Established
1999
Size
30,750 acres
Visitors / yr
336K
Entrance
$30
Best season
May through October
01
Why Black Canyon of the Gunnison is worth the trip
Colorado · Established 1999
No park in America concentrates this much vertical menace into this little space. The Gunnison River drops an average of 95 feet per mile through the Black Canyon, cutting a gorge so steep and narrow that parts of the floor see only minutes of sun a day. The walls are some of the oldest exposed rock on the continent, and the Painted Wall, at 2,250 feet, stands as the tallest cliff in Colorado.
Most folks cover the South Rim drive in an afternoon, and the overlooks genuinely deliver. Stand at Chasm View, where the opposite rim feels close enough to shout across and the river glints far below. Then stay for dark. This is a certified International Dark Sky Park, and the Milky Way over that black gash justifies the Montrose motel room.
Start with our full Black Canyon of the Gunnison guide, then use the planning below.
02
Top things to do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Where we would start, and what we would plan a day around. Read the full guide.
Start here
15 Things to Do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Read the guide
01
Scenic Driving · nps.gov
Tour the South Rim Drive
The South Rim Drive is a scenic paved road that follows the canyon rim for 7 miles from Tomichi Point to High Point and...
02
Cross-Country Skiing · nps.gov
Cross-country Skiing at Black Canyon
In winter, South Rim Drive is closed to vehicles beyond the visitor center at Gunnison Point. As staffing and snow conditions allow, rangers groom...
03
Snowshoeing · nps.gov
Snowshoeing at Black Canyon
Although services and access are limited during winter, the park provides recreation opportunities for winter enthusiasts.
04
Front-Country Hiking · nps.gov
Hike Rim Rock Trail - South Rim
This 1-mile (1.6 km) trail, which meanders along the canyon rim, connects the South Rim Visitor Center to the South Rim Campground.
Scenic Driving · nps.gov
Tour the South Rim Drive
The South Rim Drive is a scenic paved road that follows the canyon rim for 7 miles from Tomichi Point to High Point and...
02
Cross-Country Skiing · nps.gov
Cross-country Skiing at Black Canyon
In winter, South Rim Drive is closed to vehicles beyond the visitor center at Gunnison Point. As staffing and snow conditions allow, rangers groom...
03
Snowshoeing · nps.gov
Snowshoeing at Black Canyon
Although services and access are limited during winter, the park provides recreation opportunities for winter enthusiasts.
04
Front-Country Hiking · nps.gov
Hike Rim Rock Trail - South Rim
This 1-mile (1.6 km) trail, which meanders along the canyon rim, connects the South Rim Visitor Center to the South Rim Campground.
Before you go
Get the Black Canyon of the Gunnison heads-up
Permit windows, closures and seasonal alerts, plus our best Black Canyon of the Gunnison guides, in your inbox before you go. Free, no spam.
03
Plan your trip
Our guides for the big decisions, plus the gear, maps and lodging we would actually use for Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
Where to stay
Compare lodges, cabins and hotels near the park.
Maps & guides
Carry paper. Cell service dies fast inside most parks.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison Trails Illustrated map
Waterproof National Geographic topo of the park.
View on Amazon
Black Canyon of the Gunnison field guide
Trail-by-trail detail and planning help in print.
View on Amazon
America the Beautiful pass
$80 a year. Covers entrance fees at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.
Get the pass
What to bring
Field-tested picks we bring on park trips.
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Day Hiking PackA 22-30L pack fits water, layers, snacks, and a first aid kit. View on REI
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Trail ShoesLightweight with good traction for maintained trails. View on REI
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Water BottlesCarry at least 2 liters. More in desert heat. View on REI
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Merino Hiking SocksPrevent blisters and keep your feet comfortable for miles. View on REI
Some links in this section are affiliate links. If you book or buy through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend what we would use ourselves.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison map
VC Visitor Center
CG Campground
Nearby Park
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When to go
Loading weather...
Month-by-Month Conditions
Tap any month for details
Month
High
Low
Crowds
Roads
Jan
37°
13°
Light
Open
Feb
40°
16°
Low
Open
Mar
48°
23°
Low
Open
Apr
56°
29°
Light
Open
May Best
66°
38°
Heavy
Open
Jun Best
76°
46°
Peak
Open
Jul Best
82°
52°
Peak
Open
Aug Best
81°
52°
Peak
Open
Sep Best
72°
44°
Peak
Open
Oct Best
60°
33°
Heavy
Open
Nov
47°
23°
Light
Open
Dec
36°
13°
Low
Open
Best months to visit
Crowd level (low to peak)
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More Black Canyon of the Gunnison guides
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Parks near Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Within reach if you are building a longer trip.
Worth protecting
Black Canyon of the Gunnison belongs to all of us
Protections that took generations to win can be rolled back in a single session of Congress. We keep watch so they hold.
Stay in the Loop
Free dispatches on the parks and the policy fights around them, almost every day. Threats tracked, wins celebrated, no fluff.
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