Hikes and walks (8)
| Hike | What it is | Time, season, pets |
|---|---|---|
| Hike Rim Rock Trail - South Rim | This 1-mile (1.6 km) trail, which meanders along the canyon rim, connects the South Rim Visitor Center to the South Rim Campground. | Pets with limits |
| Hike Uplands Trail - South Rim | This .9-mile (1.4 km) trail links the Rim Rock Trail (near the campground) to the upper Oak Flat Loop Trail near the South Rim Visitor Center. | No pets |
| Hike North Vista Trail - North Rim | Constructed by the Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, the North Vista Trail offers some of the best scenic views and birding in the park. Difficulty varies from moderate to strenuous based on distance. | Spring, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Hike Deadhorse Trail - North Rim | Deadhorse Trail takes hikers into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness Area. It offers good views of Deadhorse Gulch and East Portal on the Gunnison River, as well as good birding. | Spring, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Hike Chasm View Nature Trail - North Rim | This short loop trail breaks out of the pinyon/juniper forest at the North Chasm View to provide excellent views of Painted Wall and Serpent Point. | Spring, Summer, Fall · Pets OK |
| Hike Cedar Point Nature Trail - South Rim | This short, moderately sloped trail offers visitors a chance to brush up on local flora with guideposts describing the various plants along the way. | Pets OK |
| Hike Oak Flat Trail - South Rim | This 1.6 mi (2.6 km) trail offers variety to the hiker who would like to explore below the rim without going all the way to the river. The trail is narrow in places and traverses some steep slopes. | No pets |
| Hike Warner Point Trail - South Rim | Warner Point Trail provides views of various mountain ranges, the Black Canyon, and the Gunnison River. Nature trail guides are available at High Point Overlook or the South Rim Visitor Center. | No pets |
Other things to do (8)
| Activity | What it is | Time, season, pets |
|---|---|---|
| Tour the South Rim Drive | The South Rim Drive is a scenic paved road that follows the canyon rim for 7 miles from Tomichi Point to High Point and features 12 overlooks. | 2 to 3 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall · Pets with limits |
| Cross-country Skiing at Black Canyon | In winter, South Rim Drive is closed to vehicles beyond the visitor center at Gunnison Point. As staffing and snow conditions allow, rangers groom the remainder of the road for cross-country skiing (skate and classic) and snowshoeing. | Winter · No pets |
| Snowshoeing at Black Canyon | Although services and access are limited during winter, the park provides recreation opportunities for winter enthusiasts. | Winter · No pets · Reservation needed |
| Stargazing at Black Canyon | Black Canyon has exceptional opportunities to view the night skies. Choose overlooks far from the road for optimal stargazing and astrophotography or join one of the park's telescope viewing programs during summer. | All year · Pets with limits |
| Drive East Portal Road | East Portal Road is a windy, steep scenic road down to the Gunnison River. East Portal is within Curecanti National Recreation Area, but only accessible from within Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Vehicles over 22 feet are prohibited on the East Portal Road. | 1 to 2 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall · Pets with limits |
| Tour the North Rim Road | The North Rim is reached by taking a gravel road from the east end of Crawford State Park. The North Rim Road provides access to 6 overlooks. The canyon walls on the North Rim are almost vertical, offering impressive views. | 2 to 3 Hours · Summer, Fall · Pets with limits |
| Join a Ranger Program | Ranger program offerings vary throughout the year. Stop by the South Rim Visitor Center for current offerings and times. | 20 to 60 Minutes · All year · No pets |
| Tour the South Rim Visitor Center | The South Rim Visitor Center is a great first-stop during your visit to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Stop here to get recommendations from park rangers, tour the interactive exhibits, watch the park movie, shop the park bookstore, and grab maps and brochures to inform your adventure. | All year · No pets |
Before you set out
Trail conditions change with snow, fire and storms. Check the park’s current alerts, carry the ten essentials and read know before you go.
Sources
- National Park Service: things to do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Data API, public domain)
Last checked 1 November 2026.