Often seen as a rival to the Grand Canyon, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of America’s most unique national parks. While not as deep and wide as Arizona’s crown jewel, its impressive combination of sheerness, narrowness, and depth is greater than any canyon in the US. That’s what makes it a stand-out destination among national park lovers. Despite its surreal beauty, this park is the least visited of Colorado’s national parks, welcoming under half a million tourists annually. Discover ways to explore the beauty of this overlooked park.
Begin Your Adventure at South Rim Visitor Center
South Rim Visitor Center is the best starting point for your Black Canyon of the Gunnison adventures. The facility features interactive exhibits that provide insight into the park’s rich geologic and human history and the natural wonders that make it special. You can also gain various resources, including maps and brochures, to make your visit effortless.
Hike Warner Point Nature Trail
Hike Warner Point Nature Trail to enjoy some of Black Canyon of the Gunnison’s most stunning scenery. The 1.5-mile trail meanders through pine and juniper forests to South Rim’s highest point. From the observation point, you’ll enjoy impressive views of the canyon, the Gunnison River, and various mountain ranges, including the San Juan Mountains.
Hike Oak Flat Loop Trail
If you want to take in the park’s inner canyon views without going through a challenging hike, don’t miss Oak Flat Loop Trail on your bucket list. The trail on the South Rim offers unbeatable views of the canyon walls and the Gunnison River. You may also spot some wildlife along the way, including black bears.
Hike to Cedar Point
Cedar Point Trail is an easy 0.4-mile hike with incredibly scenic views of some of the park’s most outstanding features, including the Painted Wall, Centennial State’s highest cliff. It’s another fabulous option to experience the grandeur of Colorado’s most underrated national park without going through a strenuous hike. With interpretive signs along the trail, you’ll enjoy learning about the area’s unique flora.
Explore Devil’s Overlook
Devil’s Overlook guarantees some of the most dramatic views of the canyon. You can view the sheer cliff faces and the river below from the observation point. It’s among the scenic short trails along the South Rim Drive and guarantees a unique experience of the canyon’s otherworldly scenery.
Explore Tomichi Point
Tomichi Point, located at the park’s Visitor Center area, is the first viewpoint you’ll enjoy as you drive the South Rim Road. But hiking to it is more fun. It allows you to enjoy, understand, and appreciate the Black Canyon of the Gunnison’s unique scenery and scale before diving deep into other offerings in the park. Besides the views of the deep canyon walls and the Gunnison River, you can see the Tomichi Dome on a clear day.
Discover Dragon Point
Dragon Point is the most striking west-facing viewpoint in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, especially at sunset. The views of the canyon and the Painted Wall are incredibly breathtaking from this spot. It’s reachable via Dragon Point Trail, whose trailhead is about 4.4 miles from the South Rim Visitor Center.
Take in Black Canyon’s Scenery from Chasm View
The Chasm View is one of Black Canyon of the Gunnison’s main highlights. It offers unparalleled views of the canyon’s steep walls. It’s reachable via the Chasm View Nature Trail, an easy and convenient way to enjoy sweeping views of the park’s most dramatic portion: the Narrows. It also includes beautiful views of the Painted Wall.
Hike to Sunset View
Sunset View is a striking lookout over one of America’s most underrated canyons. As its name suggests, it also offers some of the most stunning sunset views in the park, making it worth a stop during your trip. While hiking the Sunset View Trail, which is well-marked, it’s advisable not to go off-trail to areas with hazardous terrain.
Hike to Cross Fissures Overlook
Cross Fissures Overlook offers some of the most spectacular views of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. It’s known for its distinct perspective of the canyon’s depths. From the top, you can see the gorge’s steep walls, the river, and the rugged cliffs within the canyon.
Hike Pulpit Rock Overlook
Pulpit Rock Overlook is among the viewing points you shouldn’t miss in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. It offers a picturesque view of the Gunnison River as it curves through the gorge. You can get to the viewpoint by hiking the 0.2-mile out-and-back Pulpit Rock Trail, which crosses a narrow ridge to Pulpit Rock.
Hike to Gunnison Point Overlook
Gunnison Point Overlook offers some of the most spectacular viewpoints on the park’s South Rim. It provides an expansive vista of the canyon and the river as it carves through the dramatic gorge. However, the overlook’s proximity to the Visitor Center makes it a popular scenic stop in the park, which means you’ll probably meet other adventure seekers.
Discover Beautiful Scenery on Rock Point Trail
Rock Point Trail takes tourists to one of South Rim’s most incredible vantage points. It offers the best view of the Narrows, which is Black Canyon’s narrowest portion. It allows you to appreciate the canyon’s scale without going through a challenging hike, making it a favorite among many park visitors. The trail is only 0.4 miles (out and back) and takes only 9 minutes to complete.
Hike High Point Trail
High Point is an awe-inspiring lookout you don’t want to miss during your trip to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. To get to the viewing point, you hike the 0.3-mile out-and-back trail, only taking 7 minutes to complete. Whether you are just looking for a place to stretch your legs or catch a unique perspective of Colorado’s most underrated national park, this trail will not disappoint.
Go Fishing in Gunnison River
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison offers incredible angling opportunities because the portion of the Gunnison River within the park is designated as Gold Medal Water & Wild Trout Water. Rainbow and brown trout are the most popular catches, but you may also encounter cut bows and Kokanee salmon. The peak fishing season runs between mid-June and late September.
