Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of the most underrated National Parks in the entire country. With sky-high painted cliffs, a raging river, and a deep river gorge, you must see this spectacular Colorado park at least once in your life.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is divided by the Gunnison River into two rims – the South Rim and the North Rim. Ideally, you’d visit both sides of the park, but since it’s a 2-hour drive from one rim to the other, people are often forced to pick just one to visit.
If you are short on time and have to decide between the South Rim or the North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison, this is the guide for you!
In this Black Canyon of the Gunnison South Rim Vs North Rim guide, I will share the differences between the two rims. That way, you can decide if you should visit the South Rim or North Rim. Or both!
Spoiler Alert: You can’t go wrong either way!
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Black Canyon of the Gunnison: North Rim Vs. South Rim
Know Before You Go: South Rim Vs. North Rim
The South Rim is open year-round, but in the winter (usually between mid-November and mid-April), the Rim Drive beyond Gunnison Point and the South Rim Visitor Center is closed to vehicles. Instead, it is groomed for snowshoers and cross-country skiers.
The North Rim is closed in the winter from around mid-November to April. Check for current conditions and closures here.
Overview: South Rim Vs. North Rim
The South Rim is the most accessible and most popular. This side of the canyon has more services and scenic overlooks than the North Rim and boasts easier, shorter hikes that are ideal for families and day-trip visitors.
The North Rim is more remote, primitive, and quiet than the South Rim, which can be attractive to some and unappealing to others. While there are fewer services on this side, the North Rim contains more challenging, diverse hikes and shorter walks to the overlooks.
Location: South Rim Vs. North Rim
Since there isn’t a handy-dandy bridge that connects the two rims, all visitors who want to see both sides of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park will have to drive two hours all the way around the canyon.
The South Rim is about 13 miles northeast of Montrose, Colorado. Take US 50 east and turn left on CO-347. Follow this north for about 6 miles to the park entrance.
The North Rim is about 11 miles southwest of Crawford, Colorado. Follow Black Canyon Road for about 7 miles to the unpaved North Rim Road.
Scenic Drives & Overlooks: South Rim Vs. North Rim
The South Rim’s Scenic Drive is 7 miles long and fully paved. From Tomichi Point to High Point, there are 12 overlooks and 5 easy hiking trails on South Rim Drive. Most scenic overlooks require a short walk to the edge, usually just a few hundred yards or less. Pulpit Rock, Chasm View, and Sunset View are all handicapped-accessible. The Painted Wall is best viewed from this rim.
NOTE: Access to East Portal Road is located just off South Rim Drive. If you want to venture down to the wild Gunnison River without attempting to hike the tricky wilderness routes in the inner canyon, driving East Portal Road would be a great alternative. Picnicking, fishing, and camping are all available at the end of the road. The road is extremely steep and curvy, and vehicles longer than 22 feet are prohibited. This road is closed in the winter and early spring.
The North Rim’s Scenic Drive is 4.5 miles long and graveled. There are 5 overlooks and 3 diverse hiking trails on North Rim Drive. More overlooks are available along the hikes. The narrowest part of the canyon is best viewed from this rim.
Hikes: South Rim Vs. North Rim
The South Rim has 5 short, easy hiking trails ranging from 0.4 miles to 2 miles. This means that you can probably hike all five in one day.
The North Rim has 3 long, moderate-to-strenuous hiking trails ranging from 0.3 miles to 7 miles. These trails are longer, more difficult, and have more elevation change than the hikes on the South Rim.
Both rims have hiking access to the inner canyon. All of these routes are unmaintained, rated as strenuous, require a wilderness permit, and shouldn’t be attempted unless you are fully prepared and educated. I’ll mention more about inner canyon access in the next section.
Inner Canyon Access: South Rim Vs. North Rim
Both rims have access to the inner canyon. There are no maintained or marked trails into the inner canyon. Instead, there are “wilderness routes,” or unmarked scrambles to the river. Wilderness use permits are required to access the inner canyon. For more information on Inner Canyon Use, click here.
The South Rim has three routes to the Gunnison River: Gunnison Route, Tomichi Route, and Warner Route.
The North Rim has three routes to the Gunnison River: Pinyon Draw (formerly S.O.B. Draw), Long Draw, and Slide Draw.
Camping: South Rim Vs. North Rim
The South Rim has one campground. Located one mile from the Visitor Center, the South Rim Campground has 88 sites. There is seasonal potable water and vault toilets but no showers. Reservations may be made on recreation.gov from mid-May to mid-September, and after that, sites are first come, first served. The campground is open year-round.
There is also a campground at the end of East Portal Road, which is accessible from the South Rim. Located along the Gunnison River, East Portal Campground has 15 sites. There is seasonal potable water and vault toilets but no showers. All sites are first come, first served.
The North Rim has one remote campground. There is seasonal potable water and vault toilets but no showers. There are only 13 sites, and all sites are first come, first served. The campground is closed in the winter.
Visitor Centers: South Rim Vs. North Rim
The South Rim has the only visitor center in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The visitor center is open year-round; check their current hours here. Inside, you can find knowledgeable rangers, interesting exhibits, the park film, and a stocked bookstore. Obtain a map, newspaper, junior ranger book, or permit from the visitor center. Wilderness permits can be obtained here either by self-registration when it’s closed or by ranger assistance when it’s open. There is limited RV parking at the visitor center, and the parking lot fills quickly in the summer.
The North Rim doesn’t have a visitor center, but there is a ranger station. The ranger station is open intermittently in the summer and is closed in the winter. Maps and newspapers can be found on the porch. Wilderness permits can be self-registered here.
Picnic Areas: South Rim Vs. North Rim
The South Rim has picnic tables at 5 different overlooks along the Scenic Drive: Gunnison Point, Pulpit Rock, Sunset View, High Point, and East Portal.
The North Rim has picnic tables at the North Rim Campground. You are allowed to picnic here as long as the site is unoccupied.
Dogs: South Rim Vs. North Rim
Dogs are allowed on both rims in certain areas.
The South Rim is dog-friendly. 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.
The North Rim is also dog-friendly. 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.
Winter Access: South Rim Vs. North Rim
The South Rim is open year-round, but in the winter (usually between mid-November and mid-April) the Rim Drive beyond Gunnison Point and the South Rim Visitor Center is closed to vehicles. Instead, it is groomed for snowshoers and cross-country skiers.
The North Rim is closed in the winter from around mid-November to April. Check for current conditions and closures here.
Water: South Rim Vs. North Rim
At the South Rim, water is available in the summer only. Water fill-up stations are located at the visitor center and the campground. The NPS asks that you be prepared with your own water because all of the potable water is trucked in. This means that water is scarce here and shouldn’t be relied on or taken advantage of.
At the North Rim, water is available in the summer only. Water fill-up stations are located at the ranger station and the campground. Just like the South Rim, all of the water is trucked in so use the fill-up stations conservatively.
Food: South Rim Vs. North Rim
The South Rim is about 20 minutes from Montrose, which has a variety of restaurants and food options. Some of the best-rated restaurants are Ted Nelson’s Steakhouse, Colorado Boy Pizza & Brewery, and The Stone House.
The North Rim is about 11 miles from Crawford, which has limited food options. If you get hungry during your visit to the North Rim, stop by North Fork Boardwalk in Crawford or venture to Hotchkiss for some local dining at Zack’s BBQ.
Hotels: South Rim Vs. North Rim
The South Rim is about 20 minutes from Montrose, which has plenty of hotel accommodations. I’d recommend staying at the Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express & Suites.
The North Rim is about 11 miles from Crawford, which has limited accommodations. The Stone House Inn has great reviews.
Need more help planning your trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park? Click here to read my complete park guide!
Which Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison Is the Best?
As I’ve said earlier, both rims of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park are worth the visit. And maybe, after reading this article, you agree with me.
But sometimes, one rim can be better suited for certain visitors, so here is the verdict for the BEST RIM TO VISIT in each of the following categories:
- Easiest to Access: South Rim
- Best Scenic Drive: South Rim
- Best Overlooks: South Rim
- Best Hikes: North Rim
- Best Inner Canyon Routes: It’s a tie! (Although South Rim has the most popular route – the Gunnison Route).
- Best Campground: It’s a tie! Although South Rim reservations are easier to obtain since there are more sites, and sites can be reserved in advance.
- Most Amenities/Services: South Rim
- Most Variety of Picnic Spots: South Rim
- Most Dog-Friendly: It’s a tie!
- Most Family-Friendly: South Rim
- Best Winter Activities: South Rim
- Fewer Crowds: North Rim
If you only have ONE day to spend at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, I’d suggest that you spend it at the SOUTH RIM.
If you are looking for a little solitude and prefer experiencing the park without crowds, visit the NORTH RIM.
If you are visiting in the WINTER, visit the SOUTH RIM.
If you have TWO OR MORE DAYS to spend in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, drive to BOTH RIMS!
Discover Your Next Adventure
Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!
- Canyonlands National Park
- Olympic National Park
- Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Crater Lake National Park
- Arches National Park
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