Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is an incredible destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Located in western Colorado, this stunning national park offers a variety of activities and scenic views that will take your breath away.
My family and I enjoyed a day exploring all of the wonderful things to do at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park on one of our road trips to also see the other Colorado National Parks.
Table of Contents
Things to Do at Black Canyon of the Gunnison: South Rim
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is split into 2 sections. Here are the best things to do at the South Rim of the park.
1. South Rim Visitor Center
The South Rim Visitor Center at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is the best place to start. Located just off the South Rim Road, this visitor center offers stunning views of the canyon walls nearby and provides visitors with information about the park’s history, wildlife, geology, and more.
The knowledgeable park rangers will be happy to answer any questions you may have about hiking trails or other activities in the area. From interactive exhibits to educational programs, there are plenty of things to do here that will help you get acquainted with Black Canyon National Park!
2. Junior Ranger Program
The Junior Ranger Program at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a great way for kids (and adults) to learn about the park and have fun while doing it. Through this program, you can complete activities such as scavenger hunts, hikes, and more.
By completing these age-appropriate activities, you can earn a special badge that recognizes your accomplishments. The Junior Ranger Program provides a wonderful way for families to explore Black Canyon together while learning valuable information along the way!
Stop by the South Rim Visitor Center to pick up a booklet and start exploring.
3. South Rim Drive
One of the most popular ways to explore Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is by taking a drive along its South Rim Road. This scenic 7 miles offers stunning views of the canyon walls and opportunities to see local wildlife. From pull-outs with amazing overlooks to hiking trails that lead down into the depths of the canyon, you can experience it all while driving this beautiful road!
Some of the overlooks that you should stop at are Tomichi Point, Gunnison Point, Chasm View, Painted Wall View, and Sunset View. The overlooks tend to be a short walk from the parking areas.
Winter Information: During the winter, there is no vehicular access on South Rim Road past Gunnison Point.
4. South Rim Hikes
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is home to some great hiking trails. Some trails take you along the canyon wall while others immerse you in nature.
Rim Rock Nature Trail
Rim Rock Nature Trail is an absolute must during your visit to the park. This trail gives you amazing views of the canyon. You can take this trail from the visitor center to Tomichi Point and turn back, complete the entire trail and turn back, or circle back to the visitor center using the Uplands Trail.
We chose the latter which doesn’t give you views of the canyon. But, it immerses you in the vegetation of the area including patches of beautiful flowers.
Cedar Point Nature Trail
The Cedar Point Nature Trail is a short 2/3 mile trail that has information about the local flora and fauna in the park. You are rewarded with great views from the overlook at the end of the trail.
Warner Point Nature Trail
Warner Point Nature Trail is a 1.5-mile out-and-back trail that takes you through the forest with great views of the San Juan Mountain Range and the Uncompahgre Valley.
4. Inner Canyon Hikes
For hikers looking for a challenge, several trails lead down into the canyon itself – offering even more breathtaking sights!
Gunnison Route
Gunnison Route is a popular hike and is a great trail to try if this is your first inner canyon experience. It is 1.5 miles long with a vertical drop of 1800 feet. Plan on this taking 4 hours to complete.
Tomichi Route
The one-mile-long Tomichi Route is very strenuous. It has a vertical drop of 1960 feet. This trail takes about 6 hours to complete.
Warner Route
The Warner Route is the longest trail option. Staying overnight is highly recommended. This trail is 2.75 miles long, consists of 2722 feet of vertical drop, and takes at least 6.5 hours to complete.
Wilderness Use Permit
You must have a wilderness use permit to hike into the inner canyon. They are distributed on a first-come-first-served basis. During the busy season, permits start being distributed 1.5 hours before closing at the Visitor Center the day before. Otherwise, you can get a permit on the day of your hike.
Check the NPS website for the latest permit updates and recommendations on things to bring on your hike.
5. See Black Canyon of the Gunnison at Night
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is one of only a few places in the US to be designated as an International Dark Sky Preserve. This designation means that light pollution from nearby cities and towns is kept to a minimum, allowing visitors to experience the beauty of a star-filled night sky.
The park offers several programs for stargazers including ranger-led astronomy talks and telescope-viewing sessions.
Astro Fest at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is an annual event dedicated to celebrating the night sky and astronomical beauty. It offers a variety of activities, ranging from ranger-led astronomy talks and telescope-viewing sessions to guided hikes and stargazing workshops.
Things to Do at Black Canyon of the Gunnison: North Rim
The North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a lesser-developed area of the park which also means fewer visitors. Since there is no bridge across the canyon, it takes between 2 and 3 hours to drive between rims. Here are the best things to do at the North Rim.
6. North Rim Road
The North Rim Road of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a scenic drive that provides visitors with stunning views of the canyon walls and fewer crowds than the South Rim. The North Rim Road consists of 6 overlooks.
In the winter, North Rim Road is closed.
7. North Rim Hikes
Even though Black Canyon of the Gunnison’s north rim has fewer hikes, you will be rewarded with amazing views and fewer crowds.
Chasm View Nature Trail
Chasm View Nature Trail is a short 1/3-mile trail that rewards you with excellent views of Painted Wall and Serpent Point.
North Vista Trail
North Vista Trail to Exclamation Point is a 3-mile round trip moderate trek. Exclamation Point offers some incredible views of the inner canyon. For even more of an adventure, continue on to Green Mountain making the total hike 7 miles.
8. North Rim Inner Canyon Hikes
You can also hike into the inner canyon from the North Rim. The same rules apply as the South Rim except you must get a permit on the day of your hike.
Pinyon Draw
If you want to hike in the inner canyon at the North Rim, this is the trail to take. Pinyon Draw is a 1.75-mile long hike with a vertical drop of 1800 feet. This trail will take you approximately 5 hours to complete.
Long Draw
Long Draw is a 1-mile-long hike with a vertical drop of 1800 feet. This trail will take you approximately 4.5 hours to complete. This trail takes you into the narrow part of the canyon and provides shade much of the time.
Slide Draw
Slide Draw is a 1-mile long hike with a vertical drop of 1620 feet. The trail is very steep and requires a nearly vertical scramble. This trail will take you approximately 5.5 hours to complete.
Things to Do at Black Canyon of the Gunnison: East Portal
Situated within Curecanti National Recreation Area, East Portal has a fascinating history dating back to the early 1900s. This is where the Gunnison Tunnel was built to divert river water for irrigation. As you drive in, keep an eye out for interpretive signs along the road—they share the stories of the people who once lived here and the hardworking crews who made the tunnel a reality.
9. Fishing at Black Canyon East Portal
Fishing is a great way to explore the depths of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Here, anglers will find populations of native fish such as rainbow trout and brown trout. You can access the river on foot from Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. But, you can get to the Gunnison River by car using East Portal Road.
10. East Portal Inner Canyon Hikes
There are two routes available in East Portal to explore the inner canyon: Devil’s Backbone Route and North River Route. The Devil’s Backbone Route does not require a permit for day use.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison Accommodations
Black Canyon of the Gunnison and the surrounding area provide visitors with a range of accommodation options for their visit to the national park. Whether you’re looking for a rustic campsite, cozy cabin, or hotel suite near the canyon, you can find it in or near the park.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison Camping
There is camping available at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. All sites offer vault toilets and seasonal potable water.
The South Rim Campground offers 65 tent sites as well as 23 RV sites with electricity. Reserve your spot through Recreation.gov.
The North Rim Campground only has 13 sites. The East Portal Campground, located within Curecanti National Recreation Area, offers 15 sites. Both of these are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hotels Near Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Montrose is the closest town for accommodation options. For a hotel with all of the modern amenities, consider the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Montrose or the Old School Lodge.
If you are looking for more space, the cute two-bedroom Blue Bungalow might be a good fit.
For a special accommodation experience, the Double G Ranch & Guestlodge offers a buffet breakfast along with amazing views and a bit of seclusion.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison FAQs
How much time to spend in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park?
The amount of time you should spend in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park depends on what activities and experiences you plan to enjoy. You can spend one day at the South Rim to get a good overview of the park and see many of the highlights.
If you plan to explore both the North Rim and South Rim, it is recommended that you spend at least 2 full days. That way, you can have a full day to explore each area.
What is the closest town to Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
Montrose is the closest town to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The city is the gateway to many incredible outdoor activities in the area.
Do you have to pay to get into Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
Yes. A parking pass to enter the park is $30 which is good for 7 days. An alternative is to purchase an annual national park pass such as the $80 America the Beautiful Annual Pass that allows access to over 2,000 Federal recreation sites. This is worth it if you will be visiting multiple NPS sites.
Do I need a reservation for Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
No. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park does not require a reservation to visit.
What is the best time to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
The best time to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is from late spring through summer. During these months, the park is fully open to explore.
Things to Do Near Black Canyon of the Gunnison
There are a few other Colorado National Park Service sites nearby that are worth checking out. Colorado National Monument is only 2 hours away. It is a great place to spend a day hiking and going on a scenic drive.
If you want to visit other Colorado National Parks, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are both a 3.5-hour drive away.
Montrose is a great place to base yourself for exploring the park. If you are interested in learning about the history of the area, check out the Museum of the Mountain West and the Ute Indian Museum while in town.
Final Thoughts: Things to Do at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
No matter how long you visit, Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a place you won’t forget. The epic cliffs, stunning views, and wildlife make it an unforgettable adventure. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or just driving through, there’s so much to explore!
For information on other places to visit in Colorado, check out these posts:
For information on other U.S. National Parks, check out these posts:
