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.
Alerts
- CautionNo Water Available in Park
Water systems throughout the park have been shut off for the winter season, October to April. Please plan ahead and bring your own drinking water.
- InformationNPS ↗Cashless Operations
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.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedTransfer Rd Rx
25 mi from the park's reference point · 139 acres
- PrescribedHigh Mesa Piles Rx
27 mi from the park's reference point
- WildfireGold Mountain
36 mi from the park's reference point · 39,747 acres · 92% contained
- WildfireElk
37 mi from the park's reference point · 7,257 acres · 90% contained
Within 50 miles, as of 2026-10-14. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Check the park's alerts and the managing office before you drive.
Fees & passes
| Type | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Private Vehicle7-Day Vehicle Pass. Entrance fees cover all persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle. | $30 | |
| MotorcycleValid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. | $25 | |
| Per Person7-Day Individual Pass (pedestrian or bicycle) | $15 | |
| Non-commercial GroupsNon-commercial vehicles with a vehicle capacity of 15 or fewer: $30.00 per vehicle, regardless of the number of passengers. | $30 | |
| Non-commercial GroupsNon-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. | $15 | |
| Commercial tours · by vehicle capacity | ||
| SedanCommercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 1-6 persons. Fee is $25.00 per vehicle plus $7.00 per passenger. | $25 | |
| VanCommercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 7-25. Fee is $40.00 per vehicle. | $40 | |
| Mini-busCommercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 7-25. Fee is $40.00 per vehicle. | $40 | |
| Motor CoachCommercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 26 or more. Fee is $100.00 per vehicle. | $100 | |
| Passes | ||
| Annual Entrance - ParkAn 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. | $55 | |
Hours
| South Rim | Daily · All Day |
| North Rim | Daily · All Day |
North Rim: hours by date. Standard hours apply on every date not listed.
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| Standard hoursNow | All Day |
| Nov 25, 2026 to Apr 29, 2027Winter Season | Closed |
When to go
June draws the most visits here and February the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Campgrounds
| South Rim Campground | 89 sites | |
| $20 a night · Campground is open 24 hours a day, all year. Check out time is 11:00 am. Water is limited and typically only available mid-May to mid-September (after the last… | ||
| North Rim Campground ↗ | 13 sites | |
| $20 a night · Fills often from Spring to Fall. Closed in winter and early spring (when road closes). Condition-depending, usually opens in late April or early May. · 13 first-come | ||
| East Portal Campground ↗ | 15 sites | |
| $20 a night · Closed Nov 10 to Apr 11 · 15 first-come | ||
Every campground here has its own page on Campsite Atlas, with site counts, hookups, rig limits and booking windows. All of them on one page → How park camping works
Visitor centers
- South Rim Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
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.
- North Rim Ranger Station ↗Passport stamp
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.
Explore
Things to do
- Tour the South Rim Drive2-3 Hours
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.
Opens on the Park Service site - 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 (skate and classic) and snowshoeing.
Opens on the Park Service site - Snowshoeing at Black Canyon
Although services and access are limited during winter, the park provides recreation opportunities for winter enthusiasts.
Opens on the Park Service site - Hike Rim Rock Trail - South Rim
This 1-mile (1.6 km) trail, which meanders along the canyon rim, connects the South Rim Visitor Center to the South Rim Campground.
Opens on the Park Service site - Hike Uplands Trail - South Rim
This .9-mile (1.4 km) trail links the Rim Rock Trail (near the campground) to the upper Oak Flat Loop Trail near the South Rim Visitor Center.
Opens on the Park Service site - Stargazing at Black Canyon
Black Canyon has exceptional opportunities to view the night skies. Choose overlooks far from the road for optimal stargazing and astrophotography or join one of the park's telescope viewing programs during summer.
Opens on the Park Service site
Show all 12Hide
- Hike North Vista Trail - North Rim
Constructed by the Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, the North Vista Trail offers some of the best scenic views and birding in the park. Difficulty varies from moderate to strenuous based on distance.
Opens on the Park Service site - Hike Deadhorse Trail - North Rim
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.
Opens on the Park Service site - Drive East Portal Road1-2 Hours
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.
Opens on the Park Service site - Tour the North Rim Road2-3 Hours
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 views.
Opens on the Park Service site - Join a Ranger Program20-60 Minutes
Ranger program offerings vary throughout the year. Stop by the South Rim Visitor Center for current offerings and times.
Opens on the Park Service site - Hike Chasm View Nature Trail - North Rim
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.
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Webcams
Camera images load live from the National Park Service and partner agencies
Events
- Geology Talk10/1410:00 AM · free
- Ranger's Choice Talk10/1402:00 PM · free
News
- East Portal Road reopens after weather related closure ↗2026-09-18
East Portal Road, managed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, will reopen on Saturday, September 19, 2026, by 8:00 a.m. The road was closed on September 14 following forecasts of significant rainfall in the region, which…
- Tobin Roop selected as superintendent of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area ↗2026-09-18
The National Park Service has selected Tobin Roop as superintendent of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area.
- Fire Restrictions Lifted at Black Canyon and Curecanti ↗2026-09-17
Thanks to recent significant rainfall, the Stage 1 Fire Restriction Order for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area will be lifted effective Friday, September 18, 2026, at…
- Temporary Closure of East Portal Road Due to Weather and Mudslide Risks ↗2026-09-14
Due to ongoing adverse weather conditions, East Portal Road in Curecanti National Recreation Area is temporarily closed for public safety.
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
On the National Register nearby
- J. V. Lathrop HouseBuilding · Montrose · 10.4 mi
- Methodist Episcopal Church of MontroseBuilding · Montrose · 10.5 mi
- US Bureau of Reclamation Project Office BuildingHistoric district · Montrose · 10.5 mi
- Montrose City HallBuilding · Montrose · 10.6 mi
Public land nearby
Distances are approximate. Wilderness Atlas publishes a center point and an acreage for each area rather than a boundary, so each area is treated here as a circle of the same size and the figure is the gap to that circle.
Forest Service trails nearby
These trails are outside the park on National Forest land, within 15 miles of Black Canyon Of The Gunnison. Each one opens on Trailhead Atlas.
Distance is measured from the park's reference point to the nearer end of the trail.
Guidebooks for Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Colorado's national parks
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Wildlife
Seen this monthDusky Grouse 2× · Golden Eagle 1×Research-grade observations within 25 km, last 30 days, via iNaturalist
Full checklist: 174 birds, 59 mammalsHide
Raptors & owlsAmerican Kestrel · Bald Eagle · Barn Owl · Cooper's Hawk · Ferruginous Hawk · Flammulated Owl · Golden Eagle · Great Horned Owl · Long-eared Owl · Merlin · Northern Harrier · Northern Pygmy-Owl · Northern Saw-whet Owl · Osprey · Peregrine Falcon · Prairie Falcon · Red-tailed Hawk · Rough-legged Hawk · Sharp-shinned Hawk · Swainson's Hawk · Turkey Vulture
Waterfowl & wadersAmerican Coot · American wigeon · Barrow's Goldeneye · Black-crowned Night-Heron · Blue-winged Teal · Canada Goose · Cinnamon Teal · Common Goldeneye · Common Merganser · Great Blue Heron · Green-winged Teal · Hooded Merganser · Lesser Scaup · Northern Pintail · Pied-billed Grebe · Ruddy Duck · Sandhill Crane
Shorebirds & seabirdsCalifornia Gull · Franklin's Gull · Killdeer · Ring-billed Gull · Spotted Sandpiper · Wilson's Snipe
Gamebirds & dovesBand-tailed Pigeon · Blue Grouse · Gambel's Quail · Gunnison Sage-Grouse · Mourning Dove · Ring-necked Pheasant · Rock Dove · Wild Turkey
WoodpeckersAmerican Three-toed Woodpecker · Downy Woodpecker · Hairy Woodpecker · Lewis's Woodpecker · Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) · Red-naped Sapsucker · Williamson's Sapsucker
Hummingbirds & swiftsBlack-chinned Hummingbird · Broad-tailed Hummingbird · Calliope Hummingbird · Rufous Hummingbird · White-throated Swift
Also on the checklistAmerican Crow · American Dipper · American Goldfinch · American Pipit · American Robin · American Tree Sparrow · Ash-throated Flycatcher · Barn Swallow · Belted Kingfisher · Bewick's Wren · Black Rosy-Finch · Black-billed Magpie · Black-capped Chickadee · Black-headed Grosbeak · Black-throated Gray Warbler · Black-throated Sparrow · Blue Grosbeak · Blue-gray Gnatcatcher · Bohemian Waxwing · Brewer's Blackbird · Brewer's Sparrow · Brown Creeper · Brown Thrasher · Brown-capped Rosy-Finch · Brown-headed Cowbird · Bullock's Oriole · Bushtit · Canyon Wren · Cassin's Finch · Cedar Waxwing · Chipping Sparrow · Chukar · Clark's Nutcracker · Cliff Swallow · Common Nighthawk · Common Poorwill · Common Raven · Cordilleran Flycatcher · Dark-eyed Junco (Gray-headed) · Dusky Flycatcher · European Starling · Evening Grosbeak · Gadwall · Golden-crowned Kinglet · Gray Catbird · Gray Flycatcher · Gray Jay · Gray Vireo · Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch · Green-tailed Towhee · Hammond's Flycatcher · Hermit Thrush · Horned Lark · House Finch · House Sparrow · House Wren · Indigo Bunting · Juniper Titmouse · Lark Sparrow · Lazuli Bunting · Lesser Goldfinch · Lincoln's Sparrow · Loggerhead Shrike · MacGillivray's Warbler · Mallard · Mountain Bluebird · Mountain Chickadee · Northern Goshawk · Northern Mockingbird · Northern Shrike · Northern shoveler · Olive-sided Flycatcher · Orange-crowned Warbler · Pine Grosbeak · Pine Siskin · Pinyon Jay · Plumbeous Vireo · Pygmy Nuthatch · Red Crossbill · Red-breasted Nuthatch · Red-winged Blackbird · Redhead · Rock Wren · Ruby-crowned Kinglet · Sage Thrasher · Say's Phoebe · Song Sparrow · Spotted Towhee · Steller's Jay · Swainson's Thrush · Townsend's Solitaire · Townsend's Warbler · Tree Swallow · Vesper Sparrow · Violet-green Swallow · Virginia's Warbler · Warbling Vireo · Western Bluebird · Western Kingbird · Western Meadowlark · Western Tanager · Western Wood-Pewee · White-breasted Nuthatch · White-crowned Sparrow · Willow Flycatcher · Wilson's Warbler · Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay · Yellow Warbler · Yellow-breasted Chat · Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)
Small mammalsAmerican Beaver · American Water Shrew · Brush Mouse · Bushy-tailed Woodrat · Canyon Mouse · Deer Mouse · Dwarf Shrew · Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel · Hopi Chipmunk · Least Chipmunk · Long-tailed Vole · Masked Shrew · Montane Shrew · Montane vole · Mountain Cottontail · North American Porcupine · Northern Pocket Gopher · Pinon Mouse · Preble's Shrew · Red Squirrel · Rock Squirrel · Snowshoe Hare · Western Harvest Mouse · Western Jumping Mouse · White-tailed Jackrabbit · Yellow-bellied Marmot
PredatorsAmerican Badger · American Black Bear · American Mink · Bobcat · Common Gray Fox · Coyote · Long-tailed Weasel · Mountain Lion · Northern Raccoon · Northern River Otter · Red Fox · Ringtail · Striped Skunk · Western Spotted Skunk
Hoofed mammalsBighorn Sheep · Elk · Mule Deer
BatsBig Brown Bat · Big Free-tailed Bat · Brazilian Free-tailed Bat · California Myotis · Fringed Myotis · Hoary Bat · Little Brown Myotis · Long-eared Myotis · Long-legged Myotis · Pallid Bat · Silver-haired Bat · Spotted Bat · Townsend's Big-eared Bat · Western Pipistrelle · Western Small-footed Myotis · Yuma Myotis
Activities
Activity guides for this park Birdwatching in the national parks · Camping in the national parks · Canoeing and kayaking in the national parks · Fishing in the national parks · Hiking in the national parks · Horseback riding in the national parks · Rock climbing in the national parks · Skiing in the national parks · Stargazing in the national parks · Wildlife watching in the national parks
Weather & climate
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.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Black Canyon Of The Gunnison?
Entrance is $30 per private vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, and $15 per person on foot or bike. 7-Day Vehicle Pass.
Source: National Park Service
Which passes work at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison?
The $80 America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee here, and a Black Canyon Of The Gunnison-only annual pass is $55.
Source: Is the pass worth it
Can I pay the entrance fee in cash?
No. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison takes cards only at the entrance.
Source: National Park Service
When is entrance to Black Canyon Of The Gunnison free?
Next on October 27, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday. 2 fee-free days are left this year, for US residents only.
Source: Free entrance days
Do I need a reservation to enter Black Canyon Of The Gunnison?
No. There is no timed-entry or entrance reservation at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison. Camping and some tours have their own reservations.
Source: National Park Service
Is Black Canyon Of The Gunnison open year-round?
Yes. The grounds are open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Source: National Park Service
Can I camp in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison?
Yes. The Park Service lists 3 campgrounds in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison: South Rim, North Rim, and East Portal. 1 takes reservations through Recreation.gov.
Which Black Canyon Of The Gunnison campgrounds have showers, hookups, or a dump station?
Electric hookups: South Rim.
Source: Campgrounds
Do camping fees at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison include the entrance fee?
No. Camping is charged per night on top of the entrance fee or a pass; South Rim is $20 a night.
Source: Campgrounds
When do Black Canyon Of The Gunnison campgrounds close for the season?
East Portal is closed Nov 10 to Apr 11.
Source: Campgrounds
Is anything closed at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison right now?
2 active alerts as of October 14, 2026: No Water Available in Park; Cashless Operations.
Source: Alerts
How busy is Black Canyon Of The Gunnison?
250,086 recreation visits in 2025, number 160 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
