{"id":15444,"date":"2020-09-14T21:40:54","date_gmt":"2020-09-15T03:40:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/?p=15444"},"modified":"2025-02-01T16:02:45","modified_gmt":"2025-02-01T23:02:45","slug":"12-tips-for-visiting-black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sixsuitcasetravel.com\/blog\/12-tips-for-visiting-black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Tips for Visiting Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Located 250 miles southwest of Denver, the Black Canyon stretches 48 miles, but only 14 miles of it is designated as a national park. Seven miles northeast of Montrose at the intersection of Highway 347 and Highway 50, Black Canyon of the Gunnison was established as a national monument in 1933 and became a national park in 1999. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After experiencing the beauty of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison firsthand, we\u2019ve compiled this guide filled with useful information to help you make the most of your visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Plan Your Visit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The park is divided into three areas, South Rim, East Portal Road, and North Rim. Most people visit the South Rim as it is a 3-hour drive between the two rims. We recommend this park as part of a 6-day Southwest Colorado road trip<\/a> loop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Rim<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The 7-mile South Rim Road has 12 overlook stops. Some outlooks are located right next to the road and others require a walk out to the viewing point. Posted signs inform how many yards the viewing point is from the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Your first stop at Tomichi Point will have you gasping your breath in awe and grasping your little ones in fear at the great drop off of a couple of thousand feet. While the viewing platform is safe for everyone, great caution should be used while on Rim Rock Trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you have little ones, I suggest you scout out the area while an adult waits in the car with the kids. This will help you decide if the trail is right for your family or for some of your family and how much you want to cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tomichi View from the parking lot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Gunnison Point<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Gunnison Point parking lot includes the park’s South Rim visitor center where you can watch an educational movie about the park and learn about how the canyon was created.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although I’ve alerted you to potential danger, please don’t skip this park because of a few perilous areas. Most of the viewing outlooks are fenced in like this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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During our visit, Colorado had several wildfires. You can see the smoke in my pictures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The park was still beautiful even if it was dimmed by, let’s say, 10% by the smoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Painted Wall – named for the pink veins of igneous pegmatite rock showing through layers of gneiss and schist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

East Portal Road<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The road travels five steep miles at a 16% grade to the bottom of the canyon. You’ll find a 15 site campground, picnic area, and primitive trail. Due to the steep grades and hairpin curves, vehicles over 22 feet are not permitted on this road. East Portal is closed in winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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North Rim<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Kneeling Camel View<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The North Rim of the park is 11 miles southwest of Crawford, Colorado. Closed in winter, the last 7 miles of the access road is unpaved gravel. You’ll find 5 overlooks you can visit by car and four or more from the hiking trails. A campground with 13 sites is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Black Canyon of the Gunnison Junior Ranger Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pick up a Junior Ranger program for both the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and its sister site, Curecanti National Recreation Area. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Time to Cover Black Canyon of the Gunnison<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since the park isn’t considered one of the top ten, receiving around 400,000 visitors in 2019, you don’t have to worry about crowds, especially at the North Rim. Allow yourself 2-4 hours to visit the park depending on how many overlooks you walk out to and visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the park is open every day, during winter months the South Rim is open only to Gunnison Point. The North Rim and East Portal Road close late November to mid-April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hiking with Kids<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Depending on your kids’ ages and ability levels, you could schedule a hike in your visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n