If you’ve ever dreamed of standing on the edge of a canyon so deep and narrow that sunlight barely touches the bottom, you need to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

When we visited, it instantly became one of our favorite “hidden gem” parks — one that feels off the beaten path, yet packs in jaw-dropping views, challenging hikes, and quiet moments of solitude.

In this guide, we’re sharing everything you need to know before you go — the best things to do, family- and couple-friendly tips, where to stay, where to eat, when to visit, and sample itineraries to make the most of your time here.

If you want to see a video on what Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is like, check out our YouTube video!  The National Park is toward the latter half of this video, after our time in Ouray, Colorado (which is also completely amazing too!).

About Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Located in western Colorado near Montrose, this park gets its dramatic name because some parts of the canyon receive as little as 33 minutes of sunlight per day. The result? Sheer, shadowy cliffs that create an otherworldly vibe.

The canyon is 48 miles long with 14 miles inside the National Park. At its deepest point (Warner Point), it reaches 2,722 feet — 5 feet taller than the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world!

Long before it became a National Park in 1999, the Ute people called it “much rocks, big water.” Explorer John Williams Gunnison, who the park is named after, called it “the roughest, most hilly and most cut up” land he had ever seen.

Family Tip: The overlooks are stunning but not all have guardrails. Keep little ones close and hold hands near cliff edges.

Couples Tip: Time your visit for golden hour — the lighting makes the canyon walls glow for an unforgettable moment together.

Before embarking on your adventure, please review the Leave No Trace principles to ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come!

These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in!), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. 

Different Parts of Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Black Canyon of the Gunnison has two main areas to explore — South Rim and North Rim — plus the Inner Canyon and East Portal area.

• South Rim: More developed, with a visitor center, paved roads, and the most popular overlooks. Located near Montrose.
  
• North Rim: Quieter, less developed, gravel roads, and incredible views of the canyon’s narrowest points. Located near Crawford.
  
• Inner Canyon: Rugged wilderness routes down to the Gunnison River — for experienced hikers only.
  
• East Portal: Accessible from the South Rim, takes you down to the river without a strenuous hike.
  

Driving between rims takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes — there’s no bridge crossing the canyon.

When to Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison

When Is the Best Time to Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison?

The best time is late April to mid-November when roads, trails, and both rims are fully open. We visited in June and the temperature was actually very nice (which may not always happen), but if you’re bringing kids, pets, or plan to hike, spring or fall is more comfortable.

🌸 Spring (April–May)
Cool temps, wildflowers, and the full opening of South Rim Road in mid-April make this an excellent time to visit.

☀️ Summer (June–August)
Warm days, but afternoon thunderstorms are common. This is the busiest season, but “busy” here still feels calm compared to other national parks.

🍂 Fall (September–October)
Our favorite season—crisp air, golden leaves, and fewer crowds. Both rims are open until mid to late October.

❄️ Winter (November–March)
The park is open year-round, but South Rim Road past the visitor center closes in winter, and the North Rim is closed to vehicles. Great time for snowshoeing and solitude if you’re prepared.

Getting To and Around Black Canyon of the Gunnison

By Air

• Closest major airport: Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) – 28 min drive
• Other options: Grand Junction (1.5 hours), Denver (5 hours), Salt Lake City (5.5 hours), Albuquerque (6.5 hours)

By Car

Driving is the best way to get there. 

Nearby drive times:

• Ouray – 1 hour
• Grand Junction – 1 hour 40 min
• Durango – 2 hours 45 min

Family Tip: Download offline maps before you go — cell service in and around the park is spotty.

Where to Stay at Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Inside the Park – Campgrounds

• South Rim Campground – 88 sites, some with electric hookups. Reservations mid-May–mid-Sept.
• North Rim Campground – 13 primitive sites, first-come, first-served.
• East Portal Campground – Riverside setting at the bottom of the canyon. No hookups.

Outside the Park – Towns & Lodging

South Rim Base (Montrose)

• Hampton Inn Montrose – Indoor pool, free breakfast.
• Montrose/Black Canyon KOA – RV sites, cabins, pool.
• Airbnb: Charming Blue Bungalow – Victorian charm, fenced yard.

North Rim Base (Crawford or Paonia)

• Smith Fork Ranch – Luxury cabins & activities.
• Airbnb: Guest House with 360° mountain views.

Midway Base (Delta)

• Airbnb: The Casita – Quiet, pet-friendly retreat.

Family Tip: If you’re exploring both rims, stay in Delta to cut down on drive time between the two.
Couples Tip: Book a Paonia Airbnb for a cozy, romantic base with mountain views.

How Much Time Do You Need at Black Canyon of the Gunnison?

You can see the highlights of Black Canyon of the Gunnison in as little as half a day, but ideally you’ll want 1–3 days depending on how much you want to explore:

• Half Day: Drive the South Rim Scenic Drive. This is what we did since we were still heading to Glenwood Springs after the park.  You can stop at a few overlooks, and do a short rim hike like Oak Flat Loop. It’s perfect if you’re passing through, like we were.

• 1 Full Day: Combine the South Rim overlooks with a couple of hikes (like Warner Point or Rim Rock). Or, if you prefer solitude, spend the whole day at the North Rim.

• 2 Days: Dedicate one day to the South Rim (scenic drive, visitor center, rim hikes) and a second day to the North Rim or East Portal.

• 3 Days: Explore both rims, drive down to East Portal, and, if you’re an experienced hiker, tackle one of the Inner Canyon routes.  The Inner Canyon routes require a permit though, which you can get from the National Park Service website.

Things to Know Before Visiting Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Before you get to the park, here are a few important tips and logistics to help you have a smooth, stress-free visit.

Cost to Enter

Admission to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is $30 per vehicle. Motorcycles are $25 and individuals on foot or bike is $15. The pass is valid for seven consecutive days, and you can either pay at the gate or purchase a digital pass in advance on Recreation.gov.

👉 Pro tip: If you choose a digital pass, be sure to screenshot it ahead of time, as cell service is very limited once you’re inside the park.

If you’re planning to visit multiple national parks this year, consider picking up the America the Beautiful Pass. For just $80 per year, it grants access to all U.S. National Parks, monuments, forests, and more—a great deal for road trippers and serious National Park goers!

Cell Service is Limited

The cell coverage fades quickly as you drive deeper into the park. You may get a weak signal near the entrance, but don’t count on having service while you’re exploring most of the trails and overlooks.

✅ Before your trip:

• Download offline maps on Google Maps
• Save trail data on AllTrails
• Screenshot tour reservations or park entry passes

This ensures you’ll have what you need even without a signal.

Do Not Arrive too Early

While the park gates are open 24/7, though the South entrance gate closes at 6pm. Also, some facilities and roads may be restricted depending on the season or ongoing fire recovery efforts.

Dogs are Not Allowed

You can bring your pup to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, but there are some restrictions you’ll want to know before planning your visit. All campgrounds welcome leashed pets (6-foot or less leash). Cedar Point Nature Trail (South Rim) is the only official trail where pets are permitted. It’s short and easy, with great canyon views. River Access Areas at the bottom of the canyon, in the East Portal area (near the Gunnison River), welcomes leashed dogs as well. All other non-paved trails, dogs are not allowed.

Be Aware of Closures

Please check the NPS website for a list of any closures. 

What to Bring to Black Canyon of the Gunnison

As always, we recommend having the 10 essentials on you when venturing into nature, but here are a few key items we want to point out that will especially help you during your visit!
To ensure you have a safe and enjoyable time at Mesa Verde, here are some items we’d suggest bringing with you! 

HIKING SHOES

Although none of the trails are intense, if you plan to do one of the backcountry cliff dwelling tours, you’ll want to have sturdy shoes or hiking sandals. 

LAYERS

We always suggest packing layers, especially when exploring at higher elevations. The park ranges from 7,000-8,500 ft, which means the weather can vary a bit as you go throughout the park and throughout the day.

SUN PROTECTION

While there are some trees in Mesa Verde and covered areas, overlooks are pretty exposed and the Southwest sun can be pretty harsh, so make sure to bring sunglasses and sunscreen. 

WATER

The air is SO dry in Southwest Colorado so make sure to bring and drink tons of water!

Things to Do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison

South Rim

This is the most visited and accessible side of the park.

• South Rim Visitor Center – This is a great place to start for maps and info.

• Rim Rock Trail (1.5 miles) – An easy, family-friendly trail with canyon views.

• Gunnison Point & Chasm View Overlooks – Jaw-dropping viewpoints right off the road. These are definitely worth the stop!

• Cedar Point Nature Trail (0.6 miles) – The only rim trail where dogs are allowed.

• Warner Point Nature Trail (1.5 miles) – Panoramic views at the end of South Rim Drive.

• East Portal Road – Steep drive down to the Gunnison River.

North Rim

The North Rim is more remote, quieter, and less developed—it’s perfect if you want solitude.

• North Vista Trail to Exclamation Point (3 miles round trip) – One of the best viewpoints in the park.

• Chasm View Nature Trail (0.5 miles) – Easy loop with dramatic views of the Narrows.

• North Rim Overlooks – Five overlooks along the 4.5-mile road, each offering a different perspective.

Inner Canyon (Wilderness Routes)

This would be for experienced adventurers only. Hiking or climbing into the canyon requires a wilderness permit and the hikes are very strenuous. You can get the permit on the NPS.gov website.

How to Spend One Day at Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Short on time? No problem! While Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers plenty to see and do, you can absolutely see it in one day.

• Start at the South Rim Visitor Center and walk to Gunnison Point.

• Drive South Rim Road, stopping at overlooks along the way. Each overlook has a different feel and different vantage. It’s worth stopping at them all because it won’t take that long.

• Hike the Rim Rock Trail or Warner Point Trail.

• Picnic lunch at East Portal by the Gunnison River.

• Drive to the North Rim in the afternoon for quieter overlooks.

• End the day with sunset at Dragon Point or Cedar Point.

Final Thoughts

Black Canyon of the Gunnison may not be as famous as Colorado’s other National Parks, but that’s part of its magic. The crowds are smaller, the views are raw and wild, and the experience feels like a secret you’ve stumbled upon.

Whether you have a few hours or a couple of days, this park will leave you speechless—and you’ll be glad you made the trip.

Hopefully this guide helps you on your adventure through this underrated National Park!  As always, Keep Adventuring, Keep Exploring and we’ll see you on the next Adventure!