Black Canyon near Tomichi Point
National Park Colorado Rockies

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park

Photo: NPS Photo/Lynch

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado protects 30,780 acres of one of the deepest, narrowest canyons in North America, where the Gunnison River carved walls up to 2,722 feet deep through 1.7-billion-year-old Precambrian rock; established in 1999, the park draws about 506,000 visitors a year.

About Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park lies in western Colorado, about 15 miles east of Montrose. The park follows the deepest 12 miles of the 48-mile Black Canyon, where the Gunnison River has cut a gorge up to 2,722 feet deep through some of the oldest exposed rock in North America. At its narrowest point, the canyon walls stand only 40 feet apart at river level; the rim-to-rim width reaches a maximum of about 1,100 feet. Some sections of the inner canyon receive fewer than 33 minutes of sunlight per day, giving the canyon its name. The park covers 30,780 acres and ranks 45th among the 63 national parks by annual visitation, drawing roughly 506,000 visitors in 2023. Two separate rim roads — the South Rim and the more remote North Rim — provide access to overlooks and trailheads on opposite sides of the canyon.

USASymbol Score

66 /100
#23 of 35
Personality 42/60
Beauty
12/15
Recreation
10/15
Privacy
9/10
Weather
7/10
Wildlife
4/10
Practicality 24/40
Accessibility
9/15
Amenities
5/10
Lodging
3/5
Affordability
4/5
Family
3/5

Privacy: higher score = less crowded

What Is Black Canyon Of The Gunnison Known For?

The Painted Wall, at 2,250 feet the tallest cliff face in Colorado, streaked with white and pink pegmatite dikes that give the canyon its name-defining visual. The Gunnison River, which drops an average of 34 feet per mile through the canyon — one of the steepest river gradients in North America and five times steeper than the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Walls made of Precambrian schist and gneiss 1.7 to 1.8 billion years old, among the oldest exposed rock surfaces on Earth. Technical inner canyon routes descending to the river, where climbers and experienced hikers must use ropes and gear on near-vertical unmarked terrain.
A view of a steep deep canyon with dark walls and greenery
NPS photo

Best Things to See in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison

Black Canyon near Painted Wall
NPS Photo/Lynch

Painted Wall

The Painted Wall is the tallest cliff in Colorado at 2,250 feet — taller than any building ever constructed. Younger pegmatite intrusions, 1.4 billion years old, cut through the dark Precambrian gneiss in diagonal bands of white and pink that look from a distance like brushstrokes. The best views are from Painted Wall View and Cedar Point, both on the South Rim Road. Light changes the contrast dramatically between morning and late afternoon.

An overlook lined with wooden fencing leading towards a canyon edge
NPS/Zach Schierl

South Rim Scenic Drive and Overlooks

The South Rim Road runs 7 miles from the visitor center to Warner Point, with 12 named overlooks along the way. Each pullout looks directly into the canyon from a different angle. Gunnison Point, just below the visitor center, is the widest-view overlook and the first most visitors reach. Dragon Point and Chasm View offer the most dramatic sense of the canyon's depth, with the river visible far below at the base of near-vertical walls.

Trail through woods
NPS/Victoria Stauffenberg

Oak Flat Loop Trail

Oak Flat Loop is the most rewarding moderate trail on the South Rim, descending from the canyon rim partway into the upper canyon through Gambel oak, serviceberry, and mountain mahogany. The 2-mile loop drops about 400 feet below the rim before returning to the visitor center area. The inner walls of the canyon are visible from several points on the descent and the route gives a different perspective than the overlooks above.

A steep descent with a chain leading down attached to a tree
NPS photo

Inner Canyon Technical Routes

Six designated inner canyon routes descend from the South Rim to the Gunnison River on terrain that requires ropes, helmets, and scrambling ability. There are no maintained trails — routes are marked with painted dots on rock. A permit is required and issued at the visitor center on the day of the descent. The routes range from 1,800 to 2,700 feet of descent and are for experienced parties only; conditions including poison ivy, loose rock, and rattlesnakes make the descents serious undertakings.

A person fishing while standing on a boulder next to a river
NPS Photo

Gunnison River Fishing and Kayaking

The Gunnison River through the canyon supports a wild population of rainbow and brown trout and is designated Gold Medal water by the state of Colorado — one of the highest angling designations available. Access to the river requires descending one of the inner canyon routes or entering from the East Portal at the eastern end of the park. The river is runnable by expert kayakers in spring and early summer; the section through the park is Class V and requires a permit.

A large canyon wall with varying colored geologic layers
NPS photo

North Rim

The North Rim is accessed by a 12-mile unpaved road from Crawford, Colorado, and receives far fewer visitors than the South Rim. The North Vista Trail runs 3 miles round trip to Exclamation Point, the highest overlook in the park, with a direct view down to the river 1,800 feet below. The North Rim has its own small primitive campground and no visitor center; rangers patrol but the experience is significantly more solitary than the South Rim.

The Milky Way bends above the silhouetted horizon in this panoramic view at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
NPS/Bettymaya Foott

Stargazing

Black Canyon of the Gunnison holds International Dark Sky Park designation. The canyon's remote location in western Colorado and the surrounding public lands produce minimal light pollution. The Milky Way core is visible to the naked eye from May through September. The South Rim Campground amphitheater hosts ranger-led astronomy programs on weekend evenings in summer. Bring a red-light headlamp — overlook railings end abruptly at the canyon edge.

Best Time to Visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison

spring April – May Low crowds
Rim: 40–65 °F (4–18 °C)

Wildflowers and snowmelt waterfalls, but the North Rim Road may remain closed through May and snow can linger on shaded trails.

summer June – August high
Rim: 65–85 °F (18–29 °C)

Peak season with all roads open and full ranger programs; afternoon thunderstorms build quickly at rim elevation.

fall September – October Moderate
Rim: 45–70 °F (7–21 °C)

Best season overall — Gambel oak turns gold, crowds thin, and the light at lower sun angles sharpens the canyon's color contrast.

winter November – March very_low
Rim: 15–45 °F (-9–7 °C)

South Rim Road is plowed to Gunnison Point only; North Rim Road closes; snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are available.

Fall (September and October) is the strongest season at Black Canyon. Temperatures settle into 45–70 °F, Gambel oak turns bright gold across the canyon walls and rim, crowds drop sharply after Labor Day, and the lower angle of autumn sunlight lengthens the shadows that define the canyon's sheer walls. Both rim roads are fully open and ranger programs continue through October.

Summer (June through August) is peak season, with the longest days, all facilities operating, and the most ranger-led programs. Rim temperatures reach 65–85 °F, comfortable for hiking. Afternoon thunderstorms develop almost daily from July onward; plan hikes for mornings and retreat from exposed overlooks before 2 p.m. The North Rim Campground fills on summer weekends.

Spring (April and May) offers wildflowers, snowmelt waterfalls cascading into the canyon, and few crowds. The South Rim road is typically open by April, but the North Rim road can remain closed through mid-May due to snow. Check road conditions at the park website before visiting. Some shaded trails retain ice into May.

Winter (November through March) closes the North Rim Road entirely and plows the South Rim Road only as far as the Gunnison Point overlook. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are available on unplowed road surfaces. The park is nearly empty and the canyon looks dramatically different under snow, but temperatures drop to 15–45 °F and wind chill is a serious factor at the rim.

Location

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Nearest city: Montrose, Colorado Montrose Regional (MTJ), ~15 miles

Hiking in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison

Hiking trail at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
Trail Difficulty Distance Elevation
Chasm View Nature Trail Easy 0.3 mi (0.5 km) round trip Minimal
Short walk to one of the most exposed canyon-edge viewpoints in the park. The drop is near-vertical; stay behind the guardrails.
Rim Rock Nature Trail Easy 1.0 mi (1.6 km) round trip ~50 ft (15 m)
Interpretive trail near the visitor center through pinyon-juniper woodland with canyon views. Good introduction to the park's geology.
Cedar Point Nature Trail Easy 0.7 mi (1.1 km) round trip ~75 ft (23 m)
Two overlooks in quick succession, including the best face-on view of the Painted Wall from the South Rim.
Warner Point Nature Trail Moderate 1.5 mi (2.4 km) round trip ~180 ft (55 m)
Westernmost trail on the South Rim; reaches the deepest point visible from the rim with panoramic views of the San Juan Mountains to the south.
Oak Flat Loop Moderate 2.0 mi (3.2 km) loop ~400 ft (122 m)
Descends partway into the upper canyon through Gambel oak; closest access to the inner canyon without a technical descent permit.
North Vista Trail to Exclamation Point Moderate 3.0 mi (4.8 km) round trip ~425 ft (130 m)
North Rim trail reaching the highest overlook in the park at 8,563 ft, with a direct view 1,800 ft down to the river. North Rim Road is unpaved; high-clearance recommended.
Inner Canyon Routes Strenuous Variable, ~1.0–2.0 mi (1.6–3.2 km) one-way ~1,800–2,700 ft (549–823 m) descent
Permit required; issued same-day at the visitor center. No maintained trail — routes marked with painted rock dots. Rope, helmet, and gloves required. Rattlesnakes and poison ivy present. Not recommended for inexperienced parties.
Easy trails follow the rim and offer the quickest views into the canyon. Chasm View Nature Trail (0.3 miles round trip) is the shortest and most vertiginous — the canyon drops near-vertically from guardrail's end. Stay behind the barriers; the rock at the edge is unstable. Rim Rock Nature Trail (1.0 mile round trip) loops near the visitor center through pinyon-juniper woodland with several canyon glimpses and interpretive geology signs. Cedar Point Nature Trail (0.7 miles round trip) visits two overlooks in quick succession, including the face-on view of the Painted Wall that makes it the most photographed spot on the South Rim.

Moderate trails move farther along the rim or descend slightly into the upper canyon. Warner Point Nature Trail (1.5 miles round trip, 180 ft gain) reaches the westernmost point on the South Rim with open views south to the San Juan Mountains. Oak Flat Loop (2.0-mile loop, 400 ft descent) is the most rewarding moderate hike — it drops below the rim into Gambel oak and serviceberry, giving a sense of the canyon walls from inside rather than above. North Vista Trail to Exclamation Point (3.0 miles round trip, 425 ft gain) begins on the North Rim and reaches the park's highest overlook at 8,563 feet, directly above the river 1,800 feet below; the North Rim Road is unpaved and high-clearance vehicles are recommended.

Inner Canyon Routes are in a different category from the maintained trail system. Six designated routes descend from the South Rim to the Gunnison River on unmarked terrain requiring ropes, helmets, and experience with exposed scrambling. A free permit, issued same-day at the South Rim Visitor Center, is required for all descents. Each route involves 1,800 to 2,700 feet of descent on loose talus, poison ivy, and rock painted with route dots. Most parties take 3 to 6 hours one-way and camp at the river overnight. The terrain is serious; check in with a ranger before any inner canyon attempt.

Camping & Lodging

Campground Sites Season
South Rim Campground
Near the South Rim Visitor Center. Electric hookups at a small number of sites. Restrooms and water available in season.
 88 Year-round (reduced services November – April)
Reservable May – October via Recreation.gov; first-come, first-served November – April.
North Rim Campground
Primitive campground on the North Rim accessible by 12 miles of unpaved road from Crawford, CO. No hookups; vault toilets only. Water available seasonally.
 13 April – November (road closes in winter)
First-come, first-served; no reservations accepted.
East Portal Campground
At river level at the eastern end of the park, reached by a steep road with a 16 percent grade — trailers and motorhomes prohibited. Near the Gunnison River Gold Medal fishing section.
 15 April – October
First-come, first-served; no reservations accepted.
The park has three campgrounds spread across its different zones. South Rim Campground (88 sites) is the main facility, located near the visitor center and the most-used overlooks. A small number of sites have electrical hookups; flush toilets and water are available from spring through fall. Reservations are accepted from May through October via Recreation.gov and recommended on summer weekends; the campground operates first-come, first-served from November through April with reduced services.

North Rim Campground (13 sites) is a primitive facility with no hookups, accessible by 12 miles of unpaved road from Crawford, Colorado. No reservations are taken; the campground is first-come, first-served and fills on summer weekends. Water is available seasonally from a hand pump. The road closes when winter snow makes it impassable, typically from November through April.

East Portal Campground (15 sites) sits at river level on the Gunnison River, reached by a road with a 16 percent grade — the steepest paved road in the National Park System. Trailers and motorhomes are prohibited on the descent. The campground has vault toilets, no hookups, and provides direct access to Gold Medal fishing and the inner canyon approach routes.

Entrance Fees & Reservations

Private vehicle (7-day)
$30
Covers the vehicle and all passengers for 7 consecutive days.
Motorcycle (7-day)
$25
Covers the motorcycle and all riders for 7 consecutive days.
Individual (foot or bicycle, 7-day)
$15
Per person entering on foot or by bicycle for 7 consecutive days.
America the Beautiful Annual Pass
$80/year
Covers entrance to all U.S. national parks and federal recreation areas for 12 months.
The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle for a 7-day pass. Motorcycles pay $25 and individuals entering on foot or by bicycle pay $15 per person for 7 days. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80/year) covers Black Canyon of the Gunnison and all other U.S. national parks and federal recreation areas for 12 months.

No timed-entry reservation is required to drive into the park. South Rim Campground (88 sites) accepts reservations from May through October via Recreation.gov. North Rim and East Portal campgrounds are first-come, first-served with no reservation option. Inner canyon descent permits are free and issued in person at the South Rim Visitor Center on the day of the descent; no advance booking is available.

Confirm current fees and rules at the official park page before your visit.

Getting There

By car to the South Rim: From Montrose, take U.S. 50 east about 8 miles, then turn north on Colorado Route 347 (Gunnison River Road) and follow it 6 miles to the South Rim entrance station. Montrose is about 65 miles southwest of Gunnison and 235 miles southwest of Denver via U.S. 285 and U.S. 50.

By car to the North Rim: From Delta, take Colorado Route 92 east to Crawford, then follow a 12-mile unpaved road south to the North Rim entrance. The road is suitable for most passenger vehicles in dry conditions; trailers are not recommended. High-clearance vehicles are preferred. This entrance has no fee station; pay at the South Rim or use an annual pass.

By car to East Portal: From the South Rim Visitor Center area, follow East Portal Road — a paved road with a sustained 16 percent grade — 5 miles to the river. Trailers and motorhomes are prohibited. The road is typically open April through October.

By air: Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) is approximately 15 miles from the South Rim entrance and has commercial service connecting to Denver, Dallas, Phoenix, and other hubs. Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) is about 80 miles northwest with more connections to major hubs.

Geology

The walls of Black Canyon are made of Precambrian metamorphic rock — primarily dark schist and gneiss — that formed about 1.7 to 1.8 billion years ago at great depth under intense heat and pressure. This rock is among the oldest exposed at the surface anywhere in North America. The dark color of the stone and the canyon's steep, shadowed profile are what give it the name "Black Canyon."

About 1.4 billion years ago, molten rock intruded through cracks in the existing schist and gneiss, cooling slowly to form lighter-colored pegmatite. These intrusions are now visible as the white and pink diagonal bands streaking the dark canyon walls — most dramatically at the Painted Wall, where the pegmatite dikes cross 2,250 feet of exposed cliff face. No two sections of wall look the same; the dike patterns are unique to each section of canyon.

The Gunnison River began cutting into this rock about 2 million years ago as regional uplift raised the Colorado Plateau and increased the river's gradient. The river drops an average of 34 feet per mile through the national park — fast enough to carry large boulders — giving it the abrasive power to cut through rock that would resist most rivers entirely. The canyon's narrowness comes from the extreme hardness of the Precambrian basement; softer rock would have eroded sideways as well as downward.

The canyon is still being cut today. Each spring flood season, the Gunnison carries rock fragments that grind the walls and floor deeper. The canyon does not widen quickly because the hard rock resists lateral erosion. The result is a slot-like profile that has changed little from what early surveyors saw when they first descended the river in 1900.

Wildlife

Wildlife at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
Peregrine falcons nest on the canyon walls each spring and are one of the most sought-after wildlife sightings in the park. The vertical faces of the inner canyon provide ideal nesting ledges. Visitors can often spot peregrines hunting white-throated swifts along the canyon walls from the Chasm View and Painted Wall overlooks. The park closes some overlooks temporarily if active nest sites are confirmed nearby.

American dippers live along the Gunnison River at the canyon bottom, bobbing on rocks mid-current and walking underwater to feed on aquatic insects. They are the only songbird in North America that routinely submerges. Canyon wrens nest in crevices in the canyon walls and fill the gorge with a distinctive descending whistle that carries far above the river. Both species require a descent to the river to observe.

Mule deer and elk move through the pinyon-juniper woodland above the canyon rim and are commonly seen near the campgrounds at dawn and dusk. Black bears are present in the park but rarely seen by visitors. River otters were reintroduced to the Gunnison River downstream of the park and are occasionally reported in the canyon stretches accessible from East Portal. Golden eagles hunt the open shrubland above the rim year-round.

The Gunnison River Gold Medal section near East Portal supports wild rainbow and brown trout that grow large on the river's rich invertebrate life. The canyon's cold water and rocky substrate create ideal trout habitat; most anglers practice catch-and-release under Colorado's Gold Medal regulations.

History

Historical landmark at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
The Ute people have lived in the region for centuries, using the Gunnison River valley and the surrounding plateaus for hunting, gathering, and travel. The canyon itself — nearly impassable from within — was known to the Ute as a barrier rather than a travel corridor. The Uncompahgre Ute band inhabited the valleys near what is now Montrose until they were forcibly removed to a Utah reservation in 1881.

U.S. Army Captain John W. Gunnison led a survey party through the region in 1853 while exploring railroad routes across the Rockies. His expedition skirted the canyon's upper reaches but did not attempt a descent. The Gunnison River and the city of Gunnison were named for him after his death at the hands of Paiute warriors later that year in Utah.

The canyon was considered impassable until 1900, when engineer Abraham Lincoln Fellows and rancher William Torrence descended the river over 9 days to survey the possibility of a water diversion tunnel. Their report led directly to construction of the Gunnison Tunnel, completed in 1909, which diverted Gunnison River water to the Uncompahgre Valley to irrigate farmland around Montrose — a project still in operation today. The tunnel portal is visible at East Portal near the park's eastern boundary.

President Herbert Hoover proclaimed Black Canyon of the Gunnison a National Monument on March 2, 1933. Congress redesignated the monument as Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park on October 21, 1999, expanding the protected area and raising its status to reflect the canyon's exceptional geological significance.

Quick Answers

Where is Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park?
The park is in western Colorado, about 15 miles east of Montrose. The South Rim entrance is reached via U.S. 50 east from Montrose, then north on Colorado Route 347. Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) is approximately 15 miles away and has commercial service connecting to Denver and other hubs.
When is the best time to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
Fall (September–October) is the best season — temperatures are comfortable at 45–70 °F, Gambel oak turns bright gold, and crowds thin considerably. Summer (June–August) has the longest days and all facilities open but brings daily afternoon thunderstorms. The North Rim Road closes in winter; the South Rim Road stays open to Gunnison Point only.
How much does it cost to enter Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle for a 7-day pass. Motorcycles pay $25 and individuals on foot or bicycle pay $15 per person. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) covers this park and all other national parks for 12 months. Confirm current fees at nps.gov/blca.
What is the Painted Wall at Black Canyon?
The Painted Wall is the tallest cliff in Colorado at 2,250 feet — taller than any building ever constructed. Its distinctive white and pink streaks are pegmatite dikes, lighter-colored rock that intruded into the dark gneiss about 1.4 billion years ago. The best views are from Painted Wall View and Cedar Point on the South Rim Road.
Can you hike to the bottom of Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
Yes, but it is serious and requires a free permit issued at the South Rim Visitor Center. Six designated inner canyon routes descend 1,800 to 2,700 feet to the Gunnison River on unmarked, near-vertical terrain. A rope, helmet, and gloves are required. Most parties camp at the river and return the next day. The routes are not recommended for inexperienced hikers.
Is Black Canyon of the Gunnison good for fishing?
Yes. The Gunnison River through the canyon is designated Gold Medal water by Colorado — one of the state's highest fishing designations — and supports wild rainbow and brown trout. The most accessible fishing is from East Portal at the eastern end of the park, reached by a paved road with a 16 percent grade. A valid Colorado fishing license is required.
What is the difference between the South Rim and North Rim?
The South Rim has the visitor center, 88-site campground, paved 7-mile scenic road, and most maintained trails. It is the primary visitor area. The North Rim is accessed by 12 miles of unpaved road from Crawford, Colorado, has a 13-site primitive campground with no reservations, and sees far fewer visitors. The North Vista Trail from the North Rim reaches Exclamation Point, the park's highest overlook.
What state is Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park in?
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is in Colorado, near Montrose, Colorado.

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