As one of the lesser-visited parks in the country, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park may not be on your short-list of places to see. In fact, you may not have even heard of it! However, this small park has plenty to keep you busy for a full day, at a minimum. A terrific scenic drive, amazing views of a Canyon that barely sees light and some short and easy hikes (or some intense ones!) highlight a trip here.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located in southwestern Colorado. Though not a part of Colorado that you may be passing through, it’s a short drive from some other great parks, including Mesa Verde, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. For just a few hours extra, you can find yourself in the amazing Rocky Mountain National Park, located to the northeast.
If you are very active, there is plenty to keep you busy here for one to three days. However, if you only have an hour or so as you pass through the area, you should still come and check out the park. The viewpoints are easily accessible from the road, and the drive is pretty short to get fully into the park. Even the views just from the Visitor Center are terrific!
We hope this guide will help you plan out your day in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park!
Ahead of your trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, we recommend downloading our Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park itinerary. We help you out with what you need to bring with you on your trip, what to do ahead of time, sample 1, 2 and 3 day itineraries (for all styles of travel), the best hikes and much more!
BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK HISTORY
The “Black Canyon” has of course been known by locals for hundreds of years before the first explorations of Europeans. However, it wasn’t until 1853 that Captain John Gunnison first explored the Canyon, as well as the river.
This rugged area was known as being beautiful, but nearly impassable. It was considered by the railroads for a route, but surveyors recommended against it in favor of easier routes to the south. This was a smart choice, as putting in tracks would have been costly and treacherous.
The area was designated as a National Monument in 1933. During the first few years, the Civilian Conservation Corps worked on the roads and overlooks. It wasn’t until 1999 that the Monument was officially established as Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Today, approximately 300,000 visitors a year come to catch what they can see of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park map, courtesy of the National Park Service
SOUTH RIM AREA
South Rim Area map, courtesy of the National Park Service
The South Rim area is by far the most accessible and the most popular part of the park. Most visitors only come to this part of the park, spend time at the Visitor Center and then drive some or all of the park road. It’s possible to spend only an hour here or several days, depending on what you decide to do.
We recommend setting aside at least a half-day to explore the South Rim. This will allow you to take a few short walks, a hike and drive the full length of South Rim Drive.
When visiting the South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, we recommend checking out the following:
- South Rim Visitor Center. We always recommend the first stop of your trip be to check out the Visitor Center. While you don’t need to make it your first stop in the park, it is worth checking out before you depart. Here you’ll find some great exhibits as well as the park film and access to Park Rangers. Outside the Visitor Center you’ll be able to access some of the park trails, but one “must do” is the Gunnison Point Overlook. It’s really just a walk but it provides one of the best views in the park.
- South Rim Drive. Leaving right from the Visitor Center and heading west, the South Rim Drive is a must do if you have the time. It’s only seven miles long and will take only about 2 hours (depending on how much time you spend at each of the viewpoints and whether or not you do any hiking). Plan on stopping at most (if not all) of the 12 viewpoints along the way. Each provides a different view of the Black Canyon. A favorite stop of ours is the Painted Wall (which has a short walk to the viewpoint). Most of the viewpoints are exactly that-you get out the car and take a look. Some require a 0.1 or 0.2-mile walk and have some stairs. One piece of advice-if you see a view that you want to take a photo of, take it before it changes! The sunlight here moves quickly, and what you can see one minute may be gone the next.
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Hiking. There are two types of hikes in Black Canyon National Park-those that stay on the rim, and those that head down into the Black Canyon. If you stay on the rim, then you can plan on the hike having than a few hundred feet of elevation gain. And if you head down into the Canyon, then plan on a strenuous hike down and a grueling hike back up, even though you may not be covering a whole lot of distance. You may run into poison ivy, and you will have loose footing and opportunities to fall if you hike into the Canyon. Also, Canyon hikes do require obtaining a wilderness permit ahead of your hike. They are easy to obtain (from the Visitor Center). There are quite a few great hikes here, and here are some that we recommend:
- One of our favorite hikes is the Warner Point Nature Trail. This 1.5-mile (round-trip) hike is fairly easy, with only about 400 feet of elevation gain. It heads west and moves up and down along the way to Warner Point, which is the highest point in the canyon. There are good views of the Canyon and great views of the Montrose Area and the San Juan Mountains. The Warner Point Nature Trail starts at the end of South Rim Road.
- An easy to moderate trail is the Oak Flat Loop Trail. It only has about 300 feet of elevation gain over the 1.3-mile (round-trip) distance. After heading down slightly (if you hike counterclockwise) you’ll get to a narrow path with great views of the Canyon. It’s not overly challenging, but you’ll want to be careful along the rim. The Oak Flat Loop Trail starts at the Visitor Center.
- The Rim Rock Nature Trail connects the Visitor Center to the South Rim campground. It’s about 1.5-miles long (round-trip) with about 200 feet of elevation gain. There are great views to the east as you hike along the rim. The Rim Rock Nature Trail starts from the Visitor Center.
- If you are heading down into the Canyon, then there are three “trails” to choose from. The trails are informal, but they are easy to follow on your way down:
- The Gunnison Route Trail heads down over a relatively short distance. This 1.8-mile (round-trip) trail descends about 1800 feet, with the last half of the trail heading nearly straight down. The Gunnison Route Trail begins from Gunnison Point near the Visitor Center.
- The Warner Route Trail is the easiest of the routes to the Canyon. While not easy, this 4.3-mile (round-trip) hike heads west for about 0.7 miles before the decline begins to the Canyon. The total elevation gain is about 3000 feet. Again, it’s difficult, but it has the best footing of any trail to the Canyon. The Warner Point Trail begins from High Point at the end of South Rim Road.
- The Tomichi Trail is the third option to take if you want to head into the Canyon. At 1.3-miles (round-trip), it’s the shortest trail. It’s extremely steep (1800 feet elevation change), with plenty of loose rock to contend with. The Tomichi Trail starts just south of the Visitor Center on South Rim Drive.
EAST PORTAL AREA
East Portal Area map, courtesy of the National Park Service
Accessed via East Portal Road, the drive in is super curvy and steep-a grade of up to 16%! This is where the Gunnison Tunnel was built. Completed in 1922, it diverts water from the Gunnison River to the west for irrigation purposes. A visit to this area is great if you have the time. There is a short hike, and you can also take some time to check out the Diversion Dam. Note: the road to the East Portal Area is closed in the winter.
There is one trail to consider:
- The East Portal Trail is a short (0.8-miles, round-trip) rustic hike that heads north. It is not the best maintained, but it allows you to get to the river. Long pants may be desired, as there is tall brush and grasses. The trailhead for the East Portal Trail starts on the north side of the East Portal Campground.
NORTH RIM AREA
Though it takes birds only a minute or two to fly from the South to the North Rim, it takes about 2.5 hours to drive the route! However, the remote nature of the North Rim means that few visitors even show up to see the views from the North Rim. The walls of the Canyon are steeper on the North Rim, making the views more dramatic. You can also see down into the Canyon more easily.
Be advised that the last seven miles of road to the North Rim are dirt, though it doesn’t require any special clearance or all-wheel drive capability.
On the North Rim, the big activity here is hiking (unless you plan on. Our recommendations include:
- If you want a big bang for you time and effort, then the hike to Exclamation Point is for you. This easy hike has a round-trip distance of 2.9-miles and a total elevation gain of nearly 400 feet. The trail heads east and approaches the canyon wall at the 0.5-mile point before arriving at amazing views at Exclamation Point. Some say these are the best views in the park. The trailhead begins at the North Rim Ranger Station. You can also continue to Green Mountain on the North Vista Trail for a total distance of 7.0 miles (and 1250 feet of elevation gain) for views of the San Juan Mountains.
- The Chasm View Nature Trail is an easy, 0.6-mile trail (round-trip). It heads to the Canyon Rim from the North Rim Campground, with only about 100 feet of elevation gain. The trailhead starts at the North Rim Campground.
HOW TO GET TO BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK AND OTHER TRAVEL INFORMATION
To get to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, it’s fairly easy to do. If you are flying into the area, then the closest airport is Montrose, CO. While this is not the largest airport in the state, it is certainly most convenient. It’s also a great spot to head into if you are visiting Moab, UT. Here are directions from Montrose, CO to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
WHERE TO STAY NEAR BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Lodging: There is no lodging inside of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Camping in Black Canyon of the Gunnison: There are three campgrounds in (or adjacent to) Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. One is located on South Rim (this is the largest of the campgrounds) and there are primitive campgrounds at East Portal and the North Rim. Details on camping in Black Canyon of the Gunnison can be found here.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK?
The park is open all year-round, but clearly the best time to go if you want to have access to all of the park is in the late spring to fall. When the snow comes, the South Rim Drive is closed, as is access to East Portal and the North Rim.
If you do happen to want to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison in the winter, then bring your snowshoes or cross-country skis for traveling down the South Rim Drive!
VISITING BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK IN THE WINTER
If you do happen to want to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison in the winter, then bring your snowshoes or cross-country skis for traveling down the South Rim Drive!
ARE PETS ALLOWED IN BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK?
- Pets are allowed in the park, but in a limited capacity. They can go to the overlooks, campgrounds and in the parking areas. They are allowed only on the Cedar Point Nature Trail, the North Rim Chasm View Nature Trail and the Rim Rock Trail. They must be leashed at all times.
- Pets may not be left unattended.
RELATED INFORMATION ON BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK FROM JUST GO TRAVEL STUDIOS
- Before you head to the area, be sure to pickup a copy of our itinerary for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park!
- Just to the south of the park is good place to stay as a home base or explore Ouray, CO. You can read about it in our blog, What to See and Do in Ridgway State Park.
- When you get back from your trip, send us a photo and we’ll create a custom, vintage travel poster. We look forward to working with you!
