National park · United States
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Give the South Rim one full day: drive East Portal Road to the river or walk the 2 mi Oak Flat Loop, and be at Painted Wall View before 10:00 in summer. Skip the North Rim unless you have a second day and a vehicle that handles gravel.Give the South Rim one full day: drive East Portal Road to the river or walk the 2 mi Oak Flat Loop, and be at Painted Wall View before 10:00 AM in summer. Skip the North Rim unless you have a second day and a vehicle that handles gravel.
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- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
134 km² (52 sq mi)52 sq mi (134 km²)
approximate
Established
1933
Best months
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 134 km² (52 sq mi)52 sq mi (134 km²)
- About 30,750 acres (124 km²) of NPS land; the park boundary follows the canyon rims (check).
- Established
- 1933
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park protects 12 miles of a near-vertical gorge cut by the Gunnison River into hard Precambrian rock, 15 miles east of Montrose in Southwestern Colorado. The South Rim carries the visitor centre, the paved overlook drive and the campgrounds; the North Rim is a gravel road with no services and no bridge to the other side. Painted Wall, at 685 m (2,250 ft) the tallest cliff in Colorado, is the signature view, and the canyon narrows to about 12 m (40 ft) at its tightest. East Portal Road is the rare chance to drive to the canyon floor, on 16% grades that are closed in winter. The park adjoins Curecanti National Recreation Area, so boat tours and more camping sit just east of the boundary. Crowds are modest by national-park standards and thin out past the first two overlooks.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1933.
Size and age
134 km² (52 sq mi)52 sq mi (134 km²) · national park since 1933
About 30,750 acres (124 km²) of NPS land; the park boundary follows the canyon rims (check).
Why go
- Sheer walls up to 685 m (2,250 ft) above the Gunnison River, with the narrowest point only about 12 m (40 ft) across.Sheer walls up to 2,250 ft (685 m) above the Gunnison River, with the narrowest point only about 40 ft (12 m) across.
- Painted Wall, Colorado's tallest cliff at 685 m, is seen best from the South Rim drive.
- The river is reachable by car on East Portal Road — most canyon parks make you hike down.
- Quiet by national-park standards: no shuttle, no lodge, and crowds that thin out after the first two overlooks.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanSouth Rim road often snow-covered; East Portal and North Rim roads closed
- FebCold, snow; visitor centre on winter hours
- MarSnow lingers; some rim access
- AprEast Portal Road usually reopens mid-month; cool walking
- MayWater on, wildflowers starting, roads open
- JunLong days; afternoon thunderstorms build
- JulHot on the rim; monsoon showers most afternoons
- AugWarm; wettest month, start early
- SepClear, mild, best light on Painted Wall
- OctDry and cool; East Portal closes mid-November
- NovEast Portal Road closes mid-month; snow possible
- DecWinter access on the South Rim only, weather permitting
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peregrine falcons near Painted WallApr–Jun · Climbing closures protect nesting cliffs; check current closures. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Mule deer, including fawnsMay–Jul · Common on the rims and along US 50 at dawn and dusk. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| ElkSep–Dec · Seen in grassy clearings and forest edges, mostly early and late. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Yellow-bellied marmots and ground squirrelsMay–Sep · On rocky ledges along the rim trails. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Coyotes callingAll year · Heard more than seen, often before dawn near the campgrounds. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| American dipper in the riverAll year · Look for it in fast water at East Portal. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Montrose
US 50 east, then north on CO 347 to the South Rim entrance; no public transport inside the park.
20–25 min
From Grand Junction
US 50 south-east via Montrose, then CO 347.
1.5–2 h
From Gunnison
US 50 west to CO 347, then north to the South Rim.
1–1.5 h
From Denver
I-70 west then US 50 south; long drive, best split with an overnight.
5–6 h
From North Rim
Gravel road from CO 92; no bridge across the canyon, so allow 2–3 h to drive between rims.
2–3 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| South Rim | Visitor centre, paved overlook drive, campground and most services. | Open year-round, weather permitting; entrance fee. |
| North Rim | Quieter overlooks into the narrowest section, ranger station, campground. | Gravel road from CO 92, closed in winter; no services. |
| East Portal | The canyon floor by the Gunnison River, reached by a steep road. | East Portal Road open mid-April to mid-November; vehicles over 22 ft prohibited. |
| Inner canyon | Unmaintained routes to the river; no marked trails. | Experienced parties only; no permit required. |
Sketch map
- 1South Rim Visitor Center · Headquarters≈38.555, -107.687Map ↗
- 2South Rim entrance station (CO 347) · Gate≈38.542, -107.692Map ↗
- 3Tomichi Point · Viewpoint≈38.550, -107.688Map ↗
- 4Gunnison Point · Viewpoint≈38.554, -107.687Map ↗
- 5Painted Wall View · Viewpoint≈38.573, -107.724Map ↗
- 6Warner Point · Viewpoint≈38.568, -107.750Map ↗
- 7East Portal Campground · Sleep≈38.527, -107.649Map ↗
- 8North Rim Ranger Station · Ranger station≈38.585, -107.710Map ↗
- 9Montrose · Town≈38.478, -107.876Map ↗
Take the points offline
9 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the South Rim drive, East Portal and the North Rim, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance, private vehicle | US$20–30 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; valid 7 days. Check the current NPS fee page before you go. |
| Entrance, motorcycle | US$15–25 | motorcycle | 2026 estimate; valid 7 days. |
| Entrance, per person (walk or bike) | US$10–15 | person | 2026 estimate; valid 7 days. |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | year | 2026 estimate; covers entrance at this park and other federal fee areas. |
| South Rim Campground, Loop B (electric) | US$30–40 | night | 2026 estimate; reserve on Recreation.gov in season. |
| South Rim Campground, Loop C (tent) | US$16–25 | night | 2026 estimate; some sites first-come in shoulder season. |
| East Portal Campground | US$16–25 | night | 2026 estimate; tent-only, first-come, closed in winter. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entrance permit or guide
Inner-canyon routes no permit
River kayaking permit or guide
Camping permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$20–30
- US$15–25
- US$10–15
- US$80
- US$30–40
- US$16–25
- US$16–25
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on NPS — Fees and passes, Black Canyon of the Gunnison before you go.
Park rules
- Pets
- On leash on roads, in campgrounds, at overlooks and on Rim Rock, Cedar Point and North Rim Chasm View nature trails; not on other trails or inner-canyon routes.
- Drones
- Launching or landing is prohibited in the park (check current NPS rules).check
- Fishing
- Colorado licence required; artificial flies or lures only, no bait; all rainbow trout released; special limits on brown trout.
- Climbing closures
- Some cliffs close seasonally for nesting raptors; check the current closure list before a route.
- Cattle gates
- Limited grazing is permitted on the North Rim; leave gates as you find them.
- Water
- Potable water is available mid-May to mid-October only; carry your own outside that window.
- Fires
- Fires only in provided rings in campgrounds; no fires on trails or in the inner canyon.
Where to stay
In the park
South Rim Campground
Loops B and C near the visitor centre; some electric sites, reserve ahead in season.
In the park
East Portal Campground
15 tent-only sites on the canyon floor by the river; first-come, closed in winter.
In the park
North Rim Campground
13 sites on the quiet rim; gravel access, no services.
Near the park
Montrose
Full motel and hotel choice about 15 mi west of the South Rim entrance.
Near the park
Gunnison
About 50 mi east; useful if you are continuing towards Curecanti or the San Juans.
Safety
Drop-offs at overlooks and on rim trails high
East Portal Road grades medium
Afternoon thunderstorms medium
Inner-canyon routes high
Altitude and heat medium
Wildlife on the road medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The South Rim visitor centre, overlooks and paved pullouts are reachable by car with short, mostly level walks.
- Rim Rock Nature Trail is the flattest option; Oak Flat Loop and Warner Point have steep, uneven sections.
- The North Rim is gravel and has no accessible facilities.
- East Portal Road is steep and not recommended for large RVs or vehicles over 22 ft.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all rubbish; there are no bins at most overlooks.
- Refill water at the visitor centre rather than buying bottled water; supply is seasonal.
- Stay on trails to protect fragile rim soils and biological crusts.
- Respect seasonal raptor closures — they are what keeps the falcons nesting here.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park?
A private vehicle pays roughly US$20–30 for a 7-day ticket, a motorcycle US$15–25 and a walker or cyclist US$10–15 (2026 estimates — confirm on the NPS fee page). The US$80 America the Beautiful annual pass covers entry here and at other federal fee areas.
What are the best hikes in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park?
On the South Rim: Rim Rock Nature Trail (1 mi, easy), Oak Flat Loop (2 mi, moderate) and Warner Point Nature Trail (1.5 mi, moderate) for the best viewpoint. On the North Rim: North Vista Trail to Exclamation Point (3 mi) or on to Green Mountain (7 mi). There are no maintained trails to the river.
When is the best time to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park?
May, June, September and October. Roads to both rims and East Portal are open, daytime temperatures are mild and afternoon storms are less frequent than in July and August. Winter access is usually limited to the South Rim.
Can I drive to the bottom of the canyon?
Yes, on East Portal Road, which drops to the Gunnison River on 16% grades and hairpins. It is open mid-April to mid-November and bans vehicles longer than 22 ft including trailers.
Do I need a reservation to visit?
No entrance reservation is required. Campground sites at the South Rim are reservable on Recreation.gov in season; East Portal and North Rim sites are first-come.
Is the North Rim worth the drive?
If you have a second day and a vehicle suited to gravel. It looks into the narrowest part of the canyon and is far quieter, but there is no bridge, so reaching it from the South Rim takes 2–3 hours.
Are there services in the park?
Very few: a visitor centre, restrooms, picnic tables and seasonal water mid-May to mid-October. No fuel, no food and no shops on either rim — stock up in Montrose or Gunnison.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialNational Park Service — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- officialNPS — Fees and passes, Black Canyon of the Gunnison
- officialNPS — Hiking trails, Black Canyon of the Gunnison
- officialNPS — Camping, Black Canyon of the Gunnison
- secondaryWikipedia — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, revision 5242007 (CC BY-SA 4.0)