Info/Tips
There are two parts of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park – South Rim and North Rim. There is no direct route connecting South Rim to North Rim, the drive from one to the other is at least 1 hour 45 minutes.
South Rim has a visitor center and offers 12 viewpoints. North Rim has a seasonal Ranger station and 5 overlook. Both sides have similar viewpoints. Walking distance to viewpoints from each parking lots may only hundred yards, but those distances adds up quickly if you stop and visit each one. Depends on how much time you have prioritize viewports to stop. We only visited South Rim.
There are hiking routes to the canyon, permits required and can be obtained at the visitor center.
East Portal Road provides access into Curecanti National Recreation Area. Morrow Point Boat Tours at Curecanti National Recreation looks interesting. However this was not operating when we visited in summer 2021 due to covid restrictions.
In 2021 to November 2022 there is road construction on HW50 with one way or both way closure of HW50. Please check NPS site or Colorado DOT site on road closure information. We had to plan our entrance to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park before 9am as we were driving from Gunnison to avoid road closure.
Things to do
South Rim Drive
We had about 2-3 hours planned to spend at the park. After a quick stop at the south rim visitor center, we drove the south rim road (6 miles). There are 12 overlooks along South Rim Road most with very short walks to viewpoint. If you have limited time stop at the ones with *
- Tomichi Point
- Gunnison Point (*)
- Pulpit Rock Overlook
- Cross Fissure Views
- Rock Point
- Devils Lookout
- Chasm view (*)
- Painted Wall View (*)
- Cedar Point
- Dragon Point
- Sunset View
- High Point/Warner Point
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