Black canyon of the Gunnison
National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, located in Western Colorado, gets its name because some parts of the canyon only receive 33 minutes of sunlight per day due to its steep and narrow shape.
The canyon stretches 48 miles, with 14 miles in the park. Its deepest point, Warner Point, reaches 2,722 feet—taller than the Great Pyramids (449 ft), the Empire State Building (1,250 ft), and just 5 feet shorter than the Burj Khalifa (2,717 ft). While not as deep as the Grand Canyon (6,000 ft) or Hell’s Canyon (8,043 ft), it still offers an impressive and striking landscape.
Black Canyon At a Glance
$30 per vehicle for 7 days. Or FREE with the America the Beautiful Pass.
Situated in Southwestern Colorado, the South Rim is located in Montrose, Colorado and is more developed, while the North Rim, is located close to the small towns of Crawford and Paonia, Colorado.
The park is not close to any major airports, but your three best options are Denver International Airport (5.5 hours), Salt Lake City International Airport (5.5 hours) or Albuquerque International Sunport (6.5 hours).
The best time to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is from late April to mid-November, when the North and South Rim drives are open and the hikes are snow-free and more accessible.
Different Areas of the Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is made up primarily of two regions, the North Rim and the South Rim. There is also the Inner Canyon area which can be accessed from both rims, and East Portal, which is technically in the Curecanti National Recreation Area, but is accessed from the South Rim.
The two rims look close on the map, but there is no bridge to get from one rim to another and to go between the two requires a 1 hour, 45 minute drive.
The Best Things to do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (South & North Rim)
Looking for the best things to do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park? In this guide we’re sharing everything you need to know before visiting this gorgeous park, including the best hikes, itinerary options, where to stay, tips for the area, and more!
Gunnison Route Hiking Guide
Want to hike the Gunnison Route at Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado? In this guide we share everything you need to know before hitting the trail, including when to hike, how to get permits, what to bring, and more!
Videos
We spent one jam-packed day in the park, hiking the intense and steep Gunnsion Route and exploring the South and North Rim overlooks. We loved this underrated gem!
