Located in Western Colorado, this park protects the Precambrian rock carved by the Gunnison River. Visitors can enjoy the rugged mountain scenery of Colorado’s Rockies. The park offers a scenic drive, hiking and some of the darkest skies in the U.S. Here are the best things to do in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Top 10 Things to Do in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Learn about the Canyon
Stop by a Visitor Center
Take a Scenic Drive
Stop at an overlook and peer into the Canyon
Hike
Attend a Ranger Program
Spot Wildlife
Stargaze in the Park
Picnic
Camp
Top Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park
Brief History of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Where the Grand Canyon is orangey-red and wide, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is craggy, narrow and dark gray. Carved over 2 million years by the Gunnison River, the narrowest point of the canyon is only 40 ft (12 m) wide at the river.
The Black Canyon is so named because its steepness makes it difficult for sunlight to penetrate into its depths. The bottom of the canyon only gets 33 minutes of sunlight.
Visitor Centers in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park features three entrances: South Rim, North Rim and East Portal. The South Rim is most developed and open year-round.
South Rim Visitor Center
A stop at the visitor center is always time well spent. It features park-specific exhibits and information. You can also find a bookstore.
There is a Park Ranger or well-versed volunteer working the information desk. They can recommend hiking trails and hand out Junior Ranger booklets. This is also the spot for the park’s cancellation stamp.
You will also find potable water (available seasonally), vault toilets and hiking trailheads in the area.
Located at9800 Highway 347, Montrose, CO. The visitor center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round.
North Rim Ranger Station
Open intermittently during summer months, it offers vault toilets and potable water. The trailhead for the North Vista Trail, which goes to Exclamation Point and Green Mountain, is located at the North Rim Ranger Station.
Closed in winter.
Scenic Drives in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
During my visit, I drove along the South Rim of the canyon. It is the easiest way to see the canyon is from its scenic drive.
The South Rim Road is seven miles long and features 12 overlooks, each affording a different perspective.
Note: You won’t find a bridge or road connecting the rims inside the park. If you want to see both rims, you will have to drive from one rim to the other on the highway outside the park and can take 2+ hours.
Hiking in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
As with most national parks, hiking is popular, though know your abilities, especially at higher elevations.
South Rim Trails:
Uplands Trail—A .9-mile (1.4 km) trail starting at the South Rim Visitor Center
Rim Rock Trail—A 1.0-mile (1.6 km) trail starting at the South Rim Visitor Center
Warner Point Trail-A .75-mile (1.2 km) trail originating at High Point Trailhead.
North Rim Trails:
Chasm View Trail—A .3-mile (.5 km) trail originating at the North Rim Ranger Station
North Vista Trail to Exclamation Point—A 1.6-mile (2.5 km) trail starting at the North Rim Ranger Station.
Note: Potable water is not available from late fall until mid-Spring inside the park. Most trails include steep dropoffs.
Ranger Programming at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Dive deeper into a national park site by attending a ranger program. With programming for all ages, rangers can lead hikes, guided tours and special programming for kids, the Junior Ranger Program.
During the summer season, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park hosts a geology talk regularly. It is held at Pulpit Rock Overlook at 10 a.m. and lasts for 20-30 minutes.
Junior Ranger Program
The Junior Ranger Program is the go-to program for families to learn more about a National Park. It’s free and takes about two hours to complete.
My kids love the badges park rangers present them after they complete their booklets. Occasionally, a national park might host special programming for kids.
BARK Program
Most National Parks welcome pets as long as they follow the BARK program’s principles. In the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, pets are allowed in picnic areas, campgrounds, parking lots, on paths to overlooks and along roads currently open to vehicles. They can also walk along the Rim Rock Trail.
B–Bag waste and dispose of it in the trash
A–Always leash your dog for their safety and others
R–Respect wildlife
K–Know where you can go
Wildlife in Gunnison
Wildlife spotting is one of the top activities on any national park adventure. Visitors can spot animals while hiking, especially near water sources and at dusk and dawn.
- Bighorn Sheep can be found clinging to the wall of the canyon. I recommend packing binoculars.
- Badger
- Black bear
- Bobcat
- Elk
- Long-Tailed Weasel
- Mountain Lion
- Mule deer
- River Otter
Park rangers recommend visitors to stay at least 25 feet away from larger mammals, like deer and elk and 75 feet away from bears.
Be Bear Aware
Black bears in the Rocky Mountains cause more property damage than danger to humans. Using their sense of smell and strength, vehicles can not keep a bear out that wants a candy bar.
Black bears can be a variety of colors, including blonde, cinnamon, black, light and chocolate brown in this area. They are active day and night, and adult bears can be between 100 and 400 pounds.
Tips from Park Rangers:
- Don’t leave food or scented items in vehicles.
- Store all food or items with a scent, including toiletries, in the provided bear-proof storage lockers.
- Keep a clean camp.
- Deposit all garbage in bear-proof trash cans or dumpsters.
- If you encounter a black bear, make loud noises to scare them away.
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The Milky Way over the park. credit: NPS Rob Hazzard - Stargazing in the Park
On the Western side of the Rocky Mountains, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is away from light pollution that hinders views of the night sky. The park was certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2015.
For the best places to see the night sky, you can head to an overlook. New Moon nights offer the darkest skies, and the Milky Way is brighter in the summer.
South Rim
Chasm View Overlook
Dragon Point Overlook
Sunset View Overlook
North Rim
Chasm View Nature Trail
Picnicking in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
This national park does not offer a lodge or restaurant within its boundary. Enjoy the outdoors and have a picnic during your visit.
I recommend packing a vinyl tablecloth to use. Remember, wildlife frequently cleans the table after visitors leave.
- Pulpit Rock Picnic Area: tables, restrooms across the street
- Sunset View Picnic Area: tables, restrooms in parking lot
- High Point Picnic Area: tables, restrooms in parking lot
- East Portal Picnic Area: tables, restrooms in parking lot
Camping in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
South Rim Campground
Located one mile (1.6 km) from the South Rim Visitor Center. The South Rim Campground is at 8400 feet in elevation.
- Seasonal mid-May to September 30
- Reservation Recommended
- 25 non-electric sites for the 2026 season with Bear-Proof Storage Lockers
- Vault toilets & Seasonal Potable Water
- No Dump Station or Showers
North Rim Campground
The North Rim Campground is remote, and the last 5.6 miles of the road to the campground are unpaved. The North Rim Campground is at 8,000 feet in elevation.
- Seasonal, open from May 1 to November 15
- First-come, First-served
- 13 non-electric sites with Bear-Proof Storage Lockers
- Vault toilets & Seasonal Potable Water
- No Dump Station or Showers
