opportunities, and adrenaline when running small rapids between productive pools. Guides provide instruction, river safety, and local intel on fly patterns and drift strategies. Bring layered clothing for variable canyon temperatures, sun protection for exposed stretches, and a willingness to learn. Trips run with small groups—Pleasure Park advertises trips up to 8 people, and BLM permits keep daily river traffic low to protect fish and habitat—so expect focused instruction and minimal crowding. Children are welcome from age nine with adult supervision. Because June sees the salmonfly hatch and high demand, book early; GRE requires advanced reservations and a deposit. Bring a valid ID, your purchased Colorado fishing license, and a spirit for early starts and long casts.
Participants must be at least 9 years old; children should be supervised by an accompanying adult.
Trips meet at Pleasure Park at 6:00 AM; expect a 4‑wheel drive ride to the Chukar Trailhead and a moderate descent to the river.
Yes—anyone 16 or older must purchase a Colorado fishing license prior to the trip; Pleasure Park does not sell licenses.
BLM rules limit combined clients and guides to a maximum of 12 people on a single launch date; GRE also advertises trips up to 8 people.
An optional gear boat provides extra space and can free your guide from camp duties; it's useful for anglers who want more room or extra fishing time.
One-day fishing trips are excluded in June due to the popularity of overnight trips during the salmonfly hatch—plan accordingly and book early.
Pleasure Park operates out of Hotchkiss, Colorado, offering guided river trips on the Gunnison River and through the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. Pleasure Park runs a range of experiences from half-day scenic floats to multi-day whitewater and fishing expeditions. Trips include full-day and two-day float fishing on Gunnison Gorge and the Lower Gunnison, jet boat and dory fishing, half-day and full-day scenic rafting, and two-day whitewater rafting through the Gunnison Gorge. Trips cover varied river conditions, from gentle Class I–II scenic floats to Class III–IV whitewater runs, and access Gold Medal trout waters and private stretches of river. Guests can expect river scenery that includes sandstone canyons, limestone cliffs, ancient petroglyphs, waterfalls, orchards, and native wildlife. Pleasure Park offers family-friendly scenic options and more technical whitewater and fly-fishing excursions for anglers seeking trophy rainbow and brown trout. Overnight trips include riverside camping on sandy beaches and opportunities for hiking, kayaking, or paddleboarding depending on the itinerary. Safety protocols, guided instruction, and appropriate equipment are part of each trip package; specific safety details and requirements are provided at booking. Reservations and logistical details are arranged from the Hotchkiss base, with departures timed to match seasonal river conditions. For travelers seeking guided fishing, scenic rafting, or an adrenaline-driven whitewater adventure on the Gunnison River or in the Dominguez-Escalante NCA, Pleasure Park provides locally guided trips and varied itineraries to match skill and interest levels. Booking information, seasonal availability, and specific trip maps are published on the business's official site.
Book with Pleasure Park