Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

🌲 Park Overview

Carved by the relentless Gunnison River, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in western Colorado showcases some of the steepest, narrowest, and sheerest cliffs in North America—many sections receive only minutes of sunlight each day. The result is a plunging gorge of dark Precambrian gneiss and schist walls, striped with pink pegmatite veins, that plummet more than 2,700 ft from rim to river. Two rims (South & North) offer drastically different perspectives: easily accessed scenic drives on the South, and remote, quiet overlooks and back-in camps on the North. Beneath the rims lies a vertical playground for expert climbers, Class V paddlers, and backcountry scramblers who brave the inner-canyon routes.

🌟 Fun Facts

Painted Wall rises 2,250 ft—Colorado’s tallest sheer cliff and 1.7× the height of the Empire State Building.

The Gunnison River loses an average 34 ft per mile in the park; at Chasm View it plummets 240 ft in one mile.

The canyon earned its name because some walls are so narrow sunlight reaches the river less than 30 minutes a day.

Designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2015—Milky Way views from any turnout on clear nights.

📅 Best Time to Visit

Season

Weather & Access

Highlights

Watch-outs

May – Jun

60-75 °F days, cool nights

Spring wildflowers, full South Rim Drive, river roaring

Afternoon gusts, inner-canyon high water blocks crossings

Jul – Aug

75-85 °F, monsoon storms

Dark-sky ranger programs Wed–Sat, best river kayaking season

Lightning on exposed rims, mid-day heat

Sep – Oct

50-70 °F & aspen gold

Crisp air, fall colors on North Rim Road

Rim Campgrounds first-come only; early snow possible

Nov – Apr

20-50 °F surface, variable snow

Snow-dusted canyon views, XC-ski South Rim Road

Only 1st mile plowed; spikes/snowshoes needed, limited services

🎯 Things to Do

Families

Rim Rock Nature Trail (1.3 mi) sunset stroll with canyon overlook signs.

Earn Junior Ranger & Night-Sky Explorer badges at South Rim VC.

Attend evening “Under the Dark Sky” telescope program (summer weekends).

Adventure-Seekers

Inner-canyon scramble routes (free permit): SOB Draw or Gunnison Route to river (Class 3, 1,800 ft descent).

Painted Wall via Hallucinogen Wall – 2-day 5.13 big-wall climb (elite only).

Kayak Class V Gorge from Crystal Dam (experienced expedition teams only).

Photographers

Sunrise at Gunnison Point or Pulpit Rock.

Blue-hour glow on Painted Wall from Dragon Point.

Milky Way arch over Chasm View (June–Aug new moon).

🥾 Top Hikes & Photo Spots

Trail / Route

Dist. / Gain

Highlights

Warner Point Nature Trail

1.5 mi RT / 200 ft

High-rim fauna, San Juan & West Elk mountain panoramas.

Oak Flat Loop (partial inner-canyon)

2 mi loop / 600 ft

Taste of steep terrain, Gambel oak shade, river glimpses.

Exclamation Point (North Rim)

3 mi RT / 250 ft

Knife-edge overlook straight down 2,000 ft.

Chasm View Nature Trail

0.6 mi loop

Painted Wall, star-party site, best sunset on North Rim.

👨‍👩‍👧 Kid-Friendly Activities

“Canyon Creature” ranger table with pelts & geology puzzles (summer South Rim VC).

B.A.T. (Be-A-Tracker) Hike on Rim Rock—identify prints & scat.

Junior Night-Sky program: learn to map constellations with red lights.

♿ Accessibility Notes

South Rim Visitor Center, restrooms, and Gunnison Point overlook feature ramps & paved paths.

Designated accessible campsite loops A & B in South Rim Campground (electric hookups).

Audio-described exhibits and tactile canyon relief map available at VC.

🗓️ Itinerary Ideas

1-Day “Rim-Rush”

Sunrise at Gunnison Point boardwalk.

Drive South Rim Road, stopping at Pulpit Rock, Cross Fissures, Painted Wall.

Lunch at South Rim picnic area.

Afternoon Oak Flat Loop to stretch legs.

Star program 9 p.m. at Chasm View (summer).

Weekend “Drop & Dark”

Day 1: Arrive noon, pick up inner-canyon permit, camp South Rim.

Day 2: Descend Gunnison Route to river, fish gold-medal trout & camp (Zone restrictions).

Day 3: Ascent at dawn, drive to North Rim for Exclamation Point sunset.

🧳 Planning Tips

Permits: Free, same-day at ranger station for inner-canyon routes (20 parties per day South Rim, 3 North).

Water: None on rims once you leave VC; multiple liters essential.

Sun & Wind: Exposed cliffs—wide-brim hat & layers year-round.

Camping: South Rim loops A (year-round, res. Apr–Oct), B & C (seasonal). North Rim rustic FCFS mid-May–Oct.

🚧 Permits & Rules

No pets below rim or on inner-canyon routes; leashed OK on paved overlooks.

Rockfall & poison ivy common below rim—long pants recommended.

Leave rocks/minerals; climbing chalk must be colored to match rock.

🌄 Compare This Park With

Grand Canyon NP: Vast but less steep; Black Canyon more intimate & sheer.

Canyonlands NP (Island in the Sky): Similar dark-sky quality, broader canyon vistas.

Kings Canyon NP (Cedar Grove): Comparable depth sections; granite vs. gneiss walls.

🔗 Internal Links (For Site Navigation)

Blog – “Permits, Poles & Pegmatite: Inner-Canyon Packing List.”

Printable – “South Rim Overlook Bingo & Dark-Sky Checklist.”

📥 Printable Downloads (placeholder)

Inner-Canyon Descent Planner

Night-Sky Photography Field Card

Rim Drive Mile-Marker Map

🔍 SEO Keyword Targets

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Painted Wall sunrise photography tips

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Fishing Gunnison River inner canyon

Black Canyon rock climbing routes

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