Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Big enough to be overwhelming, yet still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time. 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. — nps.gov
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park at a glance
- State
- Colorado
- Established
- October 21, 1999
- Size
- 30,780 acres
- 2025 visits
- 250,086
- Busiest-park rank
- #50 of 63
- Entrance
- $30 / vehicle
Best time to visit
When is Black Canyon of the Gunnison quiet?
Black Canyon of the Gunnison is busiest in June and quietest in February. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, October is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.
In 2025 the park logged 250,086 recreation visits, the #50 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.
Crowd calendar, all 63 parks →Is Black Canyon of the Gunnison open right now? →
Average visits by month
2021–2025 · NPS IRMAQuietest: FebruaryBusiest: June
Fees & passes
What it costs to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison
From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026.
Visiting several parks this year? The pass calculator shows whether the America the Beautiful pass pays off.
Reservations · 2026
No park-wide reservation
The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
Things to do
Things to do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison
- Join a Ranger Program20-60 Minutes · All year
Ranger program offerings vary throughout the year. Stop by the South Rim Visitor Center for current offerings and times.
- Drive East Portal Road1-2 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall
East Portal Road is a windy, steep scenic road down to the Gunnison River. East Portal is within Curecanti National Recreation Area, but only accessible from within Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Vehicles…
Pets OK - Tour the North Rim Road2-3 Hours · Summer, Fall
The North Rim is reached by taking a gravel road from the east end of Crawford State Park. The North Rim Road provides access to 6 overlooks. The canyon walls on the North Rim are almost vertical, offering impressive…
Pets OK - Tour the South Rim Drive2-3 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall
The South Rim Drive is a scenic paved road that follows the canyon rim for 7 miles from Tomichi Point to High Point and features 12 overlooks.
Pets OK 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 (skate and classic)…
This short, moderately sloped trail offers visitors a chance to brush up on local flora with guideposts describing the various plants along the way.
Pets OK- Hike Chasm View Nature Trail - North RimSpring, Summer, Fall
This short loop trail breaks out of the pinyon/juniper forest at the North Chasm View to provide excellent views of Painted Wall and Serpent Point.
Pets OK - Hike Deadhorse Trail - North RimSpring, Summer, Fall
Deadhorse Trail takes hikers into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness Area. It offers good views of Deadhorse Gulch and East Portal on the Gunnison River, as well as good birding.
Show all 16 things to doShow fewer
- Hike North Vista Trail - North RimSpring, Summer, Fall
- Pets OK
- Reservation/permit
- Stargazing at Black CanyonAll yearPets OK
From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.
By activity
- Astronomy44
- Backcountry Camping51
- Backcountry Hiking43
- Birdwatching48
- Camping60
- Car or Front Country Camping41
- Climbing26
- Cross-Country Skiing20
- Fishing41
- Fly Fishing15
- Front-Country Hiking42
- Hiking60
- Horse Trekking32
- Horseback Riding25
- Kayaking23
- Paddling32
- Rock Climbing15
- RV Camping28
- Skiing23
- Snowshoeing24
- Stargazing39
- Wildlife Watching53
The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.
Weather
Weather at Black Canyon of the Gunnison
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.
From the National Park Service.
Getting there
Getting to Black Canyon of the Gunnison
South Rim: 7 miles north on CO Highway 347 from the intersection with U.S. Highway 50 east of Montrose. 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.
South Rim Visitor Center, Montrose, CO, 81401 · Directions on nps.gov
Nearby
National parks near Black Canyon of the Gunnison
- Mesa Verde National Park101 mi~2 h drive (est.)
- Arches National Park101 mi~2 h drive (est.)
- Canyonlands National Park119 mi~3 h drive (est.)
- Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve128 mi~3 h drive (est.)
- Rocky Mountain National Park164 mi~4 h drive (est.)
- Capitol Reef National Park192 mi~5 h drive (est.)
Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.
Closest big cities: Denver (173 mi)
Road trip
Great Sand Dunes, Black Canyon of the Gunnison & Mesa Verde
3 parks, about 229 miles between them (~5 h of driving, estimated).
Black Canyon of the Gunnison is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.
Photos of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
FAQ
Black Canyon of the Gunnison, quickly
- When is the best time to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park?
- If you want fewer people, go in October, the quietest shoulder-season month. June is the busiest month on average, and February the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
- How much does it cost to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park?
- $30 / vehicle. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park.
- Do you need a reservation for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in 2026?
- The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
- What are some things to do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park?
- The National Park Service lists 16 things to do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, including Join a Ranger Program, Drive East Portal Road, Tour the North Rim Road, Tour the South Rim Drive, Cross-country Skiing at Black Canyon. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
- When did Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park become a national park?
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park was established as a national park on October 21, 1999.
- What is the closest national park to Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
- Mesa Verde National Park, about 101 miles away in a straight line (roughly 2 hours' drive, estimated).
Sources · 3
- 1.Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park — official site · National Park Service
- 2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
- 3.Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)
About this page
Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/blca.
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