Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, CO Travel Guide
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, CO Travel Guide
Plan Your Trip
Planning black canyon of the gunnison national park activities for your Colorado trip?
South Rim Drive packs eleven overlooks, a two-million-year-old canyon, and some of the most dramatic cliff views in the country into a single, easy-to-drive route—no permits or advance planning required beyond the park entrance fee.
PLAN YOUR VISIT:
1. Advance tickets—Not required. There's no timed entry; just pay the entrance fee at the station.
2. Where to park—Free pull-off parking is available at every overlook along South Rim Drive.
3. What to bring—A full tank of gas (no gas stations inside the park), water, and a jacket even in summer—the rim sits over eight thousand feet.
4. Pro tip—Visit the South Rim Visitor Center early for restrooms and trail maps before the midday crowds arrive.
5. Road safety—South Rim Road is narrow with unfenced overlooks and no guardrails at most pull-offs. Drive the posted speed limit, and check current conditions in winter, when sections of the road close.
Top Things to Do
TOP THINGS TO DO:
1. Take the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Driving Tour—Hear the full story of the canyon's founding, its Ute history, and the men who mapped it, self-guided at your own pace.
2. Walk the Oak Flat Loop Trail—A moderate-to-strenuous 1.5 to 2 mile loop that actually drops below the rim.
3. Hike to Warner Point—An 0.8 mile trail one way to the canyon's deepest point, over twenty-seven hundred feet down.
4. Photograph Painted Wall—The tallest cliff in the canyon at roughly 2,250 feet, streaked with 1.4-billion-year-old pegmatite.
5. Visit the South Rim Visitor Center—Exhibits, trail maps, and rangers who can answer questions about current conditions.
6. Explore nearby Curecanti National Recreation Area—Free to enter, and administratively linked to Black Canyon.
Download the Complete Travel Guide
Includes:
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✓ Complete travel guide
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✓ Printable map
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✓ One-day itinerary
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✓ Hidden gems
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✓ Travel tips
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✓ Offline access
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✓ Bonus recommendations not included on this page
Our Self Guided Tour
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison Driving Tour is a GPS-triggered audio tour along all of South Rim Drive. Start whenever you want, pause at any overlook, and take as long as you like. Most drivers finish in two to three hours with stops.
Free Things to Do
1. Every overlook on South Rim Drive is included in your one-time park entrance fee—no separate admission anywhere on the route.
2. Curecanti National Recreation Area, just upstream, has no entrance fee.
STOPS WITH ADMISSION FEES:
3. None beyond the park's $30 per-vehicle entrance fee, which covers every overlook and trail on South Rim Drive for seven days.
Food!
Camp Robber
A longtime local favorite in Montrose known for hearty Southwestern-style breakfasts and lunches.
Ted Nelson's Steakhouse
A Montrose steakhouse serving sirloin, prime rib, and baby back ribs in a casual dinner setting.
Colorado Boy Pizzeria & Brewery
A downtown Montrose brewpub known for wood-fired pizza and house-brewed ales.
Where to Stay
There's no lodging inside the park—the nearest options are in Montrose, about 15 miles from the entrance.
Luxury
The Rathbone Hotel & Parlor Bar—a boutique hotel in downtown Montrose, about 20 minutes from the park entrance. Roughly $200-$350/night.
Moderate
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Montrose - Black Canyon Area—a chain hotel close to the park turnoff. Roughly $130-$200/night.
Budget
Black Canyon Motel, Super 8 by Wyndham Montrose—both on the outskirts of Montrose. Roughly $70-$120/night.
1 Day Itinerary
Morning: Take the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Driving Tour, starting at the park entrance sign.
Afternoon: Hike the Oak Flat Loop or walk out to Warner Point, then grab lunch in Montrose.
Evening: Return for Sunset View near golden hour, then dinner at Ted Nelson's Steakhouse or Colorado Boy.
2-DAY ITINERARY:
Add a second day for Curecanti National Recreation Area, or the drive to nearby Ouray and its hot springs.
FAQ's
1. How much time should I plan for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park?
A half day covers South Rim Drive with stops; a full day lets you add a hike like Oak Flat Loop or Warner Point.
2. Is there an entrance fee?
Yes, thirty dollars per vehicle, good for seven days. The park is cashless.
3. Is the park open year-round?
South Rim Road stays open, though sections may close seasonally in winter—check current conditions before you go.
4. Do I need a permit to hike into the canyon?
Not for the rim trails. Permits are required for the wilderness routes that descend to the river.
5. Is Black Canyon good for kids?
Yes, though supervise closely at overlooks—most have no guardrails.
6. What's the best time of day to visit?
Sunset View lives up to its name in the late afternoon; mornings are quieter and cooler for hiking.
7. Can I see the canyon without hiking?
Yes. Every major overlook, including Painted Wall and Chasm View, is a short walk from the road.
8. Is Black Canyon of the Gunnison crowded?
Less than nearby parks like Rocky Mountain or Mesa Verde—it's one of Colorado's least-visited national parks.
Recommended Tours
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