Visiting Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: The Complete Guide for 2024

Carved by the relentless force of the Gunnison River, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado is a breathtaking testament to the power of nature. With its sheer, dramatic cliffs and some of the oldest rock formations in North America, this park offers a strikingly unique landscape for adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re planning to hike the challenging trails, embark on a scenic drive along the rim, or explore the depths of the canyon, we provide all the essential information and tips to ensure a memorable visit to this extraordinary national park.

If you are planning a trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and need some help planning your trip, this is our starter guide for visiting Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. We often have detailed, in-depth guides to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park trip planning and will link to these where appropriate to make your trip planning as easy as possible.

The article will discuss all aspects of visiting Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, including:

• Maps of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
• General Information about Black Canyon of the Gunnison
• How to Make the Most of Your Visit
• Best Things to do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison
• Nearby National Parks

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Articles about Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Itineraries for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Downloadable Itineraries for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

• Mini 7-Day Colorado National Parks Itinerary
• All Access Pass, including all Current and Future Digital Downloads

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Other Articles featuring Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

• Best National Parks for Non-Hikers

Map of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Click on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Map above to download the official brochure map. If you’d like a PDF copy of this Black Canyon of the Gunnison Map click here.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Basics

• Region: Rocky Mountains / West Coast
• State: Colorado
• Park Size: 30,750 acres (48.05 sq miles) (124.44 sq km)
• Location: Montrose County
• Closest Cities: Montrose, Colorado
• Busy Season: May to August
• Visitation: 357,069 (in 2023)
• Official Website: NPS.gov

How much does Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Cost?

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park costs the following:

• 7-day Passenger Vehicle Pass – $25
• 7-day Motorcycle Pass – $20
• 7-day Individual Pass – $15

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When is Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Open?

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is open year-round.

Are dogs allowed in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park?

Yes, pets are welcome in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park but are limited to developed areas such as roads, parking areas, picnic areas, and campgrounds. Pets are not allowed on the trails in the park. Please review the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Pet Policy before bringing your dog to Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

• Leashed pets are permitted in picnic areas, campgrounds, and parking lots, on paths to overlooks, and along roads currently open to vehicles.
• Leashed pets are only permitted on the Rim Rock Trail and on the North Rim Chasm View Nature Trail.
• Pets are prohibited on all other hiking trails, inner canyon routes, within the wilderness, or on snowshoe/cross country skiing trails.
• Leashes must be a maximum of six feet (1.8 m) in length.
• Pet owners must bag and dispose of pet waste immediately. Do not leave bags along the trail for pick up later.
• Owners are responsible for their pet’s behavior at all times. Fines may be given for pets that disturb wildlife or other visitors.
• Pets may not be left unattended or tied to an object.
• Pets may remain in vehicles for short periods of time (i.e. overlooks), but we recommend someone staying with them to ensure well being. Pets overheating in vehicles, even with windows cracked, is possible.

Where are Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park’s visitor centers?

• South Rim Visitor Center – Open Year Around
• North Rim Ranger Station – Open Intermittently during Summer

Land Acknowledgment

The park, now known as Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, is on Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) land.

Thank you to the Native Land Digital for making the Indigenous territories accessible to all. They have mapped the known territories to the best of the current knowledge and is a work in progress. If you have additional information on the Indigenous nations boundaries, please let them know.

Native Land Digital is a registered Canadian not-for-profit organization with the goal to creates spaces where non-Indigenous people can be invited and challenged to learn more about the lands they inhabit, the history of those lands, and how to actively be part of a better future going forward together.

How Much Time Should I Spend Visiting Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park?

If you have a couple of hours in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, hike Oak Flat Trail and Gunnison Point.

If you have one day in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, drive the South Rim Road and hike to Warner Point.

If you have two days in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, drive East Portal Road and hike a loop that includes the Uplands Trail and Rim Rock Trail.

If you have three or more days in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, drive to the North rim and hike North Vista Trail.

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Things to do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Hiking in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

• Oak Flat Loop Trail – 1.3 miles (round trip) – 310 ft elevation gain – A short nature trail that provides a below the rim hiking experience without having to go down to the river.
• Warner Point Nature Trail – 1.5 miles (round trip) – 410 ft elevation gain – This is a self-guided hike with informational signs and a trail guide. This trail has scenic views of the mountains.
• Gunnison Route Trail – 1.8 miles (round trip) – 1,780 ft elevation gain – This trail heads down to the Gunnison River.
• Exclamation Point – 2.9 mile (round trip)-360 ft elevation gain – This North Rim hike meanders along the canyon rim to the best inner-canyon views.

Best Things to Do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

• South Rim Road
• Black Canyon Road
• Junior Ranger Badge
• Devils Lookout
• Gunnison Point
• Stargazing

Best Things to See in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

• Tomichia Point
• Balanced Rock View
• Dragon Point
• Painted Wall View
• Island Peak View
• Pulpit Rock Overlook

Best Guided Tours of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Wildlife

• Weasel
• Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
• Mule Deer
• Collared Lizard
• River Otter
• Spotted Towhee

Where to stamp your National Parks Passport Book in Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park?

The National Park Passport Book is the BEST and cheapest National Park souvenir. Every National Park Obsessed person should have one of these books.

IMPORTANT: Do NOT stamp your government-issued passport.

There are three official stamps for Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park. Here is the list of National Park Passport Stamps you can get in Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park:

• Crawford, CO (National Park)
• Crawford, CO (NP)
• Montrose, CO

Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park Passport Stamp Locations

Here are all the locations to find the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park Passport Stamps. Not every stamp is available at every location.

• Elk Creek Visitor Center (Curecanti NRA)
• North Rim Ranger Station
• South Rim Visitor Center

National Parks Near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

National Park Service units within a 4 hours drive

• Arches National Park
• Aztec Ruins National Monument
• Canyonlands National Park
• Colorado National Monument
• Curecanti National Recreation Area
• Dinosaur National Monument
• Hovenweep National Monument
• Mesa Verde National Park
• Yucca House National Monument

National Park Service units within an 8 hours drive

• Amache National Historic Site
• Bandelier National Monument
• Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site
• Canyon De Chelly National Monument
• Capitol Reef National Park
• Cedar Breaks National Monument
• Chaco Culture National Historical Park
• City of Rocks National Reserve
• El Malpais National Monument
• El Morro National MonumentFort Laramie National Historic Site
• Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
• Fort Union National Monument
• Fossil Butte National Monument
• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
• Golden Spike National Historical Park
• Grand Canyon National Park
• Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
• Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site
• Manhattan Project National Historical Park
• Natural Bridges National Monument
• Navajo National Monument
• Pecos National Historical Park
• Petrified Forest National Park
• Petroglyph National Monument
• Pipe Spring National Monument
• Rainbow Bridge National Monument
• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
• Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site
• Scotts Bluff National Monument
• Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
• Timpanogos Cave National Monument
• Valles Caldera National Preserve
• Walnut Canyon National Monument
• Wupatki National Monument
• Zion National Park

Final Thoughts on Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Do you have any questions about Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, let us know in the comments below or need help planning your National Park trips. Let me know in the comments or join me in my National Park Trip Planning Community!

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