Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

State: Colorado. Type: U.S. National Park, redesignated from a national monument on October 21, 1999 (originally protected in 1933). Covers about 30,046 acres. The canyon reaches depths of up to 2,700 feet. Certified International Dark Sky Park. Nearest town is Montrose, Colorado.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park protects one of the steepest, narrowest, and oldest-rock canyons in North America, carved by the Gunnison River over roughly two million years. The park is split into a South Rim and a North Rim with no bridge or direct road connecting them, so most visitors choose one side per trip. The Ute people knew of the canyon long before Captain John Williams Gunnison became the first person to describe it in writing, in 1853. President Herbert Hoover first protected the area as a national monument in 1933, and Congress redesignated it a national park on October 21, 1999. Today the park draws hikers, campers, climbers, and stargazers, the latter drawn by its certification as an International Dark Sky Park.

The park sits in west-central Colorado on the western slope of the Rockies. The South Rim entrance is at 9800 Highway 347, about 14 miles from Montrose, while the North Rim is reached separately near Crawford, Colorado, via Black Canyon Road off CO-92. The park's mailing address is 102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO 81230.

Both rims sit around 8,000 feet in elevation and experience a four-season mountain climate. Winter snow closes the North Rim Road and portions of the South Rim Road, generally from around mid-November to mid-April. Summer days can be warm with the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms; check the park's current-conditions page for up-to-date weather and road status before visiting.

Late spring through early fall (roughly May-October) offers full access to both rims' roads and facilities. The South Rim stays open year-round, with sections of its Rim Drive groomed for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter, while the North Rim closes seasonally from around mid-November to April.

The Ute people were aware of the canyon well before European-Americans explored it, reportedly avoiding it out of superstition and referring to the river as 'much rocks, big water.' Captain John Williams Gunnison became the first to describe the canyon in writing in 1853 during a railroad survey expedition. Recognition of the canyon's uniqueness grew over the following decades, and President Herbert Hoover proclaimed it Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument on March 2, 1933. It remained a national monument for over six decades until Congress redesignated and expanded it as a national park, signed into law by President Bill Clinton on October 21, 1999. The park today covers about 30,046 acres, and the canyon itself plunges as deep as 2,700 feet, with the Gunnison River dropping an average of 34 feet per mile through it, one of the steepest sustained mountain-river descents in North America.

Drive the 7-mile paved South Rim Road, which passes 12 overlooks and connects to five easy hiking trails between Tomichi Point and High Point. Hike rim-side trails on either side of the canyon, or, with the required permit, descend into the inner canyon on unmaintained wilderness routes. Camp at the South Rim Campground (88 sites, 23 with electric hookups) or the first-come, first-served North Rim Campground, or at East Portal Campground in the adjoining Curecanti National Recreation Area. Experienced climbers can tackle technical routes on the canyon walls, and the park's certification as an International Dark Sky Park makes it a strong stargazing destination; ranger-led programs and wildlife watching for bighorn sheep and elk round out the options.

The South Rim's overlooks along the 7-mile Rim Drive, including views of the Painted Wall, the tallest cliff face in Colorado, best seen from this side of the canyon; the more remote and primitive North Rim overlooks, about 11 miles southwest of Crawford; the steep East Portal Road descending to river level; and the South Rim Visitor Center.

The nearest airports are Montrose Regional Airport, about a 20-minute drive to the South Rim entrance, and Grand Junction Regional Airport, about an hour away. From Montrose, take US-50 east and then CO-347 north for about 7 miles to reach the South Rim entrance. The North Rim is reached via CO-92 near Crawford and then the gravel, seasonally open Black Canyon Road. Allow two to three hours to drive between the two rims, since there is no bridge or direct connecting road.

The park itself is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, according to the National Park Service. However, some interior roads, particularly the North Rim Road, close seasonally in winter, so check the park's current alerts before visiting.

As of research, the entrance fee was $30 per private vehicle for a 7-day pass, $25 for a motorcycle, and $15 per pedestrian or cyclist age 16 and older, with children under 16 admitted free. A park-specific annual pass and the interagency America the Beautiful annual pass were also accepted. Confirm current rates on nps.gov before your visit, and note the park has moved to cashless payment at the entrance station and campgrounds.

Half a day is enough for the South Rim's main overlooks; plan for a full day or more if hiking, camping, or visiting both rims, given the long drive between them.

There is no hotel-style lodging inside the park, only camping at the South Rim Campground (23 sites with electric hookups, 65 without) and the North Rim Campground. The nearest town, Montrose, offers chain hotels such as Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, and Super 8, as well as the boutique Rathbone Hotel & Parlor Bar downtown, roughly 15-20 minutes from the South Rim entrance; Montrose also has a KOA and a Jellystone campground for more developed RV camping.

There are no restaurants inside the park. Dining options are concentrated in Montrose, about 15-20 minutes from the South Rim entrance, so pack food and water for a day at the canyon, since services on the rim itself are limited; check current visitor center hours for any seasonal snack concessions.

Curecanti National Recreation Area, which adjoins the park and includes the East Portal area; the town of Montrose; and the mountain towns of Ouray, Telluride, and Gunnison.

No public transit serves the park directly, so a personal or rental vehicle is necessary. Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) and Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) are the nearest commercial airports, and there is no shuttle system operating within the park between overlooks or rims.

Never throw or roll objects into the canyon, since even a small stone can be fatal to hikers or climbers below, according to the National Park Service. Many overlooks lack guardrails and rock can be unstable, so supervise children and keep dogs leashed at all times. Watch for altitude-sickness symptoms such as headache, rapid pulse, nausea, or fatigue, since the rims sit around 8,000 feet, and descend if symptoms worsen. There is no safe place outdoors during a thunderstorm, so seek shelter immediately at the first sign of one. Black bears and mountain lions live in the park; make noise while hiking, never run from a mountain lion, and check yourself for ticks after hiking.

Plenty of water, since services on the rim are limited; sun protection; sturdy footwear for uneven overlook trails; layered clothing for sudden weather shifts; insect repellent for ticks; and a paper map or the NPS app, since cell service is unreliable in and around the canyon.

Plan to visit just one rim per trip unless you have a full day or more, since the drive between them takes two to three hours with no bridge connecting them. The South Rim has more services, more overlooks, and stays open year-round, making it the more practical choice for most visitors, while the North Rim suits those seeking a quieter, more remote experience. Download the free NPS app for offline maps before you lose cell signal, bring a card or contactless payment method since the park no longer accepts cash, and pack your own food, since dining options are only in Montrose.

Dial 911 for emergencies. The park's general visitor information line, per the National Park Service, is 970-641-2337.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (National Park Service): https://www.nps.gov/blca/index.htm

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.