10 Best Things to Do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Nestled in the heart of western Colorado, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is home to some of the most beautiful and dramatic landscapes, with its stunning granite walls and steep cliffs, making it a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts!
Some of the best things to do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison include hiking, rock climbing, backcountry camping, pristine trout fishing, and enjoying the breathtaking views on both the North and South Rims, with my personal favorite being the sunset at Dragon Point!
This is all to say that unlike Black Canyon’s more crowded neighbors to the west, including Arches and Canyonlands National Park in Moab, Black Canyon of the Gunnsion offers a serene escape for compared to countless other busy parks across the country.
North vs. South Rim
South Rim
For a number of reasons, the South Rim is, by far, the more popular side of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, which really comes down to one word: accessibility.
Compared to the North Rim, the South is by and large more accessible because it’s not only easier to get to from Montrose, the largest town near the park, but also, the road to the South Rim is paved and more maintained, while the North Rim is not.
This is all to say that the South Rim of Black Canyon is much more self-explanatory, with little pull-over stops marked along the road for scenic viewpoints and trails, while the North Rim is more commonly seen as the adventurous side of the park, meaning that it’s best for those who want a quieter, do-it-yourself experience.
North Rim
Given everything mentioned above, the North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison is more for the adventurous type of visitor! This is the side of the canyon that I recommend visiting if you’re a first-time visitor interested in hiking down or climbing at the bottom of Black Canyon, with the easiest route being Pinyon Draw (S.O.B.), as it’s often considered to be the least technical of the seven routes to the bottom.
This isn’t to say that there aren’t short, easy trails on the North Rim—like the Chasm View and North Vista Trail to Exclamation Point—but, for the most part, the adventures on the North Rim are generally dominated by longer, more remote trails, which really means less traffic for the same reasons mentioned previously.
In all, I believe that there is something to do for any type of visitor on either side of the canyon, especially due to the fact that there is no off-roading on the North Rim or need for a 4WD.
Yes, North Rim Road is just a normal gravel road that any car should be able to handle, granted that the drive is snow-free.
Hiking Checklist - Black Canyon
Obviously, for camping, you will need general backpacking gear. For this reason, I wrote a separate post about what backpacking gear is worth the money, from my experience, and what the best alternatives are to save you money.
Read My Separate Post: Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear
In addition, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
10 Best Things to Do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
The following list is written in no particular order of best or worst, but know that all hikes into Black Canyon—even day hikes—require a wilderness permit, which can be obtained at either the South Rim Visitor Center or self-filled at the North Rim Ranger Station if a staff member isn’t present.
On a different note, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
1. Dragon Point (Sunset)
Distance: 0.4 miles / 0.6 km
Dragon Point is my favorite place to watch the sunset in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park!
I say this because Dragon Point sits above one of the longest and most expansive west-facing corridors on the Gunnison River, making it one of the best sunset hikes in the park, perfect for sitting back and watching the colors change some 2,100 ft. (640 m) above the Warner Route and the river below!
Read My Separate Post: Dragon Point Trail
2. Warner Route Trail
Distance (Roundtrip): 4.3 miles / 6.9 km
Elevation Change: ~2,700 ft. / 823 m
The Warner Route is often regarded as the most challenging trail down into Black Canyon, largely due to the fact that the Warner Route is located furthest downstream on the Gunnison River—meaning that the descent and ascent back out are the most challenging of any hike to the bottom of the canyon.
That said, the Warner Route is often treated as an overnight adventure for this reason alone. However, what makes the Warner Route an even more popular overnight hike compared to others is that the remote stretch of the Gunnison River at the bottom of the canyon is world-renowned for having some of the best trout fishing in the country, which can make permits hard to come by at certain times of the year.
This is all to say that I recommend reading through my separate article, which details every aspect of this long and steep adventure—from the popular Warner Point Nature Trail to the bottom of Black Canyon.
Read My Separate Post: Warner Route Trail
3. Chasm View Nature Trail
Distance: 0.5 miles / 0.8 km
The Chasm View Nature Trail is arguably the best day hike on the North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison!
This is because the relatively easy 0.5-mile (0.8 km) interpretive trail has a direct view of one of the best areas within Black Canyon: The Narrows!
In short, The Narrows are actually best seen from above at the Balanced Rock Overlook or the Long Draw Trail, one of the seven routes that descends into Black Canyon. However, this unique section of the canyon is arguably better appreciated from afar on the Chasm View Nature Trail, which is why it’s one of my personal favorites and top recommendations when visiting the North Rim!
Read My Separate Post: Chasm View Nature Trail
4. Cedar Point
Cedar Point, much like Dragon Point just down the road, is a South Rim favorite for catching the sunset on the rim of Black Canyon!
That being said, I think I’d be splitting hairs to pick which is the better of the two, as Cedar Point, along with Dragon Point, are two of the best west-facing viewpoints down some of the most beautiful sections of the Gunnison River!
Google Maps Directions: Cedar Point
5. Oak Flat Loop Trail
Distance: 1.4 miles / 2.3 km
The Oak Flat Loop Trail is one of only a few 'longer' trails on the rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and this one is particularly unique because of a hidden but fairly accessible climbing wall that few first-time visitors are aware of.
I say this because climbing in Black Canyon of the Gunnison can seem intimidating among the countless big walls, but the Oak Flat Loop is unique in this sense, as there is one place on this short 1.4-mile (2.3 km) trail that visitors can access and climb with relative ease compared to the much more involved routes below the rim!
That being said, the trail itself is aptly named for the Gambel Oak forest through which the Oak Flat Loop traverses, and visitors can enjoy this, along with the climbing wall, and a number of different viewpoints along the rim of Black Canyon on this relatively easy day hike near the South Rim Visitor Center.
Read My Separate Post: Oak Flat Loop Trail
6. Long Draw Trail
Distance (One Way): 0.6 miles / 1.0 km
Elevation Change: ~1,600 ft. (488 m)
Located off the North Rim, the Long Draw Trail is my personal favorite route to the bottom of Black Canyon.
I say this because the bottom of Long Draw is known as The Narrows of Black Canyon, which inherently means this is where the walls along the Gunnison River come closest together.
For this reason, there is only about a 0.25-mile (0.4 km) area to explore once you’re at the bottom, and this inevitably means there is no overnight camping on the Long Draw Route.
That being said, some may see these things as drawbacks, but this is truly what makes The Narrows the most beautiful corridor within Black Canyon, as there is no other place along the Gunnison River that makes you feel so small!
This is all without saying that Long Draw is a very steep descent down to the Gunnison River, which is why I highly encourage you to read my separate post—especially the introduction—if you want to learn more!
Read My Separate Post: Long Draw Trail
7. Exclamation Point (North Vista)
Distance (Roundtrip): 6.9 miles / 11.1 km
Exclamation Point on the North Rim of Black Canyon is most similar to Chasm View, located just up the river.
That being said, Exclamation Point is really just one part of the much longer North Vista Trail to Green Mountain. However, it is only located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the trailhead at the North Rim Ranger Station, or 3.0 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip.
For this reason, I highly recommend hiking the fairly easy North Vista Trail to Exclamation Point and, from there, deciding if you want to continue further to Green Mountain, which you can learn more about in my separate article.
Read My Separate Post: North Vista Trail
8. Deadhorse Trail
Distance (Full Trail & Loop): 6.6 miles / 10.6 km
The Deadhorse Trail on the North Rim of Black Canyon is one that I consider to be a surprising favorite, because of a few inconspicuous, unnamed viewpoints at unexpected spots along the trail.
For this reason, I highly recommend reading my separate post to learn more about what I mean, as one hidden viewpoint in particular can make for one of the best—and, most of all, quiet—places to catch the sunset on a clear evening!
Read My Separate Post: Deadhorse Trail
9. East Portal (Trail & Campground)
Distance (Roundtrip): 0.8 miles / 1.3 km
East Portal is a lot of different things to a lot of different people, but above all, it is the only section of the Gunnison River that is accessible by car!
This is because the vast majority of routes down to the Gunnison River involve climbing down one of seven different steep gullies, but, East Portal defies this, as the 5.5-mile (8.9 km) road descends roughly 1,900 ft. (579 m) from South Rim Road to the river.
This is all to say that whether you choose to visit East Portal to fish, stay in the campground, or simply hike the trail, driving down is absolutely worth the trip because nowhere else at the bottom of Black Canyon is as accessible as East Portal!
Read My Separate Post: East Portal Trail
No information is collected by this website when using the Recreation.gov booking widget, and all reservations made here are secure through the official website.
10. South Rim Campground
There are three drive-up campgrounds in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: the North Rim, South Rim, and East Portal Campgrounds.
That said, recommending one over another entirely depends on what you’re interested in seeing and doing.
For example, booking the East Portal Campground is ideal for those looking to fish, while staying on the North Rim is best suited for visitors interested in escaping the busier parts of the park.
However, none is as centrally located as the South Rim Campground, which is the most popular side of the park to visit. With that in mind, the South Rim is my favorite side of the canyon, and it’s where I recommend staying if you’re interested in seeing the sunset at some of the best overlooks, like Dragon Point, or sunrise at the nearby Tomichi Point, off the Rim Rock-Uplands Loop Trail.
Book Here: South Rim Campground
No information is collected by this website when using the Recreation.gov booking widget, and all reservations made here are secure through the official website.
10 Best Things to Do Near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Since Black Canyon of the Gunnison is located so far west in Colorado, recommending the best things to do in the area entirely depends on what direction you’re driving to or from.
Therefore, the list below is fairly broad, but I wanted to include a list of adventures within a few hours in any direction of Black Canyon, which is why these recommendations come from Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico!
1. Ice Lake & Columbine Lake Trail
Distance (Ice Lake): 8.8 miles / 14.1 km
Distance (Columbine Lake): 8.3 miles / 13.4 km
The Ice Lake and Columbine Lake Trails in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado are two of the most beautiful alpine lakes of anywhere in the Mountain West!
For this reason, I highly recommend driving south of Black Canyon to hike one or both of these amazing day hikes near Silverton, off the Million Dollar Highway—which is one of my favorite recommendations on its own, apart from all the stunning adventures within the San Juan Range!
Read My Separate Post: Ice Lake Trail / Columbine Lake Trail
My Print - Columbine Lake
2. Million Dollar Highway (U.S. Route 550)
The Million Dollar Highway is one of the most beautiful scenic drives in all of North America, standing alongside others like the Beartooth Highway, the Avenue of the Giants, and the Icefields Parkway.
The 70.5-mile (113 km) highway connecting Ouray to Durango is most famous for an incredibly narrow, windy 23.4-mile (37.7 km) stretch between Ouray and Silverton, where the Ice Lake and Columbine Lake Trails are located.
That being said, the entire drive through the heart of the San Juan Mountains is one of the best things to do when visiting the southwestern part of Colorado—especially when the Aspens begin to change in the fall!
Google Maps Directions: Million Dollar Highway
3. San Juan Adventure Tours
Whether you’re visiting southwestern Colorado during the warmer summer months or for the world-class skiing come winter, there are a number of year-round guided tours in the San Juan Mountains near Black Canyon of the Gunnison that are worth considering.
Some of the most notable include the renowned Telluride Via Ferrata, which is truly a one-of-a-kind experience in the fall, or the Ouray Ice Park, where visitors without any knowledge or skills in the sport can learn the basics with some of the amazing local guides!
4. Mt. Sneffels Trail
Distance (Roundtrip from Upper TH): 2.2 - 2.8 miles / 3.5 - 4.5 km
Mt. Sneffels is one of the most beautiful and sought-after 14ers near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park!
This is because the climb to the summit of the 14,155-ft (4,314 m) peak isn’t particularly difficult compared to others, as it can be a very short climb from Yankee Boy Basin or incredibly scenic climb if you choose the Blue Lakes Trail.
Therefore, I highly recommend considering this amazing adventure up one of Colorado’s most beautiful 14ers, but I also suggest checking out all the details in my separate article, in order to see if you’re up for the Class 3 challenge!
Read My Separate Post: Mt. Sneffels Trail
5. The Cabin Restaurant
The Cabin Restaurant is my go-to breakfast diner in Montrose, CO, just outside of Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
If you’re looking for a good, filling breakfast before setting out on one of the many beautiful adventures I have on this list, stop by The Cabin Restaurant to enjoy a great local breakfast near the park!
Yelp: The Cabin Restaurant
6. Great Sand Dunes National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is often visited on a single roadtrip with Great Sand Dunes National Park, as the two are only a four-hour drive from one another.
I mention this because, if you enjoyed my recommendations and personal experiences from Black Canyon, I highly encourage you to explore my top recommendations for Great Sand Dunes, where you’ll find numerous amazing adventures both within the dune field and in lesser-known areas outside the dunes and near the park!
Read My Separate Post: Great Sand Dunes National Park
7. Mi Mexico
There’s certainly no shortage of Mexican food across southwestern Colorado, but I didn’t realize how good enchiladas could be until I tried the sunrise enchiladas at Mi Mexico in Montrose!
This is all to say that everything on their massive menu is amazing, but if you’re interested in trying something a little different, I couldn’t recommend this specific meal more!
Yelp: Mi Mexico
8. Four Corners
Four Corners Monument is not often a convenient stop when driving across the Southwest, but if you happen to be making your way between Black Canyon, the Million Dollar Highway, and other amazing places like Petrified Forest, Mesa Verde National Park or even Albuquerque, then I highly recommend making the trip out of the way to Four Corners!
This quick stop may be just to 'say you did it,' but even still, I think that Four Corners makes for a nice place to get out of the car, stretch your legs, and simply break up a long day on the road.
Google Maps Directions: Four Corners Monument
9. Arches & Canyonlands National Park
In this part of the country, everything feels so spaced out from one another, but Black Canyon of the Gunnison, as well as the parks in Moab, are two places that make for a great roadtrip when put together!
That being said, I recognize that it’s a bit unfair to recommend two National Parks as one suggestion, but I’ve written two entirely separate articles to break down my favorite things to do in either park, just as I have with Black Canyon here.
Read My Separate Posts: Arches & Canyonlands National Park
10. Shop Small Business National Park Gear
A few of my good friends based right outside of Zion National Park design their own National Park gear from parks around country.
My camera strap, made by my friends at WildTree, has been my longest-standing camera strap that I’ve owned, and I encourage you to check them out over any of the overpriced souvenirs in or near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Shop: WildTree
5 Things to Know Before Visiting Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
1. There is beautiful, easy-to-access, free camping near the South Rim of Black Canyon.
Located just 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the South Rim entrance, Jones Draw, a free BLM campground, is the best drive-up location to stay the night near Black Canyon!
In my experience, I never had an issue finding a spot to pull into over multiple nights, which is especially nice because I usually arrive late after catching sunset in the park when the weather is nice out!
Google Maps Directions: Jones Draw
2. Of the seven hiking routes that drop into Black Canyon, choosing one is more than an ambitious goal for a multi-day visit.
I’ve hiked almost all the routes into Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park—sometimes even multiple in one day—and I can confidently say that, for the average hiker, one descent into Black Canyon is a great goal per visit!
I say this because these descents are among the most difficult elevation changes of any 'trail' in Colorado, which is why, if you think you’re up for the challenge, I recommend picking just one that sounds most interesting to you, as these truly are very physically demanding adventures!
3. Thunderstorms are a serious risk throughout much of the spring, summer, and fall months in Black Canyon.
For seemingly weeks on end, it’s very common to see cloud buildup from mid-morning and throughout the day, which can often transpire into violent thunderstorms.
These thunderstorms may not be widespread, but they can make everything from hiking simple trails to pulling over at one of many lookouts particularly dangerous, as the Gambel Oak-Juniper forests of Black Canyon provide little to no protection throughout much of the park.
Therefore, it’s important to be conscious of the changing weather and to know that a prediction of cloudy weather can still mean thunderstorms.
4. The vast majority of the canyon rim is unfenced and unmaintained.
I mention this because visitors with young children should be aware that, outside of very specific places at a handful of overlooks, visitors will not find a railing along the rim of Black Canyon.
This is the case not only to preserve the beauty of the canyon but also because it’s simply impractical to protect every section of trail that parallels the rim. I mention this as a reminder to stay safe and be mindful in certain areas, such as the Rim Rock-Uplands Loop Trail, to name one of many.
5. Both sunrise and sunrise are better from the South Rim.
This isn’t a completely comprehensive statement, as I have a number of very specific niche locations along the North Rim where I love to catch both sunrise and sunset. However, by and large, the South Rim is a better place to enjoy both!
Places like Tomichi Point, the Rim Rock Trail, and even Gunnison Point can be among the best for sunrise, while sunset has many more amazing options, such as Dragon Point, Cedar Point, and Warner Point, to name just a few.
