A Visitor’s Guide to the South Rim Road of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Colorado is best known for being a place of incredible natural beauty – so it’s really no surprise that Colorado is home to four of the US National Parks: Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.  I’ve been lucky enough to see three out of four of these gems, and while the RMNP is tough to compete with, I really did enjoy my visit to the subject of today’s post, the BCGNP.  The Black Canyon is one of the lesser-visited National Parks (in the state and the country), which means you are not contending with the crowds that you would in some of the more popular ones (ahem…RMNP…Grand Canyon…). What it lacks in crowds, however, it does not lack in beauty, and being on Colorado’s Western Slope means that it’s close to some of my favorite places in the state!

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Many states have what they call “The Grand Canyon” of their state…well, this is “Colorado’s Grand Canyon”.  Formed by the relentless rushing of the Gunnison River, this canyon is both dramatic and dangerous! The canyon is very narrow and deep –  over 2000 ft at it’s deepest – and each viewpoint comes with its own sheer drop-off. This is definitely not the place you want to relax your guard on. The canyon was named “Black” since portions of it receive very little sunlight due to its narrow depth.  Unfortunately, you’ll see this lack of light in some of my pictures!

While I plan on writing an article dedicated to actually planning your trip to this National Park, this post is meant to be a guide for all the dramatic points and views along the South Rim of the Canyon – of which there are many!  The only thing I did not include was East Portal Road -which actually takes you down into the canyon to the river – and the Devil’s Lookout.  My car was unreliable at the time, so I was scared to make the drive down East Portal Road! However, I did ask the Park Ranger if he thought my 4 cylinder Nissan would make the trip, and he said without a doubt – cars similar to mine do it all the time!

You will see that the weather was a little tricky on my visit.  It was raining much of the day, so we actually made a total of three trips to the Park from Montrose over a 24 hour period.  I recommend visiting throughout the day as we did regardless of the weather. It’s nice to see how the different lighting of the sun changes the way the canyon looks!  Below are some of the quick specifics that you need to know for visiting this Park.

(Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that when you click on the link to buy a certain product, I will receive a small commission off the sale.  It doesn’t affect the price that you pay, and the commission I receive doesn’t have any bearing on my recommendation! Regardless, I hope that you like the products and give them a try whether you use my links or not, cause I truly suggest only what I use and love!)

What You Need To Know:

Directions: (From Montrose) Head east on Main St/HWY 50.  Follow this out of town toward Gunnison and watch for signs for the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.  Turn left on 347 which will be clearly marked for the BCGNP.  Keep following this road, it will take you straight to the entrance.

Restrooms: I’m going off memory, so there may be more than these, but I for sure remember restrooms at: Tomichi Point, The Visitor Center, Sunset Point, and Warner Point parking lots.

Distance: The South Rim road is approximately 7 miles from Tomichi Point to High Point.

Camping: There is one Campground on the South Rim, appropriately named the South Rim Campground.  (Click here to get all the details of this campground.) If you plan on day use or overnight use of the inner canyon, rock-climbing, or river use, you will need a permit.

Fees/Permits: Permits for wilderness use as described above can be found at South Rim Visitor Center or the East Portal Registration Board.

Tips:

• Be aware that you will have to walk/hike to the majority of these viewpoints.  This is not like the Grand Canyon where the viewpoints are right next to the parking or shuttle drop-offs.  While not terribly strenuous, it’s the repetition more than anything that’ll get to you.  You walk to a viewpoint, you walk back to your car.  You get in your car, and in no time at all the next viewpoint – and hike to it – are upon you.  We skipped around and made multiple trips to the canyon in our time in Montrose to avoid the full brunt of this fatigue.
• The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is an International Dark Sky Park.  Sometimes the Rangers host programs regarding this so make sure and ask about it at the Visitor Center! If the Milky Way is your thing, this is a great place to try and capture some photos of it. Check the lunar calendar before you come – it’s best to photograph the night sky when there’s a new moon.
• Make sure you pick up a map at either the entrance or the Visitor Center! I always like talking to the Rangers about their favorite spots and when the lighting is best in which spots.
• For those wanting to get up close and personal with the river, or for those of you who can’t wait to see the canyon walls towering above you from the bottom, you can access the inner canyon from East Portal Road.  The road has a 16%, steep grade, so you will want to bear that in mind before heading down.  If my car had been more reliable at the time, I would have for sure!
• There are boat tours of the Gunnison River inside the canyon for those of you who are interested! I didn’t think it would go well with my 18-month-old who wants to be independent and doesn’t want to be held anymore, or I would have for sure done this option on my visit.
• Be aware that there is wildlife in this Park! Be prepared, and if you are camping, it is highly recommended that you have bear proof gear.
• You will not have cell service in the Park, so make sure your business is attended to or you won’t enjoy it as much!
• Photography can be tricky here, due to the lack of lighting in the canyon.  I suggest visiting a couple of times throughout the day so you can see the canyon in multiple light settings.
• Children need to be closely watched here! There is not always railing at these viewpoints, and even if there is railing, it’s not completely kid-proofed!
• Drink plenty of water, especially if you aren’t used to the altitude. The elevation throughout the Park is roughly 8000-ft.
• There is no lodging and no restaurants within the Park.  You can either bring your own food for snacks and picnics, or you can bring snacks and eat your meal in Montrose.
• If you are thinking of visiting the North Rim, which seems so close, you will have to drive all the way around the canyon for access.  This takes a couple of hours, so plan your trip accordingly, as it is difficult and time consuming to try and cram both Rims into too short of a trip.

What You Need to Bring:

 If you want to see ALL the gear I recommend, check out my Resources & Store page!)

• Camera – As always and forever, I LOVE Nikon cameras.  I use the one below, and if you buy it through that link you get TWO lenses, which really, who can say no??
• Tripod – I recommend just a tripod for your phone on this hike.  The views are great, but nothing you need to set up your big guns for
• Baby Carrier for infants- for those of you hiking with littles!
• Osprey Poco AG Child Carrier – This is for those of you who are hiking with toddlers! It distributes the weight much better than a front-facing carrier and is rated up to 48 lbs with child, gear, and carrier combined.
• High Ponytail Hat – seriously THE BEST THING EVER INVENTED
• Water Bottle

Where To Stay:

Your best option is to stay in Montrose, CO, as it is only several miles away from the turnoff to the Park.  There are many affordable hotels in the area if you are only going to stay a night or two.  As always, I love VRBO for those of you who like a little more privacy and comfort than what hotels offer.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, we can begin our tour! For the most part, these stops are laid out in the same order they are along the South Rim Road. Upon entering the Park, there is an immediate right turn that will take you into the Canyon on East Portal Road.  Continue straight and you will drive the entire South Rim Road.

1. Tomichi Point

Tomichi Point is the first stop you can make upon entering the Park.  The viewpoint is visible from the parking lot and requires no walking, which is not the case for the majority of these viewpoints! However, Tomichi Point is an impressive view that whets your appetite to see the rest of the Park! The Rim Rock Trail can be accessed off the parking lot (which does have restrooms).  This trail will take you to the Visitor Center or the Campground, depending on which direction you go.  This is a great place to walk down the trail a short way and set up your tripod to get a great shot of you and your group!

2.  Gunnison Point

Gunnison Point is accessed from the Visitor Center.  It’s just a short walk to get to the above-pictured viewpoint.  This was one of my favorite viewpoints – simply spectacular! This exposed platform has sheer drop-offs all the way down to the river itself. The views of the canyon and river were really expansive – you definitely don’t want to skip out on this one. I recommend seeing it later in the day so as to avoid crowds!  The walk to this viewpoint provides access to the Oak Flat Loop Trail, which is one of the few hikes in the Park, and consequently, one of the more popular.

3. Rim Rock Trail/Campground 

I didn’t do much hiking here (other than all the hiking to the viewpoints), but I definitely recommend hiking at least a small portion of the Rim Rock Trail.  From the Visitor Center, the trail is a mile long to the Campground, and you have the Black canyon as your backdrop while you hike! We did hike a small portion of this, and it was really worthwhile. Luckily for me, it was rainy and overcast for the most part, so I didn’t have to combat the sun.  Check the weather before you go, because if it’s sunny you’re definitely going to want to bring the proper gear!

4. Visitor’s Center

I am one of those people who are always going to check out the Visitor Center when experiencing a National Park! (For starters, I have to get my traditional souvenir magnet…that’s a must.)  Visitor Centers always have nice souvenirs, as well as maps, historical information, and Park Rangers who are happy to answer questions,.  The Visitor Center here at the Black Canyon had an informative video regarding the formation of the Canyon as well as an interesting topographical map showing all the viewpoints along the North and South Rim.  I suggest asking the Park Ranger what times different viewpoints have the best lighting.  There are restrooms here, access to the Rim Rock and Oak Flat Loop Trails, as well as access to Gunnison Point. Make sure and check it out before you leave!

5. Oak Flat Loop Trail

Oak Flat Loop Trail is a popular, family-friendly hike.  It’s a 1.3-mile trail that does not allow dogs and offers views of the canyon along the way.  This loop will descend for part of the way…meaning an ascent for the second part! Be aware that although you aren’t in white-capped mountains, you are still at roughly 8000-ft elevation, so go easy on yourself if you aren’t from here!  Parts of the trail are pretty narrow, and I have heard of people with a fear of heights having trouble in some sections, so be aware.

6. Pulpit Rock Overlook

Pulpit Rock Overlook was definitely one of my faves! It had some of the best views of the river and the canyon.  I got some really awesome pictures here! It’s an ideal place to set up your tripod and get a group shot! This viewpoint was very easily accessible from the parking lot and covered a wide portion of the rim – meaning lots of different angles to enjoy! Make sure you walk all the way over to the most prominent viewpoint, pictured above.  This was one of the best views of the river, in my opinion.

7.  Cross Fissures

Cross Fissures Viewpoint requires a short walk/hike to see the canyon.  (Hint, most of the viewpoints from here on are going to require this as well).  I really liked this viewpoint, and I loved seeing the wildflowers that were already blooming when we visited in early June. You don’t see the river from here, but you do get to see a really unique portion of the canyon with overlapping ridges, and of course, steep drop-offs!

8. Rock Point

Rock Point is another viewpoint that you’ll have to hike to.  This was an interesting stop, as the viewpoint is located on a promontory.  As you can see there is fenced in rails offering a little protection, but the path to the promontory becomes narrow in some portion without protected edges.  Keep your little ones close! We had this Point to ourselves so we hung out for a bit enjoying the views, peace, and quiet.  This stop doesn’t have good views of the river, but it’s a pretty hike along the way and, of course, offers great views of the canyon.

9.  Chasm View

Chasm View is definitely a must-see spot along the South Rim! The viewing area offers a wide view of the river – and you don’t even need to make a short hike to see it! It’s located steps below the parking area.   Another nice thing about this spot (for those of you with kiddos) is that it’s got better-protected railings than what I saw in most of the places here. The view of the river here is one of the better views, and hearing the rushing water below adds a different dynamic to your experience.

10.  Painted Wall

Painted Wall was actually one of the last stops we made on the South Rim, mostly because the couple of times we drove past it earlier in the day the parking lot was full!  This is one of the most popular viewpoints because the Painted Wall is the highest cliff in the entire state of Colorado.  It certainly is a very dramatic spot!  My research suggests that you should try and visit this spot at different times of the day in order to catch the different lighting on the wall.  We saw it in the later afternoon right after it rained, so the shadows were a little tough to contend with, photography-wise.  Still, we enjoyed this spot a lot and loved seeing all the blooming wildflowers!

11. Cedar Point

I really enjoyed Cedar Point because it had a great view of the river.  Not only did you get to see the river as pictured above, but you also got to see it go a distance looking the opposite way as well.  I know at this point on the journey you are getting more than a little tired of all the walking – especially if you aren’t used to the elevation! But I would say that this stop is definitely worth making.

12.  Dragon Point

Dragon Point, while still offering excellent views of the canyon, is not very dissimilar from what you will see at Cedar Point.  I personally preferred Cedar Point, because you could look both up and down the river further.  Dragon Point also did not have as safe of a viewing area, as you can see in the picture above.  This may not matter to you, but since I was towing an 18-month-old, it did matter to me.  However, in the spirit of playing devil’s advocate, the lack of a railing makes this a better photo spot than Cedar Point.  Some people say they can see dragons in the canyon walls at this location.  Perhaps I lack imagination, because I didn’t.  If you do, drop me a comment a let me know!

13.  Sunset Point

Sunset Point will make your heart happy when you see it because there is not a hike to get to the viewpoint! There are also restrooms and a small picnic area, which makes this a nice resting point.  Sunset Point had a wide area of the canyon rim, and the short walk to the viewpoint ends on a promontory overlooking the river.  As you can see in the above picture, this viewpoint watches the river make its way out of the canyon, with the cliff walls becoming less steep as it goes.  This is one of the last viewpoints, so make sure to really enjoy your stop while you are here! It is for sure the last easy viewpoint of the canyon.

14.  Warner Point/Trail

The trail to Warner Point is every bit of a hiking trail.  This is not short compared to all the other paths that took you to the previous viewpoints.  I definitely recommend making the hike, as the views from Warner Point are unique from the other viewpoints.  This is the only spot that gives you an excellent view looking back into the canyon towards where you came from.  We decided to come back the next morning and do this hike since we were tired from all the previous walking we had done, and I definitely suggest doing that for your party as well.  We stopped at literally every stop with the exception of Devil’s Lookout within that first day, and this would have been more work than enjoyment for us if we had crammed it into our activities.  Whenever you decide to do it, it’ll definitely be worth it when you make it to the viewpoint!

15.  High Point

High Point is where the road ends.  It’s located at the parking lot for Warner Point trailhead.  You can’t really see the canyon but you have a nice, open view of the beautiful white-capped mountains that serve as a backdrop for the BCGNP. As stated above, there are restrooms here as well as picnic tables.  If you see Warner Point, you’ll see High Point, as the trailhead for Warner Point is located here. So pull out your snacks and enjoy a break before starting down the trail to Warner Point!

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a unique and beautiful place to visit.  My mother and I really enjoyed the views and the scenery, and hope to return one day to see what’s up on the North Rim! I hope this Guide helped those of you who are planning a trip.  You definitely won’t regret visiting!  Make sure to check out my posts for other things to do in this area. The Western Slope is my favorite area in Colorado!

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As always, sometimes things change – especially if it’s been a while since I visited! If you notice something, shoot me a message or comment so I can fix it!

Don’t forget to leave me a comment! I love feedback!

Until next time!