Gunnison Point Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Experience one of North America's steepest and darkest canyons, carved by the Gunnison River, offering dramatic views and challenging adventures.
Highlights
Must-see attractions

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From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Beat the heat and crowds
Gunnison Point Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Best Time
Beat the heat and crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience one of North America's steepest and darkest canyons, carved by the Gunnison River, offering dramatic views and challenging adventures.
"Steeper than the Grand Canyon. Darker than your ex’s soul. Welcome to Black Canyon!"
Get Your Gunnison Route Permit Early
:ticket: Permits are limited to 15 per day for the Gunnison Route. Visit the visitor center the day before to secure yours!
South Rim is Most Accessible
:world_map: The South Rim offers the most viewpoints and easier access. The North Rim is more remote.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Painted Wall Overlook
South Rim
Witness Colorado's tallest cliff, the Painted Wall, a sheer 2,250-foot drop. Its dramatic scale is awe-inspiring.
Gunnison Point
South Rim
An easily accessible viewpoint offering stunning vistas of the canyon's depth and the Gunnison River below.
Gunnison Route Hike
South Rim
For the adventurous, this strenuous hike descends nearly 2,000 feet into the canyon. Permits are required.
Warner Point Trail
South Rim
A family-friendly 1.5-mile roundtrip hike with moderate elevation gain, offering beautiful canyon views.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Permits for the Gunnison Route
South Rim vs. North Rim
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Get Your Gunnison Route Permit Early
:ticket: Permits are limited to 15 per day for the Gunnison Route. Visit the visitor center the day before to secure yours!
South Rim is Most Accessible
:world_map: The South Rim offers the most viewpoints and easier access. The North Rim is more remote.
Wear Sturdy Hiking Shoes
:athletic_shoe: Trails can be steep and rocky, especially the Gunnison Route. Good footwear is essential for safety.
Arrive Early for Solitude
:sunrise: Even though it's less visited, arriving early maximizes your chances of enjoying the views in peace.
Tips
from all over the internet
Get Your Gunnison Route Permit Early
:ticket: Permits are limited to 15 per day for the Gunnison Route. Visit the visitor center the day before to secure yours!
South Rim is Most Accessible
:world_map: The South Rim offers the most viewpoints and easier access. The North Rim is more remote.
Wear Sturdy Hiking Shoes
:athletic_shoe: Trails can be steep and rocky, especially the Gunnison Route. Good footwear is essential for safety.
Arrive Early for Solitude
:sunrise: Even though it's less visited, arriving early maximizes your chances of enjoying the views in peace.
Check Park Alerts
:warning: Wildfires can impact access. Always check the park's official website for current conditions and closures.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the breathtaking, dramatic views of the Black Canyon, often noting its underrated status and lack of crowds compared to other national parks. The sheer scale and unique geology leave a lasting impression. However, some find the limited number of easily accessible viewpoints and the challenging nature of the deeper canyon hikes to be drawbacks.
"Great viewpoint in the park next to the visitor center. A short trail leads down to the viewpoint. Probably second best view in the park (after painted wall view)."
Andrew Barch
"Multiple stops along this route and all of them were worth the views. Recommend everyone go here at least once."
Austin Rogers
"Gunnison Point is one of the few easy access viewpoints in the park. Gunnison National Park is hard to comprehend if you haven't been there because of its deep canyons. Viewpoints, about ten, are generally a 300m to 650m hike. Difficult if you have small children. This point is one of the few that is located at a parking lot. But the park is really beautiful!"
Christoph Bauwens
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The South Rim is the most accessible and popular entrance, located about 7 miles west of Montrose, Colorado. Visitors can fly into Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) and then drive. The North Rim is more remote and requires a longer drive, typically accessed from Crawford.
Yes, the South Rim features a scenic drive with numerous pull-offs and overlooks. The North Rim also has a scenic drive, but it's unpaved and requires a high-clearance vehicle.
Absolutely! Many visitors explore the South Rim viewpoints on a day trip from nearby towns like Montrose. The overlooks are easily accessible from the main road.
Accessing the North Rim involves a longer drive on unpaved roads, often requiring a high-clearance vehicle. It's a more rugged experience compared to the South Rim.
No, there are no shuttle buses within Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. You will need your own vehicle to explore the scenic drives and reach the trailheads.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Yes, there is an entrance fee for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. You can purchase a pass at the visitor center or online. An America the Beautiful Pass is also accepted.
The park is generally open year-round, but specific facilities like visitor centers have seasonal hours. The scenic drives are typically accessible from sunrise to sunset. Always check the official NPS website for the most current hours.
Permits for the Gunnison Route are required and limited to 15 per day. You must obtain them in person at the South Rim Visitor Center the day before your hike, about 1.5 hours before closing.
Yes, the Gunnison Route is considered extremely difficult. It involves a steep descent of nearly 2,000 feet in about 1.5 miles, with loose scree as footing. It's not a marked trail and requires significant physical fitness and caution.
The South Rim has a campground (South Rim Campground) that is open seasonally. The North Rim has a smaller campground (North Rim Campground) that is also seasonal. Reservations are recommended. Note that the campground was impacted by a wildfire in the past.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
Top viewpoints on the South Rim include Painted Wall, Gunnison Point, Pulpit Rock, Sunset View, Chasm View, and Tomichi Point. The Rim Rock Nature Trail offers great perspectives.
The Warner Point Trail (1.5 miles roundtrip) and Rim Rock Nature Trail are excellent, family-friendly options with moderate elevation gain and stunning canyon views.
Yes, the South Rim offers several easy trails and accessible viewpoints that are suitable for families with children. The Junior Ranger program is also available.
The canyon exposes some of the oldest rock in North America, with Precambrian metamorphic and igneous rocks dating back up to 2 billion years. The sheer, dark walls are a result of erosion by the Gunnison River.
You might spot mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and various bird species. Keep a safe distance and never feed the wildlife.
📸 📸 Photography
Sunrise and sunset offer dramatic lighting and long shadows that accentuate the canyon's depth and textures. Midday can be harsh, but the dark rock can create moody shots.
The Painted Wall, Gunnison Point, and Pulpit Rock are particularly striking. The unique Juniper Tree is also a popular subject.
Use a wide-angle lens to capture the vastness of the canyon. Consider polarizing filters to reduce glare and enhance colors. Be mindful of the extreme drop-offs when composing shots.
Yes, many trails offer incredible photographic opportunities. However, always prioritize safety and be aware of your surroundings, especially on steep or narrow paths.
The park's remote location and minimal light pollution make it a good spot for astrophotography. However, the canyon walls can limit the view of the night sky from some areas.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
⛰️ Adventure Seekers & Hikers
📸 Photographers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Gunnison Route: A True Test of Endurance
Securing a permit is the first hurdle. Only 15 permits are issued daily, and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the South Rim Visitor Center the day before your intended hike. Arriving about 1.5 hours before closing is recommended to increase your chances. This exclusivity adds to the allure, making it a badge of honor for those who complete it. Remember to inform someone of your hiking plans and carry essential safety gear.
Safety is paramount when attempting the Gunnison Route. Cell service is unreliable, and your GPS device might not function optimally. Park rangers strongly advise against attempting this hike alone due to its extreme difficulty and potential hazards. If you are considering this hike, ensure you have ample water, food, a first-aid kit, and the physical conditioning to handle such a strenuous and technical descent and ascent.
Understanding the Canyon's Dark and Steep Nature
The canyon's geology is equally impressive, exposing some of the oldest rocks in North America, including Precambrian metamorphic and igneous formations that are up to 2 billion years old. The relentless erosive power of the Gunnison River over millions of years carved these dramatic cliffs. This geological history is evident in the exposed rock layers visible from the overlooks and trails.
This unique environment creates a sense of awe and isolation. The sheer scale of the canyon can be difficult to comprehend from the rim, and the limited access to the canyon floor only adds to its mystique. It's a place that truly showcases the raw power of nature and the vastness of geological time.
Navigating the South Rim: Overlooks and Easy Trails
For those seeking a less strenuous experience, several easy hikes are perfect for families and casual walkers. The Warner Point Trail is a 1.5-mile roundtrip path with minimal elevation gain, leading to rewarding vistas. The Rim Rock Nature Trail also provides accessible viewpoints and a chance to appreciate the canyon's scale without a demanding climb. These trails allow visitors to immerse themselves in the park's grandeur without needing specialized gear or extreme fitness.
Even with its accessibility, it's advisable to arrive early, especially during peak season, to enjoy more solitude and better photographic light. The South Rim Visitor Center is a great starting point for information, maps, and obtaining permits for more challenging hikes like the Gunnison Route.
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