Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of the most underrated National Parks in the entire NPS system. Carved by the unusually steep Gunnison River, the sheer rock walls of the canyon rise over 2,700 feet at its deepest and span just 40 feet at its narrowest, making this park an epicenter for wild adventures.
Whether you’re into extreme paddles through steep whitewater, hazardous climbs down unmarked wilderness routes, or leisurely strolls with epic views, and whether you want to traverse remote gravel roads with zero services or maintained roads with modern facilities, Black Canyon of the Gunnison has a little something for every type of adventurer.
When researching this park, it can be a bit confusing to decipher the differences between the two rims and figure out where you should spend your time. In this guide, I’ll clearly lay out the best things to do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison, where to stay, when to go, and answer your burning FAQs.
In this Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park guide, I will also share important visitor information, top hikes, best activities, and much more. And while I briefly touch on North vs. South Rim comparisons, read my full guide on which rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison you should visit!
TIP: Don’t forget your park pass! If you don’t bring it, you’ll have to pay the $30/vehicle fee at the entrance station.
Complete Guide to Exploring Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
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Quick Facts About Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Location: Colorado, USA
Established: 1933 (National Monument), 1999 (National Park)
Size: 30,750 acres
Annual Visitors: 297,257 (2022)
Fee: $30 for 7 days or FREE with an annual pass
Visitor Center: South Rim
Fun Facts About Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Some parts of the gorge only receive 33 minutes of sunlight per day.
The Black Canyon got its name because the walls, as deep and narrow as they are, are often shrouded in shadows, making them appear black. Sunlight only hits the bottom for a very short period per day.
Black Canyon’s Painted Wall is the tallest cliff in Colorado and the third tallest in the Continental United States, behind El Capitan and Notch Peak.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison is home to the fastest bird and animal in the world: the peregrine falcon. It can reach speeds of up to 240 miles per hour when diving. Spot these beautiful creatures near the Painted Wall in the spring and early summer.
At its deepest, Black Canyon of the Gunnison is 2,722 feet deep at Warner Point, followed by 1,840 feet at Gunnison Point and 1,820 feet at Chasm View.
At its narrowest, the canyon is just 40 feet wide at the river and 1,100 feet wide at the rim.
The total length of Black Canyon is 48 miles, 14 of which run through the National Park.
The park contains some of the world’s oldest exposed rock.
The Gunnison River has an unusually steep gradient. From the canyon head at Sapinero to the mouth at the junction with North Fork, it falls 2,150 feet. That is an average drop of 43 feet per mile. In the National Park section, the river drops an average of 96 feet per mile. At its steepest point within the park, the Gunnison River drops an amazing 240 feet in just one mile at Chasm View. For comparison, the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon only descends an average of 7.5 feet per mile.
The Gunnison River sculpted the canyon walls by cutting through ancient metamorphic rock.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison’s lowest point is 5,440 feet at the Gunnison River. The highest point is 8,775 feet at Signal Hill.
There are no trails from the canyon rim to the Gunnison River. To get down there, you’ll have to attempt one of the unmarked wilderness routes.
Best Black Canyon Of The Gunnison Trails
The hikes in Black Canyon of the Gunnison are few and far between but are top-notch in regards to the “views-to-mileage” ratio. Meaning the trails are chock-full of great views that you don’t have to walk miles and miles for. So while this park isn’t considered a “hiker park,” there are some trails worth exploring.
If you prefer rugged terrain with some challenging elevation gain, spend your time at the North Rim.
If you like easy hikes with some mild elevation gain that still yields amazing views, head over to the South Rim.
Here are the top two hikes at each rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison!
North Rim: North Vista Trail To Exclamation Point
- Distance: 2.9 miles
- Type of Trail: Out & back
- Elevation Gain: 364 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead: North Rim Ranger Station
- Dog Friendly: No
The spectacular North Vista Trail was carved into the North Rim by the volunteers over at Outdoor Colorado. The hike from the North Rim Ranger Station to Exclamation Point is so rewarding and arguably the best rim-side viewpoint in the park.
The hike to Exclamation Point isn’t too steep – only 364 feet of elevation gain – but it is steeper than the trails found on the South Rim. However, if you continue past the overlook to Green Mountain, you will be hiking on one of the steepest trails in the park (aside from the inner canyon routes, of course).
The summit to Green Mountain is a haul. This feat will require an additional 2-mile hike and an extra 900 feet of elevation past Exclamation Point to the summit.
North Rim: Chasm View Nature Trail
- Distance: 0.6 miles
- Type of Trail: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 275 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead: At the end of the one-way campground loop
- Dog Friendly: Yes
This trail is short and sweet but still steeper than the trails found on the South Rim. While it’s only 0.3 miles to the end of the trail, you will be climbing a steady 275 feet of elevation in that tiny amount of distance.
This trail starts in a juniper forest and climbs to two overlooks – Chasm View and Painted Wall/Serpent Point, giving you a nice preview of the North Rim!
South Rim: Rim Rock Nature Trail
- Distance: 1.7 miles
- Type of Trail: Out & back
- Elevation Gain: 206 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trailhead: Campground Loop C, Tomichi Point Overlook, and South Rim Visitor Center
- Dog Friendly: Yes
This is the hike I recommend to most people who visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison. I recommend it for three reasons. One, it’s on the South Rim, so the trail is much easier to access than those on the North Rim. Two, the trail is fairly level and easy to hike. Three, you get beautiful views of the canyon for the entire trail.
There are multiple ways to access this trail, making it super easy to hop on the trail wherever you please. Access it from the campground, visitor center, or the Tomichi Point Overlook parking lot.
On this trail, you’ll take a stroll along the rim of the Black Canyon. You’ll see some spectacular views of the canyon, wildlife, and river that’s about 2,000 feet below you.
So if you only have time for one trail in the entire park, make it Rim Rock.
South Rim: Oak Flat Loop Trail
- Distance: 1.4 miles
- Type of Trail: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 334 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trailhead: Visitor Center
- Dog Friendly: No
This trail gifts visitors a different perspective of the park. Instead of skirting the rim of the trail, you can dip your toes into hiking below the canyon without attempting the crazy feat of traversing down to the river. Instead of the steep unmarked route of the inner canyon, the Oak Flat trail elevation is much gentler.
You’ll be entering the wilderness area on part of this trail. Though you won’t progress too deep into the canyon, you’ll get a taste of what it could be like to take one of those complex inner canyon routes. Who knows, maybe you’ll be tempted to snag a permit and give it a try!
Where To Stay In Black Canyon Of The Gunnison
Lodging (Inside Of The Park)
There is no lodging inside of the park. Consider camping at one of the three campgrounds in the park or staying outside of the park.
Lodging (Outside Of The Park)
The closest town to the South Rim is Montrose. Here are some places to stay:
- Budget-friendly: Minecart Motor Lodge
- Mid-range stay: Holiday Inn Express
- Luxury: Double G Ranch
The closest town to the North Rim is Crawford. Here are some places to stay:
- Budget-friendly: Crawford State Park Campground
- Mid-range stay: Hotchkiss Inn Motel
Camping
- South Rim Campground. Located one mile from the South Rim Visitor Center, South Rim Campground has 88 sites. Campsites can be reserved on recreation.gov for mid-May to mid-September, and sites are first come, first served outside of those dates. Potable water is available during the summer.
- North Rim Campground. Remote and on an unpaved road, the North Rim Campground has 13 sites that are all first come, first served. Potable water is available during the summer.
- East Portal Campground. While this campground is located in Curecanti National Recreation Area, visitors can access this campground from a steep road off the main road in the South Rim. This riverfront campground has 15 sites that are all first come, first served. Note that during the winter East Portal Road is closed to vehicles but open to pedestrians and cyclists, and vehicles over 22 feet are always prohibited along the road.
Getting Around Black Canyon Of The Gunnison
The park is divided into two sections: the North Rim and the South Rim. There is no bridge connecting the two sides, so it’ll take about two hours to drive from one rim to the other.
There are no shuttle buses in the park. Take a personal vehicle to access both rims.
The South Rim Overview
- Open year-round but parts of the South Rim Road are closed in the winter.
- Most popular.
- Easiest to access.
- Year-round visitor center.
- Facilities.
- Variety of overlooks.
- Easy, short hiking trails.
- Offers a better view of the Painted Wall.
- Offers a wilderness route to the bottom of the canyon.
- Picnic tables at many overlooks.
- Has a campground.
The North Rim Overview
- Closed during the winter.
- Accessed via a gravel road.
- No visitor center (but there is a ranger station).
- Variety of overlooks.
- Rugged and diverse trails.
- Quieter and more remote.
- Better views of the narrowest part of the canyon.
- Offers a wilderness route to the bottom of the canyon.
- Picnic tables at the North Rim Campground.
- Has a campground.
South Rim
The South Rim is about 20 minutes outside of Montrose, Colorado. There are a variety of restaurants and lodging options in Montrose, and the short drive from town to the park makes it easy to commute back and forth.
The South Rim Road is open to vehicles from mid-April to mid-November. In the winter, the South Rim Road is open up to the visitor center and Gunnison Point; the remainder of the road is closed to vehicles, but open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Click here for current conditions.
The Scenic Drive is paved and 7 miles long with twelve overlooks and five short, easy hiking trails.
East Portal Road is accessed from the South Rim. This 5-mile steep and windy road takes you down to the river.
North Rim
The North Rim is about 30 minutes outside of Crawford, Colorado. This town is smaller than Montrose and doesn’t offer as many services.
The North Rim Road is open from mid-April through mid-November. Click here for current conditions.
The Scenic Drive is gravel and 4.5 miles long with five overlooks and three hiking trails. 4WD vehicles are not required; most vehicles can drive the road.
Want to know which rim you should visit? Check out my guide that compares both rims!
Best Time to Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison
The South Rim is open year-round, but in the winter, the main park road closes past the visitor center. The road past the visitor center is then groomed for snowshoers and cross-country skiers.
The North Rim is usually open between mid-April and mid-November. It is closed completely to all visitors in the winter. Check for current conditions and closures here.
If you want to see both rims, plan your visit for May through October.
If you are a snowshoer, plan your visit to the South Rim in the winter (December-March).
Things to Do in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison
Aside from hiking (those trails are listed in a previous section of this blog post!), here are some other best things to do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Take One Of The Wilderness Routes Into The Inner Canyon – South Rim And North Rim
Hiking an inner canyon route is the most popular activity to do in the park. And for good reason! But permits (which are required) are extremely difficult to obtain.
If you’re one of the lucky ones who get to take one of these six fantastic routes to the Gunnison River, here are some things you should know:
- This isn’t just a hike. It involves route-finding, rock scrambling, and some basic climbing.
- You’ll need skill, experience, and preparation to be successful.
- Permits are free but limited. They are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
- For the North Rim, 42 permits are issued daily. 23 for Pinyon Draw (SOB Route), 8 for Long Draw, and 11 for Slide Draw.
- For the South Rim, 47 permits are issued daily. 15 for Gunnison Route, 9 for Tomichi Route, and 23 for Warner Route.
For more information on Inner Canyon Use, visit the NPS website.
Go Horseback Riding – North Rim
Horseback riders are welcome to venture to the North Rim. The Deadhorse Trail is the only trail where recreational horse riders are allowed in the park. No horseback riding is permitted on the South Rim.
For more information on horseback riding in Black Canyon of the Gunnison, visit the NPS website.
Visit The Park During Astro Fest Weekend – South Rim
Each year, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park hosts an Astronomy Festival so that visitors can experience and learn about the night sky.
Most events are held on the South Rim of the park. Events include an Astro activity table, ranger talks, guest speaker programs, and stargazing. Rangers, volunteers, and the Black Canyon Astronomical Society will also provide telescopes for viewing.
The NPS hasn’t released its 2023 dates yet, but when they do, they’ll appear right here!
Black Canyon of the Gunnison FAQs
Where is the best place to view the sunrise at Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
The best place to view the sunrise at Black Canyon of the Gunnison is Tomichi Point!
How long to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnsion?
You need at least one full day to visit the South Rim, but if you want to see both rims, I’d plan on three days.
Best time to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnsion?
The best time to visit the South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison is May through October. If you don’t mind the snow, you can snowshoe year-round!
The best time to visit the North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison is May through October. The North Rim is closed in the winter.
How do I spend one day in Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
I have an entire guide on how to spend one day in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park! Check it out here.
Is Black Canyon of the Gunnison worth seeing?
100%, yes! I believe this is one of the most underrated parks in the NPS system.
What are the best hotels near Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
Montrose (South Rim): Minecart Motor Lodge, Holiday Inn Express, and Double G Ranch
Crawford (North Rim): Hotchkiss Inn Motel
Are dogs allowed in Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
Dogs are allowed on both rims in certain areas.
On the South Rim, dogs are permitted in picnic areas, the campground, parking lots, paths to overlooks, and along roads open to vehicles. Leashed pets are also permitted on the Rim Rock Trail.
On the North Rim, dogs are permitted at the campground, parking lots, paths to overlooks, and along roads open to vehicles. Leashed pets are also permitted on the Chasm View Nature Trail.
What to Explore Around Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Don’t miss these great spots around Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park!
- Colorado National Monument – 86 miles (about 2 hours) from the South Rim
- Great Sand Dunes National Park – 195 miles (about 3.5 hours) from the South Rim
- Rifle Falls State Park – 139 miles (about 2.5 hours) from the South Rim
