Hiking the Chasm View Nature Trail in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Distance: 0.5 miles / 0.8 km
The Chasm View Nature Trail, also called the Chasm View Loop Trail, on the North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, is one of the best effort-to-reward day hikes across both sides of the canyon!
I say this because the quick and easy 0.5-mile (0.8 km) loop features some of the most beautiful views along the rim of Black Canyon, much like the Dragon Point Trail on the South Rim.
That being said, I personally enjoy the Chasm View Nature Trail early in the morning to capture the light shining down to the Gunnison River, as shown below. However, beautiful photos can be captured throughout the day, as Black Canyon creates some of the most unique shadows on account of the narrow river corridor and dramatic cliffs!
Chasm View Nature Trailhead Parking
The Chasm View Nature Trailhead is located just down North Rim Road from the North Rim Ranger Station.
The parking area is small, but if you find it too difficult to park immediately outside the trailhead, there is typically space alongside the dirt road that leads into the North Rim Campground.
Google Maps Directions: Chasm View Nature Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Black Canyon
Black bears are known to be found everywhere from the plateaus along the canyon rim to the steep routes that lead down to the Gunnison River, and everywhere in between.
That being said, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Hiking the Chasm View Nature Trail
The Chasm View Nature Trail is a relatively easy 0.5-mile (0.8 km) interpretive loop trail that passes by two amazing viewpoints above the Gunnison River.
That being said, the interpretive trail guides follow a counterclockwise direction, which is why I chose to go right around the Chasm View Nature Loop.
In order to follow along with these markers, Chasm View Trail guides can be found at the trailhead, or you can ask the staff at the North Rim Ranger Station before driving over.
At this split, go right to reach the first of two main viewpoints above the Gunnison River.
Chasm View (Big Draw Overlook)
Chasm View, also called the Big Draw Overlook, overlooks the Painted Wall and the Pinyon Draw area of the Gunnison River below.
That being said, Chasm View doesn’t have the best view of the steep trail down Pinyon Draw, but it does offer a good view of the area and campground that this draw reaches, located just to the west of the overlook.
Here, hikers and campers can be seen from the viewpoint along the river, who are typically easiest to spot in the late morning hours as day hikers make their way down the steep Pinyon Trail on the far side of North Rim Road.
After the Big Draw Overlook, the Chasm View Nature Trail simply traverses the North Rim of Black Canyon to the second Chasm View overlook.
Chasm View
The second Chasm View overlook is my favorite part of the Chasm View Nature Loop, largely due to the stunning photos you can capture of The Narrows in the early morning light!
By this, I mean that there are other viewpoints of The Narrows on both the North and South Rim, but this unique viewpoint at Chasm View is arguably the best because it allows for a one-of-a-kind perspective to see just how deep and narrow Black Canyon truly is, while looking directly up the Gunnison River!
Finally, the Chasm View Nature Trail loops back around to the trailhead, passing by a number of different markers to read on the interpretive trail guide.
