Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is one of the most incredible locations in the US yet one of the least visited National Parks. This post is about how to visit and what to do when going to Black Canyon National Park.
About Black Canyon of the Gunnison
The first thing most people think of Black Canyon of the Gunnison is that the park is named for the black rocks of the canyon walls. But actually, the park is named given the steep, deep nature of the park and that sunlight hits only certain areas of the canyon walls for a few minutes a day. So much of the park lives in darkness, thus black canyon.
The park was established as a national monument in 1933, but it wasn’t until 1999 that it received its current designation as a national park. Much of the park is actually considered wilderness, and all of the area within the canyon is considered backcountry/wilderness area.
The park generally sees around 200,000 visitors a year, which is not the least for a national park but certainly lower than some of the most popular ones. The most popular areas of the park are the viewpoints along the south rim of the park. The south rim sees a far greater number of the visitors than the north rim.
South Rim
The South Rim consists of the South Rim road, visitor center, campground, and various trails and viewpoints along the trail. Visitors here are treated to beautiful views of the more vertical walls of the north rim. Due to the way snow and ice melted and carved the walls, the north rim is more sheer up and down, and the south is more angled. You get some of the most beautiful views of the walls from the south.
North Rim
The north rim is the less visited and more wild area of the park. Given that it is further away from main roads, it also sees far fewer tourists. This is definitely a benefit. The North Rim area is unpaved and has fewer viewpoints but also some great hikes. My favorite hike, the trail to Exclamation Point, is also located in this part of the park. The north rim has a campground, a ranger station, and far less parking than the south rim.
Where is Black Canyon National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located in west-central Colorado along the Gunnison River and close to Montrose Colorado. Entrances to the park for either rim are actually quite a bit away from the town of Gunnison Colorado.
The park is located along US-50 which is a popular route through central Colorado. You can access the park from US-50 from areas east or west.
The south rim entrance is located near the town of Montrose, Colorado (which is a good spot to find a hotel if you are looking), and the North Entrance is close to Crawford, Colorado. The south entrance is the more visited and easier to access of the two rims.
Traveling Between North and South Rim
Traveling between rims is more of an ordeal than I had anticipated.
The first thing you realize is that there’s no bridge or other method of travel between rims within the National Park. You’ll exit the park and travel a fair distance to cross between the rims.
Expect the journey to take at least 2 hours to travel between both rims.
From the South Rim, you’ll need to head back out the entrance to the park and onto Route US-50W towards Montrose and continue on 50 until you reach Delta. Turn onto CO-92E until the town of Crawford.
The area becomes more rural and unpaved. You’ll actually see signs for Black Canyon National Park once you get to this area. You can either continue on 92E until you see the turn-off after Crawford Reservoir for Black Canyon Road, or your GPS system may take you down more side roads until you end up in the same spot.
Don’t be too concerned about the unpaved roads. They were actually, at least when I visited, in quite good shape. You’ll need to be okay driving on unpaved roads to access the north rim of the park.
When you enter the park on the north rim, you can either turn right towards the campground and ranger station or left towards the various turnoffs. I would do both. The road you enter on is the same way back out of the park.
To get back to the South Rim just follow the above in reverse.
Hiking in Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Warner Point Nature Trail: Moderate, 1.5-mile round trip trail from the High Point Overlook (far end of the South Canyon). The trail gives you lovely canyon views and is also one of the main entry points for inter-canyon travel (permit required). There are also a bunch of markers along the trail for additional information about the Nature Trail.
Deadhorse Trail: Easy 5-mile round trip trail. This is from the east end of the north canyon rim. It’s a decent trail along an old service trail. However, if time is limited, the North Vista Trail is the one you should focus on.
North Vista Trail: Moderate/Strenuous. 3 Miles to Exclamation Point and 7 miles to Green Mountain. The trail to Exclamation Point is my favorite of the easily accessible trails in Black Canyon. The views are beautiful, particularly at Exclamation Point. Be sure to go out to the actual point and watch the river look like it’s coming towards you.
View Points: There are many other viewpoints throughout the park. Many are very quick trips, while others are up to a half mile. Some of my favorites include Chasm Point, Sunset View, Kneeling Camel, and Narrows. They are pretty good, though. You can usually skip the adjacent ones, as the views don’t change that much.
Best Sunrise and Sunset Spots
Sunrise
I found that Painted Wall on the South Rim is one of the best places to view the sunrise if you are on the South Rim. The view is pretty gorgeous, and the painted wall just really shines with the different types of rock and the river.
From the North Rim, the Chasm View is a great place to view the sunrise. It basically faces the opposite way of the Painted Wall, so while I think the Painted Wall is better, you still get a great view here. It’s probably better for sunset, though.
Sunset
Sunset Point is obviously the place to go if you are on the South Rim. It has the name Sunset in the name! The beautiful light on the canyon is one of my favorites, and it really makes the shades and colors of the rock shine.
Chasm view is the best of the sunset points on the North Rim. You’ll get the opposite view of the sunrise view if you start at Painted Wall (on the south rim). The canyon wall is not as cool, but the high walls provide good light and views as the sunsets.
Inner Canyon Travel
Inter-canyon Travel within Black Canyon of the Gunnison is considered Back Country and Wilderness Travel. It definitely should not be taken lightly.
All travel into the canyon requires a permit from one of the visitor or ranger stations. There are several different entry points for inter-canyon travel and other points for boat entries.
It is recommended that you consult with the rangers about your plans and your time in the canyon. They can recommend the best entry points, some of which are certainly easier than others.
Note: Some canyon areas can be difficult to rescue from. It is expected and hopeful that you are able to self-rescue. If not, it may not be possible to get a helicopter or other rescue craft into the canyon, and some rescues may take multiple days.
Read more on the Inner Canyon Travel Page on the NPS.
One Day Black Canyon Itinerary
If you want to see much of the park and are willing to start early, you can see most everything (other than inner canyon travel) within one day.
Start Early. I would recommend getting up before sunrise and entering the south rim of the park. Figure out where you want to see for Sunrise. I would recommend Painted Wall or Devil’s Lookout. After sunrise continue on visiting the viewpoints until you get to the end of the road.
From here take the short hike out to Warner Point Nature Trail. You’ll still have some lovely light without it yet being too harsh.
After the hike take the road back towards the visitor center. Stop at any viewpoints you choose. You won’t be coming back this way if you plan to do everything in one day. You can even do all of them if you prefer.
Stop at the visitor center. Ask about conditions and anything else that interests you. Grab the National Park stamp if that’s your thing. On the drive back out of the park, make a quick stop at the Tomichi Point overlook.
Lunch
This is a great time to grab brunch in the city of Montrose. We liked breakfast at the Lighthouse Eatery. They are famous for their Green Chili, and their portions are generous. Papa Bear is definitely a big meal. They have vegetarian options even for their chili, which is great
North Rim
From here, take the drive north to the North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison. From Montrose, it should take about 90 minutes.
From the entrance pick either direction. I recommend stopping at all the viewpoints as there aren’t that many. If you go to the ranger station, take the hike at least as far as Exclamation Point. This was my favorite view of the entire canyon and the best day hike you can do.
Afterwards, if there’s time drive the road to the end. Take in all the viewpoints you can. Most are a really quick walk to the overlooks. If you have interest or time you can do Deadhorse Trail, although skipping it won’t make you feel you missed something special.
Where to Stay
Camping at Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Black Canyon National Park has two campgrounds, one for each of the rims.
South Rim Campsite
88 Sites. The South Rim is the most popular of the campgrounds in the park. During Summer, reservations are recommended from Recreation.gov. Other seasons it is first-come, first-serve. There are 23 sites with electric hookups as well.
North Rim Campsite
13 Campsites. Since the North Rim is less frequented, the area is also more primitive than the south campground. Sites are all first-come, first-serve. You can have small RVs here, although none of the sites have electric hookups.
Hotels
Hotels are located in several nearby towns. I recommend looking in Montrose or Delta, Colorado. Montrose is closer to the south rim, and Delta is closer to the north rim.
Holiday Inn Express Montrose: It’s a good, clean hotel located close to the south rim of Black Canyon NP.
Stay Wise Montrose: We found the hotel to be decent, close to things, and also reasonably priced. For a spot to stay when you’ll be out all day, it works well.
Hotchkiss Inn Motel: Located East of Delta. Hotchkiss Inn is a hard to beat location for the North Rim. Clean, reasonable, although a lot less going on in this village.
Quality Inn Delta: It’s overall fine. I think it makes a decent home base for exploring the area and park. Prices were pretty reasonable when we were in Delta.
Basic Information
Visitor Centers
The park’s main visitor center is located in the South Rim. In the north, there isn’t a visitor center, just a ranger station that can provide more limited information.
South Rim Visitor Center
Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (summer); 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (spring/fall); 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (winter)
The main visitor center is where you’ll find most of the park’s information. I recommend stopping here if you are planning on visiting the South Rim at all. Here, you’ll find information about the park, store, national park stamp, information, permits, etc.
North Rim Ranger Station
The North Rim ranger station is the only real “information” area in the park’s North Rim. Unfortunately, it is also open intermittently and only during the summer.
Information is located outside of the station on signs and national park pamphlets if any remain. You can get permits and information here when it’s open, but I wouldn’t count on it being open randomly. The area has a parking lot and is the trailhead for several north rim trails, which are close to the campground.
Fees
- 7-Day Vehicle Pass: $30.00
- 7-Day Motorcycle Pass: $25.00
- 7-Day Individual Pass: $15.00 (pedestrian or bicycle)
- Black Canyon Annual Pass: $55.00
- America the Beautiful Annual Pass: $80.00
If you plan on visiting multiple parks in a year, I highly recommend the America the Beautiful Pass. I use mine extensively annually, and it’s a great purchase..
National Park Stamp
The national park passport (cancellation) stamp is located within the south rim’s visitor center. As far as I know, this is the only location for the stamps.
Website: Official NPS Website
Getting to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison is located across two unconnected parts of the park, the north and south rim.
Most people end up on the south rim, and it is likely the first stop, even if you do both. Located along US-50, the park is easily accessed from many parts of Colorado.
Distances to the South Rim:
- Montrose: 13 miles (20 minutes)
- Denver: 270 miles (5 hours)
- Grand Junction: 73 miles (90 minutes)
- Telluride: 80 miles (2 hours)
- Gunnison: 63 miles (90 minutes)
- Colorado Springs: 230 miles (5 hours)
- North Rim: 77 miles (2 hours)
The North Rim is located off CO-92, which is far more rural and a bit off the major roadways than the south entrance. You’ll then need to drive down a mix of paved and unpaved roads to reach the north rim.
Distances to the North Rim:
- Delta: 45 miles (1 hour)
- Crawford: 13 miles (30 minutes)
- Denver: 255 miles (5 hours)
- Grand Junction: 85 miles (2 hours)
- Montrose: 64 miles (90 minutes)
- South Rim: 77 miles (2 hours)
- Colorado Springs: 244 miles (5 hours)
Tips & FAQs
- If time is limited, focus on one rim. The South Rim is definitely easier to get to and the most visited of the rims. It’s paved, has the main visitor center, several trails, and great overlooks. However, I found the North Rim to be more interesting in terms of hikes. The Exclamation Point hike was definitely my favorite of all the hikes in the park. Also
- Don’t expect to go in-canyon unless you know what you are doing. It is not for the faint of heart, and if you have issues, it may take a while to rescue you. If you are just day visiting, stick with the rims. It’s still a great park from there.
- Go Early. Being there early, especially for sunrise, gave me more of the park. It was really cool, and I felt like it was all for me.
- You can visit both rims on the same day. However, it will be a long day. Expect 2 hours of travel one way between the two rims.