National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- Southwest
- 9 hikes
- 13 places to see
- 2 current alerts
Current alerts
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Caution
No Water Available in Park
Water systems throughout the park have been shut off for the winter season, October to April. Please plan ahead and bring your own drinking water.
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Notice
Black Canyon's operations are now cashless. South Rim Campground is by reservation only via Recreation.gov. East Portal & North Rim campground sites are first-come first-served and accept payment using Scan & Pay through Recreation.gov's mobile app.
From the National Park Service, as of October 30, 2026, 5:14 am. Check nps.gov before you go.
About Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Big enough to be overwhelming, yet still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time. Come see some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. Forces of nature and the Gunnison River sculpted this canyon over two million years. The result is a vertical wilderness of rock, water, and sky.
From the National Park Service.
- Region
- Southwest
- State
- Colorado
- Designation
- National Park
- Entrance fee
- $30, private vehicle
- Hikes on this page
- 9
- Places to see
- 13
- Articles
- 2
Know before you go
Fees, hours, weather and getting to Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
Entrance fees
- $30 Private Vehicle 7-Day Vehicle Pass. Entrance fees cover all persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle.
- $25 Motorcycle
- $15 Per Person
- $30 Non-commercial Groups
Passes
- $55 Annual Entrance - Park
Hours
South Rim
Open 24 hours a day, every day.
The South Rim is open 24 hours a day.
Weather and when to go
Today's Weather: http://www.weather.com/weather/today/l/NPBLCA:13:US CLIMATE Weather can vary greatly throughout the day. Summer daytime temperatures range between 55 to 90F (13 to 32C), nights 45 to 60F (7 to 16C). Winter daytime temperatures range between 15 to 40F (-9 to 4C), nights 10 to 20F (-12 to -6C). Afternoon thunderstorms are common during the summer. Snow accumulation varies greatly year to year. Layered clothing appropriate for the season is recommended.
Getting there
South Rim: 7 miles north on CO Highway 347 from the intersection with U.S. Highway 50 east of Montrose. Physical/GPS address is: 9800 Highway 347, Montrose, CO 81401 North Rim: 11 miles southwest of Crawford, Colorado. From CO Highway 92, turn west on Black Canyon Road approximately 3 miles south of Crawford. Follow the road signs to the park.
- Gateway towns
- Montrose, CO
- Nearest airports
- Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) · Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT)
Contact the park
- Address
- South Rim Visitor Center, 9800 Highway 347, Montrose, CO 81401
- Phone
- (970) 641-2337
- blca_info@nps.gov
- Official site
- nps.gov/blca
From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.
Trip planner
A day-by-day plan for Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.
The trails and places you save below go into your plan as must-sees.
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Where to stay for Black Canyon of the Gunnison
The gateway towns, closest first. Add your dates in the planner to search for your own nights.
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Montrose, CO Closest
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Guided tours and trips
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Things to do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison
The park service's own list, with how long each takes.
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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 features 12 overlooks.
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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 the remainder of the road for cr…
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Snowshoeing at Black Canyon
Although services and access are limited during winter, the park provides recreation opportunities for winter enthusiasts.
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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.
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Hike Uplands Trail - South Rim
This .9-mile (1.4 km) trail links the Rim Rock Trail (near the campground) to the upper Oak Flat Loop Trail near the South Rim Visitor Center.
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Stargazing at Black Canyon
Black Canyon has exceptional opportunities to view the night skies. Choose overlooks far from the road for optimal stargazing and astrophotography or join one of the park's telesc…
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Hike North Vista Trail - North Rim
Constructed by the Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, the North Vista Trail offers some of the best scenic views and birding in the park. Difficulty varies from moderate to strenuou…
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Hike Deadhorse Trail - North Rim
Deadhorse Trail takes hikers into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness Area. It offers good views of Deadhorse Gulch and East Portal on the Gunnison River, as well as good…
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Drive East Portal Road
East Portal Road is a windy, steep scenic road down to the Gunnison River. East Portal is within Curecanti National Recreation Area, but only accessible from within Black Canyon o…
Places to see
Viewpoints
Visitor centers & lodging
Campgrounds in Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Run by the park service. Reservable sites book on Recreation.gov; first-come sites do not.
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South Rim Campground
The South Rim Campground is located one mile (1.6 km) from the South Rim Visitor Center. All campsites are by reservation only through Recreation.gov. Sites ar…
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North Rim Campground
The North Rim Campground is remote and has 13 sites dispersed among pinyon and juniper trees. Sites are first-come first-served; all payment is via Scan & Pay…
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East Portal Campground
East Portal Campground is located within Curecanti National Recreation Area, but is adjacent to and only accessible from Black Canyon National Park ($30 entran…
Reading about Black Canyon of the Gunnison
What to pack for Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Gear & Essentials
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The basics
Worth having in the car whatever the park.
For this trip
Traveling with kids
Bringing a pet
RVing
Backcountry
Winter conditions
On the water
Photography
Accessibility
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