At a glance
Big enough to be overwhelming, yet still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time. Come see some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. Forces of nature and the Gunnison River sculpted this canyon over two million years. The result is a vertical wilderness of rock, water, and sky.
Things to do: Astronomy · Stargazing · Camping · Backcountry Camping · Car or Front Country Camping · RV Camping · Climbing · Rock Climbing · Fishing · Fly Fishing · Hiking · Backcountry Hiking · Front-Country Hiking · Horse Trekking
ParkAtlas, maintained by Stellaroos, combines its park and trail dataset with public information from the National Park Service. NPS data snapshot retrieved . Fees, access, and conditions can change; verify current details with NPS before traveling.
Popular trails
Curated routes with approximate round-trip distance. Tap one to log it in the app.In the app, tap one to log it.
Camping
Approximately 88 campsites across the park's campgrounds. Reservations are strongly recommended in peak season (May – October).
Best time to visit
Peak season: May – October. The park is open year-round, though some roads and facilities close or run reduced hours in winter.
com/weather/today/l/NPBLCA:13:US CLIMATE Weather can vary greatly throughout the day. Summer daytime temperatures range between 55 to 90F (13 to 32C), nights 45 to 60F (7 to 16C). Winter daytime temperatures range between 15 to 40F (-9 to 4C), nights 10 to 20F (-12 to -6C). Afternoon thunderstorms are common during the summer.
Snow accumulation varies greatly year to year. Layered clothing appropriate for the season is recommended.
Pack for Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Four things worth having for alpine weather that changes by the hour. From the full gear list; links support ParkAtlas.
Black Diamond trekking poles
Knees on the descent will thank you. These collapse small enough for a carry-on.
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Marmot PreCip rain shell
Afternoon thunderstorms are a feature of the mountain West, not a bug.
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Smartwool Smartloft vest
Core warmth without the arm bulk. Lives in the car from October to May.
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Black Diamond rechargeable headlamp
Sunrise hikes and late finishes. Never rely on your phone flashlight.
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Entrance fees
- Entrance - Private Vehicle — 7-Day Vehicle Pass. Entrance fees cover all persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle.$30
- Entrance - Motorcycle — Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.$25
- Entrance - Per Person — 7-Day Individual Pass (pedestrian or bicycle)$15
- Commercial Entrance - Sedan — Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 1-6 persons. Fee is $25.00 per vehicle plus $7.00 per passenger.$25
- Commercial Entrance - Van — Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 7-25. Fee is $40.00 per vehicle.$40
Annual Entrance - Park: $55. An America the Beautiful pass ($80/yr) covers every national park.
Getting there
Nearest city: Montrose, CO. Park center: 38.570°, -107.720°.
S. Highway 50 east of Montrose. Physical/GPS address is: 9800 Highway 347, Montrose, CO 81401 North Rim: 11 miles southwest of Crawford, Colorado. From CO Highway 92, turn west on Black Canyon Road approximately 3 miles south of Crawford. Follow the road signs to the park.
Coming from a big city? See every park near Denver or Albuquerque.
Common questions
How much does it cost to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park?
Entrance - Private Vehicle: $30. Entrance - Motorcycle: $25. Entrance - Per Person: $15.
When is the best time to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
Peak season is May – October. The park is open year-round, with some roads and facilities on reduced winter schedules. com/weather/today/l/NPBLCA:13:US CLIMATE Weather can vary greatly throughout the day. Summer daytime temperatures range between 55 to 90F (13 to 32C), nights 45 to 60F (7 to 16C). Winter daytime temperatures range between 15 to 40F (-9 to 4C), nights 10 to 20F (-12 to -6C). Afternoon thunderstorms are common during the summer.
Can you camp in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park?
Yes — about 88 campsites across the park's campgrounds. Reserve ahead in peak season.
What is the closest city to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park?
Montrose, CO is the nearest major city. S. Highway 50 east of Montrose. Physical/GPS address is: 9800 Highway 347, Montrose, CO 81401 North Rim: 11 miles southwest of Crawford, Colorado. From CO Highway 92, turn west on Black Canyon Road approximately 3 miles south of Crawford. Follow the road signs to the park.
What are the best hikes in Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
Popular trails include Rim Rock Nature Trail (1.0 mi), Cedar Point Nature Trail (0.3 mi), Warner Point Nature Trail (1.5 mi), Chasm View Nature Trail (0.3 mi). The park has roughly 8 named trails.
Plan your trip
The practical bits, so more of the weekend goes to the trail.