Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado, USA - map, photos and visitor information

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in western Colorado offers close views of steep canyon walls above the Gunnison River. Most visitors can experience it from rim roads and overlooks. Going down to the river on a wilderness route is a much more demanding undertaking, with permits and preparation required.

Highlights around Black Canyon

• South Rim overlooks: A paved drive connects viewpoints, with Gunnison Point beside the visitor center and Tomichi Point offering an accessible viewing platform.
• North Rim: A gravel approach leads to a less developed side of the canyon, with overlooks and the Chasm View Nature Trail.
• Warner Point Trail: This walk from High Point combines canyon views with a wider view of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
• East Portal: A steep road reaches river level and exhibits about the Gunnison Tunnel. This destination is in neighboring Curecanti National Recreation Area, reached through the national park.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Cliff edges, altitude, and storms

Keep children close at overlooks. Not all edges have guardrails, and weathered rock can be unstable. Never throw stones or other objects into the canyon: hikers and climbers may be below you.

The rim's high elevation can make walking more tiring than expected. Slow down and carry water. Leave exposed viewpoints when thunder develops, and seek shelter in a building or vehicle. Mobile reception is limited; inside the canyon, even satellite messengers may have difficulty connecting.

Inner-canyon routes are steep, unmarked scrambles through loose rock, not maintained hiking trails. The Gunnison Route also has burned slopes and unstable trees. Only attempt an open route with the necessary experience and equipment, and plan for a delayed return or rescue.

Visit responsibly

Stay out of closed fire-recovery areas. Secure food and scented items in the campground's bear-resistant lockers; use a locked vehicle with closed windows if lockers are unavailable. Never leave these items in a tent.

Leashed pets may use overlooks and their access paths, picnic areas, campgrounds, and the Rim Rock and North Rim Chasm View Nature trails. Other hiking trails and inner-canyon routes are off limits to pets. Keep the leash within six feet, remove waste promptly, and do not leave pets unattended.

Entry, camping, and wilderness permits

Vehicle entry does not require a reservation. South Rim campsites require reservations year-round. North Rim and East Portal campsites are first-come, first-served, with app-based payment. Download Recreation.gov before arriving because reception can be weak.

Both day and overnight inner-canyon trips require a wilderness permit. South Rim hiking routes use reservations from May 1 through October 31; North Rim permits are limited and issued on the day of the trip. A listed permit route may still be closed, so check the current wilderness permit instructions and route status together.

Choose the correct rim before navigating

The South Rim approach follows CO 347 north from US 50 east of Montrose. Its physical address is 9800 Highway 347, Montrose, Colorado. The North Rim approach follows Black Canyon Road from CO 92 near Crawford; its last seven miles are unpaved.

There is no bridge across the canyon. NPS advises allowing two to three hours to drive between rims on outside roads. Plan each rim as a separate outing rather than assuming the next viewpoint is a short drive away. Download the official brochure and route maps before travel.

East Portal Road leaves the South Rim entrance area. It has grades up to 16 percent and prohibits vehicles longer than 22 feet, including trailers. Use low gear on the descent. This is not a shortcut to the North Rim.

Nearby parks along the road

• Crawford State Park: On CO 92 just south of Crawford, near the approach to Black Canyon's North Rim.
• Ridgway State Park: On US 550 south of Montrose, a convenient additional stop when continuing toward Ridgway and Ouray.

Overlooks and walks to fit your visit

Start a South Rim visit at the visitor center, then select overlooks along the drive. Parking can fill during busy periods, so use designated spaces and continue to another stop if necessary. Tomichi Point has a paved platform beside parking; South Rim Chasm View uses a packed gravel approach.

• Oak Flat Loop: A 1.6-mile round trip that dips below the rim without reaching the river. It has narrow sections and steep slopes, so treat it as a moderately strenuous hike.
• Warner Point: About 0.8 mile each way from High Point. The unpaved trail is steep in places, with mountain and canyon views.
• Rim Rock Trail: Connects the South Rim campground area and visitor center. Expect rocks, stairs, and drop-offs; sections pass through the burned landscape.

The North Rim offers another perspective with fewer services. Its gravel roads are normally passable for most vehicles when open, but confirm surface conditions after bad weather. East Portal adds river-level scenery and tunnel history if your vehicle meets the road restrictions.

Water, restrooms, and overnight options

The South Rim Visitor Center has exhibits, a bookstore, maps, ranger assistance, and accessible parking. Vault toilets serve the rim; do not expect flush toilets. Water supplies are seasonal. The South Rim, North Rim, and East Portal water systems are shut off for winter, including campground supplies. Bring all the drinking water you need.

The campground page reports a limited reopening of 25 non-electric South Rim sites after the fire. Do not assume that the campground's full capacity or electric sites are available. North Rim camping has fewer services; East Portal camping is within Curecanti and has its own access constraints.

There are no lodges or restaurants inside Black Canyon. The South Rim bookstore sells some hiking snacks, but arrange meals and lodging in nearby communities. Picnic tables are available at several South Rim stops, including Pulpit Rock, Sunset View, and High Point.

About Black Canyon of the Gunnison

From human use to protected landscape

Archaeological evidence on the rims records human use over thousands of years. Later explorers sought railroad routes and ways to divert river water, leading to the Gunnison Tunnel project. Black Canyon became a national monument in 1933 and a national park in 1999. Civilian Conservation Corps work and later park improvements helped establish the roads, overlooks, and visitor facilities used today.

Habitats from rim to river

The canyon's changes in elevation create different habitats for birds, reptiles, and mammals. Bighorn sheep, black bears, and mountain lions are among the park's mammals. Watch from a distance and keep food under control; an animal approaching for a snack is a problem to prevent, not a photo opportunity.

Contact the park

Call park headquarters at 970-641-2337 or email [email protected]. The mailing address is 102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO 81230; use the rim-specific directions above for driving. The NPS contact page also covers lost property and other inquiries.