Black Canyon of the Gunnison – Trails, Camping & Guide

by Petr Novák, ? The accuracy of the information provided in this article was last verified on this date. If you spot any errors, please let us know in the comments. Thank you. :-) Updated 05/31/2023 Colorado, National Parks, Tips for Trips

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a national park in western Colorado, home to one of the deepest canyons in the USA. Light only penetrates parts of Black Canyon Gorge for 33 minutes a day, which inspired the park’s name. The Gunnison is the river that flows through the canyon floor.

Information About Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is about a 5-hour drive from Denver and is in proximity to the parks Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Arches and Mesa Verde. At 51 mi², the park might not be the largest, but it offers views of some of the steepest cliffs and oldest, sharpest rocks in all of North America. In 2021, 308,910 people visited the park.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison was initially declared a national monument on March 2, 1933, and wasn’t promoted to a national park until October 21, 1999. The history of the area dates back to the 19th century when it was inhabited by members of the Ute Indian tribe. The deep canyons here were revered and avoided due to superstition. Captain John Williams Gunnison first thoroughly explored the valley around the river in 1853 when he led an expedition to build the future St. Louis to San Francisco railroad. The river flowing through the national park was named after him.

The highest point in the park is Grand Mesa, the world’s tallest table mountain at 9,055 ft, while the lowest point is part of the Gunnison River, sitting 5,446 ft above sea level.

Coyotes, deer, elk, eagles, and magpies are typical of the park’s fauna. The flora in Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP primarily consists of aspen, ponderosa pines, Gambel oaks, Utah junipers, and mahogany, along with wildflowers and sagebrush.

What to See and Do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

The national park covers only 14 mi of the canyon’s 48 mi, with the two rims being closest at a mere 1,099 ft apart. Warner Point is the deepest point in the canyon at 2,720 ft, followed by Gunnison Point (1,841 ft) and Chasm View (1,821 ft).

The best way to explore the park is by embarking on one of the scenic drives, often referred to as such in America. There are three in Black Canyon of the Gunnison; if possible, rent a 4×4. Not all parts of the road are paved.

South Rim Road

This 7 mi road stretches from Tomichi Point to High Point and includes 12 scenic overlooks. You can park your car at these spots and take a short walk to each one. You can complete the entire route in 2-3 hours. If you’re short on time, consider stopping at least at Gunnison Point (where the visitor center is), Chasm View, Painted Wall, and Sunset View.

North Rim Road

This unpaved road starts at the eastern edge of Crawford State Park and features 6 overlooks. The canyon walls in this northern section are steeper; allow 2-3 hours for the entire tour.

East Portal Road

This road is exceptionally steep, ideal for those who wish to drive down to the Gunnison River.
You can park your car in both the north and south sections of the park and hike. Dress appropriately for this activity and never leave your backpack with food unattended, as the bears here are quite hungry.

Hiking Trails in the South Rim

• Rim Rock Nature Trail: This easy trail along the rim of the canyon offers a journey into the park’s natural world. Here you’ll see sagebrush, oaks, pines, and junipers, as well as views of the Gunnison River and the canyon’s vertical cliffs.
• Oak Flat Loop Trail: This challenging 2 mi loop offers a lower perspective of the canyon but doesn’t reach all the way to the river. The trail begins at the visitor center.
• Cedar Point Nature Trail: This easy 1 mi trail includes two viewpoints and a full spectrum of plants typical of Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP. Colorado’s tallest rock, the 2,251 ft Painted Wall, is clearly visible from this trail.

Hiking Trails in the North Rim

• Chasm View Nature Trail: This 1,772 ft trail leads through the forest to a lookout point situated 1,801 ft above the flowing river.
• North Vista Trail: The trail begins at the ranger station, runs through the woods to the canyon rim, and offers one of the best views in the entire park. The trail is less than 3 mi long up to this point; extending the hike by another 4 mi leads to Green Mountain, where there are fantastic views of the San Juan Mountains, Table Mountain, Grand Mesa, and panoramas of Black Canyon.
• Deadhorse Trail: This easy 5 mi trail offers great views of Deadhorse Gorge and a portion of East Portal.

Other Options on Where to Go

Descending to the river is possible, but it must be off-trail, which makes it extremely challenging. It will take at least a full day, and for longer trails, it’s recommended to organize the hike as a two-day trip. The hike is not suitable for inexperienced hikers, and there are pitfalls along the way, including possible encounters with bears and paths through stands of poison ivy.

The cliffs of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park are inviting to climb, ranging from 5.8 to 5.13 on the American grading scale.

Experienced paddlers can attempt to kayak down the Gunnison River while visiting the park. Adequate preparation is crucial, as some sections of the river are completely unnavigable. The Gunnison River is not suitable for rafting.

When to Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is open from about mid-April to mid-November. The North Rim and East Portal roads and ranger stations are closed throughout the winter, and the South Rim road is only open to Gunnison Point during this time of year; the rest of the road is open to skiers only.

The most popular months to visit the park are July and August, but be aware that high temperatures during these months can make it challenging for some visitors to enjoy the park fully.

Summer temperatures can reach up to 100°F during the day, often dropping to near zero at night. In winter, they hover around 32°F during the day and can drop to 5°F at night. Always pack several layers of clothing. Precipitation is typically minimal; at most, you might encounter a brief shower.

• Current weather forecast for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Average Temperatures and Visitor Numbers in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Average temperatures in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Visitor counts are based on a 2017-2021 average. The data source is the National Park Service.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Entrance Fees

The entrance fee to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is $30, which allows a single passenger car access for one week. For motorcycles, the fee is $25. Entrance on foot or by bicycle costs $15.00 per person. Children under 16 are admitted free of charge.

Fees are collected at the entrance gate on the South Rim, or at the ranger station on the North Rim.

If you plan to visit multiple parks while touring the USA, consider the America the Beautiful pass. For a one-time fee of $80, you can visit any number of USA National Parks over a 12-month period.

How to Get to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

I strongly recommend your own car for getting to and around the park. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is divided into the South Rim and the North Rim, which are not connected by a bridge, and the drive between them takes 2 to 3 hours.

The South Rim offers more facilities for hikers, more viewpoints, and a better view of the Painted Wall cliff. The North Rim doesn’t have its own visitor center, but it does offer superior views of the narrowest section of the canyon.

Below are the directions and drive times to the southern portion of the park:

There are no buses or shuttles running across the park; you must use your own car. You can park at the visitor center and at various viewpoints throughout the park.

Lodging in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

🏨 Hotels

Hotels and motels in the nearby town of Montrose and along Highways 50 and 550 offer convenience. The average price of the least expensive motel is approximately $70 for a room for two.

• Find lodging around Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

⛺ Campsites

Campgrounds operate in all three sections of the park:

• South Rim Campground
  The campground, situated near the town of Montrose at the intersection of Highways 347 and 50, accommodates 88 sites. The cost per night is $16.00, with sites offering electricity for $22.00 per night.
• North Rim Campground
  Located 16 mi southwest of the Colorado town of Crawford, the campground operates from approximately April to late November. It accommodates 13 tent sites at $16.00 per night.
• East Portal Campground
  Situated near the Gunnison River southeast of the South Rim Campground, it operates from May to mid-October. The campground offers 15 sites at $16.00 per night.

Tips and Recommendations Before Traveling to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

ℹ️ Visitor Center

Starting your tour of the national park with a visit to the visitor center is highly recommended. The center is situated in a wooden cabin near the intersection of Highways 347 and 50. It’s open year-round from at least 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, and until 6:00 pm during the summer.

👍 Good to Know

One afternoon is sufficient for a visit, and it can be combined with a trip to Mesa Verde Park. Neither food nor gasoline can be purchased directly in the park, and drinking water is only available from mid-May to mid-October. It is advisable to purchase your supplies in town.

• Official Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park website
• Map of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Photos of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park