One Day at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: A Hidden Gem in Colorado

(Last Updated On: April 6, 2022)

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is definitely one of the lesser-known National Parks. Located in Western Colorado near the town of Montrose, it is a trek to get to this park. Spending one day at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is plenty of time to explore one of the rims of the park. It is divided into two parts: The North Rim and the South Rim. The more visited area and easiest to get to is the South Rim. 

A sign for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. #colorado #montrose #coloadonps #blackcanyon

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History of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

The Ute Indians lived in the area prior to the arrival of Europeans. They tended to avoid the canyon due to their superstitions. Throughout the 1800s various explorers passed through the area. The first official account of the canyon was by Captain John Gunnison. 

By 1881, the railroad reached Denver, thus more people began to migrate to the area. In 1882, the first train passed through the canyon. Over the next hundred years, the railroad expanded through the area. On March 2, 1933, the canyon became a National Monument, and then on October 21, 1999, it officially became the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. 

Best Time To Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Although you can visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park any time of the year, you are better off visiting in warm weather. In the wintertime, the majority of the park is closed and you cannot access all of the sections. However, in the wintertime, you are able to snowshoe or cross country ski. 

Brown rocks of a canyon. #colorado #montrose #coloadonps #blackcanyon

How to Get to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

The closest city to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is Montrose. Montrose has a small airport served by US airlines. You can also opt to fly into Moab, Utah, which has a few more flight options than Montrose. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a 5 hours drive from Denver and a 5 hour and 40-minute drive from Salt Lake City. 

From the Montrose Airport, take the 50-E to 347-N. It will take you about 20 minutes to get to the park. 

From Moab, take the 70-E to the 50-E. Then hop on the 347-N. This will take about 2 hours and 40 minutes. 

Transportation Around Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

To get around during one day at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, you will need a car. There are no other transportation options within the park. 

brown rocks of a canyon. #colorado #montrose #coloadonps #blackcanyon

Hours and Admission 

It costs $20 to get into the park or free with the America the Beautiful Pass. The park is open all year long, but park access is limited in the wintertime. 

Where to Stay in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

The closest town to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is Montrose. We opted to stay at the Hampton Inn Montrose. This was only 20 minutes from the park and conveniently located to the rest of town. 

There is no lodging in the park, but there are three campgrounds. You can make reservations for them online. 

What to do During One Day at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Day 1: South Rim

The South Rim is the most visited area of the park and contains the most things to do. Note that in the wintertime, the road is closed from Gunnison Point to High Point. However, the road is still open for snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and hiking. 

Gunnison Point

A canyon with a river going through it. #colorado #montrose #coloadonps #blackcanyon

Distance: 100 yards

Gunnison Point is the first chance for you to glimpse the Black Canyon. If you head to the back of the Visitor’s Center, this viewpoint is just a few yards from there. This is a great way to see the canyon if you do not want a long hike. 

Oak Flat Trail

A woman standing in the snow next to bare trees. #colorado #montrose #coloadonps #blackcanyon
A woman sitting in the snow next to a tree. #colorado #montrose #coloadonps #blackcanyon

Distance: 2 miles

The Oak Flat Trail is one of the best trails to complete during one day at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. It goes along the rim of the canyon and is considered a strenuous trail. There are several steep slopes and narrow ledges so do not hike this if you have a fear of heights. Due to the snow on the trail, I could not make it through the entire hike due to how slippery it was. 

Uplands Trail

bushes covered in snow? #colorado #montrose #coloadonps #blackcanyon

Distance: 2 miles

The Uplands Trail is a pretty easy trail that is good for seeing wildlife. It is a good trail if you do not want a strenuous hike or hike along the canyon edge. Note that this trail does not have any views of the Canyon. 

Rim Rock Trail

Distance: 1 mile

The Rim Rock Nature Trail is a good alternative to the Oak Flat Trail if that one is too difficult for you. It also goes along the canyon edge and offers impressive views. It is a good hike to take during one day at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. 

South Rim Road

A road covered in snow lines with bushes. #colorado #montrose #coloadonps #blackcanyon

The South Rim Road goes for 7 miles along the canyon edge. Along the way are 12 viewpoints you can choose to stop at. Some you can just hop out of the car for the view. Others, you may need to hike a short distance to get to the viewpoint. Plan to spend 2-3 hours if you plan on stopping at all of the viewpoints. 

Note that in the wintertime, the majority of this road is closed. You can opt to hike it, snowshoe or cross country ski it instead. 

The South Rim Road starts at Gunnison Point (see above information). The following are the 11 other stops along the way and some information about each of them. We opted to hike out all the way to the Devils Lookout. 

Black rocks covered in snow. #colorado #montrose #coloadonps #blackcanyon
Pulpit Rock Overlook

A short loop trail takes you to a canyon overlook. 

Cross Fissures View

Requires a very short walk from the parking area to see views of the canyon. 

Rock Point

A bit longer of a walk from the parking area to this viewpoint. 

Devils Lookout

A slightly longer walk than Rock Point to the viewpoint. 

Chasm View

Here you can get out of your car and walk right to the viewpoint. 

Painted Wall View

The Painted Wall View you can also get right out of your car and walk to the viewpoint. 

Cedar Point

Cedar Point requires about as long of a walk as the Cross Fissures View. 

Dragon Point

Dragon Point is about as long as the walk to the Rock Point lookout.

Sunset Point

Here you can get out of your car and walk right to the viewpoint. 

High Point

At High point, you can get out of your car and walk right to the viewpoint. 

Warner Point

Distance: 1.5 miles round trip

The Warner Point Trail should also be done when spending one day at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. It is located at the end of the South Rim Drive at High Point. Along the way, you might encounter some animals as well as views of the canyon and river. 

Black rocks covered in snow. #colorado #montrose #coloadonps #blackcanyon

Spending One Day at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in the Wintertime

If you visit in the winter season, make sure to have the correct shoes for hiking. Spike or crampons work best for hiking in the snow. I was totally not thinking about this when visiting in March, so we were met with a few obstacles. 

Also, if you visit in the wintertime, you can opt to rent cross-country skis or snowshoes. I found this place in Montrose that has some pretty affordable rentals. The main road (South Rim Road) of the park turns into a cross-country ski area during the wintertime. 

Note that the North Rim is not open in the wintertime, so make sure to check the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park website for the most up-to-date information on both rims. 

A black canyon filled with snow. #colorado #montrose #coloadonps #blackcanyon

More Than One Day at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Day 2: North Rim

The North Rim does not have as many hiking trails as the South Rim, but it does have quite a few viewpoints. These are some of the popular options. 

  • Chasm View
  • The Narrows View
  • Balanced Rock View
  • Big Island View
  • Islands Beaks View
  • Kneeling Camel View
  • North Vista Trail/Exclamation Point
  • Deadhorse Trail

Final Thoughts on One Day at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

If you are looking for a place to chill after hiking, the Horsefly Brewing Company was a fun place to grab a beer. Across the street from them was Phelanies, a speakeasy you can grab a drink at. For dinner, head to Fiesta Guadalajara for some delicious Mexican food.

If you have time, add one day at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park onto a Colorado or Utah trip. It pairs well with a visit to Moab which is home to Arches and Canyonlands, Denver, or Rocky Mountain National Park.

Spending one day at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is plenty of time to explore one of the rims of the park. Hike the Oak Flat Trail, the Uplands Trail, the Rim Rock Trail, and drive the scenic drive with 12 viewpoints. #colorado #montrose #coloadonps #blackcanyon
Spending one day at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is plenty of time to explore one of the rims of the park. Hike the Oak Flat Trail, the Uplands Trail, the Rim Rock Trail, and drive the scenic drive with 12 viewpoints. #colorado #montrose #coloadonps #blackcanyon

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