Come see some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. Forces of nature and the Gunnison River sculpted this canyon over two million years.
The result is a vertical wilderness of rock, water, and sky.
Photo: NPS Photo/Lynch
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
Big enough to be overwhelming, yet still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time.
- LocationMontrose, CO
- Entrance $30 private vehicle
- HoursOpen 24 hours, daily
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Weather now66°F Partly Cloudy
- Alerts 1 active alert
Overview
Topics
- Animals
- Astronomy
- Birds
- Canyons and Canyonlands
- Explorers and Expeditions
- Geology
- Mountains
- Night Sky
10 more topics
- River and Riparian
- Rock Landscapes and Features
- Scenic Views
- Thickets and Shrublands
- Trails
- Trains and Railroads
- Transportation
- Watersheds
- Westward Expansion
- Wilderness
Alerts (1)
InformationCashless Operations Black Canyon's operations are now cashless. South Rim Campground is by reservation only via Recreation.gov. East Portal… Read more
Black Canyon's operations are now cashless. South Rim Campground is by reservation only via Recreation.gov. East Portal & North Rim campground sites are first-come first-served and accept payment using Scan & Pay through Recreation.gov's mobile app.
Things to Do
16 experiences from the National Park Service. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.
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Cross-country Skiing at Black Canyon
In winter, South Rim Drive is closed to vehicles beyond the visitor center at Gunnison Point. As staffing and snow conditions allow, rangers groom the remainder of the road for cross-country skiing…
Learn more about Cross-country Skiing at Black Canyon on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Showing 1 of 1
All 26 activities in the park
Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
Camping
3 campgrounds listed on Recreation.gov. Check availability and current conditions before you go.
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Black Canyon Of The Gunnison North Rim Campground
Reservable Campground
Official NPS North Rim Website The North Rim campground is remote and has 13 sites dispersed among pinyon and juniper trees. Sites available on a first-come…
Reserve on Recreation.govDetails
Fees: All campsites at North Rim are first-come, first-served. This campground uses Scan & Pay to accept on-site payment through the Recreation.gov mobile app. Download the app ahead of your visit to arrive ready!
Overview
Official NPS North Rim Website
The North Rim campground is remote and has 13 sites dispersed among pinyon and juniper trees. Sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Elevation: 7767 ft (2367.4 m). The ranger station is open intermittently in the summer and closed in the winter. In the summer, maps and newspapers are available on the ranger station porch. The ranger station also has a self-pay station for the park entrance fee and a self-registration kiosk for wilderness permits.
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Black Canyon Of The Gunnison South Rim Campground
Reservable Campground
A camping trip to the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park makes for a beautiful getaway for sightseeing, stargazing, and hiking. The park protects the most dramatic…
Reserve on Recreation.gov- Hiking
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Amphitheater
Details
Fees: There is an additional $6 electricity attribute fee for Standard Electric sites.
Overview
A camping trip to the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park makes for a beautiful getaway for sightseeing, stargazing, and hiking. The park protects the most dramatic section of the Gunnison River Canyon; no other canyon in North America combines the narrow opening, sheer walls, and startling depths of Black Canyon.Recreation
Take one of many spectacular hiking trails such as the Oak Flat Loop Trail and watch for birds like the black-billed magpie.
In summer, catch an evening educational program in the campground amphitheater.
Winter activities include snowshoeing on Rim Rock Trail or go cross country skiing on South Rim Drive (South Rim Campground is first-come, first-served in winter).
Facilities
Campsites are open year round, but drinking water is only available mid-May through mid-October. Electric hookups are in Loop B and available year around.
Natural Features
Perched on the South Rim of the Black Canyon, this campground is surrounded by scrub oak forests and sits atop ancient hard rocks. Deer, grouse, bears, and bobcats are known to frequent the area.Nearby Attractions
Visit the Cimarron Canyon Rail Exhibit to see railcars and the last remaining railroad trestle on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison route. Head upstream to Curecanti National Recreation Area to enjoy water recreation on Colorado's largest reservoir.
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East Portal Campground
Not reservable on Recreation.gov Campground
East Portal Campground is located within Curecanti National Recreation Area, but is adjacent to and only accessible from Black Canyon National Park ($30 entrance fee)…
Details
East Portal Campground is located within Curecanti National Recreation Area, but is adjacent to and only accessible from Black Canyon National Park ($30 entrance fee). This small campground is located at the bottom of the canyon along the Gunnison River, shaded by box elder trees. The campground is closed in winter. East Portal Road is closed to vehicles in winter but open to pedestrians and cyclists. The Bureau of Reclamation determines when East Portal Road closes. Elevation: 6526 feet (1989 m).
Facilities & Services
Find permits, visitor centers and other services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Permits & Passes
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Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP Red Rock Canyon Wilderness Permits
Permit
Visitor Centers
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North Rim Ranger Station
Visitor Center
The North Rim Ranger Station is open intermittently in summer and closed in winter. In the summer, maps and information are available on the ranger station porch. A…
7295 Black Canyon Road, Crawford, CO (970) 641-2337 Directions
Details
The North Rim Ranger Station is open intermittently in summer and closed in winter. In the summer, maps and information are available on the ranger station porch. A self-registration kiosk for wilderness permits is located outside. -
South Rim Visitor Center
Visitor Center
This visitor center has exhibits, information, book and map sales, water (available seasonally), vault toilets, and hiking trailheads. It is open year-round with the…
9800 Highway 347, Montrose, CO 970 641-2337 Directions
Details
This visitor center has exhibits, information, book and map sales, water (available seasonally), vault toilets, and hiking trailheads. It is open year-round with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Open 24 hours, daily · South Rim
Hours by area (2)
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South RimOpen 24 hours, daily
The South Rim is open 24 hours a day.
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North RimOpen 24 hours, daily
The park is open 24 hours a day, but the North Rim Road and ranger station are closed in winter and early spring. The road typically closes mid-November and reopens early May.
Entrance fees
- $30Private Vehicle
- $25Motorcycle
- $15Per Person
All 9 fees & details
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Private Vehicle$30
7-Day Vehicle Pass. Entrance fees cover all persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle.
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Motorcycle$25
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
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Per Person$15
7-Day Individual Pass (pedestrian or bicycle)
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Commercial Entrance - Sedan$25
Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 1-6 persons. Fee is $25.00 per vehicle plus $7.00 per passenger.
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Commercial Entrance - Van$40
Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 7-25. Fee is $40.00 per vehicle.
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Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus$40
Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 7-25. Fee is $40.00 per vehicle.
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Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach$100
Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 26 or more. Fee is $100.00 per vehicle.
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Non-commercial Groups$30
Non-commercial vehicles with a vehicle capacity of 15 or fewer: $30.00 per vehicle, regardless of the number of passengers.
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Non-commercial Groups$15
Non-commercial vehicles with a vehicle capacity of 16 or greater: $15.00 per passenger (including driver). Fees will not exceed the commercial fee for the same-sized vehicle. Youth 15 and under are free. Individuals or families with any valid Annual or Lifetime pass may use their pass for entry at the per-person rate. Pass and photo ID must be presented upon entry.
Passes
- $55Annual Entrance - Park
Pass details
- Annual Entrance - Park
An annual pass to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is available for $55.00 at the South Rim entrance station from early April to late October, and at Recreation.gov. This pass admits the permit holder and all accompanying passengers in a single, private, noncommercial vehicle to the park. It is valid for 12 months from date of purchase and covers entrance fees only.
Address
South Rim Visitor Center, 9800 Highway 347Montrose, CO 81401
Contact the park
Weather & conditions
66°F
Partly Cloudy · feels like 56°
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Today
70° 49°
Sunny36% rain -
Tomorrow
59° 45°
Patchy rain nearby68% rain -
Wednesday
47° 41°
Light rain91% rain
Updated 1 hr ago
What to expect by season
Today's Weather: http://www.weather.com/weather/today/l/NPBLCA:13:US CLIMATE Weather can vary greatly throughout the day. Summer daytime temperatures range between 55 to 90F (13 to 32C), nights 45 to 60F (7 to 16C). Winter daytime temperatures range between 15 to 40F (-9 to 4C), nights 10 to 20F (-12 to -6C). Afternoon thunderstorms are common during the summer. Snow accumulation varies greatly year to year. Layered clothing appropriate for the season is recommended.
Upcoming Events
2 coming up-
Geology Talk
About
How did the Black Canyon form? What kinds of rocks are these? Discover answers to these and other questions about this dizzying chasm.
Meet at Pulpit Rock Overlook at 10:00 am. 20-30 minutes.
Location subject to change.
May be cancelled due to staffing shortages or bad weather.
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Ranger's Choice Talk
About
Join a park ranger to explore one of the fascinating stories of Black Canyon, from human history to plants to wildlife.
Meet at Pulpit Rock Overlook at 2:00 pm. 20-30 minutes.
Location subject to change.
May be cancelled due to staffing shortages or bad weather.
Getting There
Montrose, CO 81401
South Rim: 7 miles north on CO Highway 347 from the intersection with U.S. Highway 50 east of Montrose.
Full directions
Physical/GPS address is: 9800 Highway 347, Montrose, CO 81401 North Rim: 11 miles southwest of Crawford, Colorado. From CO Highway 92, turn west on Black Canyon Road approximately 3 miles south of Crawford. Follow the road signs to the park.
Mailing address: 102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO 81230
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