5 Best Things to Do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
With its towering walls, steep and dramatic cliffs, and some of the best rock climbing and fishing you can find, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful National Parks in the lower 48!
To add to this, Black Canyon of the Gunnison sees a fraction of the crowds compared to nearby parks, such as those in Moab.
What Differs Between the North & South Rim?
The South Rim
For a number of reasons, the South Rim is by far the more popular side of Black Canyon, 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.
On top of this, the South Rim is more what you’d expect to see in a typical U.S. National Park, with little pull-over stops marked on the map for scenic viewpoints, while the North Rim is more commonly thought of as the adventurous side of the park.
The North Rim
That being said, the North Rim of Black Canyon is more for the adventurous type of visitor! This is the side of the canyon that I recommend visiting if you want to do any hiking or climbing down in Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
While there are absolutely great and challenging hiking opportunities on the South Rim, the hikes off of the North are generally considered to be 'more remote', which really means less trafficked for the same reasons mentioned preveiously.
All said, I believe that there is something to do for any type of visitor on either side of the canyon, and know there is no off-roading on the North Rim or need for a 4WD. 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
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
5 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 visitor center or self-filled on the North Rim if staff isn’t present.
1. Dragon Point
For obvious reasons, Dragon Point is my favorite place to visit in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park!
I say this because Dragon Point is arguably the best sunset spot in Black Canyon, and in my opinion, it is much more beautiful than Sunset View, located just down the road.
In any case, Dragon Point isn’t much of a hike but rather a quick and easy walk out to one of the most stunning west-facing viewpoints in the park!
Google Maps Directions: Dragon Point
2. Warner Route Trail
Distance (Roundtrip): 4.3 miles / 6.9 km
The Warner Route is 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.
All said, if you’re interested in the Warner Route as a day hike or even an overnight adventure, I recommend reading through my separate post, so that you can come prepared for this long and steep adventure!
Read My Separate Post: Warner Route Trail
3. Oak Flat-Uplands-Rim Rock Loop Trail
Distance: 2.8 miles / 4.5 km
The Oak Flat-Uplands-Rim Rock Loop Trail is really a combination of three different trails, all centered around the South Rim Visitor Center, that make for a great, quick, and easy day hike with views along the Black Canyon’s South Rim.
That being said, this loop trail is one of the easier hikes in Black Canyon of the Gunnison, especially when compared to any trail that descends down to the Gunnison River.
AllTrails: Oak Flat-Uplands-Rim Rock Loop Trail
4. Long Draw Trail (North Rim)
Distance: 1.7 miles / 2.7 km
Located off the North Rim, the Long Draw Trail is my personal favorite route down into Black Canyon.
I say this because the bottom of the 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 down there, and the Long Draw doesn’t allow for overnight camping, as there simply isn’t a place to do it.
All said, prepare for a long and steep descent down to the Gunnison River, which is true for any route from the rim to the canyon floor. However, the Long Draw is exceptionally notable, as there is essentially no trail for the entire hike; the route follows one long and steep scree chute.
AllTrails: Long Draw Trail
5. Gunnison Point
Gunnison Point is one of the easiest viewpoints to enjoy in Black Canyon, as these beautiful stairs are located right behind the South Rim Visitor Center.
For this reason, I recommend stopping by to enjoy this quick and easy panoramic view before heading out to explore other areas of the park.
Google Maps Directions: Gunnison Point
Where is the Best Free Camping Around Black Canyon?
Located near the South Rim entrance, Jones Draw, a free BLM campground, is the best drive-up location to park and camp.
In my experience, I never had an issue finding a spot to pull into over multiple nights, even late in the day after catching sunset in the park during the summer travel season.
Google Maps Directions: Jones Draw
